Tim Curtis Gets My Vote for U.S. House

OK, I admit I’d not given much thought to the Democratic Primary for 11th Congressional District. I’m not overly impressed with Cathy Castor, but she’s generally socially progressive, so I expected to vote for her. I frankly didn’t even know she had an opponent. That changed tonight, and Tim Curtis has earned my vote.

I was sitting here at my desk when the phone rang. A man on the other end of the line said he was calling to encourage me to vote for Tim Curtis for Congress in primary. As I noted, I was a little surprised since I wasn’t even aware someone else was running. I explained to the gentleman that I didn’t have strong feelings one way or the other about Rep. Castor, and was more or less OK with her positions on most things. Then I asked him why I should vote for Mr. Curtis. He seemed to be taken a little off guard, and said, “Well, I have him here in another room, can I have him call you back in a few minutes, and he can tell you that?” I said sure.

Surprisingly, a couple of minutes later the telephone rang, and it was Tim Curtis. We went down the list of issue. He’s a fiscal conservative, but suprisingly progressive on social issues. He believes DOMA is unconstitutional because government has inserted itself by issuing licenses, therefore, it’s a civil matter, and everyone must treated equally under the law. He was a little hazy on ENDA, and as an ex-Marine, he was against repealing DADT.

He was against TARP, but also generally against the stimulus as well.

We obviously differed on a few things, but we clearly agreed on more than we disagreed on, and as I was ringing off I had to admit to him that Cathy Castor had never given me the time of day, so I had to vote for him just because he had spent nearly an hour working to earn my vote. We had a very civil discussion, especially on the points on which we disagreed, and I think he gave my views and appropriate amount of weight. I realize he may not be responsive if he happens to win, but he took time out once, so I owe him my vote.