By Julia Hoppock

Oct 18, 2008 6:04pm

GOP Slams ‘Godless Friends’ of Dole’s Foe

ABC News’ Teddy Davis and Julia Hoppock Report: The GOP targeted the so-called "Godless friends" of Elizabeth Dole’s opponent on Saturday, circulating a YouTube video which assails Democrat Kay Hagan for attending a Boston fundraiser co-hosted by Woody Kaplan who sits on the advisory board of the  Godless Americans PAC

"Either she shares their views or puts money over her principles," said John Randall , the online communications manager for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). "Neither is a ringing endorsement for her as a senator from North Carolina." 

Dole, who served as NRSC chair in 2006, is one of nine incumbent Republican senators who is in a tough fight for re-election.

Watch the video circulated by the NRSC HERE:

Hagan’s campaign confirmed that the Democratic Senate candidate attended a Sept. 15 fundraiser at Kaplan’s Boston home. Hagan’s spokeswoman noted, however, that Kaplan was one of 40 co-hosts and called the web video, which follows similar mail attack pieces from the Dole campaign, a "desperate" and "pathetic" attempt to save the Republican seat "at any and all costs."

"Elizabeth Dole knows that Kay Hagan is an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro," said Hagan spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan. "This kind of behavior is so unbecoming of a woman like Senator Dole, and it speaks volumes about her as a person and as a politician."

The video seeks to tarnish Hagan by showing representatives of the Godless Americans PAC articulating their views.

Ellen Johnson, the group’s executive director, is shown at a Nov. 2, 2002, conference, saying, "All Americans are Godless Americans because there is no God."

"What is their agenda?" asks the video’s narrator.

It then seeks to answer its own question by showing clips of David Silverman, a spokesman for the Godless Americans PAC, telling Fox’s Bill O’Reilly that his group would like to remove "under God"  from the Pledge  of Allegiance,  erase "in God we trust"  from  U.S. currency, and  abolish Christmas as a federal holiday. 

Hagan’s campaign rebutted the specific charges in the video, telling ABC News that Hagan does not support any changes to the Pledge, U.S. currency, or the status of Christmas as a government holiday.

The Hagan spokeswoman then counterpunched, pointing to Dole’s defense of a 2006 Republican ad against Harold Ford which featured a scantily clad white woman telling the black Senate candidate, "Harold, call me".

"This kind of smear-first, explain-later campaigning is nothing new for Elizabeth Dole," said Flanagan, the Hagan spokeswoman. "She perfected these tactics at the NRSC two years ago, defending ads that had a ‘serious appeal to racist sentiment’ and launching attack websites with ‘racial overtones.’"

User Comments

And the American “Taliban” speaks.

Posted by: JR | October 18, 2008, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm

By that logic, Palin must believe in the Alaska Independence Party. So we should extrapolate using GOP logic that Palin is very much Anti-American as the AIP wishes to secede from the US of A.
Thanks GOP, great point.

Posted by: AIP | October 18, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

Its hard to figure out how anyone could not be embarrased to admit that they are a Republican. Lincoln must be rolling over in his grave to see what has become of his party.

Posted by: jim | October 18, 2008, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm

Let us see now:
If you support Obama, your un-American.
If you disagree with a neo-con, your un-American.
If you want to voice your opinion (different than the GOP) your un-American.
Yep, as far as I’m concerned the republicans are un-American, they just don’t get it.

Posted by: JR | October 18, 2008, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

– Its hard to figure out how anyone could not be embarrased to admit that they are a Republican –
It is getting harder and harder, I must admit. After this election cycle and Obama winning the presidency, I’m going to switch my registration over to either the Democratic side, or perhaps Independent.
The GOP may be old, but it is no longer grand.

Posted by: Concerned American | October 18, 2008, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

Dole is going done this Nov. She’s a carpetbagger! Where’s Bob…..never see him in N Carolina!

Posted by: linda n carolina | October 18, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

I think the republican party is going the way of the “Loyalist Party.”
It soon will be the Democrats vs. the Independents and the green Party.
so much for Mccain Palin doing their party any good… Bush destroyed it…but they are now put the nail in so to speak.
Right wing morons run amock.

