Politics Selectively Open Mike
I interviewed GOP senate candidate Mike McGavick this weekend. I went to Moses Lake, WA. to catch his “Open Mike” campaign in central Washington.
During the interview, I asked McGavick his opinion of our state’s gay civil rights bill and attempts to repeal it by initiative.
He said: “I do not and will not talk about state issues. Because I’m working at the federal level. I’ve been asked about the gas tax last year. I’m now being asked about this. I’ll be asked about other things. I do not comment on state initiatives because I’m focused on the federal issues.”
That’s clever. It’s also pretty lame. (I think someone who has the audacity to run for U.S. Senate should be forthcoming with the public about something that has dominated local headlines.)
It’s also not true. Earlier last week, on a campaign swing through Colville, Washington, McGavick talked about state initiative I-937. I-937 would invest money in renewable energy, although the initiative does not put much focus on hydro power.
Colville is in the northeastern corner of the state in Stevens county—where, hydro power is key to the economy.
According to a tape of his July 17 stop in Colville, here’s what McGavick said just five days before telling me he doesn’t comment on state initiatives: “I find it strange to have something put on the ballot that says we’ve got to work more towards renewable resources—which I think is a good idea, by the way—to work toward renewable resources, that won’t include hydroelectric power as a part of renewable resources.”
He want's to represent the state of Washington, but doesn't want to talk state politics?
Idiot.