Mannix: "That's a predatory situation"

[Posted by David Miller on May 13, 2008]

In case you missed our conversation with Kevin Mannix today, we thought we'd give you some of the highlights.

Our callers (and a few commenters) focused most intently on Mannix's claims that the allegations about Mike Erickson that he mailed to voters yesterday are related to his interest in victims' rights. As Mannix stated:

"My track record is all about validating victims and listening to people, and making sure that our political process is responsive....

I believe that we have a problem in our political process when sometimes women who are victims of different kinds of predatory conduct are not given voice, and in this case I thought again our political process and the news process needs a swift kick to allow them to be given voice, and I think that's now happening....

We cannot hide these kinds of issues. This is how women have been victimized for years by what I will say has been a male chauvinist-dominated society. Where they're subjugated, they're treated badly, and then somehow we're just going to shove it under the rug."

Our caller Steve from Portland wanted no part of this:

"What concerns me the most is the kind of overwrought emotional language that he's using here by labeling Mr. Erickson a 'predator,' someone who has engaged in predatory conduct, when in fact that's kind of paternalistic. This woman may have engaged in sexual activity with him that was consensual sexual activity. And in fact she may have been the person to suggest to him that she needed money for an abortion. So it sounds like this woman is a victim when -- at least that's how she's being styled by Mr. Mannix this morning -- when in fact she may not be at all."

Mannix responded:

"Let Kristi [who wrote the letter about her friend's abortion] speak for herself: 'Where was he when I was holding her hand through the entire process as she cried for her lost child? Ten years his junior and already a single mom, she really felt like she had no choice in the matter without his support.' I think that's a predatory situation."