Posted on 08/27/2006 2:38:55 PM PDT by JulieRNR21
STATEMENT OF CLARIFICATION
TAMPA--In a recent article published in the Florida Baptist Witness, Congresswoman Katherine Harris was asked to comment on the interplay of faith and politics in the public square. In the interview, Harris was speaking to a Christian audience, addressing a common misperception that people of faith should not be actively involved in government. Addressing this Christian publication, Harris provided a statement that explains her deep grounding in Judeo-Christian values.
Bryan Rudnick, Harris for Senate Campaign Manager stated, "I joined this campaign because Congresswoman Harris is a passionate supporter of Israel, the Jewish people and always has the best interests of all Floridians at heart. As the grandson of Holocaust survivors, I know that she encourages people of all faiths to engage in government so that our country can continue to thrive on the principles set forth by our Founding Fathers, without malice towards anyone."
In Congress, Katherine Harris has consistently supported pro-Israel legislation. Representative Harris co-sponsored numerous resolutions including: H. Con. Res. 248, to honor the life and work of Simon Wiesenthal and to reaffirm Congress' commitment to the fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance; H.Con.Res. 392, to recognize the 58th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel; H.Con.Res. 101, to push for the European Union to add Hezbollah to its list of terrorist organizations; and H.Res. 575, to stress that Hamas and other terrorist organizations should not take part in elections held by the Palestinian Authority.
As a Florida State Senator, Katherine Harris co-sponsored S. 3062, the Holocaust and Yom Hashoah Victims Resolution, encouraging observation of the day to remember the horrific tragedy of the Holocaust. While serving as Secretary of State, Congresswoman Harris advocated for funding for the Florida - Israel Linkage Institute to promote business/ cultural/educational/technological exchanges, and she traveled to Israel for personal and professional purposes. As Harris frequently reminds voters in her campaign speeches for the U.S. Senate, she is committed to standing by Israel.
She didn't 'back track'....she clarified!
Did you read a transcript of the interview?
There are candidate filing deadlines in FL (and every state)....
It is long past the time to file in May....so Jeb cannot step in as you suggest.
PS: He didn't run because his wife wouldn't let him! She wants a break from politics. And being a dutiful family man Jeb put her wishes first!
It's all over. The only question is whether she'll get more votes than the people who write in their dog's name.
It seems to say that what she said was okay because she was talking to Christians. The makeup of one's audience is never an excuse for one's remarks.
Sorry, I missed where the campaign guy said "all faiths".
Please disregard.
There isn't a quote of her anywhere in this PR.
I see what a campaign worker says he believes she believes, that's it.
And it's not about me. It's about the idea that only Christians care about sin or morality.
Now she seems to add Jews, yet still will not retract her statements.
And it's not about me. It's about the idea that only Christians care about sin or morality. Even if I were a Christian, I'd disagree with her statement.
It seems to say that what she said was okay because she was talking to Christians. The makeup of one's audience is never an excuse for one's remarks.
...then average citizens who are not Christians, because they don’t know better, we are leading them astray and it’s wrong.
Holy crap! It's like something out of Firesign Theater!
"They can legislate sin. They can say that abortion is alright. They can vote to sustain gay marriage."
That's not what caught me eye. What caught my eye was this catchy phrase "...because they don’t know better..."
This is something you never, ever, never say to an American voter.
Do you support a federal constitutional amendment to define marriage as being only between one man and one woman? Why or why not?
I fully support a federal constitutional amendment to define marriage as being only between one man and one woman. I have voted in support of the Marriage Protection Amendment because we should not undermine the uniqueness of an institution that continues to serve as an essential thread in the fabric of our society.
Do you support the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment?
Absolutely. I have signed on the amendment, I have promoted the amendment. I have stood with them and done press conferences for that amendment and no other candidate has in the primary or the general. They may have signed it but obviously not done press conferences and such.
Setting aside for the moment the public policy questions related to abortion, is abortion a moral evil? Why or why not?
Yes. Because it’s a life, it’s a life. Life begins at conception.
What public policy limits on abortion have you supported or will you support in order to decrease the number of abortions in our nation?
First and foremost, one of the most important things we can do is encourage abstinence in the schools. That’s really important. The Promise Keepers and some of the things that they’ve been able to do with dads and their daughters, it’s really important. We need to do more, so much more, with adoption and counseling so that women really know what is at stake and the opportunities that exist and have such opportunity for adoption. Because many of the couples throughout the country, they go abroad because that just isn’t available and abortion is so readily available. Clearly I would only, from a public policy standpoint, I would limit abortion to rape and life of the mother and incest, but for my personal standpoint, I would not have an abortion for any of those cases.
This debate -- this thread -- isn't about her personal beliefs or even political beliefs.
It's about her ability as a politician. It takes much, much more than belief to be effective as a politician. Some very good people have made very bad politicians.
There is certainly a culture war enveloping America, and one only wishes that people would wake up. The secularist left and their RINO friends will not be content until religion is completely excised from the public square.
The struggle between social conservatives and economic/financial conservatives for supremacy in the Republican party has been a permanent staple for the last thirty years or so and will continue to cause tension in the center-right coalition for years to come. Ronald Reagan was able to bring everyone together, just as FDR was able to cobble together the disparate elements of the South, the liberals, agrarian and urban constituents during much of the thirties and fourties. Without a strong leader, the coalition begins to fragment and the fissures come to the surface. I think we're seeing that today, and is one of the big reasons for the near palpable disgust on this and other FR political threads.
I have stated repeatedly that Conservatives need to rally around the GOP Senatorial standard-bearer after the smoke from the primary fireworks has dissipated. The base needs to mobilize around the primary victor, warts and all, and make a go at the leftist empty suit that masquerades as a US Senator from Florida. Nelson by some accounts is more liberal than Teddy Kennedy. Florida is not a blue state, not a purple state, not even a pink state. Florida is red, and deserves a US Senator that reflects her values, philosophy, and political predilictions. Florida deserves a second Republican Senator. If you can't agree on that, you deserve the DUngheap.
There's another factor here though. The media is intent on distorting her comments and portraying her in the worst light possible. Nightlies even brought up the Cruella DeVille reference (b/c 100 Dalmations was playing during the election).
We have to counter now or they'll keep smearing conservatives and getting away with it.
Re: #153
I was not directing that comment at you. I was using the 3rd person. I wanted to make it clear that there was nothing derogatory directed at you, FV.
It's politics and a rough game. She hasn't run a very good campaign.
My philosophy has always been that a ineffective conservative in office can do more harm than an effective liberal.
The press release above is about her clarification of the interview.....that is the proper topic of this thread.
There is no statement in that press release about her political ability.
You and others are attacking her political ability and trying to make that the topic.
And apparently, you had not even read the original interview until I began to post excerpts.
The Baptists asked every Senate candidate in Florida the same questions they asked Harris.
I have stated repeatedly that Conservatives need to rally around the GOP Senatorial standard-bearer after the smoke from the primary fireworks has dissipated. The base needs to mobilize around the primary victor, warts and all, and make a go at the leftist empty suit that masquerades as a US Senator from Florida. Nelson by some accounts is more liberal than Teddy Kennedy. Florida is not a blue state, not a purple state, not even a pink state. Florida is red, and deserves a US Senator that reflects her values, philosophy, and political predilictions. Florida deserves a second Republican Senator. If you can't agree on that, you deserve the DUngheap.
BRAVO....BUMP
>>No way does this "some of my best friends are Jewish" statement undo the damage.<<
Yes indeed, that somewhat clumsy statement should not do her camapaign any damage, but , , , ,
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.