Massey responds to Anderson ad about the Lord’s Prayer

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A campaign ad from S.C. Sen. Shane Massey’s opponent suggesting that he’s against the Lord’s Prayer is ridiculous, Massey said at a press conference Wednesday.

Massey, R-Edgefield, elected in 2007 in a special contest to replace former incumbent Tommy Moore, is seeking a full term in District 25 in a hard-fought campaign against Democrat Greg Anderson.

The latest verbal battle involves legislation that eventually was approved, allowing the option of posting the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer and other historical documents in public areas and buildings.

Anderson contends that Massey voted May 21 against an amendment that specifically would have included the Lord’s Prayer in the legislation. But that interpretation of Massey’s action is deliberately deceptive, Massey said.

The actual situation, he said, is that the Lord’s Prayer inclusion could open the entire bill to constitutionality challenges. The amendment actually was offered by liberal legislators who were trying to kill the measure, Massey said. On the advice of the Palmetto Family Alliance, he voted against the amendment.

“Ultimately, the Lord’s Prayer was added and I voted for that,” Massey said. “This is a completely deceptive ad.”

But the ad is simply pointing out Massey’s voting record, Anderson said. Other Republican senators did support the original amendment.

“He voted against it,” Anderson said. “I feel strongly that the Lord’s Prayer ought to be displayed in public schools. He can bring his friends and senators (to the conference), but he’s not speaking for the wishes of his district.”

The “whole picture,” said Anderson, is that he has tried to run a clean campaign, offering the public only positive information about himself. During that period, Anderson said Massey’s campaign has sent out eight flyers and ads attacking him. One of them indicated Anderson continued to receive a salary from an Edgefield company five years after it closed and all the employees were laid off.

“That was absolutely false and I’ve got the W-2’s to prove it,” Anderson said. “I still have never attacked him (Massey), but personally, he doesn’t want to be held accountable.”

Joining Massey at the press conference were S.C. Senators Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, and Larry Martin, R-Pickens, Oran Smith of the Palmetto Family Council, Joe Mack of the S.C. Baptist Convention and Providence Baptist Church pastor Tim Thompson - as well as his wife, Blair, mother, Linda, and new baby daughter, Carter.

“Shane is the kind of legislators we need in Columbia,” Campsen said. “It’s refreshing to see someone with his intellect and conscientiousness … He has been unfairly attacked and it’s unconscionable. The voters of the district should not stand for that.”

Thompson said he was impressed from the start with Massey’s work as a church deacon and Sunday school teacher.

“His spiritually and love for the Lord is evident,” said Thompson. “I consider him one of the few men I know who demonstrates his faith combined with maturity and leadership.”

By Rob Novit
The Aiken Standard
October 22, 2008

Posted October 24, 2008 

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