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

Kay Hagan seems to be getting some family support.

The Democratic Senate nominee has received more than $48,000 from donors with the last name of Hagan or Ruthven, her maiden name, according to her most recent campaign finance report.

Her immediate family are among the major donors.

Her husband, Chip, a Greensboro attorney, gave $4,600, as did her daughter, Carrie, and her son, Tilden. Her other daughter, Jeanette, a graduate student at U.C. Santa Barbara, gave $2,300.

Her father, Joe. P. Ruthven of Lakeland, Fla., has given, as have J.G., Jerry, Judy B., Karen L., Kim and Lisa Ruthven of Lakeland, and Zachary Ruthven of San Diego.

She also received $1,500 from Rhea Chiles, her aunt and the wife of former Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles.

Her in-laws haven't been stingy either, with her husband's father, Charles Hagan Jr. of Greensboro, giving $4,600. She's also received donations from likely in-laws John C. Hagan and David B. Hagan of Greensboro, Henry G. Hagan of Lutherville, Md., and Anne B. Hagan of Winchester, Mass.

Young voters are politically awake this year.

Energized by the heated presidential primary, voters from age 18 to their early 20s are heading to the polls in greater numbers than before.

In many other states with primaries this year, young voters turned out at rates three times the usual.

National and state campaigns are reaching out to this new voting bloc in an attempt to woo them. U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan's son, Tilden, is hitting college campuses, while Chelsea Clinton has visited North Carolina several times.

Campaigns are posting ads on YouTube and gathering supporters on Facebook. (N&O)