How does Focus on the Family keep their tax exempt status when they run political ads?

[MattP]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/12/focus-on-the-family-asks_n_118512.html

Calling on it to rain when Obama gives his speech is teaching what kind of family values, jealous much.

[TlalocW]

1. Cute

I like how at the end he essentially says it's not a competition so if it's sunny and warm, oh, well, but if it does rain, it's going to be God's will.

I suggest that the day after Obama's speech, if it didn't rain, I say we need to flood this guy's email and say, "I prayed that God wouldn't listen to you. I guess God likes me best. Sorry."

TlalocW

[AllentownJake]

2. Because the GOP controls the IRS right now

:shrug:

[jody]

3. I understand your point but isn't Focus on the Family Action separate from Focus on the Family? n/t

[Igel]

4. Yes.

"Action" is incorporated under a rule that makes lobbying and political stuff more ok for them. 501(c)(4). Don't know where the limits are or what the financial constraints and limits are. Google is your friend, and I'm tired and still have work to do (so no more skiving for me after this post ... at least for tonight).

Wiki claims moveon.org is a 501(c)(4) corporation, along with the DLC, AARP, and NRA.

Non-"Action" "Focus" is the 501(c)(3) group. Then it could just as well take stands on issues; it's partisan politics that are banned for them. Or dealing with issues so close to election time that it makes politicians nervous.

In any event, I found the spot sort of clever. Most of the politics is implied: You get to infer the political consequence, and, well, all he's doing is asking for you to pray, not to vote.

Clever, in a weaselly sort of way.

[AspenRose]

5. Another one of those non-apology-apologies from them, I see

Focus pulls video urging prayers for rain on Obama
August 11, 2008
By MARK BARNA
THE GAZETTE
Focus on the Family Action pulled a video from its Web site today that asked people to pray for "rain of biblical proportions" during Barack Obama's Aug. 28 appearance at Invesco Field in Denver to accept the Democratic nomination for president.

Stuart Shepard, director of digital media at Focus Action, the political arm of Focus on the Family, said the video he wrote and starred in
was meant to be "mildly humorous."

But complaints from about a dozen Focus members convinced the organization to pull the video, said Tom Minnery, Focus Action vice president of public policy.

"If people took it seriously, we regret it," Minnery said Monday.


Translation: We're sorry if you took it wrong. We're not sorry we said it. Jerks.