Ethan Orr: “I don’t support Prop 204.”

by David Safier

We've become so used to wild, blathering conservatives in Arizona that when a smart, well spoken, kinda sensitive guy like Ethan Orr comes along, he sounds like a moderate, no matter what positions he takes. And that's the impression Ethan hopes to leave with Democrats and progressive-leaning Independents. He's The Next Pete Hershberger! It's the birth of a new, moderate wing of the wingnut Republican Party!

With Ethan Orr, it ain't so.

How people are willing to overlook Ethan's stands on woman's health is beyond me. He says flat out, he only believes in abortion when the life of the mother is at stake. Rape and incest? Tough luck, ladies! He says the state should continue to fund Planned Parenthood for non-abortion-related health concerns, but we should try to open enough alternative clinics that we can gradually take that funding away. And while he says he won't sponsor any ultra conservative social issue legislation, he says he'll most likely vote for it.

That should be a deal breaker for Democrats thinking about voting for Ethan Orr, especially when the alternatives are Victoria Steele and Mohur Sara Sidhwa, both of whom are as strong on women's health issues as anyone could hope for.

But if that's not enough of a deal breaker, how about the fact that Ethan is against Prop 204, as he stated Monday night at the Catalina Foothills Ed Forum?

"I believe in education. I believe in supporting our teachers in the classroom. However I don't support Prop 204."

Classic Ethan. I'm on your side conceptually — I'm your guy — but I'm planning to vote against you, again and again and again.

"There's a number of reasons why."

Hint: whenever anyone has multiple reasons for their positions, it usually means they're hiding the real reason behind a smokescreen.

"I had a profound experience."

Ah, Ethan. Perfect! A mystical moment!

"Anyone been to the Arizona Town Hall?"

An epiphany at the Arizona Town Hall? You've got to be kidding me. But he's not. That's where he said he had his "profound experience."

Ethan's basic argument is that sales tax is bad for the economy. Surprisingly, he didn't use the regressive nature of the tax as his reason. Instead, he spouted some economic nonsense I don't think he really understands.

And then comes the capper.

"The problem with Arizona education isn't funding. It's sustainable funding."

I guess a permanent renewal of the one cent sales tax that's guaranteed to add between $600 million and $800 million to Arizona education each year isn't sustainable enough for him.

Listen carefully to what Ethan Orr says some time. He winds himself in and out and around a topic, confounding and confusing the issues until you don't know what he just said. Pick out what you want to hear, and he'll please you every time, no matter what your politics. But listen carefully. The man is no moderate. He'll vote with conservative Republicans the vast majority of the time, especially when it matters.