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The N.C. Republican Party criticizes Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan's views on gay marriage in a recent mailer.

What the mailer says: Front page: Image of two men's hands with rings that say 'guy' on them. "With Kay Hagan and liberal judges, we're one step closer to legal gay marriages."

Inside pages: Pictures of two cake figurines of men in tuxedos, Hagan and donors Wendy Kaminer and Woody Kaplan. "Liberal Kay Hagan opposes constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in North Carolina. Across America, liberal judges are overturning state laws banning gay marriage. In North Carolina a state constitutional amendment is needed to protect traditional marriage and prevent liberal judges from imposing their gay marriage agenda on the state. Kay Hagan is actively opposed to this needed amendment to ban gay marriage in North Carolina. Hagan opposes defining a marriage as a union between one man and one woman in North Carolina."

"Maybe that helps explain why Kay Hagan flew to Boston to pick up campaign cash from leaders of the Godless Americans PAC, Wendy Kaminer and Woody Kaplan. The Godless American PAC actively supports political candidates who support their liberal agenda to legalize gay marriage in North Carolina, remove 'under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance and force the Boy Scouts of America to accept atheists and homosexuals as troop leaders."

"Kay Hagan and Godless Americans PAC, a radical homosexual agenda for North Carolina. 1. Hold a fundraiser in Boston at home of Godless American PAC leaders. 2. Elect Kay Hagan to the U.S. Senate. 3. Legalize Gay Marriage in North Carolina. 4. Force Boy Scouts of America to make homosexuals troop leaders. 5. Remove 'under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance."

Back page: "Liberal Kay Hagan opposes constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in North Carolina. 'I don't think there's a need for a (state) constitutional amendment [banning gay marriage.]' — Kay Hagan."

The background: The mailer makes several claims about Hagan's beliefs.

GAY MARRIAGE: Gay marriage is currently illegal in North Carolina.

A state law passed in 1871 defines marriage as between "a male and female person." A second law passed in 1996 specifically invalidates same-sex unions.

In California, Connecticut and Massachusetts, state Supreme Court judges have overturned statutes outlawing gay marriage, citing concerns over equality. Except for Florida, every other Southern state has passed an amendment to its state constitution outlawing gay marriage that cannot be overturned by judges.

Starting in 2004, state legislators began introducing bills that would put a similar amendment up for a referendum in North Carolina. House and Senate Democratic leaders sent all 10 bills to die in committee.

In a 2005 interview with the Greensboro News-Record, Hagan called gay marriage "a polarizing issue."

"In North Carolina we have a law saying marriage is between a man and a woman. I don't think there's a need for a (state) constitutional amendment," she said.

A campaign spokeswoman said she continues to oppose a state amendment as well as a similar amendment proposed for the U.S. Constitution.

GODLESS AMERICANS: Hagan attended a Sept. 15 fundraiser in Boston hosted by author Wendy Kaminer and her husband, Woody Kaplan.

Kaplan is on the advisory board of the Godless Americans PAC, whose Web site says it supports candidates who are atheists and supports the separation of religion and government, including a "Godless pledge." It is not clear that Kaminer is a leader of the PAC.

Hagan's campaign said Hagan does not support removing "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance.

Her son is an Eagle Scout. Her campaign said that while Hagan opposes discrimination, she believes questions about who can be troop leaders should be left to the Boy Scouts.

Is the mailer accurate? Yes and no. Hagan does not support a constitutional amendment outlawing gay marriage and she did attend the fundraiser. But the mailer incorrectly suggests that she shares the views of the Godless Americans PAC on the Pledge of Allegiance and the Boy Scouts.

The N.C. Republican Party criticizes Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan ties to a political action committee for atheists in a recent mailer.

What the mailer says: Front page: Image of torn photo of children saying the Pledge of Allegiance. "Godless Americans Pac wants to remove 'Under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance. And now, they want Kay Hagan in the U.S. Senate..."

