Politics McGavick Doesn’t Know What He Thinks About Discrimination
The Mainstream Republicans of Washington State met in Sea-Tac for their annual conference this weekend declaring that GOP candidates who want to win in 2006 better tack toward a moderate platform.
This may be a problem for Cantwell challenger Mike McGavick who spoke at the conference, but as an article in today’s News Tribune points out, isn’t in sync w/ the mods on our state’s recent gay rights bill. McGavick coyly refused to take a position on it (even though it’s a state law.)
The News Tribune reports:
Former insurance executive McGavick, who is trying to unseat Washington Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, said he’s not a member…McGavick gave a luncheon speech at the conference Saturday, emphasizing his campaign theme of civility in politics. He did not delve into social issues that divide many mainstreamers from others in the party.McGavick said in an interview after the speech that one goal should be to reduce abortions, adding that he supports parental notification. But he does not favor a federal ban.
McGavick refused to take a position on the gay civil rights bill the Legislature passed this year, saying it’s a state and not a federal issue. The mainstream group supported the bill, which bans discrimination in housing, jobs and other areas.
McGavick said he would vote for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman if “activist courts” legalize gay marriage. He said was interested, though, in benefits for “nontraditional” couples with kids.
The Democrats’ rap on McGavick: He supports writing discrimination into the law (Federal marriage ban), but he wont support writing non-discrimination into the law (WA state civil rights bill).
He sounds pretty clear to me. He also sounded like a politician who wants his cake and to eat it too.
I personally like people who tell things like they see them. That is one fascination I have with the Slog.