Given what I, personally, knew of Heywood, that's not terribly surprising. What surprises me is the lengths his supporters will go to to excuse his conduct. Of course, perhaps I shouldn't BE surprised, because of the prior training democrats received from Bill Clinton's despicable conduct.
But for any democrat to, in effect, CHEER this kind of conduct just goes to show what a sorry state the local democrats have sunk to.
Take, for example, THIS bit of tripe from Kelly Slocum, Heywood's "volunteer campaign coordinator:"
Kelly Slocum, volunteer coordinator for Heywood's campaign, sent an e-mail to Heywood and his supporters predicting the issue will not jeopardize his chance of winning.
"We simply (will) keep the campaign focused on ensuring the community is familiar with your ideas and vision," Slocum wrote. "Because it is THOSE things that will get you elected, and the rest of this garbage will slide right by.
"You're a politician, Mike; people EXPECT you to have skeletons in your closet!"
Well, they might expect it of Mike because he IS Mike, but they don't expect such poor judgment from anyone up for a responsible position in government.
Unless that person is a democrat. Because then, well, THAT'S different.
Right, Mikey?
Council candidate acknowledges viewing porn Web sites
Saturday, August 27, 2005
By JEFFREY MIZE, Columbian staff writer
Mike Heywood, a former Columbian editorial page editor and current Vancouver City Council candidate, acknowledged Friday that he left the paper in December 2002 after being caught accessing pornographic Web sites at work.
The reason for Heywood's departure after 27 years at The Columbian has been the subject of recent speculation and commentary in discussion forums on the newspaper's Web site.
Shortly after meeting with Columbian Editor Lou Brancaccio on Friday, Heywood sent an e-mail to campaign supporters explaining why he abruptly retired.
"I was given the opportunity to retire forthwith and quietly after the IT (information technology) department documented that I had violated a company rule against accessing pornographic Web sites," Heywood wrote. "I didn't download anything or send any money to those sites. I was curious about that part of the Internet, as well as a lot of other material.
"I intend to be forthcoming about the matter when asked by reporters, but I do intend to keep campaigning. I will understand, however, if any of you wishes to stop supporting me."
Heywood, a member of the Vancouver Planning Commission, is one of three candidates for Position 2 on the seven-member council. He will face incumbent Jeanne Stewart and fellow challenger Eric Olmsted in the Sept. 20 primary. The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 8 election.
Heywood, during a brief phone interview, said he was not aware of postings on The Columbian's discussion forums until he met with Brancaccio on Friday.
"One is never surprised by what happens in politics," he said.
Within weeks of leaving the paper, Heywood applied for the city council vacancy created when Jim Moeller was elected to the Legislature. Reporters from The Columbian and The Oregonian asked Heywood about the reason for his departure, but he declined to comment.
That council appointment went to Tim Leavitt. Heywood was one of three candidates who challenged Leavitt for his appointed seat in September 2003. Heywood finished last in the primary.
Heywood said he decided to reveal the reason for his departure after meeting with Brancaccio on Friday.
"Brancaccio said it was coming out," he said. "I considered it a private matter between me and The Columbian to that point."
Brancaccio said he told Heywood the information already was in the public domain through discussion forums and there could be subsequent coverage in The Columbian.
"I said there is no way I would hold any reporter back from pursuing this story," Brancaccio said.
Heywood, 65, acknowledged the matter might cost him votes.
"But I'm still going to run," he said.
Kelly Slocum, volunteer coordinator for Heywood's campaign, sent an e-mail to Heywood and his supporters predicting the issue will not jeopardize his chance of winning.
"We simply (will) keep the campaign focused on ensuring the community is familiar with your ideas and vision," Slocum wrote. "Because it is THOSE things that will get you elected, and the rest of this garbage will slide right by.
"You're a politician, Mike; people EXPECT you to have skeletons in your closet!"
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