September 12, 2008
Family Research Council launches PAC, but no McCain endorsement
by Adelle M. Banks
Religion News Service
WASHINGTON (RNS) FRC Action, the legislative arm of the Family Research Council, on Friday (Sept. 12) launched a new political action committee to endorse candidates for congressional offices but, as of yet, not presidential candidates.
FRC Action President Tony Perkins said the group plans to spend $250,000 supporting about 80 candidates this election season. Most of the candidates are Republicans, but two are Democrats.
"At this point, we do not plan on endorsing a presidential candidate or ticket," said Perkins at a news conference during his group's annual Values Voter Summit. "We're not a huge PAC yet and to make a dent, even, in that effort would take a lot of money."
Asked if the lack of a presidential endorsement indicates soft support for Republican presidential nominee John McCain, Perkins said: "There are still lingering concerns over some of John McCain's positions."
David Nammo, executive director of FRC Action, said in an interview that McCain's support of embryonic stem cell research remains a concern for members of his organization.
Both McCain and Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama were invited to speak at the summit but chose not to attend. Perkins said the lack of McCain's presence did not discourage summit attendees.
One of those participants, Maureen Wiebe of Alexandria, Va., said she was not upset that McCain didn't show.
"Of course, I'd love to hear him speak but, heavens, he's running for president. His schedule's a little busy," said Wiebe, who works for a Christian school organization. "I'm pretty confident with where he stands."
She said McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential nominee and his recent appearance at a forum at evangelical author Rick Warren's California megachurch clarified his stances.
During the summit's first session Friday, Palin's name seemed to come up more than McCain's and prompted repeated applause. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Palin's critics have trouble understanding her.
"They find Gov. Palin quite horrifying because she actually believes in God, she actually believes in family, she actually has five children and she actually is a conservative," he said. "It is as though John McCain had gone to Mars and brought back an alien."
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