|
Senator Dole Responds to Attacks Against Senator Frist
The National Republican Senatorial Committee -- Elizabeth Dole, Chair
April 19, 2005 - Washington, D.C. – Today Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), responded to the charges levied by Senate Democrats against Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) regarding his message to a religious group:
“The criticism against Senator Frist from Senate Democrats is not only disappointing but very hypocritical.” -- Senator Elizabeth Dole
Senator Frist Agrees To Make His Case To Christian Conservatives In The Battle Over Judicial Nominees
Frist Is Joining The Christian Telecast To Enlist “Grass-Roots Support” From Conservatives In The Ensuing Battle Over Judicial Nominees. “Dr. Frist will join the telecast through a four-minute videotape, his spokesman said yesterday. Its organizers hope to enlist the grass-roots support of conservative Christians for an imminent Senate battle over Republican proposals to change Senate rules that have enabled the Democratic minority to filibuster, blocking Senate votes on 10 of Mr. Bush's appeals court nominees.” (David D. Kirkpatrick And Carl Hulse, “Frist Accused Of Exploiting Religion Issue,” The New York Times, April 16, 2005).
Senator Frist Speaks To Groups All Across The Nation About The Fight Over Judicial Nominees, And His Office Says This Speech Is No Different. “‘Sen. Frist is doing everything he can to ensure judicial nominees are treated fairly and that every senator has the opportunity to give the president their “advice and consent” through an up or down vote,’ said spokeswoman Amy Call. ‘He has spoken to groups all across the nation to press that point and as long as a minority of Democrats continue to block a vote he will continue to do so,’ Call said.” (“Christian Telecast To Feature Frist,” The Los Angeles Times, April 16, 2005)
Democrats Rail Against Frist’s Appearance To Highlight Difficulty In Confirming Judicial Nominees . . .
Democrats Decry Senator Frist’s Decision To Participate In A Faith-Based Telecast Where He Plans To Lay Out The Republican Case Against The Democrats’ Use Of The Filibuster To Obstruct President Bush’s Judicial Nominees. “Top Democrats on Friday urged Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to withdraw from an upcoming telecast organized by Christian conservatives that portrays Democrats as ‘against people of faith’ for blocking some of President Bush’s judicial nominees.” (“Christian Telecast To Feature Frist,” The Los Angeles Times, April 16, 2005)
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) Ranted Against Frist’s Upcoming Telecast To Christians, Saying, “No Party Has A Monopoly On Faith.” “Democrats accused Dr. Frist of exploiting religious faith for political ends by joining the telecast. ‘No party has a monopoly on faith, and for Senator Frist to participate in this kind of telecast just throws more oil on the partisan flames,’ said Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York.” (David D. Kirkpatrick, “Frist Set To Use Religious Stage On Judicial Issue,” The New York Times, April 15, 2005)
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Railed That “God Does Not Take Part In Partisan Politics.” “The Senate’s top Democrat accused Majority Leader Bill Frist of engaging in ‘radical Republican’ politics on Friday and urged him to cancel a videotaped speech to a group that claims President Bush’s conservative court nominees face opposition on religious grounds. ‘It is really beyond the pale. He should rise above this,’ Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said of Frist, R-Tenn. ‘God does not take part in partisan politics.’” (“Reid Calls Frist’s GOP Politics ‘Radical’,” The Associated Press, April 16, 2005)
Senator Ted Kennedy Lambasted Frist’s Participation As A “Blatant Assault On The Fundamental Principle Of Separation Of Church And State.” “Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) said: ‘I hope Sen. Frist will decide not to participate in this blatant assault on the fundamental principle of separation of church and state.’” (“Christian Telecast To Feature Frist,” The Los Angeles Times, April 16, 2005)
. . . But A Trip Down Memory Lane Shows A Rich History of Democrats Preaching To The Choir
Democrat Presidential Campaigns Hit The Church Circuit
1996 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
In The Final Weekend Of The 1996 Presidential Campaign, President Clinton Made A Campaign Stop At A Methodist Episcopal Church. “It’s 8:53 a.m., and Bill Clinton has chosen to spend the last Sunday morning of the 1996 campaign in the pulpit of St. Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal Church.” (John Aloysius Farrell, “‘Hired hand’ president seeks renewal,” The Boston Globe, November 4, 1996)
Then-Vice Presidential Nominee, Al Gore Campaigned In Churches In The 1996 Election. “After spending the past few days campaigning for congressional candidates, Vice President Al Gore refocused his efforts yesterday on the Democratic presidential ticket in visits to four black churches.” (Ann Scales, “Gore Campaigns In Black Churches,” The Boston Globe, November 4, 1996)
