Why I didn’t Comment

I believe it is inappropriate for me, a candidate for Secretary of State, to take a position on most issues. Let me explain why. If someone asked me something about gun rights or a social issue and then, in two years, that issue turned into an initiative petition and it came across my desk, I may look bias.
I’m not saying I don’t have strong opinions on issues. But when I get to work each day I get to leave those opinions in the car and not carry them to work with me.
Can I still express my opinion? I hope so. But I think in this job, as with being a journalist, one has to be very careful.
As Secretary of State I will represent all Oregonians, not just the ones I agree with and I want the hallmark of this office to be one of fairness and trust.
When you run for office lots of groups send out questionnaires asking how you feel about certain issues. I carefully considered each one. Some I answered and some I felt as though I may bias myself so I left them blank. I’ve been making these difficult choices now for the past 23 years. I just wanted to explain my position.

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  zach April 28, 2008 at 9:45 pm

  I must comment on you not commenting . You are very wise. Think of yourself as a supreme court judge who can’t get politically pigeonholed/categorized. This will let everyone know the diversity of public viewpoints will always be the top priority (like in a court of law) and will never be eclipsed by the personal leanings of those who “know whats best” for the population. The years of news experience have made you wise of political quicksand and related megaspinners(like mainstream media goofy reporters). Speaking of things your best not to comment on I got interviewed tonight by a cool local public interest news show tonight (channel 29 ctv ). I’m sure your to busy for this small time politics but I feel the need to let anyone interested tune in. The show airs this Wednesday at 8pm and then at 8 am the next day. Then it shows again on Friday at 630 pm and 630 am the next day. I hope its not an issue for me mentioning that here? If it is don’t post this-I understand . The main point is that your journalist experience has you marching forward with the exact type of trepidation to keep you alert to special interests who would love to hijack (and oversimplify)your message at any opportunity . This is one thing Kitty Piercy is very good at -not letting herself get defined as being with one group or another.