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July 27, 2005

The Wicked Witch of East County has a chance to redeem herself

Oregon House Speaker Karen Minnis (R-Wood Village) has an opportunity to redeem herself in the eyes of Oregonians.

Minnis is hungry for higher office in Oregon. Her thwarting of the civil unions bill is Minnis' little pet project in order to ingratiate herself with the fringe right wing of the state, who push Republican candidates in the primaries.

But as I've mentioned before, righwingers can't win a statewide election in Oregon. They get through the primary only to be throttled by a moderate or even lefty candidate. Oregon is a blue state that is pushing to get even bluer.

This is Minnis' opportunity to shake off the bonds of the hard right and prove her moderate chops.

Representative Mary Nolan (D-Salem) has introduced House Bill 3508 which includes civil unions, anti-discrimination. It also includes "reciprocal benefits", which the GOP originally wanted to pass as a substitute for civil unions.

I think civil unions are a cheap substitute for full and equal rights. But these issues have become symbolic now. Minnis can show that her leadership isn't beholden to the rightwing fringe of the state by allowing this bill to go to the House Floor for a vote.

Posted by Carla at July 27, 2005 09:39 AM