Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate talks about the surprise decision by the Maine Ethics Commission to reject the recommendation of its staff and vote to investigate the National Organization for Marriage.
LGBT POV: "Then the questions started. And I know there are three lawyers of the five commissioners
on there and they started their cross-examination. And it unraveled for
[executive director] Brian [Brown] and this one guy – a very prominent attorney – I saw him on his
own cable show yesterday – said, ‘I think there are too many questions
here. I think this commission should investigate.' I think his name is
Walter McKee [Democrat – Hallowell]. Brian didn't do well. I think the fact that he's been untruthful was
pretty transparent. And when they were done testifying, and this Mr.
McKee again said – they started discussion but then it turned into a
motion, which was immediately seconded to open an investigation – to
overrule the staff report. My heart started pounding. I got all emotional. It was literally
pulling victory out of the jaws of defeat. It was a done deal, I
thought. And then it all came down to: is there a third vote in this
five member commission? And this one very distinguished gentleman on
the right – Francis [Marsano – Republican – Belfast] – he chimed in and
said, ‘Yeah, I think there are too many questions here.' He added to
the chorus. And suddenly there's a third vote…"
And here's Karger's CAH statement about the investigation.
