Rep. Harris: Church-state separation 'a lie'

[MLA]

MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris told a religious journal that separation of church and state is "a lie" and God and the nation's founding fathers did not intend the country be "a nation of secular laws."

The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate also said that if Christians are not elected, politicians will "legislate sin," including abortion and gay marriage.

Harris made the comments -- which she clarified Saturday -- in the Florida Baptist Witness, the weekly journal of the Florida Baptist State Convention, which interviewed political candidates and asked them about religion and their positions on issues.

Separation of church and state is "a lie we have been told," Harris said in the interview, published Thursday, saying separating religion and politics is "wrong because God is the one who chooses our rulers."

Electing non-Christians a 'legislative sin'
"If you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin," Harris said.

Her comments drew criticism, including some from fellow Republicans who called them offensive and not representative of the party.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, who is Jewish, told the Orlando Sentinel that she was "disgusted" by the comments.

Harris' campaign released a statement Saturday saying she had been "speaking to a Christian audience, addressing a common misperception that people of faith should not be actively involved in government."

The comments reflected "her deep grounding in Judeo-Christian values," the statement said, adding that Harris had previously supported pro-Israel legislation and legislation recognizing the Holocaust.

Harris' opponents in the GOP primary also gave interviews to the Florida Baptist Witness but made more general statements on their faith.

Harris, 49, faced widespread criticism for her role overseeing the 2000 presidential recount as Florida's secretary of state.

State GOP leaders -- including Gov. Jeb Bush -- don't think she can win against Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November. Fundraising has lagged, frustrated campaign workers have defected in droves and the issues have been overshadowed by news of her dealings with a corrupt defense contractor who gave her $32,000 in illegal campaign contributions.

From CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/28/senate.harris.ap/index.html)

Where do these people come from?!?

[lawyerlee]

Well now I've heard everything! Legislative sin?! :eek: Puh-lease. :rolleyes:

[MLA]

Yeah, I'm sure that Joe Lieberman and Russ Feingold think that electing Christians is really important -- we wouldn't want those crazy heathens legislating sin. ;)

[IrisHope]

Phew. So glad Harris figured it all out.

[Rosebud]

U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris told a religious journal that separation of church and state is "a lie" and God and the nation's founding fathers did not intend the country be "a nation of secular laws."

Actually, they did intend it that way. Very clearly. Many of them fled Europe for America for that very reason.

Separation of church and state is what keeps America democratic. Katherine Harris need only look to the Middle East for an example of how a religious state is antithetical to progress and freedom.

She is a whack job. Why do people keep electing her?!

[SingleWhiteFemale]

U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris told a religious journal that separation of church and state is "a lie" and God and the nation's founding fathers did not intend the country be "a nation of secular laws."Treaty of Tripoli (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Tripoli), anyone?The Treaty is notable for Article 11, from Joel Barlow's English translation, which reads:

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

[MLA]

Treaty of Tripoli (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Tripoli), anyone?[/I]

Whatever. The Treaty of Tripoli wasn't written until 1796 -- a whole decade after the constitution was written. Clearly the vision of the founding fathers was lost by then. :rolleyes:

[msnicolea]

Isn't she a peach?

[nylons73]

As a Floridian, let me just clarify something.

Katherine Harris is a crazy nut job. Not only Democrats believe this. Republicans are distancing themselves from her as fast as humanly possible. She is also in major trouble as she has been accused of accepting more than$32,000 in illegal campaign contributions, including a $2,800 meal. She also is accused of setting up a "quid pro quo" deal that would have given a $10 million earmark for naval facility to be built by the guy who gave her the illegal campaign contributions. (www.sunlightfoundation.com)

When our Governor (the President's brother of course) was asked about Harris's campaign for Senate, he said "I think there are others out there who would make better candidates." Oooh Snap! ;) "Jeb" has been actively recruting others to run (including talk show host Joe Scarborough) but as of now, they are unable to find anyone to challenge Harris for the nomination.

It's no suprise to anybody that Harris's Democratic opponent (the incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson) is way ahead in the polls.

A few months ago, Harris's entire campaign staff quit on her. She is now funding her campaign largely with her own money (she's worth millions apparently.) With every commerical she runs, press conference she gives, or public statement she makes, Democrats rejoice and Repulicans cringe.

And..to top it all off, I just found this on www.urbandictionary.com

Katherine Harris crazy

(n.) As insanely optimistic as Congresswoman Katherine Harris. Usually characterized by an overly optimistic estimation of someone's chances of achieving success.

Did you hear Jim just bought 500 dollars in lottery tickets? That boy is Katherine Harris crazy if he thinks he's going to hit the jackpot.

So please....keep all of this in mind when you read or hear anything coming out of Harris's mouth. We in Florida, of all parties, would like to forget she exisits at all. Someone tried to kill her last year (drove up onto a sidewalk she was walking on in Sarasota, FL) but she's proving to be in this race for the long haul. ;)

[msnicolea]

Katherine Harris Crazy--LOVE it and will begin using it immediately!

