AP - Republican Senate hopeful Katherine Harris says Florida's Democratic incumbent supports unchristian political policies.
Republican Senate hopeful Katherine Harris says Florida's Democratic incumbent supports unchristian political policies.
Harris — whose comments were made on a Christian radio network and published Monday by Agape Press, a Christian news service — did not mention specific policies, but she has repeatedly berated Sen. Bill Nelson (news, bio, voting record) for not supporting a ban on certain late-term abortions and a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
The congresswoman has worked to attract Christian voters throughout her campaign. This summer, Harris told the Florida Baptist Witness newsletter that Christians should be involved in politics because otherwise legislative bodies would "legislate sin," and that the separation of church and state is "a lie we have been told." The comments caused a stir among Democrats and many Republicans, as well as some Christians.
In an effort to explain those remarks, Harris told American Family Radio News: "I was being specific in talking to them and differentiating myself from Bill Nelson, who claims to be a Christian and yet votes completely contrary to what we say we believe."
Harris spokeswoman Jennifer Marks defended the congresswoman's comments.
"She was simply drawing a comparison between her record and his (Nelson's) on these issues of concern because they are completely different records," Marks said.
Nelson has said he voted against the ban on what conservatives call partial-birth abortion because the legislation did not have an exception for the health of the mother.
Nelson has also said that he is personally opposed to gay marriage, but that it is an issue that should be decided by individual states.
"Instead of questioning Nelson's faith like she's doing, she should be spending time answering questions about her ethical problems," Nelson spokesman Bryan Gulley said. "Harris is one of the most polarizing figures in politics and not representative of the mainstream."
With about a month to go before the Nov. 7 election, Harris trails Nelson by double digits in most polls. She has had a rough campaign, with questions about her dealings with a corrupt defense contractor, multiple waves of staff resignations, and top Republicans initially trying to recruit another candidate.
Harris, as Florida secretary of state, oversaw the Florida recount that gave George W. Bush the presidency in 2000. That made her beloved among many Republicans and hated by many Democrats.
10-06-2006, 07:02 PM
