Pinning Gordo Down on Civil Rights for GLBT

An interesting challenge to Gordon Smith comes from DPO today, apparently pre-empting any attempt by Smith, his backers or the compliant state media to make a potential Senate vote extending federal hate crimes legislation to include sexual identity, into another trophy for moderation:

1. In 2004 you supported ballot Measure 36 which changed the Oregon constitution to ban gay marriage. In June of 2006 you voted for a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage. Why do you feel gays deserve less rights than straight people?

2. Although a United States Senator, you have taken public positions on issues before the state legislature. So, if you were in the state legislature, would you vote for HB 2007 or SB 2? If not, why not?

3. You are supporting U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for president. Do you pledge to withdraw your support if Senator McCain does not vote for the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act?

Senator?

(good on the DPO for framing the issue BEFORE the vote! I'm liking the new boss over there!)