In 1996, Hillary Clinton Touted Her Husband’s Presidential Candidacy At A Church In Florida. “Beneath the benevolent stained-glass gaze of Christ the Lamb of God, Hillary Rodham Clinton is campaigning in St. Paul’s AME Church, promoting, among other things, the philosophy of . . . midnight basketball.” (Mary Voboril, “Campaign Helpmates / Hillary’s Florida Tour,” Newsday, October 10, 1996)
2000 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Presidential Candidate Al Gore Campaigned In Black Churches During The 2000 Election. “A week before he debates Bill Bradley at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, Vice President Al Gore squeezed in Sunday services at not one, but two, black churches. ‘Let us march on ‘til victory is won,’ he preached.” (Sandra Sobieraj, “Gore Visits 2 Black Churches In NYC,” The Associated Press, February 13, 2000)
Vice-Presidential Candidate Joe Lieberman Campaigned In African-American Churches During The 2000 Election. “Lieberman came under criticism by the Anti-Defamation League, which sent him a letter on Aug. 28 after he had made statements supporting the role of religion in public life while campaigning in an African-American church.” (Lori Silberman Brauner, “On Lieberman’s Use Of Religion In Campaign, ADL Takes It On The Chin,” New Jersey Jewish News, September 7, 2000)
2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Presidential Candidate John Kerry Used Scripture To Criticize President Bush At A Church In 2004. “John Kerry cited a Bible verse Sunday to criticize leaders who have ‘faith but has no deeds,’ prompting President Bush’s spokesman to accuse Kerry of exploiting Scripture for a political attack. Kerry never mentioned Bush by name during his speech at New North Side Baptist Church, but aimed his criticism at ‘our present national leadership.’ Kerry cited Scripture in his appeal for the worshippers, including James 2:14, ‘What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?’ ‘The Scriptures say, what does it profit, my brother, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?’ Kerry said. ‘When we look at what is happening in America today, where are the works of compassion?’” (Nedra Pickler, “Bush Campaign Blasts Kerry’s Bible Quote,” The Associated Press, March 28, 2004)
In June 2003, Then-Presidential Candidate John Edwards Made A Campaign Stop To Attack President Bush At A Church. “Presidential hopeful John Edwards criticized President Bush for his policies on taxes and terrorism in a campaign stop at a black Pentecostal church Sunday.” (Arnie Stapleton, “Edwards Criticizes Bush Policy On Taxes, Terrorism,” The Associated Press, June 1, 2003)
Democrat Senate Candidates Campaign In Churches Across The Country
1996 ELECTION
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) Visited Churches Across Michigan With Vice President Al Gore During The 1996 Campaign. “Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, favored to win his fourth term Tuesday over Republican Ronna Romney, joined Gore at several stops. . . . Levin, who visited six churches including the four with Gore, said every vote will matter Tuesday.” (Tina Lam, David Mchugh And Dawson Bell, “Candidates Push For Turnout Churchgoers Get Last Pitch For Support,” The Detroit Free Press, November 4, 1996)
2000 ELECTION
Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Campaigned In Six Churches In One Day During Her 2000 Senate Race. “Mrs Clinton, who spent more than eight hours at six separate church services yesterday in an attempt to mobilise the black voters who overwhelmingly support her campaign, has released a new advertisement accusing Mr Lazio of abandoning breast cancer sufferers by voting to deprive them of money for treatment.” (Molly Watson, “Hillary On The Warpath,” The [London] Evening Standard, November 4, 2000)
2002 ELECTION
In 2002, Top Democrat Strategist Donna Brazille Said Democrat Campaigns Delivered Flyers To Churches. “Democrats put their hopes in a large turnout of key constituencies, blacks and members of union households among them. . . . Donna Brazille, a consultant to the Democrats, said the turnout effort this year includes paid radio advertisements, flyers delivered to churches over the weekend, and recorded messages from Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby and others that are dialed by computer into millions of targeted households.” (David Espo, “Election Scramble Heads For Decision,” The Associated Press, November 4, 2002)
In 2002, Former Democratic Congressman And General Secretary Of The National Council Of Churches Bob Edgar Touted Democrats’ “Below The Radar Screen” Efforts To Reach Churches. “But more liberal activists may be working just as hard to contact a voter base affiliated with churches or synagogues. ‘My guess is that the progressive forces are working very actively, a lot more than we might expect,’ said the Rev. Bob Edgar, a former Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania and general secretary of the National Council of Churches. ‘It’s below the radar screen of national observers.’ (Larry Witham, “Religious Activists Spar Over Voters Guides,” The Washington Times, November 2, 2002)
