ju st o ut ▼ n o v s m b o r 17, 1995 ▼ 21
Oregon voters, mail in those ballots!
,
For the first time in 27 years Oregonians get the opportunity to elect a new U.S, senator
▼
by Renée LaChance and Inga Sorensen
Republican endorsement:
N orma P aulus
his is a no-brainer for lesbian and gay
Republicans. Paulus has been a staunch
supporter of the lesbian and gay commu
nity as long as we’ve been covering politics.
are, however, very disappointed that she is unde
cided on the same-sex marriage issue. Through
out her political career, we
have looked at Paulus’ poli
tics and wondered, why isn’t
this woman a Democrat? She
has always been left of cen
ter in the Republican Party
on every issue of importance
to our community: lesbian
and gay rights, the environment, women’s issues,
social services. Lately, many of Paulus’ critics
claim that she is leaning away from her leftward
Republican roots and leaning more toward the
T
9
right. From our standpoint, Paulus has been con
sistent in her values and her politics. She deserves
your vote for U.S. Senate.
Democratic endorsement:
R on W
We
yden
his was a very difficult decision. We could
have done a dual endorsement and wea-
seled out of a tough choice— but that would
be weasely. Both candidates would serve our
community well as U.S. senator.
Peter DeFazio would get our endorsement if
our only criterion were support for lesbian and
gay rights. DeFazio signed on to the lesbian and
gay rights bill that has been bandied about Capi
tol Hill for more than a decade as soon as he
reached Washington, D.C. Wyden did not sign
on until many years later, after much pressure
from our community.
DeFazio has attended every Lucille Hart Din
T
ner sponsored by the Right to Privacy PAC. This
was the first year that Wyden went, though he has
bought tables and sent his staff in previous years.
The thing is, Just Out looks beyond lesbian
and gay issues. We look at the environment,
women’s choice, social issues, gun control and
much more. And, as frustrating as it is to say it, in
this particular election, we’re concerned about
who could beat Gordon Smith if he wins his
party’s nomination. Polls
show Wyden easily beating
Smith in a general election,
while DeFazio and Smith
would likely be neck and
neck.
The
econom y
of
DeFazio’s district is heavily
influenced by the timber industry. He has had to
balance votes on timber issues in ways that we
feel harm the environment. He sides with the
National Rifle Association on many issues of gun
control. He does, however, support a woman’s
choice, and his stand on social issues is good.
W yden’s record on health issues is superb, his
advocacy for elders is admirable, his environ
mental stances are middle-of-the-road. He usu
ally votes contrary to the NR A.
DeFazio is described by political observers as
“feisty and confrontational,” while Wyden is
described as “a bridge builder and a compromise
maker.” The difference becomes obvious when
watching the two of them in debates. DeFazio
attacks Wyden as a means of answering debate
questions, while Wyden, in general, answers the
question.
We need W yden’s diplomacy in the Republi
can -co n tro lled Senate. While we respect
DeFazio’s feistiness— and the work he has done
on behalf of the lesbian and gay community— we
must give our endorsement to Ron Wyden.
The Elections Division began mailing out
ballots on Nov. 15. Ballots are due back by
Tuesday, Dec. 5.