[Fumblerooskies]

Lynchburg, VA - The director of Barack Obama (web|news|bio) 's Virginia office says it has sent a letter to LU Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. offering to address the students. ABC 13 News has obtained a copy of the letter. Mitch Stewart writes that their office heard through media reports they'd been invited to speak, and would like to take them up on the offer. Falwell showed us the email responses Tuesday rejecting their requests that Obama himself come speak. Last month they also extended an offer to a campaign surrogate to speak at convocation, but he stresses that it should be a national figure. To keep tax exempt status the school has to offer opportunities to both parties. The letter says John McCain (web|news|bio) 's brother spoke at a recent convocation and they're ready to send an Obama team member to do the same.

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1008/563313.html

[SuperJon]

The article states they want to send someone else, someone that is "a national figure." I say a candidate or nothing. Don't let an aid come. Don't let some other person. It's either Obama, Biden, or no thanks. I'd even go to convo.

[Baldspot]

The tax exempt statement sounds like a threat. I say take the democratic flunky surrogate speaker and let him speak in Dorm 8's hall meeting. Thurs night at 10:30 PM (if that's when they still meet).

[ATrain]

The tax exempt statement sounds like a threat. I say take the democratic flunky surrogate speaker and let him speak in Dorm 8's hall meeting. Thurs night at 10:30 PM (if that's when they still meet).

Its now Tuesday night at 10:00 PM.

[Hold My Own]

Lets invite them at 9:59am on Wed



Oh your unable to make it? Im sorry!

[LUconn]

Does anything ever come from these stupid tax exempt status threats? I'd be interested to know if any organization has ever lost it's status due to one of these ridiculous political rules. You hear a lot of talk thrown around but nothing ever comes of it. I think the IRS has better things to do.

[Hold My Own]

Does anything ever come from these stupid tax exempt status threats? I'd be interested to know if any organization has ever lost it's status due to one of these ridiculous political rules. You hear a lot of talk thrown around but nothing ever comes of it. I think the IRS has better things to do.

I just heard of a black pastor down south who just lost his for going with McCain....not sure if theres any truth to it but thats what I heard

[phoenix]

Seems that there were several churches that lost TE status last election because they allowed Kerry to actually campaign from the pulpit on Sunday morning, or something like that. One black church had a pastor who told his congregation that it was their duty as Christians to vote for Kerry. I actually wrote to Americans United about it, and got an email back assuring me that they were an equal opportunity annoyance

[ALUmnus]

I think I heard this Virginia Obama guy on WNRN this past Sunday. He's not very smart, nor is he a good speaker. It would make for a very dull convocation.

[Schfourteenteen]

"All the convocaitons are booked up"

[Blessed1]

First off, let me say that I am a registered Democrat. And I do not post on the message boards often, but I have to speak on this.

How is it that we only extend to "national figures" and not the actual candidates that are running? To me, that doesn't make sense! I think that Falwell doesn't want the circus ring on campus, but he still needs to extend invitations to the top dogs of the race. If not Obama and McCain, then Biden and Palin.

[Fumblerooskies]

Lynchburg, VA - It looks like a representative of Obama's campaign is getting closer to addressing students at Liberty University (web) . John McCain (web|news|bio) 's brother, Joe spoke at convocation last month. Tuesday South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham spoke on McCain's behalf. Also Tuesday the director of Barack Obama (web|news|bio) 's Virginia office sent a letter to LU Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. offering to have an Obama representative come speak. Mitch Stewart says that Falwell responded to him Tuesday night, and formally extended an invitation for a representative in the campaign to come speak. Now they're working on the details on who will come and when, but Falwell says it must be a national level spokesperson. By law, the school can keep its tax exempt status with political speakers, as long as both parties are asked.

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1008/563486.html

[Fumblerooskies]

How is it that we only extend to "national figures" and not the actual candidates that are running? To me, that doesn't make sense! I think that Falwell doesn't want the circus ring on campus, but he still needs to extend invitations to the top dogs of the race. If not Obama and McCain, then Biden and Palin.

Very good question...and if I may...I would think the school would LOVE to have the actual candidates there...but in their absence, the school wants a NATIONAL person and not some low-level mouthpiece to speak. Part of convo is making it interesting for the students...and I don't think a state level McCain staffer NOR a state-level Obama staffer would energize the student body or the community.