Like many news outlets, the Alaska Watchman accepts political advertisements. For several weeks, incumbent Alaska State Senator Mike Shower ran a political ad on our website which stated that he was the “only pro-life candidate” in his race.
At a recent candidate forum in the Mat-Su, his opponent, Doug Massie, indicated that he, too, was pro-life. We checked Massie’s website and found nothing on prolife positions listed under his key “issues” section. He mentions his stance on taxation, resource development, public safety, the PFD, education, military and law enforcement, but not a word on abortion or anything pro-life.
Shower’s website, however, states he is “Pro-Family & Pro-life.” He says: “As a Christian, I believe life is a gift and that we need to protect the most vulnerable among us.”
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On Oct. 26, we gave Massie a call to clarify exactly where he stands on abortion. Massie claimed to be a “pro-life Catholic,” but when asked to elaborate on what that meant, he simply restated that he was “pro-life and Catholic.”
We then asked if he supported abortion for low-income women or in cases of rape or incest. He said he did not.
When asked why he didn’t include any mention of pro-life issues on his website, Massie said he didn’t “feel a need to grandstand every single position.”
We noted that abortion is actually a critical issue to many Mat-Su voters, who want to know exactly where he stands.
Massie responded by comparing his pro-life views with his preference in shoes or socks.
“I guess I should just tell you that I like OluKai shoes, and I wear short socks and that I put Weed & Feed on my lawn,” he said. “You want me to put everything – all my positions on that?”
We reiterated that abortion is different, and a “key issue,” for Mat-Su voters.
At that point Massie changed the subject and proceeded to express disgust with the Watchman.
When asked if he had anything more to say about the issue of abortion, he restated that he’s “pro-life.”
Below is a full and exact transcript of the phone conversation.
JOEL DAVIDSON: “Hi, Doug. I’m calling – I’m working on a story right now. I don’t know if you know, but your opponent, Mike Shower, has an ad that he’s currently running on our website, and it claims that he’s the only pro-life candidate. I wanted to clarify that with you because I’ve heard otherwise and I wanted to find out what your stance is on the issue of abortion, because I’ve looked over your website and I can’t find anything, really, that indicates where you stand. But, I wanted to make sure we had this accurate.”
MASSIE: “I’m a pro-life Catholic.”
DAVIDSON: “Okay, and what does that mean, basically?”
MASSIE: “Exactly what I just said it meant. I’m pro-life. I’m a Catholic and I’m pro-life.”
DAVIDSON: “Do you support abortion for low-income women or cases of rape or incest or anything like that?”
MASSIE: “No, and I don’t appreciate you running those ads, honestly. That’s dishonest. It’s disingenuous. It lacks integrity and it’s disgusting, honestly. So, maybe you and others should have called me and asked me what my position was, prior to running false advertisements.”
DAVIDSON: “Well, that’s what I’m trying to correct right now.”
MASSIE: “Yeah. It’s a little late. It’s a little late, my friend.”
DAVIDSON: “Well, can you answer me, why there isn’t any information on your website about the issue of abortion?”
MASSIE: “Do I have to grandstand every position that I have? Is that necessary? Do you do that?
DAVIDSON: “Well, it’s a huge issue in this election cycle with the Roe v. Wade being overturned.”
MASSIE: “I’m done talking to you. You know my position. I’m very unhappy with you and your organization, and that’s that.”
DAVIDSON: “So, you’re not going to answer why you haven’t put anything on your website about abortion or pro-life?”
MASSIE: “Did I just tell you that I don’t feel a need to grandstand every single position that I have?”
DAVIDSON: “The main thing is that voters want to know, and I think that’s why…
MASSIE: “I’m going to win this election regardless of what you print and the garbage you print – you and others. So, that’s fine. You know, you guys can spread lies. You can spread hate and discontent and that’s fine. You can keep it up.”
DAVIDSON: “You don’t feel like you need to put your position out with regards to where you stand on pro-life or abortion?”
MASSIE: “I guess I should just tell you that I like OluKai shoes, and I wear short socks and that I put Weed & Feed on my lawn. You want me to put everything – all my positions on that?”
