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CLEAR Temp: 48 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Tuesday, September 30, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 5, 2002 Democrat Kupillas starts group to back Smith Party leaders pooh-pooh the move, saying she’s practically a Republican By DANI DODGE Mail Tribune Saying she appreciates Gordon Smith’s bipartisan efforts in the U.S. Senate, Jackson County Commissioner Sue Kupillas announced Tuesday she will lead a new group called the Southern Oregon Democrats for Smith. "I think the most important reason I support him is that Sen. Smith and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have been working together on a lot of issues, and it’s been an example for the nation about how two offices can work in a more nonpartisan way," Kupillas said. "I see a real genuine effort to work together." In response, though, local Democratic leaders re-emphasized their support for Smith’s Democratic rival in the November election, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury. And they dismissed Kupillas as practically a Republican anyway. "She’s always behaved like a conservative Democrat or a Republican," said Bill Layton, the Democratic Central Committee chairman. "She has not in my view supported the same kind of things mainstream Democrats do. I was very disappointed in how she handled the Soda Mountain deal." Kupillas — who recommended reducing by some two-thirds the size of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, which includes Soda Mountain — said she’s not alone in her Democratic support of Smith. A press release issued by Smith’s office listed other prominent Democratic community members, including Ed Caleb, the Klamath County district attorney; Jeannie Weakley, a Roseburg sawmill union member; Bill Ihle, senior vice president for Bear Creek's parent company, Yamanouchi Consumer Inc.; and Doug Schmor, a Medford attorney. Smith said he’s gratified by the support of Democrats, although he admitted it may give him a bad image among a few Republicans. "The point is, I’m deeply grateful for the support of Republicans, Independents and Democrats," Smith said. "Recent polling shows I’m getting 28 percent of Democrats. ... that is a fabulous number and I’m trying to build on that for the obvious reasons — politics is about addition and not subtraction." Smith said he believes that especially in Southern Oregon, there are a number of Democrats who share his views rather than Bradbury’s. "Southern Oregon Democrats understand very well the relationship between the environment and the economy," Smith said. "Bill Bradbury is a radical environmentalist and I’m a common-sense conservationist." Barbara Davidson, secretary of the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee, scoffed when she heard Smith’s characterization of Bradbury as "radical." "I can’t imagine Bill Bradbury being radical about anything except representing the people of Oregon fairly for the good of all," Davidson said. Davidson said she not only supports Bradbury’s environmental views over Smith’s but also trusts Bradbury more. She said she was disappointed in Smith’s votes attempting to strike down Oregon’s physician-assisted suicide law, which had been twice approved by Oregon voters. "I just think Smith has not upheld his commitments to voters," Davidson said. But Kupillas said she’s talked to both candidates and believes Smith will better represent Oregon. She noted that he’s been readily available to county officials and helped get a bill passed that replaces lost timber revenues in the county. Kupillas also said she’s been impressed by his work on health care and cancer research. Kupillas admitted she and Smith don’t agree on all the issues, especially access to abortion, but they can talk about the "nuances" and "gray areas" and find some common ground. And, Kupillas added, she’s definitely a Democrat no matter what anyone says. "Some people only follow part of the issues I deal with," she said. "If they were working with me on education or social services, they would think I’m a real liberal Democrat. It’s only on the natural resources issues that I am more moderate." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times