Money issues top Woodcock Agenda: Values and beliefs take a back seat
By Michael Hein
Sep 27, 2006, 07:26
In an
interview with CNN radio in Lewiston recently Republican Senator
Chandler Woodcock pointed to his voting record while in the Maine
Legislature to support his claim to being pro-life. With six weeks to
go, the former public school teacher is running neck and neck with
incumbent Governor John Baldacci in the polls. Baldacci must fend off
two candidates who many believe are more liberal than him. This leaves
Senator Woodcock with the potential of gaining many
moderate/independent votes, in addition to his Republican base.
Woodcock is the only center/right candidate in the race for Governor.
In a local CNN radio interview the Senator responds to blog entries by League director Michael Heath in which Heath argues for strength and clarity from conservative candidates for public office. Woodcock says his voting record represents his position on social issues and that these issues are clearly not his agenda. The soundbite that was played for Heath closes with the Senator passionately defending his decision to make economics and health care his agenda. He says that his values and beliefs are clear, but they are not his agenda.
The soundbite was played for Heath by Scott Garrett at the local Maine CNN radio affiliate, CNN 1240.
"I want the Senator to become Governor," said Heath, "I don't think it is necessary, however, for him to distance himself from either the League or his values and beliefs."
Heath said that he realizes that the politics of the Senator's campaign might argue for him being extra careful when discussing social issues. Maine's media is partisan and liberal. That makes the job of a conservative seeking high office doubly difficult. Most insiders believe it is impossible for a conservative Christian to gain high office in Maine.
Heath doesn't agree with this analysis.
"I think that conservative Christians have a lot of work to do to become serious contenders in Maine politics. I do think that outspoken conservative Christians can serve the common good in Maine politics. They CAN win and govern well."
He concluded, "If a hyper-partisan gay-friendly restaurant owner from Bangor can govern, certainly a moderate and sensible man like Chandler Woodcock is well qualified."
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