It’s hard to know where U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, stands as she speaks out of both sides of her mouth concerning the ethics office debacle (“Local Angle: Herrera Beutler frowned on plan,” Jan. 4, The Columbian). She said she was opposed (but she wasn’t there to vote as she was “stuck on the tarmac” according to her spokesperson). Herrera Beutler went on to say that the people who want to make changes to the ethics review may have a point. It’s really easy to say “I’m opposed” after the grief has hit the fan.
A politician couldn’t have spoken less clearly.