Posted by: dl | October 18, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm

Republican party…
a footnote in history…
a party that existed for a period of time that was considered “fiscally conservative” and dragged through the mudd and into the gutter by right wing houligans (aka Pharissees) who co opted values into a crime.
ugh.

Posted by: dl | October 18, 2008, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm

Man, this guilt by association nonsense is getting really pathetic. It comes from both sides, but the Republicans seem to have made a religion out of it.

Posted by: jock59801 | October 18, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

Welcome to the new Republican party that is the new McCarthy party.

Posted by: David | October 18, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

this is ridiculous. Sen. Dole runs an ad on the issues, and Sen. Hagan responds with “that’s a dirty ad!” Why can’t Sen. Hagan just respond to or concede the issues in the ad? Sen. Hagan, like Sen. Obama, sees every issue as a “distraction” and make the conduct of the campaigns the only thing the friendly press will talk about.

Posted by: DemMcCrat for McCain | October 18, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm

David – you’re right. McCarthyism is making a comeback, a gift to this country from the Republican Party. I hate the cold but I’m packing my bags to head to Canada just in case there’s an upset and McCain wins. I don’t want to be around when the Gestapo disguised as the American flag comes knocking at my door.

Posted by: counting crows | October 18, 2008, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm

The GOP has become desperate, they are giving up any semblance of National unity and going for their core base, the “redneck, anti-American, un-democratic” among us.

Posted by: JR | October 18, 2008, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm

When Palin or any of the McCain surrogates say that to vote for Obama is un-American, they show how un-American they themselves are. What kind of people are they they that they don’t believe in free speak. Oh, that’s right, they’re republican and they don’t believe in speech that doesn’t support them.

Posted by: JR | October 18, 2008, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm

That is all they have left……
McCain can not be told NO so think of that when you vote people…..

Posted by: NH Voter | October 18, 2008, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm

THE REPUBLICANS RUNNING WOULD DO ANYTHING TO WIN. I THINK SOME EVEN KILL TO GRT INTO OFFICE.IF THEY WOULD HAVE DONE A DESCENT JOB WHEN THEY WERE IN OFFICE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO USE THESE TACTICS

Posted by: REB | October 18, 2008, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm

NeoConnies are exploding all over the country!! Won’t be many left in office after Nov 4th.

Posted by: Clint | October 18, 2008, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm

When in heavens name, did the Republicans get this notion that they had God in their (increasingly) tiny box?
Any true believer knows God is NOT Republican. HE IS INDEPENDENT. And he works on a case by case basis. If the Republicans believe are portrayal was truly GOD, I may have understood a group like the aforementioned.
God has never been for hatred (nor ignorance).

Posted by: val | October 18, 2008, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm

The Republicans have one argument and one argument only: Guilt by association.
It is the same election after election after election after election after election after election after election after election after election after election after election after election after election after election after election…
Until one day the American people will stand up and say: No More.

Posted by: Fortunate Son | October 18, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm

REPUBLICANS ARE SOOO DESPERATE. THIS IS SO SAD…WHAT AN EMBARSSMENT

Posted by: Steven | October 18, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm

AS AN ATHEIST AND NON-BELIEVER , I FIND THIS MATTER STUPID, GUILT BY ASSOCIATION IS A BAD PLATFORM TO GO ON .HOW IS THAT I KNOW A WHOLE BUNCH OF RELIGIOUS NUTS AND I AM NOT LABLE BY ALL NON-BELIEVER’S AS A BACK SLIDER. THE RELIGIOUS NEEDS TO GET THESE BACKWOOD PRIMITIVE SUPERSTISTION MYTHOLOGY THAT THEY PUT THEIR ENTIRE STOCK IN , THEY HAVE FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND THAT’S OK .WE HAVE FREEDOM FROM RELIGION AND THAT OK TOO.

Posted by: KWOLF443 | October 18, 2008, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm

Undoubtedly Senator Dole is trying as hard as possible to change her old image into someone, she thinks, we here in NC cannot recognize. For the past six years as she has transplanted herself inside the Washington DC cirlces making herself unknown from where she was elected, it became obvious to me and I am sure others as well, they only change she has made is the face lift she has received within the past year. Not only does she run as far away from her devoted George Bush but she also has tried to change her appearance in so much that maybe we here in NC will not recognize her too. I am so pleased that our tax dollars that has paid her for the past six years has aided her with her new tuck and lift.

