Marc Delphine made a bit of history today by announcing his candidacy for the United States Senate making him the first openly gay man from the state of Oregon to do so. Open is great descriptor for the 32 year old Libertarian candidate: The only candidate for senate to oppose popular Democrat incumbent Ron Wyden with any experience as an elected official, Delphine is a amiable gentleman and a seeming paradox: a socially liberal thinking, fiscally conservative, openly gay Libertarian who also chairs the Washington State Chapter of the Americans for Prosperity. Which makes Delphine a true product of the American melting pot. I sat down for a lengthy chat with the Portland resident tonight following this morning's somewhat historic candidacy announcement.
We discussed the current fugue of the two-party system, sexual identity, fiscal responsibility, the role of government and the FDA, proving Delphine to a knowledgeable humorous and open candidate who has a lot on his mind.
Read our exclusive interview with (the single and available) Marc Delphine after the jump.
DTC
I think we'd agree the current two party system is not simply flawed but a near failure at this point. But critics of third parties always state that though they agree with your principals and policies , voting for a third party candidate in their words- is a wasted vote. How do work against that polarization?
I think the two party duopoly (Republicrats & Demoblicans) are doing themselves in. As you may know, I am the coordinator of the TEA Party in Washington County, the Chair of Americans for Prosperity, Washington County and an openly gay man. This contrast could stir a message that "X group doesn't always do Y"The Republican Party has moved so far from its roots (which originated as an anti-slavery, pro-abolitionist party) of limited government/civil rights, that a party like Libertarians is ready to move forward.
DTC
well critics of the Libertarian party state that much like Marxism it's a great idea on paper but one that is formally impossible to implement. How do you change people minds about this binary system
MARC
With that level of thinking, yes. But movements and revolutions occur for a reason and slowly sometimes, and rapidly at others. As Harvey Milk once said, "you gotta give them hope."There is nothing "pie in the sky" about keeping the government to its constitution. Most people, I believe are personally liberal and fiscally conservative. In other words, they want the government to spend the money it forces (and that it does) out of our hands to be spent on programs that are legal and worthy to the whole. Exposure of the back-office, secret deals is happening and people are (hopefully) waking up to that.
DTC
Speaking of Milk, you are the first openly gay candidate for federal office from the state of Oregon. Do you feel any pressure to represent an everyman persona of a large base and how do you balance that with the needs of the gay community.
MARC
Most people (not the squeaky wheels) are socially liberal. They really don't care what people do behind their doors, but they just don't want to see it. And they don't want to be hurt by it. Do what you want to do with you own life and body, just don't harm anyone.My distinction is that government should only keep others from doing harm and/or punish them if they do. I don't believe the role of government is to "do good." Which can be interpreted in so many ways.
DTC
I agree to a point but it seems problematic and a slippery slope between I don't want to see it and this is censored, prohibited and driven away.
MARC
Well, I do agree with transportation and public education, so that would be "doing good." The federal government should stick to its functions of defense (NOT offense) and coining money (something they've handed over to the FED).
And the office I'm seeking is US Senator (federal).
I agree with your last point about censorship.
The federal government should stick to its functions of defense (NOT offense) and coining money (something they've handed over to the FED).It's tough for me to say we should repeal ALL laws regarding sex. Should people be able to have sex in public? There's no real "victim" but I don't necessarily want to see it. Should we censor profanity? I believe censoring is turning the channel.
DTC
Well that area walks a fine line with issues of Separation of Church and state and that line seems to have eroded and been misused a bit in the past two decades. It's the byline of the neoconservative moments Theocratic model
MARC
I concur. I don't know if I could do much about it as a Senator, though. It should be a local issue, in my opinion. I think you and I can agree on this issue, too, Andy.
DTC
Your principals state that you are a proponent of Free Market and critical of antiquated systems like the FDA which no longer have the interests of the American people at heart- what do you propose we replace it with that still safe guards the health of the American people
MARC
I think the market does take care of itself when properly regulated. Notice how I said "properly."
