April 29, 2004

Kirk Shows Conservative Bent in Pledge Controversy

Conservative House Republicans attacked Representative Jim McDermott (D-Washington) for omitting “under God” when leading the House in the Pledge of Allegiance on Tuesday. The Seattle Times reported that Pete Sessions (R-Texas) accused McDermott of “embarrassing the House and disparaging the majority of Americans who share the values expressed in the pledge.” In remarks to the House, Mark Kirk (R-Illinois) said of McDermott, “While he may not love ‘under God’ in our country’s pledge, God still loves him. God still loves him.”

McDermott, an Episcopalian, responded to the attack. “I went to Wheaton College with Billy Graham. But religion shouldn’t be worn on your sleeve. I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve. I don’t think my relationship with God has any place in this.”

Lee Goodman, Kirk’s Democratic opponent in the upcoming election, said the controversy illustrates the problems with eroding the separation between church and state. “Kirk voted for Bush’s Faith-Based Initiative. He is going along with the religious fundamentalists in the Republican Party. If Congressman McDermott has to defend himself for not talking openly about God at every opportunity, just imagine the problems that school children will have if they do not go along with the majority. Bush implied to author Bob Woodward that he felt God guided his actions in Iraq. Now Kirk is on the floor of the House telling us who God loves. Enough is enough!”

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