Posted by: Al | October 18, 2008, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm

NC, the home of Jesse Helms. It explains Dole as well.
Politics has always had a nasty side to it. But Jesse, first through his racist editorials on TV and then as a Senator, worked with the National Congressional Club to revive the most vile aspects of campaigning (race-baiting, outright lying on the most vicious issues, etc.). It has not subsided, as we can see from people like McCain and Dole.

Posted by: Bugg | October 18, 2008, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm

“These kind of tactics have no place in Maine politics,” said Collins spokesman Kevin Kelley. “Sen. Collins urges the McCain campaign to stop these calls immediately.” Sen. Collins (R-Maine) on McCain’s automated phone call smears to voters.
A large number of Republicans are disgusted by McCain as well.

Posted by: Bugg | October 18, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm

Unless we have become a theocracy similar to some Muslim nations, this is totally irrelevant.

Posted by: Bugg | October 18, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm

G O P
G odly
O pression
P arty

Posted by: Connie Florida | October 18, 2008, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm

Where is freedom of speech? Where is democracy? According to the GOP, if you are liberal, or a Republican leaning Obama, you are an evil communist anti-american, Godless waste hell-bent on destroying this country. Folks, pay attention. This is the type of propaganda the Nazi party started out with! These people are dangerous! Forget Osama bin Ladin. Our very own American Taliban will destroy this country!

Posted by: waya | October 18, 2008, 8:17 pm 8:17 pm

What is wrong with these people who claim to be Christians? Something just does not smell right. …………
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/10/18/the-ayers-of-christian-redemption/

Posted by: Ohg Rea Tone | October 18, 2008, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm

Dole is possessed by pineapples!

Posted by: Gus | October 18, 2008, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm

Attention GOP supporters: Adolph Hitler just wanted to say how proud he is of you people. McCain and Palin are two of his favorite people. He can’t wait until they join him in HELL!

Posted by: AJ | October 18, 2008, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm

@ val
“God has never been for hatred (nor ignorance).”
You’ve obviously never read the bible. You can’t make it through Genesis without realizing that’s definitely not the case.
————–
It’s nice to see some national coverage of this craziness. I don’t understand how helping to give a voice to a very large percentage of Americans can be a bad thing. To get a sense of just how bigoted this really is, imagine if this were an add about an African American or Jewish PAC. Not that the GOP would be above that sort of thing anyway.

Posted by: Derek | October 18, 2008, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm

This is scaring the hell out of me. The McCain camp is like the Taliban. If these two get into the office, it’s the end of the America we once knew. Then it will be revolution time. Go Obama/Biden.

Posted by: pamp205 | October 18, 2008, 8:42 pm 8:42 pm

The GOP has become a sad parody built on encouraging ignorance and division.

Posted by: Obama is Winning | October 18, 2008, 9:16 pm 9:16 pm

I think intellectual Republicans are trying to figure out how they can start a viable third party for 2012.

Posted by: GOP divide | October 18, 2008, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm

If you don’t agree with the Republicans, then you are a godless communist, nice…
Dole and McCain are both done, stick a fork in them!

Posted by: Davis | October 18, 2008, 9:28 pm 9:28 pm

End Republican Hate vote Democratic in 2008.

Posted by: sj | October 18, 2008, 9:29 pm 9:29 pm

All of my Republican friends feel totally abandoned by their party. How can you stand behind the crazy talk being spewed by the GOP these days. Its as if they’ve given up actually arguing an issue or finding any solutions.

Posted by: red and logical | October 18, 2008, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm

This is exactly why I will never, ever vote republican.

Posted by: steve9337 | October 18, 2008, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm

Divide and Rule – Using religion and Questioning patriotism- Is this what the Republican party is made up of?- sounds very similar to Islamic extremism!

Posted by: tkforchange | October 18, 2008, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm

How many Republicans actually agree with what has been going on?

Posted by: Jwench | October 18, 2008, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm

The republican party is f**king poison to the United States. It is rotten to the core and we must give it an anti-biotic now.
I can not understand for the life of me why anyone would support this vile infection.
What have we become? I am afraid that if we elect the republicans to the highest and most powerful office on this planet the terrorist of the world will consider their election a victory for them.
I am disgusted!!!

