Attorney General Rob McKenna’s moderate facade hides an anti-gay plotter
Always genteel, Washington State’s Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna likes to portray himself as a moderate. Being relatively new to Washington, I only started to think about Mr. McKenna’s political positioning recently as LGBT friends & allies started mentioning that they had spotted him at this or that event. Delighted at the prospect of a Republican Attorney General (or even future Governor) who is good on LGBT issues, I went into due diligence mode and looked over the public record. What I discovered was that Mr. McKenna may play the moderate, but his own history and his endorsement of a bevvy of virulently anti-gay candidates this election tell a very different story.
With an eye on the Governor’s mansion in 2012, McKenna has crafted a public persona gauged to appear inoffensive on social issues. This is necessary for any Republican running for statewide office because although Washington is closely divided along party lines, the electorate has proven itself to be fair-minded on issues like a woman’s right to choose, the right of terminally ill people to choose to die with dignity, and civil equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families.
Since his election as Attorney General in 2004, McKenna has remained mum on his anti-gay views, apparently hoping that people will forget his previous, still unrepudiated comments. In 2004 McKenna blasted a King County Superior Court ruling that said gay and lesbian couples could marry. (The ruling was later overturned by the state Supreme Court with the help of two justices McKenna endorsed this year for reelection.)
…King County Councilman Rob McKenna, criticized the ruling’s wording as too broad and said its argument that there is no compelling state interest to deny marriage to two people in a committed relationship could leave marriage open to blood relatives or those practicing polygamy.
“It threatens to destroy all standards we apply to the right of marriage,” he said.
Those are not the words of a moderate, and certainly unbecoming of an Attorney General hopeful who is supposed to treat all Washingtonians equally under the law.
While still on the King County Council, Rob McKenna was reputed to have coordinated other Republican Council members to undermine the passage of an anti-discrimination ordinance that would have protected transgender residents in housing and employment. Perhaps this is why, by the time of his election as Attorney General, McKenna had apparently earned a reputation as the anti-gay go-to guy by the legislature’s homophobic maven, Sen. Val Stevens (R-Arlington). In deciding whether to introduce an anti-equality marriage amendment she said
We want to see how we might be able to use Rob McKenna [newly elected Republican Attorney General] to help us activate some of what has been neglected in the state for years.
If you’re thinking “Yeah but that was 6 years ago, and he shook my hand just this week at our AIDS event – maybe he’s changed”, consider this: while he was shaking your hand and being seen in all the right liberal places, Rob McKenna endorsed some of the most virulently anti-gay candidates in the field this election. Below is a sampling of the anti-gay statements and legislative records of just a few of the decidedly immoderate candidates who Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna chose to endorse in 2010. These days, McKenna speaks his anti-gay convictions very loudly through his actions.
| James Watkins (Congressional District 1)
In 2010, James Watkins gave these anti-gay, anti-choice answers on the radical right Washington Voter Guide survey: Oppose I believe marriage is defined as a union of one man and one woman and that marriage should be promoted and preferred above other relationships while recognizing the right of individuals to live freely outside the institution of marriage. Marriage is a sacrament of the Church and I am cautious about seeking to amend the Constitution to define marriage. I think we better protect the sanctity of the marriage union through strong churches and effective outreach. In Congress, I expect to vote on two things, possibly a third, regarding abortion: Parental notification, federal funding, and potentially partial- birth abortion. I will vote to support parental notification, will vote to oppose federal funding, and will vote to oppose partial-birth abortion. Repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” should be up to the military, not imposed by a Congress attempting to score political points. The U.S. military is all about successfully defending the United States. That said, the military led the way in integrating the different branches of the service and successfully introduced women into our forces while maintaining readiness levels. Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses James Watkins. |
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John Koster (Congressional District 2)In 2010, John Koster gave these anti-gay, anti-choice answers on the radical right Washington Voter Guide survey: Oppose I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. Thousands of studies show that children raised in a family with both a mother and a father are healthier emotionally and physically than those raised in a non-traditional family. To undermine marriage and the family is to undermine the very cornerstone of our society. Support Oppose My 100% pro-life voting record is a testament to the commitment I have to the culture of life. Our Declaration of Independence states that our unalienable rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men. Therefore, it is the express job of government to protect all innocent human life. Oppose Homosexuals have a right in the United States to live as they choose and are afforded the same protections and rights under the law as other U.S. citizens. I do not support special rights for homosexuals and I believe that marriage is and should remain a union between a man and a woman. The Seattle Times interviewed Koster in the run up to the August, 2010 primaries:
John Koster has a long history of virulently anti-gay activism.
