Republican Turns Church into a Fundraising Event
The incumbent Republican Attorney General candidate, Phill Kline, was exposed for a controversial fund-raising strategy surrounding religion. Often appearing at churches around Kansas as a guest preacher, Kline is definitely using the pulpit to do more then spread the holy word, making sure high dollar worshipers are present in the pews.
In the Aug. 8 e-mail titled "church efforts," Kline wrote to campaign workers Bill Roche and Sylvia Chapman: "The Goal and Objective - numbers. Get the pastor to invite 5 money people, whom he knows can help. Please try to get me in front of the largest crowds as we move through the remainder of the campaign schedule. Where possible, get additional churches involved."Mailed anonymously with the return address labeled "Concerned Citizens Everywhere KS," the memo was sent to news media across the state. After confirmation, in defense, the Kline campaign says their candidate has never asked for the money during the actual church service. Federal tax law requires churches to keep their distance from political candidates or risk losing their tax-exempt status. Being very specific in the email, Kline even outlined an exit strategy, something uncommon to the Republican party.
"Get me out. Do not schedule me for social lunches. Only working lunches were (sic) we can obtain either media, money or crucial support," he wrote. "Work with Bob to try not to leave gaps in the schedule. If there is a gap, get me to a quite (sic) place so I can make phone calls or write; feed me slimfast. Do not need a sit down meal. Takes too much time."Kline's efforts show that there are desperate times ahead for the Republican Party. If desperate measure like this continue as we get closer to the general election, so will the Republican culture of corruption.