Posted by: democratic | October 18, 2008, 10:00 pm 10:00 pm

All of my Republican friends feel totally abandoned by their party. How can you stand behind the crazy talk being spewed by the GOP these days. Its as if they’ve given up actually arguing an issue or finding any solutions.
Posted by: red and logical | Oct 18, 2008 9:30:49 PM
—————————————-
Non wingnut republicans like Reagan are at a crossroad. Reagan said “I didn’t leave the Democratic party, it left me”. Now republicans have to ask themselves that question. Will you leave the republican since it saw fit to leave you?

Posted by: McCain/Palin = Corporations First | October 18, 2008, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm

Liddy is about to go the way of Macaca Allen.
Cya!

Posted by: bubba | October 18, 2008, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm

It’s easy to see the Repubs are so far-righted with their campaigning that it is scary for anyone who has commen sense to see the direction they want America to head – into a theocracy like the Taliban, Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries. They smear anyone who hold a different opinion than them. In other words, if you’re not one of them, you’re un-American, a communist, liberal-lover, Athist, etc., etc.
Gee, given their hate spewing ways, I feel this country will be heading toward a fascist state with the Repub party ruling the nation with an iron fist of hate and fear. Such a theocracy will only churn a new Civil War.

Posted by: GWP | October 18, 2008, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm

★O★★★★★★★★★★No
★★B★★★★★★★★★McCain
★★★A★★★★★★★★
★★★★M★★★★★★★No
★B★★★A★★★★★★McCain
★★I★★★★★★★★★
★★★D★★★★★★★★No
★★★★E★★★★★★★ McCain
★★★★★N★★★08★No
★★★★★★★★★★★★Palin

Posted by: EbonySouth | October 18, 2008, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm

Donate to Kay Hagan’s campaign here:
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/khagan
(NC resident sick of Dole’s slime)

Posted by: BMS in NC | October 18, 2008, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm

And the republicans think they’re GOD’s chosen ones? Look at the tone of “God’s chosen ones?” Look at the rhetoric comming out of the Republican’s camp? Just because some churches are in the Republicans pockets (or the other way around) doesnt mean they’re Gods chosen. How do you know Obama was’t put here by God? I love it when a person proclaims he/she is doing God’s work. If God works in mysterious ways how do you know you are doing God’s work? Get real God doesn’t talk to you. If he did you would’t be talking (bragging) about it.

Posted by: dan kolich | October 18, 2008, 10:45 pm 10:45 pm

Jim,
The fact is that many Republicans are embarrassed by their party. Many are sitting this election out, and many are voting for Obama.
I am a former Republican turned independent. I left the GOP because it has become the party of anti-intellectual thugs, totalitarian religion, and fear.
This year I have a lot of company.

Posted by: Katie | October 18, 2008, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm

I can’t believe that people are just planning on voting for the “complete” Democratic ticket without even educating themselves about the people they are voting for.
SOOO Many Democrats are being investigated for illegal conduct (just look at NJ and NY)…In the old days…if a politician was dirty…the voters KICKED THEM OUT OF OFFICE.
Now it’s one thing if people want to vote for Obama (whether they truly know him or not)…but people should NOT just vote the Democratic ticket.
People need to educate themselves about the politicians running for Congress in their district. Just because they are Democrats doesn’t mean you should vote for them.

Posted by: MikeFromNJ | October 18, 2008, 10:55 pm 10:55 pm

just had to post here because i am an atheist and any of you reading this are now guilty be association and are now unable to run for office-ANY office!!!
doesnt this all sound so nazi germany? is any one else as afraid of this hatred and smears as i am?

Posted by: rich | October 18, 2008, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm

I am really disappointed to read this. I’m a long term supporter of Elizabeth Dole and recently voted for her in my absentee ballot. The Republican party just seems to go farther and farther down hill … I suspect one day it will go *poof* and that will be the end of it. It needs a complete makeover.

Posted by: Former Republican | October 18, 2008, 11:09 pm 11:09 pm

Katie,
You are right. You have a lot of company when you support Obama. Don’t forget his Chicago thugs, ACORN thugs, Rev. Wright and Louis Farrakhan thugs.
You are definitely with a lot of company.

