Freedom’s Watch releases new ad accusing Merkley of raising taxes

Freedom’s Watch released a new ad Wednesday urging Oregon voters to tell Jeff Merkley that tax hikes were bad policy, and points to a clip of the Democratic candidate advocating for taxes.

The ad highlights video from an April 2008 debate where Merkley was sparring with other Democratic rivals for the U.S. Senate seat. During the debate, Merkley said, “I advocate for tax hikes every night in living rooms across Oregon.” After playing that quote, the ad goes on to say that during his career in the Oregon Legislature, Merkley was responsible for higher gas taxes, business taxes, and hotel taxes.

“I think Oregonians, and, frankly, all Americans, would prefer that Jeff Merkley stay out of their living rooms every evening,” Freedom’s Watch spokesman Tim Pearson said. “But if he insists on interrupting their day-to-day lives with his eager advocacy, he'll probably be better off not telling folks he plans to take more of their hard-earned dollars.”

Merkley spokesman Matt Canter was quick to say that the clip, which was also used in a previous Gordon Smith ad, was misrepresented. The entire quote had actually come from Merkley advocating for closing tax loopholes for wealthy Americans and corporations.

“This dog can’t hunt,” Canter said. “Voters see that ad and know that Gordon Smith is ripping a few words out of context.”