Inside pages: Pictures of Hagan and supporters of the Godless Americans PAC. "Liberal Kay Hagan flew to Boston to pocket campaign cash from leaders of the Godless Americans PAC. What is Godless Americans PAC? Godless Americans Political Action Committee is a left-wing organization based in Washington, DC - dedicated to 'Mobilizing America’s nonbelievers for political activism.'

"They actively support political candidates who are atheists and who also support their liberal agenda to remove 'under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance and force the Boy Scouts to accept atheists and homosexuals as troop leaders. Their goal is to remove any reference to God in the public arena, including eliminating the Christmas Holiday.

"Kay Hagan & the Godless Americans PAC. Liberal Kay Hagan flew to Boston to pocket campaign cash from leaders of the Godless Americans PAC, Wendy Kaminer and Woody Kaplan. They held a private fundraiser for Kay Hagan at their home in Boston, Massachusetts on September 15th. In North Carolina, Kay Hagan says she shares our values. But, behind our backs she’s the guest of honor at a fundraiser hosted by the most vile, radical liberals in America.

"We can't trust Kay Hagan to defend our North Carolina values."

Back page: Image of a torn photo of a mother and young daughter decorating a Christmas tree. "And, Godless Americans Pac wants to eliminate the Christmas holiday. And, they want Kay Hagan in the U.S. Senate."

The background: Hagan, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, attended a Sept. 15 fundraiser in Boston hosted by author Wendy Kaminer and her husband, Woody Kaplan. Kaplan is on the advisory board of the Godless Americans PAC, whose Web site says it supports candidates who are atheists and supports the separation of religion and government, including a "Godless pledge." It is not clear that Kaminer is a leader of the PAC.

Some readers may be left with the impression that Hagan supports the PAC's position on the Pledge of Allegiance, Christmas and the Boy Scouts — or that Hagan is an atheist.

Hagan's campaign said Hagan does not support removing "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance.

Hagan is an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro.

Hagan does not support eliminating the Christmas holiday. Her family often spends part of Christmas morning at a home for severely handicapped people, where they cook breakfast, wash dishes and play Santa Claus to relieve the home's staff.

Hagan's son is an Eagle Scout. Her campaign said that while Hagan opposes discrimination, she believes questions about who can be troop leaders is a decision for the Boy Scouts, not Washington, to make.

Is the mailer accurate? Yes and no. Hagan did attend the fundraiser in question. But the mailer incorrectly suggests that Hagan shares the view of the Godless Americans PAC on the Pledge of Allegiance, Christmas and the Boy Scouts.

— Bill Krueger

Bill Daughtridge apparently does his good turn daily.

The Republican nominee for state treasurer was recognized at an annual meeting of the Boy Scouts of America in San Diego recently.

Daughtridge, who earned his Eagle Scout in Rocky Mount's Troop 11, received the Silver Antelope Award.

The award is given to registered Scouters for "outstanding service to youth," according to the organization. He was the only North Carolinian to receive the award this year.

"Bill is a man of great integrity who exemplifies the values of the Boy Scouts of America in every way," wrote restaurateur Nick Boddie in a letter recommending Daughtridge for the award.

Daughtridge's son, Gray, is also an Eagle Scout.

The American Civil Liberties Union is politically radioactive in a Republican primary, which is why an ACLU ad has become an issue in the race involving 3rd district Congressman Walter Jones.

The ACLU is running a radio ad encouraging Jones to vote against a bill providing legal protections for telephone companies to help the government conduct warrantless wiretap program, Rob Christensen reports.

The ad asks voters to call Jones to oppose the Bush administration bill: "We need Congressman Jones to stand with Congress."

Jones says he is not interested in anything ACLU has to say. In fact, he notes he has a long history of opposing the ACLU on such issues as Boy Scouts and gay scoutmasters and the right of military chaplains to use the name of Jesus in prayers.

"Their ads are wrong and need to be stopped," Jones said. "While the ACLU is playing politics, the threat of terrorism is very real and must be addressed."

His primary opponent, Joe McLaughlin, claims the ACLU ad is designed to help Jones.

"Obviously all of Walter Jones work on behalf of the 'Blame America First' crowd is paying off as the ultra-left continues to pour money into our district to support their new found friend," McLaughlin said.