DAVIDSON: “No, but abortion is a key issue, and I think you know that it’s a main issue with voters, especially out in the Valley.”
MASSIE: “Yeah, well that’s where I’m at with you and your organization and Mr. Shower. I’m not happy. I really have a problem with people who lack integrity, and I see you all as lacking a great amount of integrity. It’s unfortunate and – in fact I grew up with Jake Libbey. I’m pretty disgusted with the whole thing, so that’s where I’m at.”
DAVIDSON: “Alight. Well, so, that’s all you want to say about the issue of abortion then?”
MASSIE: “Yeah. I’m pro-life. There you have it.”
DAVIDSON: “Okay. Alright. Well, thank you for clarifying that.”
MASSIE: “Umm hmm.”
DAVIDSON: “Have a great day.”
Editor’s note: In response to Massie’s public statement, Senator Shower has taken down the ads, and thanked Massie on Facebook for a public clarification on his stance.
14 Comments
It sounds Mr. Massie has something to hide. He refuses to answer a basic questions and by doing that he alienated himself from the topics that we the voters want answers to. Sorry Mr. Massie, I feel you just lost a bunch of voters because of your not wanting to answer a simple question.
I didn’t hear Massie’s voice, but his response, I feel, speaks volumes.. Rude, and disrespectful.. Perhaps I am wrong, and I will admit that I was wrong once.. .., but it would appear to me that he attempted to dodge the issue.. Am I wrong ?
Wow. I sure don’t want his attitude representing me. Hope he doesn’t get in. I’m not voting for him.
Massie speaking on integrity is laughable in my opinion. Who exactly is he lumping in with the comment, “you all”? Massie entered into this election where voters are taking their votes very seriously. Voters at a minimum should expect ALL their questions truthfully answered from all candidates. I’m sorry if Massie is “unhappy”. There are many Alaskans that have been “unhappy” for quite some time now and have been ready for honest change for the better.
Typical of the anger issues that seem to plague Massie. He seems to get angry at every little thing. What’s next jacking people up because they ask questions about his questionable reputation? Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. And when someone tries so hard to convince us there is no fire, especially an LEO with a horrible work history and reputation, perhaps we should pay attention and look harder for the fire.
“Typical of the anger issues that seem to plague Massie…….”
Probably. There are lots of angry LEOs out there these days. I think I know why.
“……..perhaps we should pay attention and look harder for the fire………”
I definitely recommend you pay attention, but also discourage your search for fire.
Good work Joel.
If I were a candidate, I would appreciate the opportunity offered by a reporter to clarify my position. Quite frankly, claims by a candidate for office are not the responsibility of the entity running the ad. Case in point, Lisa’s ads state she is working hard to develop Alaska’s resources when nothing could be further from the truth. If Massie wants to chime in on the abortion issue and run an ad declaring his ‘pro life’ position, he certainly could do so, but has not. This time around, abortion is not a side issue with the recent Roe Vs Wade decision. This is something the State will be grappling with and Massie’s tone sounds harsh and not genuine. The issue seems to be not very important to him. hmmmmm…..
nice job. he showed his cards. not sure i support shower but certainly not massie.
Three things are at the forefront, across the nation , for the coming elections; Our compromised southern border, inflation and abortion !!
Many would say that the minute the word NAZI is mentioned, you’ve lost the debate. In this case it is a fair example. The Nazis didn’t kill 1/10 the number of Jews that Americans have killed through abortion. Imagine during WWII being evasive on Nazi sympathies.
Darkness hates Light……………………..Film at 11.
I think that by not coming out and taking a solid stand AGAINST abortion, he is hoping to get some votes from the pro-abortion side by possibility appearing to the uninformed voters to be FOR abortion. He just didn’t seem to take the issue as serious as he should be. It’s not about the type of shoes or socks you prefer, Or the Weed & Feed you put on your lawn. It’s human Life we’re talking about.
Thank You Joel
Comparing the systemic killing of innocents to a favorite pair of shoes…… Even if he is pro-life, he has lost my support because of the priority he would apparently place on it (or not). With abortion returning to the states rights, the position of a state legislator on the subject may literally be a matter of life and death. becomes a position, literally,