Join the Michael Smith presidential bandwagon

Yesterday I learned that Corvallis resident Michael Smith is running for President of the United States on the Republican ticket. Today we at HinesSight have endorsed Michael, using “we” liberally in the typical blogging sense of “me, myself, and I.”

After I saw the Smith for President web site I knew that Michael was my kind of candidate. His official campaign photo shows him holding a tuba! Because, he plays the tuba. As if that isn’t enough of a qualification to become President of the United States, I was taken by the sum total of his “endorsements” page:

"Love you no matter what" - Mom

Clearly Michael won’t be beholden to special interests after he’s elected. (All we’ll have to worry about is how much influence his mother will have over the Smith administration).

The Corvallist blog beat me on publicizing Smith’s recently-announced candidacy. That’s appropriate, since he’s a Corvallis resident. However, I’m disappointed that The Corvallist says that it is only giving Michael a “mild plug” rather than a full-blown endorsement.

Hey, who else is there on the Republican presidential scene who has a platform with refreshing policy statements like these?

Gay marriage. Many of the arguments against gay marriage run in logical conflict with the separation of Church & State. There are certainly civil rights associated with marriage, but any "sanctity" of marriage is a religious concept. Call it "civil union" if you like, but gay marriage is no threat to the fabric of society, and arguably strengthens the community. The civil benefits of marriage should be granted to committed partnerships and that commitment validated by the community.

The Religious Right. It's great that some people have all the answers conveyed to them directly by God. Those of us who don't have all the answers depend on the protections of the constitution to protect our freedoms. A theocracy, even if it's a theocracy based on your beliefs, is a dangerous thing. When the theocracy starts to dictate science, write laws, and apply religious doctrine to government, oppression is inevitable. Our country was built by thousands of immigrants seeking religious freedoms. Let's honor the Pilgrims, the Protestants, the Jews, and even the Unitarians by keeping religious doctrine out of our governmental processes. For those who can't separate their religious beliefs from their politics, I'd remind them; "Judge not, that ye not be judged".

Michael Smith also has an appealingly pithy stump speech.

I’m a registered Independent, so won’t be able to sign a Republican nominating petition for Michael. If you know any moderate Oregon Republicans (yes, they do exist), send them Michael’s way. We’ve got to get his bandwagon rolling before John McCain and other presidential wannabes know what hit them.

Comments

[Val Boggs]

I'm so glad to see your ideas! I'm a registered liberal Democrat with a huge bleeding heart...and, believe it or not, Michael's stats play right into what I believe is important and motivating!

[Corvallist]

I won't endorse any candidate two full years before election time, especially since I'm a rabid liberal and need to see which Dems are running. ; ) Hence the "mild plug." Even so, I admire the guy and look forward to our upcoming interview.

Have a great day!

~ C ~