SAN ANTONIO -- Your parents have told you there are two things you don't talk about -- politics and religion. So, mixing the two may be walking a dangerous line.
DISCUSS: We want to know what you think. Is using a picture of Jesus over the line in a campaign ad or is it fair game? CLICK HERE to add your comments.
A political mailer is going out to voters in the heated District 23 race between Republican Quico Canseco and Democrat Pete Gallego's. In the mailer, Canseco questions Gallego's record. The first point in the flyer shows a picture of Jesus and states Democrats have denied God three times.
The Gallego camp has a problem with that statement.
"Forget the fact that Mr. Canseco`s mailer is factually inaccurate, which, predictably, it is. The point is that Jesus' image, an image venerated around the world, has no place in a political attack ad. In my years in and around politics, I have never seen a campaign use what to many of us is a beloved and holy image in such a crass and disrespectful manner. Mr. Canseco has chosen to use God and God`s image purely for personal and political gain.
To Mr. Canseco: I am happy to engage in debates on any issue, including the ones you raise in this attack, but the exploitative use of a venerated religious figure like Jesus is over the line.
To the voters: If you agree, I ask that you add your name to this petition. The petition asks Mr. Canseco to publicly apologize to voters who received this attack piece. The petition is not partisan, signing it will not be taken as an endorsement of me or any political party.
I ask the community of faith, across all religions, from each political party and from every state to stand united in the belief that sacred images should not be defiled by use in political advertising or gamesmanship.
If Mr. Canseco`s ploy works, every campaign across the country will soon include a picture of Jesus in their political ads, and our society will have sunk to a new low.
I hope you will join me in putting an end to this type of campaigning now before it is too late.
With respect,
Pete P. Gallego
When asked about the mailer, Canseco's campaign said:
"The mailers are simply stating facts, and there is nothing unethical about that. It is a fact that Pete Gallego has a 100% voting record with NARAL, the National Pro-Abortion Association; It is a fact that Pete Gallego supports homosexual marriage; and it is a fact that Pete Gallego's party denied God three times at their convention. Pete Gallego may not like the people of the 23rd Congressional District to find out about his left-wing pro-abortion record, but it is his record."
- Campaign Manager Scott Yeldell
DISCUSS: We want to know what you think. Is using a picture of Jesus over the line in a campaign ad or is it fair game? CLICK HERE to add your comments.