Stickney was campaign manager in 2009 for Protect Marriage Washington which sought to overturn Washington’s domestic partnership law via Referendum 71. Koster was identified as a “star” candidate by Gary Randall. Randall is President of the anti-gay Faith and Freedom Network and co-organizer of Protect Marriage Washington.
Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses John Koster. |
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David Castillo (Congressional District 3) In 2010, David Castillo posted the following to the now-deactivated “Values” page on his website:
David Castillo’s anti-choice and anti-equality positions won him this effusive endorsement from “Social Conservatives for Castillo” months before Attorney General Rob McKenna endorsed him. This small group of radical right Christians included Pastor Joe Fuiten, Cedar Park Assembly of God & Former President Washington Evangelicals for Responsible Government; Rick Forcier, Christian Coalition of Washington; Randy Tate, Former Member of Congress and Washington State House; Gary Marx, Former National Social Conservatives Director for Bush-Cheney ’04.
Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses David Castillo. |
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Dick Muri (Congressional District 9) In 2010, Dick Muri gave these anti-gay, anti-choice answers on the radical right Washington Voter Guide survey: Oppose Between one man and one woman. Support Oppose Only allow to save the life of the mother, which is an extremely rare situation. Oppose It should be a private matter between consenting adults. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is a good policy. Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Dick Muri. |
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Justice James Johnson (Washington Supreme Court, Position 1) James Johnson’s re-election was enthusiastically endorsed by the radical right anti-gay activist Pastor Joe Fuiten as well as radical right Christian groups including Washington Eagle Forum, Human Life PAC and Washington State Farm Bureau. Pastor Joe Fuiten’s endorsement identified Johnson’s pro-DOMA and anti-LGBT family decisions among the primary reasons for Fuiten’s support.
The case In re the parentage of L.B., involved two lesbian ex-partners who were in a contested custody battle. The majority of the Washington Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that “non-biological parents may be entitled to establishment of parental rights equal to those of biological parents”. However, Justices James Johnson and Richard Sanders dissented. They crystalized their unwillingness to recognize LGBT families as true families by writing:
In 2006 by a 5-4 vote the Washington Supreme Court ruled in Andersen v. King County that the state’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was constitutional. Two of the five justices in the majority, James Johnson and Richard Sanders, agreed with the judgment but apparently felt that the majority opinion wasn’t homophobic enough; Johnson wrote a separate opinion laden with raw anti-gay animus, and Sanders co-signed it. Gratuitously venomous, Johnson & Sanders likened marriage equality to polygamy and used terms like “professed homosexuals”. They referred to the Goodridge marriage equality decision in Massachusetts as a “notorious exception” that “has not yet been reversed.” They insultingly referred to the married gay and lesbian plaintiffs as “individuals…who claim they were married in other states”, and to equality advocates as “special interests loudly advocating the latest political correctness.” They referred to their colleague Justice Mary Fairhurst, who wrote a dissenting opinion, as “paranoid” to suggest that laws like DOMA are passed out of anti-gay animus. In an October 24th editorial titled “Don’t re-elect Justice Richard Sanders for state Supreme Court” the Seattle Times Editorial Board took the unusual action of rescinding their earlier endorsement of Sanders over racist remarks made by Justices Sanders and Johnson. They opined their inability to similarly censure Justice Johnson; Johnson had no opponent in the general election. Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses James Johnson. |
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Justice Richard Sanders (Washington Supreme Court, Position 6) Richard Sanders’s re-election was enthusiastically endorsed early and often by the radical-right anti-gay activist Pastor Joe Fuiten as well as radical right Christian groups including Washington Eagle Forum, Human Life PAC and Washington State Farm Bureau. Pastor Joe Fuiten‘s endorsement emails and posts identified Sanders’s pro-DOMA decision as one of the primary reasons for Fuiten’s support.
In 2005 the majority of the Washington Supreme Court ruled that “non-biological parents may be entitled to establishment of parental rights equal to those of biological parents”. The case, In re the parentage of L.B., involved two lesbian ex-partners who were in a contested custody battle. Justices Richard Sanders and James Johnson dissented. They crystalized their unwillingness to recognize LGBT families as true families by writing:
In 2006 by a 5-4 vote the Washington Supreme Court ruled in Andersen v. King County that the state’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was constitutional. Two of the five justices in the majority, Richard Sanders and James Johnson, agreed with the judgment but apparently felt that the majority opinion wasn’t homophobic enough; Johnson wrote a separate opinion laden with raw anti-gay animus, and Richard Sanders co-signed it. Gratuitously venomous, Johnson & Sanders likened marriage equality to polygamy and used terms like “professed homosexuals”. They referred to the Goodridge marriage equality decision in Massachusetts as a “notorious exception” that “has not yet been reversed.” They insultingly referred to the married gay and lesbian plaintiffs as “individuals…who claim they were married in other states”, and to equality advocates as “special interests loudly advocating the latest political correctness.” They referred to their colleague Justice Mary Fairhurst, who wrote a dissenting opinion, as “paranoid” to suggest that laws like DOMA are passed out of anti-gay animus. In an October 24th article titled “Don’t re-elect Justice Richard Sanders for state Supreme Court” the Seattle Times Editorial Board took the unusual action of rescinding their earlier endorsement of Sanders over racist remarks made by Justices Sanders and Johnson. Editor Ryan Blethen further explained the Seattle Times decision here. Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Richard Sanders. |
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State Senator Pam Roach (LD 31, Senate)State Senator Pam Roach has a long history of anti-gay activism.