In November 2002, Senator Max Cleland (D-GA) Campaigned In Churches. “Gov. Roy Barnes and Sen. Max Cleland worked churches with large African-American congregations -- a key constituency for Georgia Democrats. ‘The right to vote has been paid for by folks who shed their blood on the battlefield,’ Barnes told parishioners at Big Miller Grove Baptist Church in Lithonia. ‘If you sit back and don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain.’” (Rhonda Cook, “Election 2002: Parties Plead For Turnout,” November 4, 2002)
In November 2002, Senate Candidate Ron Kirk (D-TX) Spent Significant Time In Churches. “[Ron] Kirk [D-TX] made appearances at three large, predominantly black churches in Houston and later at Antioch Baptist Church in San Antonio.” (Macarena Hernandez, “Counting Down To Tuesday,” San Antonio Express-News, November 4, 2002)
In A Single Weekend, Kirk Visited A Half-Dozen Churches. “With four weeks until Election Day, Ron Kirk is spending his Sunday mornings quite literally preaching to the choir. The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate visited a half-dozen African American churches during an East Texas campaign swing last weekend to remind congregants, choir members and pastors that he’s running for office.” (Gary Susswein, “In Senate Run, Kirk Puts Focus On Faithful,” Austin American-Statesman, October 9, 2002)
In November 2002, Senator Jean Carnahan (D-MO) Campaigned In Churches. “Mrs. Carnahan campaigned Sunday in black congregations around St. Louis, noting that the latest Zogby poll showed her strength among black voters. ‘They say in the paper, I read today that if the lines in the African American community on Election Day are brisk, Jean Carnahan will win,’ she said at New Northside Baptist Church.” (Scott Charton, “Talent Urges Rural Voters To Offset City Political ‘Machines,’” The Associated Press, November 3, 2002)
In November 2002, Senate Candidate Bob Clement (D-TN) Campaigned In Churches. “Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton and former congressman Harold Ford Sr. led Democratic candidates Phil Bredesen and Bob Clement from black church to black church Sunday to boost Democratic turnout in Shelby County on Election Day.” (James W. Brosnan, “Clement, Bredesen Tour Black Churches,” The [Memphis] Commercial Appeal, November 4, 2002)
In December 2002, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) Campaigned In Churches. “On Sunday . . . [Senator Mary Landrieu] visited black churches in Baton Rouge with Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.” (William M. Welch, “Parties Battle For One Last Senate Seat In Louisiana,” USA TODAY, December 4, 2002)
2004 ELECTION
In November 2004, Senate Candidate Betty Castor (D-FL) Campaigned In Churches. “Mel Martinez spent Sunday campaigning with President Bush while Betty Castor visited black churches and ended her day campaigning with Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry. An upbeat Castor visited two black Baptist churches in Daytona Beach Sunday morning before heading her campaign bus back to Tampa for an afternoon cookout with her volunteers and a scheduled late-night rally with Kerry.” (Brian E. Crowley And Larry Lipman, “Castor Campaigns With Kerry; Martinez Rallies With Bush,” The Palm Beach Post, November 1, 2004)
In October 2004, Senate Candidate Barack Obama (D-IL) Spoke To Churchgoers In Chicago. “Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Alan Keyes slogged toward the finish of their U.S. Senate race Sunday, visiting churches on Chicago’s South Side and exchanging fire over abortion, same-sex marriage and terrorism. . . . ‘The reporters say I’ve been lucky,’ Obama told churchgoers Sunday. ‘But they got it wrong. I’ve been blessed.’” (Mike Robinson, “Obama Brushes Off Keyes ‘Histrionics’ In Final Hours Of Senate Race,” The Associated Press, October 31, 2004)
During His Senate Campaign, Oklahoma Candidate Brad Carson (D-OK) Spoke At A Church. “[I] rarely turned down any chance to make the case for my own candidacy and that of my fellow party members. After all, wasn’t Daniel blessed for braving the lion’s den? As I arrived at the church, my wife and I were given the church bulletin, which outlined the weekly selection of hymns and Bible readings. On the back of the bulletin, atop the blank space reserved for copious note-taking during the sermon, was the heading: ‘wwjv? pro-life or pro-death?’ (I favored the partial-birth abortion ban but opposed overturning Roe v. Wade.) . . . After the morning rituals, the pastor called me to the stage, and we engaged in a lengthy discussion about abortion, homosexuality, ‘liberal judges,’ and other controversial matters.” (Brad Carson, “Vote Righteously!,” The New Republic, November 22, 2004)
###
|
|