Posted by: Voter In America | October 18, 2008, 11:10 pm 11:10 pm

DemMcCrat for McCain: ‘Sen. Dole runs an ad on the issues, and Sen. Hagan responds with “that’s a dirty ad!” Why can’t Sen. Hagan just respond to or concede the issues in the ad?’ did you actually read the article? the host of a fundraiser is not an issue-no matter how badly the gop wants it to be.

Posted by: antijake | October 18, 2008, 11:28 pm 11:28 pm

Perhaps Dole can convert them to “Godliness” the old-fashioned way. Her silence on this moral outrage (like her husband’s silence on Iran/Contra) has been deafening.
http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/confess/

Posted by: raven | October 18, 2008, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm

The Republican Party has become the Party of the Big Lie. Perhaps they have come to believe their own lies?

Posted by: Rob | October 18, 2008, 11:49 pm 11:49 pm

The current Republican party is not the party I joined over 30 years ago. It has turned into a power grabbing, greedy and unethical organization. The benefactors are the rich and large corporations. It used Christian value only as a facade to control the trusting moral people for the party’s agenda. It took the last 8 Bush years to finally opened my eyes and see what this party is about. I’d venture most if not all of Wall Street CEOs are Republicans. The party’s economic policy has been benefiting the rich and marginalizing the middle and lower classes.
The tactic by Dole here reaffirms my understanding of what GOP really stands for. I’m glad I switched out of this party beginning of this year. If history is a guide, the current GOP will not survive the time.
The GOP is going to lose and lose big in this election. I feel sorry for those republicans still fooled by the people in power..

Posted by: educator | October 19, 2008, 12:19 am 12:19 am

The saddest thing about this election may be the downward spiral of John McCain. In 2000 he seemed a worthy prospective opponent for Al Gore. Might possibly have attracted my vote. But of course he wasn’t allowed to be the Republican candidate back then. A clutch of neo-conservative functionaries slew him along the road to the nomination with one of the most vicious whisper campaigns in the history of that party. The political culture of the GOP has gone from the idealism on which it was founded to the cynical, Rovian view of the world- Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing. Now McCain, who has admitted that just becoming President is really the only thing he’s interested in, has come under the spell of the very same people who destroyed him eight years ago. They are apostles of sneer, smear and fear, who find no reason not to lie, cheat and steal to gain power. They are devoid of the principles that we all would prefer to see in the waging of a political campaign, and devoted to maintaining their rigid control regardless of the yearnings of our free society. So now the sad man who sits in their thrall has been wiped clean of his principles and had them replaced with empty words, bogus tactics, distortion and lies. As even his opponents have said, John McCain has had a fine record as a politician, a warrior and a human being. But, like a Greek tragic hero, he has fallen to the hubris of hunger for political power to the exclusion of integrity and decency. John certainly deserves to lose this election, and with the work and vigilance of decent Americans he will. But it is sad nonetheless.

Posted by: jocro | October 19, 2008, 12:37 am 12:37 am

No wonder the world is withdrawing money from American banks.
I thought last weeek we would probably reinvest within a year or so,but how could we possibly, knowing even when Obama wins,many of these unstable people
will still be in Washington.
Luckily most of them are old and on their last legs, but while the world waits for this exceptional group to bite the dust,The Shift to Asia has begone.

Posted by: Holly | October 19, 2008, 12:50 am 12:50 am

Maybe this isn’t such a bad thing. I have been noticing this train wreck coming for about the past 8 years. I guess it just took a large amount of it at once for more people to finally see it. So, what’s it going to be “conservatives?” Because I KNOW all of you can’t approve of this. And if you vote for him? It will encourage it to get even worse. This year needs to be virtue over partisan.

Posted by: Susan-1 | October 19, 2008, 1:23 am 1:23 am

“They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.” Titus 1:16
I wonder if this was written about the RNC?

