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Okay, so, the RNSC jumped on Pryor's newfound devotion to Jesus, or, as Pryor calls him, "The Jay Man," contrasting his recent ad with previous statements averring (when convenient) that the Bible should not be used to inform political choices.

Actually, that seems perfectly reasonable to me. If Pryor previously claimed that the Bible shouldn't guide his votes, it is perfectly fair to point out his hypocrisy in now waving around the Good Book to help him out in a political campaign.

But I guess they didn't clear this with the candidate Tom Cotton. Or something. I don't know. The Pryor campaign has claimed the RNSC is "questioning mah faith!!!!," and the Cotton campaign is now agreeing: Yes, you questioned his faith, and that's horrible. Stop questioning people's faith.

RSC communications director Brad Dayspring emailed reporters to say that statement contradicts one Pryor made last year, however, when he said the Bible "is really not a rulebook for political issues" and that "everyone can see it differently."

"So is the Bible Mark Pryor's compass, providing the 'comfort and guidance to do what's best for Arkansas?' Or is it really not a good rule book for political issues and decisions made in the Senate? Guess it depends on which Mark Pryor that you ask," Dayspring said.

Cotton's campaign ripped Dayspring's remarks.

"That is an incredibly bizarre and offensive email from the NRSC’s press secretary. We should all agree that America is better off when all our public officials in both parties have the humility to seek guidance from God," Cotton campaign spokesman David Ray told The Hill.

It’s an unusual break for Cotton from the NRSC, which has provided strong backing for his campaign while regularly attacking Pryor.

Pryor's campaign seized on the controversy to strike at Cotton.

"It's frankly despicable that Congressman Cotton's Washington allies are manipulating quotes to question the sincerity of Mark's religious beliefs," said Pryor campaign manager Jeff Weaver. "Tom Cotton needs to step up and denounce these shameful attacks on Mark Pryor's faith."

To me, a secular guy, the RNSC attack seemed perfectly fair game. Pryor is plainly trying to have it both ways here. When he casts votes that offend the religious, he says the Bible shouldn't inform public policy. When he's about to get voted out of office, he's on the air saying Jesus is his Copilot.

But I guess maybe... among Arkansans, questioning someone's actual religiosity (even when there's a fair justification for questioning it) is considered dirty pool and out-of-bounds?

I don't know. But I know there's a botch here. Somehow this Fat Ass Elmer Gantry Motherf***er has turned his despicable "Re-Elect Me Because God Wants You To n' Stuff" ad into a referendum on whether his opponent sufficiently respects religious faith.

posted by Ace at 08:00 PM

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