Free Republic

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Democrat John Kerry on Sunday tried to persuade late-deciding voters that they can put their faith in his leadership by describing the values and beliefs that he says have guided him and would shape his presidency. Kerry said the Bible - and the American dream - says society must take care of its most vulnerable members, but in many ways that test is not being met under the country's current leadership. And he responded to some leaders of the Catholic church who have criticized his support of abortion rights and stem cell research. "I love my...

Democratic Party activist groups in Ohio have registered at least two known terrorists involved in a plot to blow up a shopping center in a bid to get out the vote for John Kerry.

Former Vice President Al Gore on Sunday told blacks embittered by his narrow loss in the 2000 presidential election that "it doesn't have to be this way" and urged them to turn anger into energy at the polls. "Don't turn it into angry acts or angry words," Gore said at one stop during a tour of mostly black churches. He also urged worshippers to take advantage of a state law that permits voting before Election Day, Nov. 2. "Early voting is a good idea," he said. "You want to give them plenty of time to count all the votes." Polls...

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., speaks from the pulpit of Mount Airy Church of God in Christ during morning church service in Philadelphia Sunday, Oct. 23, 2004. Kennedy stumping for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry ,D-Mass., spoke to the congregation urging them to vote for Kerry. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites) on Sunday tried to persuade late-deciding voters that they can put their faith in his leadership by describing the values and beliefs that he says have guided him and would shape his presidency. Kerry said the Bible — and the American dream — says society must take care of its most vulnerable members, but in many ways that test is not being met under the country's current leadership. And he responded to some leaders of the Catholic church who have criticized his support of abortion rights and stem cell...

One woman who voted early in Boca Raton, at the Southwest County Regional Library, complained that as she stood in line, two men behind her were "trashing our president," Fletcher said, declining to identify the woman. She tried to ignore them. Then the man touched her arm and said, "Who are you voting for?" "I said, `I don't think that's an appropriate question,'" the woman said she responded. "Uh oh! We have a Bush supporter here," screamed the man behind her. For the 2 1/2 hours she had to wait in line, she was heckled by the man. As they...

Witness unveils campaign tactics PUBLIC CORRUPTION: Former Pastrick worker testifies paving projects were part of vote-buying effort. BY BILL DOLAN, Times Staff Writer This story ran on nwitimes.com on Friday, October 22, 2004 12:15 AM CDT SOUTH BEND -- A veteran of East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick's campaigns gave a federal jury a lesson Thursday in the city's hardball politics. Byron Florence testified he helped win re-election for Pastrick and City Councilman Frank Kollintzas in 1999 by directing free concrete to city residents in return for their support Florence said he also disenfranchised anti-Pastrick voters by luring them into illegally...

An activist group was sued in Miami-Dade circuit court this week by a former employee, who has accused top officials of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now of violating a slew of election laws.Mac Stuart, of Opa-locka, has accused the organization, known as ACORN, of illegally copying voter registration applications and selling them to labor union groups, allowing people to sign petitions who were not registered voters and suppressing Republican voter registration applications. …Stuart, who was assistant director of voter registration for the group, was fired in early August after being accused of trying to cash a paycheck...

Some of those overseas voters, including soldiers serving in Iraq, are now being asked to pick from an incorrect slate of presidential candidates. And, as a result, they are being deprived of the same options given to voters at home, Justice Department lawyer Amy Zubrensky argued. They "have the right to correct ballots," she said. Philadelphia lawyer Mark Aronchick, a special election-law expert hired by the Rendell administration, called the number (of military voters) "a theoretically tiny universe of people."

The Linn County Republicans say voters were intimidated and badgered at a satellite voting center. They say democrats gathered for a rally with John Edward's daughter in the same building at the same time. No matter where you were going, you walked by signs supporting the democratic ticket. It was an event republicans say unfairly influenced voters. "Students voting yesterday when they entered the polling place could not do so without crossing a John Kerry sign," says Kirkwood student Ben Johnson. Iowa law says that posting signs, soliciting votes and electioneering on the premises of a polling place or within...

Ye shall find him under a big star: (OK, that one’s a stretch, but I’m working on a theme…) Crucified with two common criminals by his side: (Stretch #2) (Well, since this photo was taken in Zaprudervision, it might be a JFK thing,but that’s the same as God to the liberal mindset.)

