FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 18, 2006

Contact: Schorr Johnson, (919) 821-2777, ext. 216

  

NCGOP Uses September 11th and Terrorism to Raise Campaign Money

NC Democratic Party Chair Calls for Apology

 

Raleigh—Today, the North Carolina Republican Party sent a fundraising email evoking September 11^th, the War in Iraq, and terrorism.

 

The message, from North Carolina Republican Party Chair Ferrell Blount, contained the passages:

 

“The anniversary of September 11th reminds us about the dangers our country and world face each day…If we do not stand up for our military and for Republicans devoted to the cause of freedom, the terrorists will gain strength.

 

WE MUST CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE!

The Republican Party needs your assistance today. Any amount you can give will enable us to elect Republicans fighting for our national defense. The price of safety and security has no limit! Our great candidates depend on your financial resources to not only win elections, but also to fight for the men and women charged with keeping peace for our blessed country.

 

REPUBLICANS MUST WIN TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM!

 

Electing Republicans and supporting the Republican Party guarantees that America will be secure in the face of desperate terrorist threats.” [NCGOP email, “Help protect our future,” 9/18/2006]

 

 

“For five years, Bush Republicans have talked tough but ignored the lessons of 9/11.  They have tried to hide the fact that Bush Republicans have made us less safe by stretching our military too thin, failing to capture Osama bin Laden, and failing to implement the reforms of the 9/11 Commission to close the gaps in our security.  We always knew Republicans would try to politicize terrorism and run a campaign of fear, but today, the North Carolina Republican Party crossed the line,” said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek.

 

“It is morally reprehensible to be abuse the memory of the 3,000 people who died on September 11^th for a cheap fundraising ploy.  As someone who knows both people injured at the World Trade Center and people who lost loved ones on 9/11, I call on Chairman Ferrell Blount to apologize for the Republicans’ tasteless and disturbing attempt at raising money.  Furthermore, I call on Chairman Blount and Republican candidates to stand by the words of President Bush when he said in August, ‘I will never question the patriotism of somebody who disagrees with me.’  For the next 50 days, the political environment will be heated and we will debate the issues, but Americans will not stand for using the memory of our darkest day to raise campaign money.”

 

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