Pam Roach was identified as a “star” candidate by Gary Randall. Randall is President of the anti-gay Faith and Freedom Network and co-organizer of Protect Marriage Washington which sought to overturn Washington’s domestic partnership law via Referendum 71.
Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Senator Pam Roach (and keynoted her campaign kick-off!). |
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State Rep. Kevin Parker (LD-6, House Position 1) Joining the Legislature in 2009, Rep. Kevin Parker quickly defined himself as an anti-gay activist. Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Kevin Parker. |
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Elizabeth Scott (LD-21, House Position 2) In 2010, Elizabeth Scott gave these anti-gay, anti-choice answers on the radical right Washington Voter Guide survey: Oppose I believe loved ones of any gender should be allowed to visit each other in the hospital; be awarded power-of-attorney; share a home; co-sign a loan; be beneficiaries to a will, etc. But these actions are legal already, and marriage is between one man and one woman. Oppose I oppose same-sex “marriage,” but my focus will be on bringing jobs back to our community, improving schools, and increasing fiscal responsibility and accountability. Whether you’re on the right side of the ship or the left side of the ship, if the ship’s going down, we all need to work together to bail it out and steer it back on course. Oppose I am prolife from conception to natural death, but once you’re born, you want a job…and a good education to prepare you for it. That’s what my focus will be in Olympia. In 2010 Elizabeth Scott told voters at a candidate forum that she opposes marriage equality, and posted a video excerpt in which she stated in part:
Elizabeth Scott has since yanked that video. Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Elizabeth Scott. |
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Jason Hearn (LD-22, House Position 1) In 2010, Jason Hearn gave these anti-gay, anti-choice answers on the radical right Washington Voter Guide survey: Oppose I believe in equal rights for all, regardless of their race, gender, religion or personal legal behaviors. I’m against prejudice or persecution. I do not believe in special rights, however, for particular groups of individuals. I believe in traditional marriage as the age old standard for marriage. That said, some concessions need to be considered for domestic partnerships for efficiency. Oppose If we re-define marriage for one group, we’ll have to re-define it for the next group that asks (polygamist for example). Oppose I support the law of the land, including the decisions of the supreme court. However, I also believe that life begins at conception and it?s the government’s role to help protect those who cannot protect themselves. Jason Hearn was identified as a “star” candidate by Gary Randall. Randall is President of the anti-gay Faith and Freedom Network and co-organizer of Protect Marriage Washington which sought to overturn Washington’s domestic partnership law via Referendum 71.
Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Jason Hearn. |
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Hans Zeiger (LD-25, House Position 2) In 2010, Hans Zeiger gave these anti-gay, anti-choice answers on the radical right Washington Voter Guide survey: Oppose Oppose Oppose In 2010 Hans Zeiger’s anti-gay, radical Christian right writings were brought to light by Goldy at Horses Ass. Besides calling the National Education Association and the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network “terrorist organizations”, Zeiger claimed that
Zeiger has since deleted some of his controversial articles with the explanation that he was young when he wrote them, yet he didn’t repudiate any of his anti-gay writings when interviewed about them this fall by The News Tribune. In 2010 Hans Zeiger reportedly works for the American Civil Rights Union, a radical Christian right organization dedicated to preventing lesbian and gay couples from marrying, among other issues. Zeiger hid the radical-right nature of his employer from voters by referring to it as “a non-profit organization that promotes the U.S. Constitution” on his campaign website. Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Hans Zeiger. |
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Jon Higley (LD-27, House Position 2) In 2010, Jon Higley gave these anti-gay, anti-choice answers on the radical right Washington Voter Guide survey: Oppose Personal choices regarding living arrangements, or lifestyles, are not the business of government. However, that choice does not afford them rights and priviledges simply because of that choice. There are trade-offs in making choices. Oppose This institution is for the purpose of procreation and maintenance of the family unit; the basic unit of society. As such, marriage is between a man & a woman. Oppose This institution is for the purpose of procreation and maintenance of the family unit; the basic unit of society. As such, marriage is between a man & a woman. Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Jon Higley. |
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Steve O’Ban (LD-28, House Position 1) In 2010, Steve O’Ban gave these anti-gay, anti-choice answers on the radical right Washington Voter Guide survey: Oppose Oppose Oppose Steve O’Ban has a long history of anti-gay, anti-choice activism.
