New York Times: A Bill Eases Vote Curb on Churches

The Bush administration's naked pandering to Christian conservatives continues. Last week, the Bush campaign invited church members to distribute reelection literature at their respective churches, and now House Republicans have sponsored a measure that would make it easier for churches to fully support political candidates.

Rep. Bill Thomas (R-CA) added the language to a larger bill focusing on the revision of corporate taxes. The addendum effectively allows churches to make political endorsements without risking the loss of their tax-exempt status. (Remember, these are the same Republicans who whined to the FEC about progressive '527' organizations being a violation of campaign finance laws.)

Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the timing of the measure, "simply reeks to high heaven, literally."

The Bush team wasted no time in declaring the Rev. Barry Lynn to be anti-religion: "He would like to exclude people of faith from participating in America's civic life and participating in the political process," said Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt.

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