Posted by: Concerned | October 19, 2008, 1:43 am 1:43 am

The GOP can’t run on issues or ideas, as they truly have neither. If they told you the truth about their plans for screwing you out of your money, your homes, your children’s futures, and all your rights, the country would have them run out of town on a rail. They deserve nothing left. What I don’t get is how some people still don’t see the shafting they have been getting for the last quarter century at the hands of the republican party and their big money friends. Maybe they just aren’t tired enough of paying for the rich to have even more than they do already. It seems almost suicidal to me, but apparently they got used to being lied to during the Reagan era and really liked it. Some of us didn’t, and saw through it at it’s outset. It brings me little joy to say “I told you this would happen”, but I did. NOW it’s “morning in America”. Smell the coffee. Get rid of the money running everything in this country and we can have our lives back. It’s time for George Bailey to decide he wants to live again and for Potterville to be closed down. And Libby Dole can go home and stay there.

Posted by: WJM | October 19, 2008, 1:46 am 1:46 am

People need to educate themselves about the politicians running for Congress in their district. Just because they are Democrats doesn’t mean you should vote for them.
Posted by: MikeFromNJ | Oct 1
**********************************************
All Republicans need to be voted out and kept out until they clean up their party and oust the American Taliban tribe.

Posted by: Truth Matters | October 19, 2008, 2:08 am 2:08 am

Dole barely steps foot in NC since being elected, does nothing in Congress but vote party line, and she thinks this reprehensible smear is going to save her from 8 years of dereliction of duty?
She won in 2002 based mostly on name recognition and the apparently incorrect assumption that she was a classy woman.
Please help Help NC voters let Dole know it’s time to enjoy retirement in Kansas:
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/18560

Posted by: NC-Voter | October 19, 2008, 2:12 am 2:12 am

GOD SEES EVERYTHING.

Posted by: cony007 | October 19, 2008, 2:49 am 2:49 am

The concept of this ad is such a reach….almost laughable….reminds me of an SNL sketch. How embarrassing for those loyal and respectable Republicans like my parents living in rural N.C.

Posted by: Borignal | October 19, 2008, 4:00 am 4:00 am

this is how far gone the Republicans are-please read and speak against the ignorance and hate
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/10/16/obama-bucks/

Posted by: bon | October 19, 2008, 4:03 am 4:03 am

Another example of GOP hatred for anyone who doesn’t follow lockstep with their perverted ideals.
Non-believers make up about 15% of the population and thanks to W. and the far right wingnuts that have hijacked the republican party that number grows every day.
Maybe when Dole wakes up on Nov.5 without a job she will begin to realise it’s not ok to hate a large section of the electorate just because they disagree with her religious beliefs.
But I doubt it.

Posted by: nogods4me | October 19, 2008, 5:58 am 5:58 am

In response to Voter in America. Want to remember some other thugs? John McCAIN–kEATING 5 His wife–drug addict and theif Gordon Liddy associates of gambling and mob associates with John McCain. POW you betcha but sang like a canary. Don’t throw rocks if you live in a glass house. With the wind at their backs and God in front the Democrats will be ok.

Posted by: Joan | October 19, 2008, 6:50 am 6:50 am

Elizabeth Dole represents Obama’s right to pray to Allah just as much as your right to pray to Jesus !

Posted by: real Religous Freedom forAll | October 19, 2008, 7:29 am 7:29 am

Does that mean Dole thinks you’re only an American if you talk to an invisible magic being?
The way Dole and Grampy McSame are going the only way they’ll win is if the GOP makes a deal with the devil!
And since neither the devil nor your imaginary friends in the sky exist, I guess they’re both out of luck.

Posted by: nogods4me | October 19, 2008, 8:08 am 8:08 am

How dare ANYONE prohibit the freedom of religion or for that matter irreligious beliefs. We are supposedly protected in this right under the constitution. Would Republicans indicate that they are indeed desirous to throw out the constitution? Through that analogy, THIS would also include the Republicans into the group of un-Americans. Shame on Dole for telling us up front that we should be denied our freedoms as well.

Posted by: Bemused Goth Atheist | October 19, 2008, 8:20 am 8:20 am

Elizabeth Dole also represents your right to believe you are meaningless microbe if you want to ! It is the Democrats who have been battling for religious oppression in and on government instutions!

Posted by: real RELIGOUS FREEDOM FOR ALL | October 19, 2008, 8:48 am 8:48 am

Once again, republicans want to claim to be religious, moral, and patriotic. All others who do not agree with them are bad!
We are all Americans. We all have rights irrespective of religious beliefs.

