Since we seem to be having fun this campaign cycle using the “way-back machine” to examine a paper Bob McDonnell wrote twenty years ago, TWS decided to take a short trip back [1] only ten. On Oct. 29, 1999, Bath County Recorder, Deeds wrote in a full-page ad:
NO SPECIAL RIGHTS FOR GAYS
I don’t believe in discrimination, but I don’t believe in special rights for anyone. I have never voted to allow gay partners to receive medical insurance — or any other benefit — from the state. It’s sad that Mr. Collins has to resort to bigotry and hate-mongering.
This revelation carries new meaning in light of the latest bit of “reporting” that the Post conducted [2], which reintroduces the sexual harassment hearings of Newport News Circuit Court Judge Verbena Askew and attempts to portray McDonnell as homophobic.
FYI, in that “report”, the reporter, Amy Gardner, failed to include that two prominent Democrats were also involved: current Majority Leader Senator Richard Saslaw (D) and the first woman on the Senate Courts Committee, Senator Janet Howell (D). Both voted against Askew in 2003.
Saslaw said that Askew hearing was fair and Howell said that Askew exercised “poor judgment.”