[Rosebud]

Oooh Snap!

That totally made me LOL. :D

[gayle]

This woman is a nutcase who clearly has read little or nothing of the writings of of the founding fathers.

[jnettie]

Apparently she hasn't read the Constitution either.

[kris97]

Two quick questions: How does anyone advocating this viewpoint square the language of the first amendment?

And, more importantly, HOW did she get elected to the House???

[jnettie]

I'd venture to say it's because most Americans don't truely understand the Constitution. Heck, I've heard some appaling answers to basic questions like "who was the 1st President?"

But, I'd say it's a common myth that the United States was founded as a Christian country. What's so odd to me is how this sort of mentality mixes with the idea that this country was founded by people escaping religious persecution.

[lawyerlee]

That's awesome, nylons73!!! :D Thanks for adding that to my pile of snarky insults. :)

[December27JJB]

Yup, Katherine Harris is crazy!

[HeatherFL]

As a Floridian, let me just clarify something.

Katherine Harris is a crazy nut job. Not only Democrats believe this. Republicans are distancing themselves from her as fast as humanly possible. She is also in major trouble as she has been accused of accepting more than$32,000 in illegal campaign contributions, including a $2,800 meal. She also is accused of setting up a "quid pro quo" deal that would have given a $10 million earmark for naval facility to be built by the guy who gave her the illegal campaign contributions. (www.sunlightfoundation.com)

When our Governor (the President's brother of course) was asked about Harris's campaign for Senate, he said "I think there are others out there who would make better candidates." Oooh Snap! ;) "Jeb" has been actively recruting others to run (including talk show host Joe Scarborough) but as of now, they are unable to find anyone to challenge Harris for the nomination.

It's no suprise to anybody that Harris's Democratic opponent (the incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson) is way ahead in the polls.

A few months ago, Harris's entire campaign staff quit on her. She is now funding her campaign largely with her own money (she's worth millions apparently.) With every commerical she runs, press conference she gives, or public statement she makes, Democrats rejoice and Repulicans cringe.

And..to top it all off, I just found this on www.urbandictionary.com

Katherine Harris crazy

(n.) As insanely optimistic as Congresswoman Katherine Harris. Usually characterized by an overly optimistic estimation of someone's chances of achieving success.

Did you hear Jim just bought 500 dollars in lottery tickets? That boy is Katherine Harris crazy if he thinks he's going to hit the jackpot.

So please....keep all of this in mind when you read or hear anything coming out of Harris's mouth. We in Florida, of all parties, would like to forget she exisits at all. Someone tried to kill her last year (drove up onto a sidewalk she was walking on in Sarasota, FL) but she's proving to be in this race for the long haul. ;)

What she said!

~H.

[Rose]

Did you hear Jim just bought 500 dollars in lottery tickets? That boy is Katherine Harris crazy if he thinks he's going to hit the jackpot.

LMAO!

[sue-bert]

I find it realy odd and frightening that such people manage to get elected.

[Esq.]

She is definitely deserving of that urbandictionary.com entry.

[msnicolea]

Katherine Harris wins GOP nomination

AP - 2 hours, 28 minutes ago
MIAMI - Rep. Katherine Harris, who as secretary of state oversaw Florida's 2000 recount that gave George Bush the presidency, easily won the Republican nomination to challenge Sen. Bill Nelson, shrugging off critics who derided her campaign as spectacularly inept. "Tonight I say to Bill Nelson: Come home, Bill. Enough is enough," Harris said Tuesday.

[MLA]

WTH is wrong w/Florida?

[PrincessTommi]

WTH is wrong w/Florida?
Hey, wait until November to ask that question (god forbid!). The correct question today would be WTH is wrong with Florida Republicans. ;)

I don't think McBride really had a chance, he's a newcomer and came in late to give her some opposition. I think he was recruited to run by the same people who asked her not to.

I don't think she has a chance in the general election. At least I'm praying she doesn't. I may have just moved here, doesn't mean I have to stay. :p


In easily dispatching three little-known candidates, the congresswoman from Longboat Key immediately set her sights on Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November's general election where, polls show, he leads by as many as 25 points.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/elections/orl-senate0606sep06,0,1251073.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

They'll have a whole lot to work with now that she's the candidate.

Hopefully she'll get even more entertaining before an embarassing defeat.

[nylons73]

Hey, wait until November to ask that question (god forbid!). The correct question today would be WTH is wrong with Florida Republicans. ;)

I don't think McBride really had a chance, he's a newcomer and came in late to give her some opposition. I think he was recruited to run by the same people who asked her not to.

I don't think she has a chance in the general election. At least I'm praying she doesn't. I may have just moved here, doesn't mean I have to stay. :p


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/elections/orl-senate0606sep06,0,1251073.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

They'll have a whole lot to work with now that she's the candidate.

