http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/nation/epaper/2006/08/27/a18a_harris_0827.html

Harris: Christian remarks misconstrued
By Larry Lipman

Palm Beach Post Washington Bureau

Sunday, August 27, 2006

ORLANDO — U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris said Saturday that she did not intend to exclude Jews and other non-Christians from public office when she told a Baptist magazine that unless "tried and true" Christians were elected, those in power would "legislate sin."

But Harris' remarks drew sharp condemnation from her opponents in the Sept. 5 Republican U.S. Senate primary and even from some GOP supporters.

Harris said her remarks in last week's edition of the Florida Baptist Witness were intended for Christian voters who mistakenly believe the constitutional separation of church and state prevents them from participating in politics, even voting.

"It wasn't my intent to section out Christians at all," Harris said as she attended a gun show here. "My passion is to make sure that people participate in the process. Everyone should vote. Everyone should be engaged, but the problem is a lot of Christians believe they should not participate because of the separation of church and state."

Among those critical of her comments was state Rep. Irving Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, who is Jewish. Slosberg demanded an apology.

[highlight]Harris, of Longboat Key near Sarasota, said she has a strong record of supporting Israel.

"When I speak in temples, I say, 'Please, I am so passionate about Israel, make certain that you are engaged and involved in the process, because otherwise you're going to have people voting that are not going to be supportive of it.' I have always said in my speeches in churches I stand with Israel."

Harris has sponsored and supported numerous congressional resolutions commending Israel and condemning the attacks by Hezbollah. She also co-sponsored a resolution honoring Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal. [/highlight]

Harris said news articles about the interview misconstrued her views.

Asked what she meant when she said neither the Founding Fathers nor God intended the United States to be a "nation of secular laws," Harris said she was referring to the Ten Commandments as the foundation of the Judeo-Christian society and its laws.

"I normally say people of faith and our Judeo-Christian values," Harris said. "But in this particular publication, I'm pressing for Christians to get involved, that's all."

Harris' remarks sparked a firestorm.

Peter Monroe of Safety Harbor, one of three Republicans running against her in the primary, said Harris should not only drop out of the race but should be removed from Congress.

Monroe said Harris' comments "demean all religious and ethnic groups, including Christians," and "constitute anti-Semitism."

"She would disenfranchise every Jewish voter and every Jewish leader in Congress on both sides of the aisle," he said.

LeRoy Collins Jr. of Tampa, another of Harris' opponents, said he disagreed with her comments.

"I think there are plenty of people who are not Christians who make outstanding legislators," Collins said.

Will McBride of Orlando, another candidate in the GOP primary, said he considers himself a Christian but disagrees with Harris' comments.

"No one's religious denomination or faith should be a litmus test. We have the right to worship or not to worship," McBride said.

He added that he supports the First Amendment prohibition against the government's establishment of "a national church or religion."

Sid Dinerstein, chairman of the Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee, said he received calls from a couple of Jewish Republicans asking, "What was she thinking?"

Dinerstein, who is Jewish, said he interpreted Harris as saying that "people who have spiritual values or a God-fearing side make for good representatives." But "what she ended up saying is one religion should be preferred over others. Even if I was of that religion, that would make me uncomfortable."

"It comes across as a noninclusive interview," Dinerstein said.

[highlight]Bryan Rudnick of Boca Raton, Harris' campaign manager, said in a statement, "I joined this campaign because Congresswoman Harris is a passionate supporter of Israel, the Jewish people and always has the best interests of all Floridians at heart.

"As the grandson of Holocaust survivors," Rudnick continued, "I know that she encourages people of all faiths to engage in government, so that our country can continue to thrive on the principles set forth by our Founding Fathers, without malice towards anyone."[/highlight]