Posted by: Ramesh Dave | October 19, 2008, 9:21 am 9:21 am

Elizabeth Dole represents the group of Christians in this country who complain their being persecuted and oppressed while at the same time taking every opportunity to inject their beliefs into the government, public schools and our bedrooms.
She believes that you have the right to worship any god you want as long as it’s the same one she believes in. She is in the same category as the born again moron in the white house that thinks his god told him to invade Iraq. The same way Sarah Palin thinks we are fulfilling gods plan in Iraq.
They are the Christian Taliban.

Posted by: nogods4me | October 19, 2008, 9:57 am 9:57 am

The GOP is now the Grand Old Fascist Party… Welcome back to the Grand Old Days of McCarthyism!!
1st Rep. Michele Bachmann
2nd Senator Elizabeth Dole
Shame, shame,shame
Are there no limits you will go to win an election? Do you have no respect for yourself, your nation, your principles?

Posted by: Dez | October 19, 2008, 10:28 am 10:28 am

Any tactic to avoid talking about policies and results. A sad sad time for America when a major political party spends its time promoting hatred and division and extreme inequality. The NC campaign to send Libby Dole back to Kansas is misguided–we should send her into permanent retirement.

Posted by: Alexandra | October 19, 2008, 10:49 am 10:49 am

It seems ironinc that the Republican party, which espouses so strongly liberty seems to be attacking one of the most precious liberties Americans hold dear, the liberty to choose one’s own religion, even if that is not religion. Sounds almost like the Muslim extremists who want to impose their religion on everyone else.

Posted by: Joe Rose | October 19, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

The best way to show contempt for this devisive hatemongering is to give a campaign contribution to Dole’s opponent, Kay Hagan. I live in New Mexico, but do not want smearbots in the Senate, regardless of what state they represent.

Posted by: Heather | October 19, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm

Wow! I know both women — have worked for Elizabeth Dole and have worked with Kay Hagan (just a difference in the way the women operate — E.Dole refers to people that work FOR her, K. Hagan refers to people that work WITH her)…and this slimy attack by Dole doesn’t surprise me at all. I’d guess that Kay Hagan has a much better attendance at her church in North Carolina than E. Dole does…but who cares?! What we need is a vibrant, smart,well-liked, competent leader in the US Senate to represent North Carolina — Kay Hagan has Dole beat on all fronts.

Posted by: Julie | October 19, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm

“Let us see now:
If you support Obama, your un-American.
If you disagree with a neo-con, your un-American.
If you want to voice your opinion (different than the GOP) your un-American.
Yep, as far as I’m concerned the republicans are un-American, they just don’t get it.”
Posted by: JR
Congradulations. I’ve endured libiots trying to form thought all over the world, and that is the most idiotic attempt to date.
Where DO you libiots get your oh-so original thought… did I say thought?
All you do is contradict everything including yourselves.
weird..

Posted by: messiahless voter | October 19, 2008, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm

“NeoConnies are exploding all over the country!! Won’t be many left in office after Nov 4th.”
Posted by: Clint
exploding… k
what are you smoking?

Posted by: messiahless voter | October 19, 2008, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm

“so much for Mccain Palin doing their party any good… Bush destroyed it…but they are now put the nail in so to speak.
Right wing morons run amock.”
Posted by: dl
nnno, in this country, “they are now put the nail in” is to babble incoherently like a moron.
google that in quotes. You’ll find that you are THE ONLY PERSON ON EARTH so moronic.

Posted by: messiahless voter | October 19, 2008, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm

” She is in the same category as the born again moron in the white house
They are the Christian Taliban.”
Posted by: nogods4me
Be honest. NO liberal is such an idiot are they?? Seriously. You have GOT to be a staunch conservative trying to scare everyone into believing that all liberals are morons.
Tell me it ain’t so that the entire collective US liberal I.Q. couldnt screw in a lightbulb but think they can unscrew a pregnancy??

