Last time, HSUS took credit for eliminating gas chambers in Virginia. This time, their political arm, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, (HSLF) failed to endorse the candidacies for the Senate and House of Delegates, respectively, of Donald Marro and Kimbra Kincheloe, both VVAW members and two of the staunchest animal welfare advocates on the planet.
Puzzling, is it not, when the avowed single criterion purportedly used by HSUS/HSLF is the position of the candidate on animal welfare issues. Here are their words:
HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.
Then why no endorsement for Don and Kim? Could it be their VVAW affiliation? Could it be their Independent party status? Could it be HSUS doesn't like them?
HSUS says no, it's their viability, a second - secret - criterion not mentioned before. And how does HSUS/HSLF ascertain viability? No criterion provided.
So we have HSUS/HSLF setting up shop as a political handicapper. What if they're wrong? Do they suffer from endorsing non-viable candidates? Is their fundraising prowess at risk if they back the wrong horse, or is their fundraising prowess enhanced by being politically correct?
We guess it's better to have Bobby Orrock prevail rather than Kim, or at least not burn any bridges with good ol' Bobby. And as for Don, what can he possibly get accomplished in Richmond anyway, since we already got the truck ban on Rt. 17 (no, that was Don) and we already had 42 co-patrons for gas (no, that was Don, too), and we singlehandedly raised the awareness of legislators to animal issues (no, darn it, that was Don and Kim and VVAW people too).
It is breathtakingly inept and shortsighted to relinquish moral leadership by being silent out of pique. Endorsements are as much against a candidate as for another. Endorsements speak to an organization's purpose. Endorsements are vicarious and courageous recognitions of its mission in another person. On all 3 counts, HSUS/HSLF struck out.
So Kim and Don should withdraw now? Not a chance. Their campaigns show courage and commitment even if HSUS/HSLF does not. More Independents from the animal welfare community are needed, not fewer. Don't expect HSUS/HSLF to get that though. Not while there are funds to be raised.
Lillian Clancy and Don Marro