As a political blogger I am approached from time to time by candidates and supporters asking for support, inviting me to their events or speaking against a candidate I might have decided to support. But, I have to say that tonight was the first time a PAC has contacted me to ask that I consider withdrawing an endorsement of a candidate.
What strikes me as odd, besides the fact that I have not endorsed Anne McEnerny-Ogle, or any candidate for Vancouver City Council for that matter, is that the link shown is to a recommendation I made a year and a half ago, when she was vying to be appointed to the city council seat that Bart Hansen ended up winning the nomination to.
Anne is running opposed to Pat Campbell this time around though, along with Bill Turlay.
Looking at the link provided, this National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington is more of a liberal organization than I usually pay much heed to. But, they have every right to endorse who they wish according to their own standards.
For the record, I do not live within Vancouver City Limits and as I cannot vote for city council seats, do not intend to endorse any of the candidates, even if I cover their campaigns. As a matter of fact, that is why my sidebar contains links to the campaign pages of all candidates for city council, the 4 challengers and the 3 incumbents.
I have spoken with both Anne McEnerny-Ogle in the past and Bill Turlay more recently and find both qualified and very likeable. Either would be good for city council, in my opinion.
But, what I really find disturbing and makes me question Life Pac’s endorsements is last year’s campaign for the 18th legislative district seat vacated by now 3rd Congressional District representative, Jaime Herrera Beutler.
In that race, Life Pac chose to endorse Washougal city council member Jon Russell, who is willing to say anything and do anything to get a vote. He walks around with the phoniest used car salesman smile possible and often relies on dirty campaign tactics.
Because he said he does not support abortion under any reason, they gave him the endorsement over Ann Rivers who said she opposed abortion but would make an exception in case of rape or incest.
What irked me in that regard is that Ann Rivers proved herself a pro-life candidate long before she was even a political candidate. She gave proof that no man ever could. As a young teen, she was sexually assaulted, became pregnant and although encouraged to obtain an abortion, refused, carried the child to full term and gave a little girl up for adoption to a very nice, loving couple.
If that isn’t a strong endorsement of pro-life, I don’t know what is.
By what right does Life Pac have to now ask me to consider removing a year and half old endorsement of Anne McEnerny-Ogle because a left-leaning group has endorsed her?
I don’t believe in abortion myself, but as a male that is an easy position for me to take. It is a decision I have never been faced with. Not by any old girlfriends, my wife or my daughters.
I abhor the idea of abortion as a means of birth control, but can I live someone else’s life? No, it’s hard enough living my own life.
Life Pac too has every right to endorse whoever they desire by whatever standards they desire. But, abortion is not my number one priority. As much as I personally dislike it, the country, state, county and city is facing far greater problems.
How am I to take Life Pac seriously after they short changed Ann Rivers just last year in favor of a political opportunist and considering that in 2009, they endorsed Anne McEnerny-Ogle over Jeanne Harris?
Consistency goes a long way with me.