Pimpin' the Pulpit by Ambra Nykol Not too long ago, the pulpit was thought of as a most holy, sacred, and revered location. It was a place from which tremendous leaders of centuries past gave instruction from the Bible, and great messages of hope and empowerment were preached to the masses. In the black community especially, the pulpit has long been considered one of the most time-honored places of influence - except during presidential elections. Every four years, the pulpit gets pimped. However misappropriated the word "pimped" is, in the case of both modern and latter-day vernacular, the word is...

Campaign literature mistakenly sent home with third graders Presidential debate number three is in the books, and most polls show the race a dead heat. Thursday, the Missoula School District studied how documents promoting the democratic ticket ended up going home to parents of third-graders at Hawthorne Elementary. School officials are already apologizing for what they call an honest mistake. Hawthorne Principal Steve McHugh: "It's a whoops, it's a mistake. We're sorry -- Missoula, we're sorry." This was not meant for parent's eyes. But, pro-Democrat literature accidentally went home with third-grade students from Hawthorne Elementary. McHugh: "It was definitely a...

Even before any of the Democratic hopefuls visiting his church service could utter a word, the Rev. Robert Dye, pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Canton, made it clear that no “stump” speeches would be allowed and that the church was politically neutral. Dye told the group that while they were more than welcome to visit, “Sunday mornings are for worship.” When it comes to politics, what can a clergyman say from the pulpit without getting into trouble with the IRS? The Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition in Washington, D.C., is seeking a clarification on...

Republicans including Maricopa County Schools Superintendent Sandra Dowling are concerned about school districts sending political fliers home with students and using buses to transport teachers to political events. Dowling has asked Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley to issue an official opinion to what school districts can and cannot do. Dowling's concern stems from a flier sent home to Madison School District students in central Phoenix on Monday that promoted a pro-education rally in Tempe on Wednesday. The controversy arose from the fact that the education rally was held the day of the presidential debate, just across Tempe Town Lake from...

Kerry cancels visit to West Virginia churchBy WSAZ NewsChannel 3 WSAZ-TVHuntington, WVUSA - A visit to West Virginia by Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry has been put on hold. Kerry was scheduled to attended services at the Apostolic Christ Cathedral in Guyandotte on Sunday. West Virginia Senators Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller were to attend with Kerry. The church pastor, Reverend E. S. Harper, said they were not welcome if they planned to discuss politics during the service. The Kerry campaign says the church issue did not affect the decision to cancel the trip.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Miami Church Violated Federal Tax Law With Pro-Kerry Rally, Says Americans United Wednesday October 13, 2004 Watchdog Group Asks IRS To Investigate Partisan Activities At Florida Congregation CONTACT Press: Joseph Conn, Rob Boston, or Jeremy Leaming 202-466-3234 telephone 202-466-2587 fax http://www.au.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIAMI CHURCH VIOLATED FEDERAL TAX LAW WITH PRO-KERRY RALLY, SAYS AMERICANS UNITED Watchdog Group Asks IRS To Investigate Partisan Activities At Florida Congregation A Miami church that hosted a rally on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry Oct. 10 should be investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, says Americans United for Separation of...

Kerry and civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson told black voters at a church here yesterday that President Bush's support for a constitutional amendment against homosexual "marriage" shouldn't be enough to earn their vote.

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites)'s campaign criticized a new Democratic effort to get out the religious vote for John Kerry (news - web sites) on Friday, saying it could endanger churches' tax-exempt status by involving them in partisan political activity. The Democrats said changes would be made. A Democratic National Committee (news - web sites) Web site launched this week encouraged Kerry supporters to download, print and distribute a DNC "Kerry/Bush Values Comparison Chart" to church groups and at churches. The chart opens with the statement "John Kerry Shares Our Values." "Share it with your pastor and...

This past Sunday, John F. Kerry campaigned in a church — the East Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland. In other words, he did something the liberal press would never permit George W. Bush to do: If Bush were to speak in just one church on the campaign trail, the media would be venting outrage 24/7 — but Kerry will be able to push for votes in churches with complete impunity. Will Kerry's approach in these churches be as shameless as Al Gore's was in 2000? Gore barnstormed a number of churches in the closing days of the 2000 campaign,...