Posted by: messiahless voter | October 19, 2008, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm

“Its hard to figure out how anyone could not be embarrased to admit that they are a Republican. Lincoln must be rolling over in his grave to see what has become of his party. ”
Posted by: jim
Read history. The Republican Party was essentually suspended during his administration.
Now about you “Democrats” who are about to become the “United States Socialist Left”
Theres no shame in you at all to take Obama’s bribes stolen from “the rich” which consist of MODEST businesses. The rape of capitolism. The sell-out of American principles.
First you socialists force banks to make IDIOTIC loans against the most elementary principles of economy, run that into a ditch, then to punish your own country you perpetrate LIES about your own president, fabricated by those who HAVE ALWAYS hated us. Youre worse than the terrorists!
And Obama’s WHOLE Democrat/socialist PLATFORM is based on “change” away from those lies playing on your gullibility and hysteria.
Youre sabotuers of America, and your going around preaching shame??
Who needs Ayers??? You guys are shameless!
PLEASE, I can stomach it when a multi-faced gaff-master like Biden says “it’s patriotic to be taxed”, but you liberals are sickenning.

Posted by: messiahless voter | October 19, 2008, 9:52 pm 9:52 pm

“How many Republicans actually agree with what has been going on?”
The Republican Party that I am registered with is devolving. Of course, my opinion won’t matter to them because I am voting for Obama for substantive reasons – which my party would argue now disqualifies me from ever being a Republican. Obama is smart, pragmatic, and the best leader at this time.

Posted by: WheresMyRepParty | October 19, 2008, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm

Posted by: Jean | October 19, 2008, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm

As a non-religious but very spiritual person I’ve never been able to understand why those who claim to believe in a god are so threatened by those who don’t. If God really exists then the opinions of non-believers isn’t going to make Him/Her disappear from the Universe. Ron Reagan is an avowed atheist. It doesn’t make him evil nor immoral.

Posted by: Thedes | October 20, 2008, 6:02 am 6:02 am

Ellen Johnson’s wonderful quote, “”All Americans are Godless Americans, because there is no God” appears in the ad only as an audio recording, so Ms. Johnson is heard making her statement, not “seen.” And this was not at a “conference,” but a civil-rights demonstration called the Godless Americans’ March on Washington, which took place on the National Mall in Washington, D.c. on November 2, 2002. Over two thousand atheists and agnostics demonstrated for separation of religion and government, as well as for the civil rights on nonbelievers worldwide. In addition to Ellen Johnson, many spoke at this event, including writer Taslima Nasrin, whose very life is under constant threat for his writings critical of religion in general (and Islam in particular). Reverend Deacon Fred gave a delightful sermon; I recommend that everyone Google him.
It was a cold, windy day, but our faith in our reason and our democracy helped keep us from minding the chilly weather.

Posted by: Pluto Animus | October 20, 2008, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm

I’d like to say a big thank you to the Republicans who produced and publicized this video. It’s great for us Atheists! I’ve already met several Atheists because of it. There’s nothing wrong with what it says about us Atheists. It’s all true.
Thank you again Republicans! Sometimes you’re alright! :o)
Joe Zamecki
Texas State Director, American Atheists
Austin

Posted by: Joe Zamecki | October 22, 2008, 4:17 am 4:17 am

What has happened? I’ll tell you Southern Democrats. These Neo-Dems who are young, restless and hostile have taken over the party with their whining and misconduct. It’s an embarrassment and this is not the party of Kennedy. The names I hear some of the left leaning radio personalities call E. Dole is beyond reproach and my only response is to vote for McCain. These hooligans have no class and they do not deserve their freedoms.

Posted by: Embarrassed Democrat | October 23, 2008, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm

“Elizabeth Dole knows that Kay Hagan is an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro,” said Hagan spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan. “This kind of behavior is so unbecoming of a woman like Senator Dole, and it speaks volumes about her as a person and as a politician.”
Shame on you, DOLE…. You will lose the race!!

Posted by: Wayne | October 30, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

Recently I have been getting recorded political telephone messages from the Libby Dole camp telling me that the “Godless Americans” are on the side of Barrack Obama. GOOD! There are also a few Godless Brits too. When this country clearly has, or professes to maintain the separation of church and state, this kind of last ditch effort to cull the votes from the “Religious right” or should I say, “Fanatical Christians” just goes to show the lengths to which this despicable hypocrite will stoop. God is not running for office and he, even if he did exist, would not be on the side of a lying politician. Get God out of government!

Posted by: Red Sailor | November 3, 2008, 7:43 am 7:43 am

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