Definitely not the most politically intelligent response of the evening!

Jack O. Petree comments;

John,

Your reporting is generally pretty balanced, albeit influenced by your personal views… not usually a problem because you are also generally honest.

To say the room “erupted” into boos is an overstatement by a considerable factor.  A few groans and perhaps a boo or two came from a room, don’t forget, packed by supporters of many candidates representing all aspects of the political spectrum, not a room where, “the vast majority are…conservative rural folks.”  Keep in mind, John Lesow and Wendy Harris probably asked more questions than anyone last night and the questioner in this matter asked the question of Doug in a way that brings to mind the old impossible to answer in any effective way question, “Tell me Mr. So and So, do you still beat your wife? Yes or No?”

One only has to listen to the applause at the end of Mr. Erickson’s talk to realize how overstated your comment is.

Jack,  I enjoy the push and tussle of local politics as much as you.  And while I cannot escape my own thinking and values any more than you can, I am not paid to write opinions with a particular slant by anyone.  My opinions are my own.  I’m independent in politics and seek open, honest and effective government.  As I suggest at the end of the post - judge the reaction to Doug for yourself. 

Doug could have answered.  The question was not a “stop beating your wife” question.  His legislative record is there - and it is an extremely right wing reactionary record that goes against gay rights, women’s rights and the concepts that government should stay out of our bedrooms and out of our personal lives.  If the question was leading then he could have said that his record was not anti any of those things.  He did not refute the basis of the question.  The question was legit and Doug totally avoided answering and instead insulted the citizen who asked.

Here’s a link to a clip of the actual audio…

http://whatcomforum.blogspot.com/2011/07/video-doug-ericksen-sound-bite-at-2011.html

John,
He was asked how his voting record of being anti-gay, anti-choice and anti-women’s health would inform his decisions if he were elected county executive.

You don’t think the form of the question was incendiary?

I do.

The catcalls came from a small contingent of the audience. I was there.

The question might have been hostile, but was hardly
incendiary. In fact, it was downright relevant.

The fact that Mr. Ericksen didn’t even try to answer that
question seemed to me a contributing factor to the
audience reaction.

Well doesn’t sound like a meltdown. But like a typical political dismissal not unusual among politicians. Like when my friend asked Patty Murray what she planned on doing to help protect our Second Amendment and he was told by her “Oh you are one of those..” and dismissed him.

Does somebody have a link to Doug’s horrible voting record? Without proof that he voted this way and what the bills said this is all hearsay. I am for individual liberties and would vote against bills that would single out individuals for special services or protections. That is destructive to liberty.