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Dole Sued for 'Godless' Attack Ad

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October 30, 2008 6:34 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis Reports:

Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole is being sued for defamation and libel by Kay Hagan, her Democratic Senate challenger, for broadcasting a television ad which, in the words of Hagan's legal action, "falsely implies" that Hagan shares the views of an entity that calls itself the Godless Americans PAC.

Dole's attack stems from Hagan attending a Sept. 15 Boston fundraiser which was co-hosted by Woody Kaplan who sits on the advisory board of the Godless Americans PAC.

The most inflammatory and misleading part of Dole's television ad comes at the end when Hagan's photo is coupled with audio of a female voice saying, "There is no God." The effect is to make it seem like it is Hagan's voice when, in fact, it belongs to Ellen Johnson, the executive director of the Godless Americans PAC.

Watch it here.

Hagan is a Presbyterian church elder. She responded with an ad Thursday in which she forcefully declares her faith in God.

Dole is one of nine incumbent Republican senators who is in a tough fight for re-election.

ABCNEWS.com first reported on the "Godless" attack when the NRSC made it the subject of a web video earlier this month . Read more here.

October 30, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (110)

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You have to remember the MEDIA only has freedom of speech when they are not telling the truth about creeps like OBAMA

Posted by: SUSIE | Oct 30, 2008 6:54:56 PM

The BushGOP has no shame or conscience, they will simply use any attack or smear that they feel will help them win. They are about to learn in a big way that the American people have had it with this grotesque nonsense. Next election they better come ready to talk issues because this same old crap ain't gonna cut it anymore.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Oct 30, 2008 6:57:15 PM

Like all the other Republicans, Dole is a scum bag.

Posted by: Jackson | Oct 30, 2008 7:00:29 PM

Shame on Dole. She is another one just like shrub, mclame, pain, etc., etc., etc. Not only should she be sued, she should be charged with slander. Of course, the best punishment will be when she loses Tuesday night to a DEMOCRAT! Yeah!!!!

Posted by: durrs | Oct 30, 2008 7:04:32 PM

Well to use Religion to win election is what the GOP is all about . They are the most GODLY of anyone else,This is why they at like that now if sen Dole thinks this is how to win an election then by all means sue her and her staff.

Posted by: KWOLF443 | Oct 30, 2008 7:05:29 PM

Jackson, when you hate an entire group of people you're a bigot. There are good Republicans and bad Republicans just like there are good Democrats and bad Democrats. I thought Barack Obama stood for unity not demonizing your opponent for political gain. Are you supporting him? If so, when do you plan to live up to the standards he set for political discourse?

Posted by: DisgustedFormerDemocrat | Oct 30, 2008 7:05:47 PM

Oh sure! ABC will report this small time lawsuit, but they won't report about what could be the biggest lawsuit of the century Berg v. Obama being filed today in the US Supreme Court.

Obama, if you really had a valid Certification of Live Birth in the US, you would make it available wouldn't you? Stop the fraud on the American people! Show some courage media!

Posted by: david | Oct 30, 2008 7:06:49 PM

This really makes me sad. I always thought that Elizabeth Dole was above such things - in fact, I voted for her. Unless there is some kind of public apology, I won't be voting for her again. These kind of smear campaigns have to end. I'm not interested in "dirt." I'm interested in issues. If you can't win an election on your own merits, then you're going to have to suck it up and realize that maybe you aren't the best person for the job.

Posted by: Former Republican | Oct 30, 2008 7:07:06 PM

Oh c'mon SUSIE, do you condone the campaign tactics of the GOP?! It's sad that the GOP has nothing going for them anymore than to try and attack someone's character instead of trying to convince people to vote for them strictly on their policies. I used to respect Elizabeth Dole. Not anymore. She is now part of the scum tactics of the Republican Party now. The GOP is going to lose BIG and maybe, just maybe, this will wake up the GOP to their disgusting tactics.

Posted by: Frank | Oct 30, 2008 7:07:39 PM

They must have had Republican Campaign class 101 = Rules for running a republican campaign: be accusing, lie a lot, attack the other person with anything & everything you can think of; intelligent people will know it's not true, but just keep repeating it over & over as if it were true; the unintelligent republicans will believe you because they cannot think for themselves. Whatever you do do NOT use any morals or ethics, just lie, cheat, and attempt to destroy the other persons character. Last but not least never run a republican campaign based on your own merit or what you can contribute if elected, always focus your attention on the other candidate. If by chance they appear to be winning, you must turn up the heat with more slander & lies. That's all now class - you're ready to run for office as a republican candidate.

Posted by: Julie | Oct 30, 2008 7:09:22 PM

Republicans will stop at nothing to disgrace fellow Americans. Why can't they have a clean fight and tell us Americans what they will do for the country instead of smearing their opponents? Because they have nothing to tell us, they have no plan and no strategy for this great nation.
Goodbye, Republicans, Goodbye.

Posted by: Jeffrey12342001 | Oct 30, 2008 7:10:48 PM

Elizabeth Dole is desperate, as is her entire party, to cast her opponent in a negative light. That's the best they can do, I guess, considering that this election is proving to be a decisive referendum on everything the Republicans stand for. Hope Kay Hagan prevails with that lawsuit.

Posted by: kellybelle23 | Oct 30, 2008 7:12:58 PM

Awwwww, elizabeth dole, a true christian conservative. the defination of IRONY> conservative=republican. what a joke.

Posted by: jimt | Oct 30, 2008 7:14:05 PM

Republican campaign tactics? How about the secret access to information about Joe the Plumber (a then private citizen)?

Posted by: david | Oct 30, 2008 7:14:22 PM

It is time for politicians to stop calling their lies merely exaggeration and be held accountable for their words and their intentions.

This is a new era of politics.

Posted by: Libratine | Oct 30, 2008 7:14:51 PM

FINALLY!! Thank you Kay Hagan for pushing back on tabloid politics with a lawsuit. If there is a fund for such action, sign me up.

Posted by: Susan | Oct 30, 2008 7:14:54 PM

It is completely inappropriate to call EITHER of the candidates a creep or any other pejorative name. Vote for whome you want but honestly the name calling of McCains supporters is turning people off INCLUDING REGISTERED REPUBLICANS. What did either of these people ever do to you to make you hate them so much!

Posted by: Christopher | Oct 30, 2008 7:15:44 PM

Dole is a Kansas carpetbagging scumbucket.

Posted by: Steve from Danville | Oct 30, 2008 7:16:12 PM

Please david. Joe is going to be rich after the election is over unless the republicans spent all the money on palins outfits. this guy saw an opening and took it. i dont blame him. but he is no saint by any means.

Posted by: jimt | Oct 30, 2008 7:16:44 PM

this is the type of idiocy I exspect from the whack jobs in Pakistan.

Only an idiot thinks allegiance to "God" makes a person worthy of a vote.
Every crooked politician goes to church. It don't mean nuttin'. 2008 and many people still let stooges like Dole use "God"

Posted by: powmadeak47 | Oct 30, 2008 7:16:48 PM

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