Ralph Reed is politicking and "preaching" in our city.

[madfloridian]

Ralph Reed rallies the religious Republicans in Lakeland.
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041023/NEWS/410230405/1039
Politics and Religion
Most Prefer Political Candidates to Be Religious, but Voting Those Beliefs Is Another Matter

SNIP..."Passion filled the gymnasium of Grove Park Christian Church in Lakeland during a recent Republican rally. At times it was hard to separate political from evangelical fervor. State Rep. John Stargel, R Lakeland, offered an invocation, and the featured speaker was Ralph Reed, former executive director of the Christian Coalition and now the Republican campaign director for the crucial Southeastern region. He declared, "We are going to move heaven and earth" to reelect President George W. Bush.

The zeal was just as intense among volunteers at the East Polk County headquarters of the Democratic Party in Winter Haven a few weeks later, although the only evidence of anything religious was a note on a marker board -- "Locate church sponsors."

"Wearing your religion on your sleeve is offensive to good Democrats," said office coordinator Ruth Ann Eaddy, who attends Beymer United Methodist Church. "We don't want to appear to be using religion. That's one of the reasons I'm a Democrat."END SNIP

And another article about that same rally, showing the anti-abortion and anti-gay rights movement in the GOP.
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040925/NEWS/409250442&SearchID=73187847636156
Reed Speaks at GOP Rally
Ex-Christian Coalition director emphasizes religious, moral values.

State Rep. John Stargel, R-Lakeland, offered a lengthy prayer near the beginning of the rally, in which he thanked God for political and religious freedom and prayed for elected officials, candidates and people affected by the hurricanes that have hit the state. He then introduced his younger brother, Daniel, who sang "God Bless the U.S.A."

U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, who spoke briefly before introducing Reed, compared the event to "an old-time revival" and urged those present to vote based on their convictions.

My Comment: This is our incumbent, most likely being groomed for the future by the GOP. Maybe a future president. Read his words carefully. I don't even bother to call or write his office anymore...as he is in bed with Bush.

"If you're not voting your values, your convictions, your faith, what are you voting on? What's left? If you ever get mad about the possibility of losing `In God We Trust' from our coinage, you better bring a friend to the polls. . . . If you are afraid of losing the definition of marriage and family, you better get involved," Putnam said.END SNIP

In our city, religion and politics are so entwined that people do not even realize it has happened.

[acmavm]

1. Is he helping any republicans committ fraud while he's there too? Any

complaints about Indians and casinos?

Why isn't this guy in a padded cell somewhere? Or just a cell, period.

[madfloridian]

2. I know what you mean. But he is adored by the right wing.

I just hate the idea of his being in our city. And I hate reading about my congressman and my legislator salivating over him and preaching....they need to keep their religion out of politics.