Candidate Shelley Madore calls on incumbent Rep John Kline to denounce pastor's endorsement

Oct. 20, 2010 - PRLog -- (Apple Valley, Minn.) – On Sunday October 17, Reverend Brad Brandon of the Berean Bible Baptist Church in Hastings, Minn. taunted the IRS and a long-standing tradition of separation of church and state by endorsing several Minnesota political candidates from his pulpit. Brandon noted that he based his choices on the candidates’ positions on bringing God into the classroom, opposing abortion and homosexuality, and support for Israel.

Minn. 2nd Congressional District incumbent Republican Congressman John Kline was among those endorsed.

“Not only did Rev. Brandon break a federal tax code by endorsing John Kline, he has a long history of attacking the gay community with comparisons to pedophiles and Hitler,” said 2nd Congressional District candidate Shelley Madore. “I am calling on John Kline to publicly denounce this endorsement. As a U.S. Representative, I expect him to realize the serious and even deadly consequences of bullying. Every individual deserves the right to protection from bullying and harassment.”

Recently, John Kline voted against anti-bullying legislation.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) would call on schools and districts that receive federal funds to adopt
 anti-bullying policies and codes of conduct that specifically prohibit bullying or harassment on the 
basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation and perceived or actual
 gender identity.

"I was shocked to learn that John Kline, the lead Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee, voted against The Safe Schools 
Improvement Act," said Madore. "This important legislation was designed to protect our children from harassment, humiliation, and torturous bullying. John Kline is prepared to defend the rights of a bank executive but a bullied young person is left on his or her own.”

For more than fifty years, federal tax code has forbidden clergy from endorsing political candidates. Doing so can lead to a church losing its tax-exempt status.

The story and audio recording of Pastor Brandon's endorsements from the pulpit can be found at http://minnesotaindependent.com/72509/hastings-pastor-end...

Rev. Brandon broadcasts the "Word of Truth" radio program online at http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/word-of-truth/

A video of Pastor Brandon's comments comparing gays to pedophiles and Hitler can be found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUThStKSghs&feature=player...



For more information about Shelley Madore and her 35 Cent Tour, please visit www.madoreforcongress.com

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Minnesota's Second Congressional District Democratic Candidate Shelley Madore is running against incumbent Republican Representative John Kline.