Steve O’Ban received an early endorsement from Pastor Joe Fuiten. Fuiten was until recently on the Board of Directors of Family Policy Institute of Washington, which advocates against LGBT equality and against a woman’s right to choose. As president of Washington Evangelicals for Responsible Government in the 1990s Fuiten was “integral” to the passage of Washington’s DOMA law. In 2006 when he was president of WERG’s new incarnation, Faith and Freedom Network, Fuiten worked with Gary Randall & Tim Eyman to sponsor the failed attempt to get a referendum on Washington’s anti-discrimination law on the ballot.
Larry Stickney also endorsed O’Ban early with a blog post titled “Three great candidates: Strobel, O’Ban and Coday”. Stickney was campaign manager for Protect Marriage Washington’s Referendum 71 effort and is president of his own anti-gay organization Washington Values Alliance.
.Steve O’Ban was identified as a “star” candidate by Gary Randall. Randall is President of the anti-gay Faith and Freedom Network and co-organizer of Protect Marriage Washington.
Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Steve O’Ban (and keynotes his kick-off party!). |
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Rodrigo Yanez (LD-47, House Position 2) In 2010, Rodrigo Yanez gave these anti-gay, anti-choice answers on the radical right Washington Voter Guide survey: Support I believe it is reasonable to give some rights to domestic partnerships (whether same sex or not) so that they may enter into contracts regarding property ownership, share costs of health insurance and benefit from other rights of partnership. However, this civil relationship should never to be confused with a traditional marriage of one man and one woman for the purpose of creating the framework for a family. Oppose Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. Oppose I am pro life. Attorney General Rob McKenna endorses Rodrigo Yanez. |
Cross-posted at Washblog.
Attorney General Rob McKenna’s moderate facade hides an anti-gay plotter
Always genteel, Washington State’s Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna likes to portray himself as a moderate. Being relatively new to Washington, I only started to think about Mr. McKenna’s political positioning recently as LGBT friends & allies started mentioning that they had spotted him at this or that event. Delighted at the prospect of a Republican Attorney General (or even future Governor) who is good on LGBT issues, I went into due diligence mode and looked over the public record. What I discovered was that Mr. McKenna may play the moderate, but his own history and his endorsement of a bevvy of virulently anti-gay candidates this election tell a very different story.
With an eye on the Governor’s mansion in 2012, McKenna has crafted a public persona gauged to appear inoffensive on social issues. This is necessary for any Republican running for statewide office because although Washington is closely divided along party lines, the electorate has proven itself to be fair-minded on issues like a woman’s right to choose, the right of terminally ill people to choose to die with dignity, and civil equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families.
Since his election as Attorney General in 2004, McKenna has remained mum on his anti-gay views, apparently hoping that people will forget his previous, still unrepudiated comments. In 2004 McKenna blasted a King County Superior Court ruling that said gay and lesbian couples could marry. (The ruling was later overturned by the state Supreme Court with the help of two justices McKenna endorsed this year for reelection.)
…King County Councilman Rob McKenna, criticized the ruling’s wording as too broad and said its argument that there is no compelling state interest to deny marriage to two people in a committed relationship could leave marriage open to blood relatives or those practicing polygamy.
“It threatens to destroy all standards we apply to the right of marriage,” he said.
Those are not the words of a moderate, and certainly unbecoming of an Attorney General hopeful who is supposed to treat all Washingtonians equally under the law.
While still on the King County Council, Rob McKenna was reputed to have coordinated other Republican Council members to undermine the passage of an anti-discrimination ordinance that would have protected transgender residents in housing and employment. Perhaps this is why, by the time of his election as Attorney General, McKenna had apparently earned a reputation as the anti-gay go-to guy by the legislature’s homophobic maven, Sen. Val Stevens (R-Arlington). In deciding whether to introduce an anti-equality marriage amendment she said
We want to see how we might be able to use Rob McKenna [newly elected Republican Attorney General] to help us activate some of what has been neglected in the state for years.
If you’re thinking “Yeah but that was 6 years ago, and he shook my hand just this week at our AIDS event – maybe he’s changed”, consider this: while he was shaking your hand and being seen in all the right liberal places, Rob McKenna endorsed some of the most virulently anti-gay candidates in the field this election. Below is a sampling of the anti-gay statements and legislative records of just a few of the decidedly immoderate candidates who Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna chose to endorse in 2010. These days, McKenna speaks his anti-gay convictions very loudly through his actions. (more…)
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