Photos by Antonia Padilla for QSanAntonio.com

In visit to SAAF, Doggett covers many bases
QSanAntonio.com, August 11, 2011

Congressman Lloyd Doggett was in San Antonio on August 10 for a tour of the San Antonio AIDS Foundation. His visit was billed as an opportunity to speak out for more funding for HIV/AIDS which he did. However, Doggett answered questions about the debt ceiling, the S&P downgrade, Governor Rick Perry and why he thinks a local web site 'smeared' him over the 'perceived snub' of a gay nominee for U.S. attorney.

Doggett, who is a candidate for the new 35th Congressional District running against State Representative Joaquin Castro, was escorted around the SAAF facility by executive director David Ewell and deputy director Jill Rips. The congressman met and chatted with clients and even conversed with the mother of one of the patients.

At the conclusion of his tour Doggett made a statement to reporters. "I've worked in Washington in support of programs like the Ryan White Act and HOPWA, the housing program for individuals with AIDS," he said. "We need to maintain this support. And when we hear about these massive cuts in Washington, and as much as we want efficiency, we need to make sure we aren't balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable like the people that this Foundation serves."

Reporters then asked Doggett questions about the state of the economy. The congressman said that it was a "challenging balance and there must be shared sacrifice" in the form of taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

In terms of improving the economy, Doggett put out several familiar suggestions including tax credits for college tuition, improvement of infrastructure and updated transportation systems.

Doggett said he attributes the S&P downgrade to an error based on the questionable review of market-backed securities -- a mistake in calculation. He said another reason for the downgrade was that there was so much discord in Washington. "Some people were elected to go to Washington just to be disagreeable, unwilling to seek common ground and shared sacrifice."

When asked about Governor Rick Perry's presidential aspirations Doggett said, "I hope Rick Perry won't mess with America the way he messed with Texas." He said Perry's solution to economic problems is less taxes, less service and tolling roadways. "He's not committed to strong public education system and insists on meddling in institutions of higher education."

Doggett said he wanted to be part of a "truth squad" who will "let our neighbors around America know the harm that Rick Perry can cause."

Changes in attitude

In terms of GLBT issues, Dogget has a score of 94% on the Human Rights Campaign web site. He voted to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell and he twice voted against adding a constitutional amendment to establish that marriage should consist of one man and one woman.

In 1996, Doggett voted for the Defense of Marriage Act. When asked about that vote he told QSanAntonio that there had been "many changes in attitude since then."

"Since that time, in 2004 and 2006, I voted against the so-called Marriage Act amendment. We know enough now with the changes I advocated with Don't Ask Don't tell that I think its time to change DOMA. I think it does not serve the purpose as stated and its very unfair to many people. So I would vote to change it if we get that vote on the floor."

When asked when we might see some movement on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Doggett replied, "Not soon enough. As you may know I've been a sponsor of that act for multiple sessions. I believe its something that should have moved during the last session when we Democrats were in control in the House. Its a big uphill climb with a Republican House but I would like to see it on the floor. It's outrageous that people are discriminated based on gender, based on transgender, based on their being gay or lesbian."

Doggett cited an ordinance in the City of Austin that offers the same protections sought nationally through ENDA. "It serves a good purpose, our employers benefit from being open to all people based on merit not based on invidious discrimination."

Up in 'Armas'

You would think that with all of his positive bona fides Doggett would be a shoo-in with gay voters. However, according to a story on PlazaDeArmas.com by reporter Gilbert Garcia, a prominent Austin activist, Eugene Sepulveda, is "resentful over Doggett’s unwillingness to support Robert Pitman, an openly gay Austin magistrate judge, for the position of U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, which includes San Antonio."

Sepulveda is a top Democratic bundler who's already put together over $500,000 for President Obama's reelection. He also is supporting Joaquin Castro (the San Antonio mayor's twin brother) in the District 35 race.

Pitman, along with Kenneth Magidson, Sarah Saldana and John Bales, was nominated by Republican Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn for a U.S. attorney slot in Texas.

“These nominees have proven to be tenacious and diligent in their pursuit of justice and I am honored to nominate them to serve their fellow Americans as U.S. attorneys,” Obama wrote in a release in advance of the nominations.

Garcia wrote in his article that, "Despite Doggett’s reputation as a never-say-die progressive warrior, his LGBT critics argue that during the Austin congressman’s 16 years on Capitol Hill, he has shown a curious reluctance to put himself out front as an advocate for gay causes."

Doggett's 'reluctance' to support Pitman appears to be less about Pitman being gay and more about politics.

When asked about Pitman, Doggett told QSanAntonio, "I think the purported news article on the Plaza De Armas site was an outrageous smear. It ignored the comments that I gave to the reporter. It was basically providing a mouthpiece for one of the supporters of my opponent."

Doggett said that the article failed to note that he, along with Congressman Charlie Gonzales and Congressman Ciro Rodriguez, supported two Hispanics -- one of them being the City Attorney of San Antonio and the other a County Attorney from Austin.

"I never said a word against Judge Pitman until I was asked specifically by a reporter about a year ago and I praised him as being an incredibly devoted public servant," says Doggett.

"As someone who has had, through most of my career in Congress, openly gay members on my staff. As someone who has spoken out on these issues and spoken favorably of Judge Pitman -- in fact, I think I was one of the first persons to call Judge Pitman after the White House selected him to tell him congratulations and I'd knew he would do an outstanding job.

Those were all things that Plaza De Armas had and refused to print and it really raises questions about the entire approach they took to this story."