DTC
Noted
MARC
I think back to the AIDS scare that started when I was in grade school. Politically speaking, drugs were given no chance to make the market because they would help gay men. The FDA is not only slow in approving drugs, it's politically charged in allowing drugs to get to market.
DTC
and we lost an entire generation
MARC
But when companies like phen-phen (I think I'm spelling that wrong, says Firefox) come out and hurt the public, we learn, we become more aware of what we put in our bodies (that's not always true, but...) and we have the legal/justice system to defend us.
Good point.Honestly, I don't have the perfect solution to that one.
DTC
Honesty is a good start
MARC
To abolish the FDA when we've been dependent upon it for so long would be damaging, yes.I do believe it should be reformed to allow for drugs (that are shown to be effective in other countries) to be approved.
DTC
You are challenging a fairly popular incumbent democrat (Ron Wyden) . Why? Why now? (softball question sorry I skipped it earlier)
MARC
This is a time I've never before seen in politics (and I'm all of almost 33); the charge of Americans is electric and I'm blessed to be part of it. I personally like Wyden. He's a champion for gay rights (and you can quote me on that because I'll be saying it often) and that is part of the reason for my entry. (I was thinking of running for Governor, first).How much do you think LGBT issues would be covered should there only be a straight (assumed) Republican and Wyden in the race?
DTC
oh we are allotted two sound bites per campaign I thinks its a law lol
MARC
I doubt it ever would come up and we MUST HAVE EQUALITY!!!The government is here to protect our rights, not bestow them and I for one will not stop until we do.
DTC
On the national stage You are critical of former President Bush's abuses of Power (Patriot Act, Department of Homeland Security etc) but also critical of the policies of President Obama in those same regards, care to elaborate?
MARC
It's kind of like the Lord of the Rings. Did you see these movies? If I am given the power to basically have a dictatorship (and I'm not calling Obama a dictator), why would you throw it away? But you must, if you are to be a leader with integrity. The Patriot Act is the single greatest destruction of our constitution EVER. Wire tapping, phone monitoring, library records scanned...If Obama refuses to repeal the act, he's just as guilty...in my opinion.
DTC
He seems unwilling to take a hard stance either way on a lot of issues, which is very disappointing
MARC
Which is exactly why the TEA Party movement is in full swing. While there was racism disguised, I admit, the basis and strong majority of the issue was with the fact we were promised "change" and got more of the same (and quadruple the deficit). I don't hand the blame squarely to Obama (Bush deserves most), but he had an opportunity to stop the bleeding and seemed to make it hemorrhage.
DTC
Do you fear your personal life and sexuality used as a smear campaign against you, we've seen it in the campaigns for Barney Frank, Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Republican (and closet case) Charlie Christ, Port Adams. It seems having a sex life as a gay politico is almost more taboo than being gay
MARC
Don't really care, honestly. I just don't want my mother and brother affected by it. As I've said many times and will continue to, this movement is bigger than me or any candidate.
DTC
so we've discussed a smattering of stances, what about Marc Delphine the man- tell me things about yourself that are not in your traditional Bio, totally up to you. this is easy first date stuff
OK, sure.
I'm a college & financial planner (I help kids get into college and their parents retire) and I've done that for about 10 years now (wow! it's been that long!); I play tennis (not as much as I'd like) and work out to stay healthy. I ask myself: "is what I'm doing in line with my values?" If so, then I go full force and often make mistakes to learn (yes, I do). But I put myself out there, just like anyone can and I try and make the world a better place.I read to kids on a weekly basis (SMART) and I'm on the local school committee.I like to read non-fiction and watch sports (not much other TV); basically things that are principle-centered.
DTC
Facebook says you are single- any thoughts of trying to date in the public eye as it were
MARC
I'd like to date, really, but nobody that I'm attracted to seems to like me. Just the way it's been for Marc Delphine. Also, I come from a "perceived" conservative ideology (although I am very socially liberal). This helps ease the impression our community has in the eyes of those most visibly opposed to it.
More about Marc Delphine at his official site www.marcforsenate.com
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