Democrats for Serial Child Rapist Rights

So egregious a record, Oregon law enforcement are forced to set the record straight and speak out on behalf of child victims of rape. This is the Democrat Sen. Charles Schumer recruited to run against Republican Sen. Gordon Smith for the U.S. Senate, and the ultra liberal Barack Obama is campaigning for--Jeff Merkley. Democrats weigh the rights of a serial child rapist over that of his young victims. Here's the letter the Oregon sheriffs and DA's sent:

Mr. Jeff Merkley

Speaker of the House

Oregon House of Representatives

2326 NW Lovejoy

Portland, OR 97296

Dear Mr. Merkley:

As you are well aware, the issue of crime and law enforcement has become a premier issue in Oregon’s U.S. Senate race in recent days. Last week, Senator Gordon Smith’s campaign released two television ads addressing your record on crime, particularly your votes on sex crimes legislation. While some of us in the law enforcement community were already familiar with your record on these issues, many of us were not. We are more than troubled by what we’ve learned about your votes, and why you say you voted that way.

Perhaps the only thing on lower footing than your voting history is your response to the outing of your record. The press release you issued in defense of your record was as disingenuous as it was dishonest. Your denial of the fact that you opposed bipartisan legislation for mandatory life sentences for repeat rapists and assertion that your vote against the bipartisan bill to extend the statute of limitations for child rape was merely “symbolic”, was a slap in the face to those of us who actually take these issues seriously and to the victims who have suffered at the hands of these vicious predators. Mr. Merkley, you created your record with your own votes, now it’s time you own up to it with your own voice.

The fight against crime, and sex crimes in particular, is an ongoing and crucially important struggle we engage in to keep our state and our community safe. Perhaps no greater threat exists to Oregon’s children than the threat of physical and sexual abuse. Your record on these issues is beyond abysmal, it is dangerous.

Since you have been in office, Oregon has only once extended the statute of limitations to protect all victims of child rape, you voted No. When the Oregon House passed a bill to allow prosecutors to file charges for Infant Assault, you were the only legislator to vote against it. When the House voted to impose mandatory life sentences for repeat rapists to ensure they would never be released, once again you voted No. Time and again, you have sided with the rights of rapists over the raped, abusers over the abused. Your record on these issues is shameful, inexcusable and embarrassing.

With great concern,

Mitchell Southwick, Baker County Sheriff John Bishop, Curry County Sheriff

David R.Glerup, Harney County Sheriff Tim Evinger, Klamath County Sheriff

Brad Lohrey, Sherman Country Sheriff John Trumbo, Umatilla County Sheriff

Kenneth W. Matlack, Morrow County Sheriff Tim Colahan, Harney County District Attorney

Dean Gushwa, Umatilla County District Attorney

Background in this video: A victim's appeal: UPDATE: Even the liberal Oregonian thinks Merkley's explanations on his votes don't ring true.