Hopefully she'll get even more entertaining before an embarassing defeat.

I agree with Tommi, it's the Florida Republicans that have an issue! The biggest problem is that they didn't have anyone to run against her (see my earlier comments about this election) and therefore 3 virtual 'unknowns' jumped into the race. They ended up spllitting the 'anti-Harris' vote three ways. Also, the main challenger, Will McBride, is named almost EXACTLY the same as the last Democratic Challenger for Governor (ran vs. Jeb Bush 4 years ago.) That man's name was 'Bill McBride.' Many confused Republican voters, went to the polls and refused to vote for 'Will McBride' because they thought somehow that the 'Bill McBride' guy had changed parties and was on their ballet! It was just a general cluster.

At any rate, most people who follow politics, are not giving Katherine a chance. The concensus amongst political-wonk types down here is that if Bill Nelson (the incumbant Democrat) does not win re-election in a HUGE landslide, then something really went wrong. The Nelson campaign people might have been the happiest people last night in all of Florida! :)

Bye-the-bye, the latest Katherine-Crazy statement came on Thursday when she went on "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and said that she's sure that her former campaign staffers (the many who have quit) were paid to 'sabatoge' her, and that she (Harris) will release all of her 'evidence' of this sabatoge-for-hire plot after election day. Yeah. ok. let's see it Katherine ;)

[katmg]

Man, just what I need, somebody giving the name 'Katherine' a bad rap. She even spells it the same way I do. :(

I'm stunned by the thought that people think that this is a "Christian" nation. HELLOO! Anybody take a basic U.S. History course in elementary school?? WTH?

[nylons73]

Memo To Harris Staff Members: Keep Digging
By DANIEL RUTH druth@tampatrib.com
Published: Aug 31, 2006


There's a reason why U.S. Senate candidate Katherine Harris, R-Ezra Pound, has staff turnover resembling "The Great Escape" meets "Papillion"?

Would anyone be surprised to discover Harris staffers tunneling under West Shore Boulevard, hoping to make a run for it before the candidate goes into another of her meltdowns that make Joan Crawford look like Miss Piggy?

It seems that for all the folks who have drifted through Harris' parallel universe of politics, the one staff position she has never filled is - campaign enforcer.

Harris doesn't need a campaign manager, or any number of gofers, minions and grape peelers who populate her entourage.

She needs some who will jolt her with 50,000 watts from a stun gun whenever she gets the urge to speak. She needs someone who will clamp a bear trap on her lips. She needs someone walking behind her rubbing a pair of brass knuckles every time she starts to clear her throat.

For, to Harris, her mouth has become a weapon of mass discombobulation.

It was bad enough that the odds of Harris unseating incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson are somewhere between Hardy Har Har and Pee-wee Herman being picked as the next James Bond.

Keen Strategy
It was bad enough that Harris comes off as something akin to Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction" meets Courtney Love.

Then she had to go and come off as at best an intolerant rube - at worst anti-Semitic. Say, that's a keen campaign strategy.

In an attempt to suck up to the Christian right wing, Harris went into full theological Eddie Haskell mode with this choice piece of demagoguery during an interview with the Florida Baptist Witness, the house organ of the Florida Baptist Convention.

"If you are not electing Christians tried and true, under public scrutiny and pressure, if you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin," the Mother Superior of Longboat Key said.

Harris concluded her diatribe noting: "People look to our country as one nation under God and whenever we legislate sin and we say abortion is permissible and we say gay unions are permissible then average citizens who are not Christians, because they don't know better, we are leading them astray and it's wrong."

Exclusive Interview
In an exclusive interview with John Sullivan, executive director of the Florida Baptist Union, he was asked whether he shared Harris' view that non-Christian office holders "legislate sin."

"No comment," Sullivan said when given a chance to disassociate himself and his organization from Harris' ham-handed ignorance. How … ecumenical.

Hey, I never said it was a lengthy exclusive interview.

For their part, perhaps Harris' staff members realized that once again the boss was making a complete boob of herself - well, they do have experience in these things - and thus a "clarification" of the candidate's remarks was released.

Alas, the "clarification" clarified nothing, ignoring Harris' obtuse comments and simply reiterating her votes recognizing Israel's 50th anniversary and antiterrorism resolutions.

The candidate's flack did not respond as to whether the candidate wanted to clarify the clarification, perhaps more clearly clarifying her views on religious intolerance. It was probably her turn to dig in the tunnel.


TOTALLY HILARIOUS IMO!! Love Daniel Ruth! :D :)

[jnettie]

"whenever we legislate sin and we say abortion is permissible and we say gay unions are permissible then average citizens who are not Christians, because they don't know better, we are leading them astray and it's wrong."
Oh, I know better. Trust me. :rolleyes: