WICHITA, Kan. - In August, Republican candidate Mike Pompeo was embroiled in a controversy when his official campaign tweet recommended "a good read" that attacked Democratic candidate Raj Goyle as a "turban topper." Pompeo apologized, sort of. Pompeo claimed that a staffer had inadvertently linked to the wrong story." Goyle, a second term state representative, is the son of Indian immigrants. While a some experts pointed out that the Pompeo denial lacked creditability, it was generally accepted.
Now, just days before the election, the Pompeo campaign has a new electronic billboard which proclaims "True Americans Vote for Pompeo." Not only does the billboard uses bigotry, it is apparently illegal.
The Kansas Democratic Party is reportedly preparing to file a formal complaint with the Federal Elections Commission because the billboard does not have a disclaimer as required by election law.
The Goyle campaign has launched an on-line petition demanding that Pompeo take down the billboard.
Here is the letter the Goyle Campaign sent to Rodger Woods, Campaign Manager for Mike Pompeo for Congress.
Dear Rodger,
I am writing to request that the Mike Pompeo for Congress Campaign put an end to all bigoted and fear mongering attacks and tactics. The political process deserves better, as do Kansans. I have been informed that the Kansas Democratic Party will be filing a FEC complaint for illegal and offensive billboards located at 540 S Broadway Wichita, KS.
The statement "Vote American Vote Pompeo" is unfortunately another example of offensive material linked to your campaign. We hoped that your apology over the posting of the infamous "turban topped" blog post in August was the last time we would deal with bigotry in this campaign.
We have known about this billboard for at least 24 hours. It is simply hard to believe you and your campaign are not aware of its existence. I hope you agree that illegal, offensive and bigoted material has no place in this campaign.
Sincerely,
Kiel Brunner
Campaign Manager for Raj Goyle For Congress
The Goyle campaign has launched an on-line petition demanding that Pompeo take down the billboard.
Here is the letter the Goyle Campaign sent to Rodger Woods, Campaign Manager for Mike Pompeo for Congress.
Dear Rodger,
I am writing to request that the Mike Pompeo for Congress Campaign put an end to all bigoted and fear mongering attacks and tactics. The political process deserves better, as do Kansans. I have been informed that the Kansas Democratic Party will be filing a FEC complaint for illegal and offensive billboards located at 540 S Broadway Wichita, KS.
The statement "Vote American Vote Pompeo" is unfortunately another example of offensive material linked to your campaign. We hoped that your apology over the posting of the infamous "turban topped" blog post in August was the last time we would deal with bigotry in this campaign.
We have known about this billboard for at least 24 hours. It is simply hard to believe you and your campaign are not aware of its existence. I hope you agree that illegal, offensive and bigoted material has no place in this campaign.
Sincerely,
Kiel Brunner
Campaign Manager for Raj Goyle For Congress
The Devil has to be snickering up his sleeve. We call ourselves a Christian Nation. The bigotry and outright lies and misrepresentations being thrown about in our political campaigns would seem to me to be far from Christ like. Both of our major political parties are doing their share of stretching truth and introducing unsubstantiated claims against their opponents.
I've had new acquaintances that ask me how I can declare myself a Christian and be a Democrat. I simply ask them if Jesus was worried about people's loyalty and dedication to the established Jewish religious leaders or the national politics of the Roman government. It seems to me that He was more concerned about the social welfare of all people, regardless of their nationality, religious affiliations, or political status.
Which one of our major political parties is pressing patriotism and religious status the most? Which party seems to be more in favor of big government interfering with personal religious diversity and freedoms? Which party seems to be in favor of cutting social programs that serve the hungry, lonely, and powerless sectors of society?
It's a good thing that most Americans never questioned the authenticity and patriotism of people with Italian sounding last names or where would Mr. Pompeo or I be?