PORT ANGELES — Clallam Transit System buses could soon carry political messages opposing war with Iraq.

Clallam Transit board members, including Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman, R-Port Angeles, on Monday said such a message is a First Amendment issue and no different than other paid political advertising.

“Go ahead and sell it,” Chapman said of the possible advertising during a transit board meeting. “It doesn’t mean Clallam Transit is endorsing it. It’s no different than political advertising for a candidate.”

Chapman’s position isn’t too popular with other Republicans, whose local chapter organized a “Support Our Troops” rally last Saturday in Port Angeles.

Port Angeles resident Bob Philpott, one of about 40 county Republicans who waved American flags and carried pro-U.S. troops signs during the rally, said he doesn’t support anti-war advertising on public buses.

“No way, I don’t want to see any anti-war message on the buses.” said Philpott, a Navy reservist for eight years. “It’s almost un-American, this no Iraq war movement that they’ve got out there.”

Chapman, however, considers himself “a strong supporter of the Constitution” and defended his position.

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The rest of the story appears in the Wednesday Peninsula Daily News. Click on SUBSCRIBE at the top of this page to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.