Senate Hopeful Sues Dole Over Atheist Ad

(AP)  Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan filed a lawsuit Thursday against rival Elizabeth Dole, accusing the Republican incumbent of defamation and libel for running a television ad that questions Hagan's ties to an atheist political group.

Hagan filed a lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court after Dole declined to remove the ad from the air by a noon deadline.

"Each airing of the advertisement further injures (Hagan's) good name and reputation in the community," Hagan's attorneys wrote in the complaint.

Dole campaign spokesman Dan McLagan dismissed the lawsuit as a "silly political gimmick."

Dole's campaign had called Hagan's earlier warning of a lawsuit an empty threat, and her attorneys said in a letter the ad simply states facts.

"Your client may not like that the ad publicly disseminates information she would prefer to keep quiet in these days before the elections, but the ad is 100% factually accurate and truthful," the attorneys wrote.

Released this week, Dole's ad questions why Hagan went to a fundraiser at the home of a man who serves as an adviser to the Godless Americans Political Action Committee. The ad ends by showing a picture of Hagan while another woman declares in the background, "There is no God!"

Watch the ad here.

Hagan is a Presbyterian church elder who teaches Sunday school. She responded with an ad Thursday in which she forcefully declares her belief in God and cites the Bible's 9th Commandment in decrying Dole for "bearing false witness against fellow Christians."

Thursday's court filing does not detail Hagan's full case against Dole, but initiates the case and allows Hagan 20 days to file the full complaint.

[gig15]

Dole should know better. As a United Methodist church member, she must realize there are professors in religious schools at Duke, SMU, and other Methodist sponsored schools that teach about Atheism. It is taught to give knowledge regarding this ideology, and also how to interact with community leaders who hold this ideology. I''m sure she has accepted funds from such professors or religious leaders herself. If Hagen wants to counter, she has a good chance of winning. I really can''t believe Dole would stoop to the level she has done so. I am very disappointed in her tactics, especially as a United Methodist.

[albertw40]

I consider it to be nothing less than election malpractice to dub someone else''s voice over your opponent''s picture so that it looks like your opponent said something she didn''t say. Elizabeth Dole did that. She deserves to be sued and she deserves to be defeated.

[mrpantsuit]

It''s disturbing that everyone surrounding this issue, including the media, is operating unquestionably under the premise that atheism is the worst of traits, and that the accusation of it is the most extreme of insults. I''ve never understood why faith, the belief in something in the absence of evidence, is considered a virtue. Anti-atheism is that last socially acceptable form of discrimination.

[kansas1946]

Hopefully, Kay Hagan will win. Liddy has sunk to the lowest common denominator of her party. If there is any justice, it will be a landslide for Kay.

[rob416]

This is what happens when a candidate is on the verge of possibly loosing an election. They grab for straws, lie, cheat and do whatever they have to in order to win. In the case of Elizabeth Dole she has stooped to an all time low.

She has not been the greatest Senator representing North Carolina. When orginally elected she took over the seat of retired Senator Jesse Helms, a bigot in his own right. Now it appears Sen. Dole has used the Helms bag of dirty tricks in order to defeat Kay Hagan.

If any reason Dole should loose the Election, her Godless ad about Hagan should be high on the list. I''ve sure lost any respect I had for Elizabeth Dole.

[clearclouds]

Only in America. The Europeans largely put this peculiar blend of over-the-top Christianity and politics to rest a very long time ago. It''s about time we pulled ourselves out of the Middle Ages and caught up. This is extremely embarrassing, and just one example of the countless similar tactics used by the Right during every election. For those who live in less fanatical "Christian nations" and who follow American elections, we must be an endless source of amusement. And hmm.. what certain OTHER countries put this much emphasis on "God" as an instrument of politics? Think about it.

[vwkgcv71]

Unbelievable, a Presbyterian school teacher and elder in her church being accused of being "ungodly"? I think rich right wing snobs that go around judging other peoples religious beliefs should be shipped off to Afghanistan and let the Taliban judge them. Maybe then they would understand the wisdom of our founding fathers. They understood the neccessity of separation of Church and State and our Constituional Right to religious freedom. Nobody has a right to judge another persons religious beliefs and on top of that its a pack of lies.

[rozmarija]

In this the 21st Century, America is in the grip of 13th Century superstition madness.

[bibs21]

To "what happened to freedom of speech..." What happened to religious freedom?...which includes the right to have no religion at all. Our constitution also provides that there shall be no religious test to run for office. A person can be principled and follow the golden rule (a tenet of the old and new testament) without a belief in God.

[hillarynow]

Well, Elizabeth Dole is nothing more than a lying, scum swallowing Republican pig, just like her dirt bag hubby Bob the slob. Is there something about this desperate smear job attempt that doesn''t fit Lizzie''s ill character? Let Dole know this type of false character attack doesn''t fit and doesn''t work anymore in the new Washington, the new USA. Take her seat, make her pay, vote.