Rep. McIntyre (D-NC) acknowledges ties to secretive Christian group

[Shallah Kali]

By Amanda Greene [e-mail]

Published: Friday, July 24, 2009 at 3:42 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 24, 2009 at 3:42 p.m.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090724/ARTICLES/907244008/1177?Title=Rep-McIntyre-acknowledges-ties-to-secret-Christian-group

The section of the Salon article about McIntyre states: "Historically, The Family has been strongly Republican, but it includes Democrats, too. There's Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, for instance, a vocal defender of putting the Ten Commandments in public places ..."

McIntyre's Washington office sent an email statement about his association with the C Street House: "For several years, I have attended a one-hour weekly Bible study lunch at the C Street House with other Members of Congress who do not live there. This time has always been an opportunity to share our faith and discuss Scripture over a meal. I have never sought counsel from any group associated with or that happens to meet at the house, nor have I been lobbied by any such group."

On Friday, U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, a Michigan Democrat who lives in the C Street House, denied any knowledge of activities at the house to reporters with the Michigan Messenger.

In 2003, before many of the recent sex scandals, an Associated Press story about the C Street House said six lawmakers rented rooms there for $600 per month. The article also stated that the group organizes The National Prayer Breakfast, attended by the President and dignitaries, though it doesn't attach its name to the program as a sponsor.

Amanda Greene: 343-2365

On Twitter.com: @iwritereligion

The Salon article - http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/07/21/c_street/print.html

WATCHDOG$: McIntyre says visits were just about faith and food, not politics.
http://blogs.starnewsonline.com/default.asp?item=2403445

McIntyre is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Democrats that favor fiscal responsibility.

But it probably isn't going down too well with some of his supporters that McIntyre has been hanging out with some of the most conservative Republicans in and out of Washington - even if it was just to break bread and talk about their faith.

Among the GOP politicians who regularly attended the C Street House and sought counsel and support from its leaders were South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, Nevada Sen. John Ensign and former Mississippi congressman Chip Pickering.

All three have recently been embroiled in messy and very public sex scandals.

A bit more on The Family:

Jeff Sharlet's book on google books which lets you read several chapters for free here: http://books.google.com/books?id=NVmcx-8zdGEC

Rachel Maddow: C Street - Wife Unsatisfied w/ Sex Life Was 'Demonically Possessed'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=338358&mesg_id=338358

'The Fellowship' aka 'The Family' secretive DC prayer group Click here to hide this thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x340921

Wheaton collage archive listing of The Family's papers, files, etc. All recent documents can only be viewed w/permission of Doug Coe http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/459.htm

[calimary]

1. Kick this!

[Quantess]

2. Too late to Recommend.

[Selatius]

3. In a functioning democracy, there is very little room for politicians being in secretive orgs.

The politician is supposed to serve the people first and foremost. Secret organizations that the politician partakes in will sow distrust between the public and the politician as far as the politician's motives. He or she should then be voted out.

[Seen the light]

4. McIntyre is the definition of a DINO

Think of him more along the lines of North Carolina's Zell Miller.