Bush Campaign Gets Hand Slapped by Church Secretary

CT's Weblog has a roundup of the reaction to the Bush-Cheney plan to get a hold of church directories.

Weblog wishes that more reporters would read the IRS's "handy pamphlet" on what churches can and cannot do during campaigns--before getting too far down the church/state road.

While they are at it, a reporter might want to take a look at a church directory. Most contain a statement like the one on my desk does: "Use by others for solicitation by mail or other contact procedure is not permitted.

Better yet, they could try a little experiment and ask a church secretary for a copy. Any reporter who did so, or a church member who handed a copy over to a political campaign, would get their hands and possibly other body part promptly slapped. With a smile and a God bless you, as well.