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Chris McDaniel on Principles & Values |
McDaniel has yet to concede in his primary fight with Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), despite Cochran's 7,667-vote lead in the runoff, now over a month ago.
The challenger has spent the past month poring over poll books looking for illegitimate votes and went to the state Supreme Court in pursuit of poll books without personal information removed, but was denied once before. That information, which includes birthdates, would help him evaluate whether any residents who voted in the Democratic primary came out to vote again in the Republican runoff, an action barred by Mississippi elections law.
Cochran made an aggressive play for African American Democrats in the runoff, and McDaniel's supporters believe much of Cochran's win margin is comprised of "illegitimate crossover votes."
In a media call on Wednesday with Cochran aides, an anonymous caller repeatedly asked questions about the senator's interaction with African-American voters. "If black people were harvesting cotton, why is it OK to harvest their votes?" the caller asked. Some McDaniel supporters have accused the Cochran campaign of paying African-Americans to vote for the senator in the runoff.
McDaniel: Strongly Disagree
Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
McDaniel: Strongly Agree.
Question topic: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
McDaniel: I'm a Southern Baptist, saved by God's grace at the age of 13.
The Tea Party-backed candidate made no mention of his own challenge to Sen. Thad Cochran. Instead, McDaniel delivered a political sermon of sorts, drawing from the scripture of the Founding Fathers to make a case for Christians to stand up and fight to reclaim America's culture and reestablish the nation's Christian foundation. He quoted an array of American figures endorsing America's Christian values and encouraging a God-fearing nation, including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and others.
The endorsing groups stressed that McDaniel has proven his right-wing bona fides. "Chris McDaniel is not part of the Washington establishment and he has the courage to stand up to the big spenders in both parties," the Senate Conservatives Fund executive director said.
Cochran , mingled with about 70 donors at a reception this week at the National Republican Senatorial Committee headquarters. He suggested this summer that it might take months before he shares his plans. Asked about the attacks, Cochran's spokesman emailed: "Senator Cochran has indicated that he will determine his plans regarding the 2014 election cycle later this year."
