Ricky getting some help from his friends

WASHINGTON - President Bush's lackluster approval ratings haven't kept Sen. Rick Santorum from seeking his help to raise money.
Bush is scheduled to attend a private fundraising dinner Friday evening for Santorum at a Sewickley Heights residence. The two are not scheduled to appear together publicly.
Among Pennsylvania voters in a Quinnipiac University poll released last month, Bush had a 37 percent approval rating. The number is consistent with recent nationwide polls.

Last October Dick Cheney appeared at a super secret fundraiser for Ricky in Luzerne County. Then when Bush came to our area on Veterans Day he was a 100 miles away. Now another non-public fundraiser. Anyone see a pattern? 'Hey guys, can you round up of few rich buddies for me but don't let anyone see us together.'



Washington-Weeks after the Internal Revenue Service announced a crackdown on political activities by churches and other tax-exempt organizations, a coalition of nonprofit conservative groups is holding training sessions to enlist Pennsylvania pastors in turning out voters for the November elections....The first training session, on March 6 in Valley Forge, included a videotaped message from a single candidate, Senator Rick Santorum, the Pennsylvania Republican who faces a difficult re-election fight. "I encourage you to let your voices be heard from the pulpit" on vital issues, Mr. Santorum said, urging the pastors to champion a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, according to a recording made by a person at the session.....After the tape, organizers offered participating pastors copies of the senator's book "It Takes a Family."......

A politician speaking to a religious group is hardly new, and the tax code allows churches and other tax-exempt charities to register voters and to express views on public issues. But the rules forbid supporting a political party or candidate. Inviting just one candidate to speak, singling out one candidate for special praise and highlighting a combination of issues tailored to one candidate's campaign are all factors that the I.R.S. considers problematic.