Out in the GOP (continued) BY TONY GIAMPETRUZZI

Phoenix: Do you both support George Bush?

Scharf: Yes.

Babin: Very strongly.

Phoenix: But how are you able to reconcile your fervent support of gay marriage with Bush’s efforts to stop it?

Scharf: Because I know that that’s not going to happen. It didn’t even come close to passing, so I’m not worried that George Bush will get anything passed. I know he was grandstanding on that issue to help himself get elected, but I have no problem with that.

Phoenix: Does it concern you that if he were elected to another four years that he might appoint federal judges that could do what Congress won’t? After all, it’s really only a matter of time before gay marriage is appealed to higher courts.

Scharf: No, it doesn’t bother me because history has shown that Supreme Court justices who are appointed by Republican presidents have been more liberal in their final outcome than Justices who have been appointed by liberal Democrats.

Phoenix: Are you a member of the Log Cabin Republicans?

Scharf: No, because they don’t have a chapter in Maine.

Phoenix: Do you support their decision to not endorse George Bush?

Scharf: They have the right to do what they want.

Babin: There are chapters that strongly support Bush and don’t agree with the national group’s policy.

Phoenix: You’re both in really tough races against popular incumbents . . .

Scharf: I’d dispute that. I’m in a tough race against a Democrat and the Democratic machine brings out the Democratic voters.

Phoenix: Why should gay and lesbian voters look beyond that and vote for you?

Babin: They shouldn’t. They shouldn’t vote for me based on my sexual orientation.

Phoenix: Well, people do, and there’s a certain allegiance involved in voting. Should people give you a closer look because you’re gay? When they go to the polls and they see the "R" after your name, you could be dead in the water to a lot of voters, particularly in your districts.

Babin: Well, there’s that assumption out there that all gays and lesbians are very liberal, and that’s not the case. I meet many gays and lesbians who are very conservative people.

I think it’s a big mistake that a lot of gay people will disagree with our views. You know, what does it mean to be conservative? It means that you have respect for yourself, your neighbors, for your country, for traditions.

Phoenix: But your party platform very explicitly says that it will not support gay marriage, it will not support civil unions.

Babin: No, that’s wrong. George Bush has said that he will support civil unions.

Scharf: Yes, George Bush supports civil unions.

Phoenix: That’s not true. George Bush has said that he supports a state’s right to determine whether or not they want to have civil unions. He hasn’t really said that he would support a federal law sanctioning civil unions. If elected, what would your top priority be?

Babin: Taxes. Get government spending under control. At this rate, no responsible business will come to Maine and no responsible business in Maine will expand.

Scharf: Certainly taxes is my top priority also, and the eventual passage of a tax bill of rights. My goal is to get a Republican majority in the state legislature so we can pass that as a constitutional amendment. Secondary, and particularly in Parkside, we need more affordable housing. It’s not necessarily a state issue, but as a state leader there is a lot I could do to influence the city of Portland.

Phoenix: What do you think of Ethan’s signs on the back of the buses? Sometimes I have to look at his mug for miles.

Babin: I wish I had them there.

Phoenix: Okay — so you’re optimistic and you are openly gay. Ultimately, do you see that as helping or hurting your campaign?

Babin: I don’t think people won’t vote for me because I’m gay, or vote for me because I’m gay.

Scharf: I don’t think it’s going to hurt my campaign.

Phoenix: Will it help?

Scharf: Not significantly because I’m running against someone who is strong on gay and lesbian issues.

Phoenix: Do you think you’d be stronger than him on gay and lesbian issues?

Scharf: I don’t think you could measure it.

Phoenix: Assumedly you would want to go after the gay or lesbian vote — you’re gay!

Scharf: Not necessarily.

Babin: I’ll take it!

Scharf: I don’t want people to just vote for me because I’m gay.

Babin: Well, I’ll take every vote I can get. But I have to say that voters don’t have to latch onto gay candidates because they are gay, because they will be their champions. Those days are gone. At least I hope they are.

Phoenix: Governor Baldacci said recently that he wants to support another effort to pass a basic civil-rights law in Maine that would protect gays and lesbians. I’m assuming you would both support that?

Scharf: Yes.

Babin: Certainly.

Phoenix: How have people in your party in Maine received you?

Scharf: With open arms. They love us.

Phoenix: All of them? So, when the right-wing conservative legislators stand up against a civil-rights bill, in what way will you blunt them?

Scharf: I think that the mere fact that I’ll be there as a Republican to mitigate some of the rhetoric that will come out is important. I think the rhetoric from them will be less harsh knowing that David and I are standing right there next to them.

Babin: People really need to realize that the Republican Party is the party of inclusion. The Democrats need to get over it.

Tony Giampetruzzi can be reached at tony@giampetruzzi.com