Guest Editorial: Congressman Bentz & Public Broadcasting

By Keith Mobley

Keith Mobley

Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz spoke to the Rotary Club of The Dalles on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. I joined that Rotary Club in 1973, and appreciated this opportunity to listen to the Congressman, and ask a question.

My question was about his vote for the rescission of funding authorized for public broadcasting, given the value of Oregon Public Broadcasting in our part of the state.

His justification and answer was delivered without hesitation. “Bias,” proven to his satisfaction by a review he had read. His audience also responded without hesitation, loudly expressing its disagreement.

This Rotary Club includes in its preliminaries the recitation of the Four Way Test, in which we ask ourselves four questions: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

U.S. Rep Cliff Bentz speaking at The Dalles Rotarian Club meeting on Aug. 20.

Rather than argue about his answer, I sat back down and began thinking about how to respond. Nine years on the Oregon Public Broadcasting board of directors, including two years as board chairman had given me some familiarity with the subject. In addition, I was a regular OPB listener for over 60 years, and for most of them, as an active Republican. I had served as county campaign chair for Republican Senator Mark Hatfield, who asked me to move to Washington, DC to serve as legal counsel for a committee he chaired. I was also a losing Republican candidate for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1980.

My departure as a Republican came with its conversion to the Trump MAGA Party. The fact of that conversion is well known, but the willingness of party members to go with him from the party of Mark Hatfield, Dave Frohnmayer, Norma Paulus, and Vic Atiyeh is a mystery to many. It was clear from his presentation to the Rotary Club and guests that he may have some reservations about the leader of his party, but he is a loyal follower and reliable vote.

That loyalty is being further challenged by some of the President’s recent actions. For instance, he is requiring U.S. Marines and National Guard soldiers to perform duties that belong to civilian police. National Guard military, like elections officials are locally based for reasons respected and followed for over two centuries, consistent with the requirements of the U.S. Constitution. Local control was and is intended to frustrate the federal autocrat, oligarch, or would-be king.

Other challenges must include the President’s dedication to retribution and his desire for vengeance against those who have opposed him. He has also appointed to high offices people whose most notable and sometimes singular qualification is their loyalty to him.

Add to these reasons for diminished loyalty 34 felony convictions, 6 business bankruptcies, pardons for those convicted of the many crimes he inspired, his attempt to end voting by mail, and his inexplicable fondness for Vladimir Putin, and you must ask how Congressman Bentz and his fellow Republican can continue to justify their loyalty. Does it pass the Rotarians’ Four Way Test? (515)

Keith Mobley, Dufur