Miller Uses Nonprofit For More Campaign Events

Using the mantra of his tax-exempt, supposed nonpartisan Advance America organization, failed GOP gubernatorial candidate Eric Miller continues a statewide tour to rally support and votes for GOP candidates exclusively in this November's election. Stepping up the nonprofit violation another notch, Miller took his message to a church in Portage. The Gary Post-Tribune's Diane Kubiak writes:

Miller is on a five-city tour as founder of the group which advocates a ban on homosexual marriages, promotes vouchers for private schools, sees the states having to take up the abortion issue again and is against property taxes.

Miller had spoken at Fair Haven Baptist Church on Sunday and encouraged listeners there to attend Monday night's rally at Portage High School West.

"We got a call to bring out the army," said Ken Taylor, campaign worker for the Republican candidate for sheriff, Susan Resteau. Taylor described Miller's message as "bit of both" -- religion and politics. He said about 25-40 of those attending were from "Resteau's army."

Most of Monday night's program was about ending property tax. Miller wants to see Hoosiers pass a constitutional amendment banning property taxes and noted the Indiana House has already voted in that direction.

I grew up in a Methodist Church. It would have been unthinkable in my church to allow anyone like Eric Miller to stand up in the church and talk about partisan politics. Primarily, because it's against the law, but mostly because the people who attended that church didn't believe in mixing politics and religion. I guess Miller's been getting away with it for so many years he feels he's immuned from being cited for violating the federal nonprofit laws.

Some moderate Republicans are going to be disappointed to learn that Secretary of State Todd Rokita (R) joined Miller at his event in Portage. Kubiak also writes:

Miller also hosted two other speakers -- Secretary of State Todd Rokita and school choice advocate Bob Hoy.

Rokita commended the audience for exercising their freedom of association and urged them to value their right to pick a leader of their own choice.

Hoy is executive director of a foundation which gives grants to Marion County students wanting to attend private schools. He wants to see tax money, as vouchers, be able to flow to private schools because, he said, parents will hold the schools more accountable if they have the right to choose.

Miller also called for the state to cease the mental health testing of children and to further protect children from pornography by banning its access through public libraries. He urged listeners to pray, get informed, contribute to candidates and vote.

Kubiak also noted that retiring Rep. Ralph Ayres was in attendance with Sen. Vic Heinhold (R). As with all of Advance America's events, all candidates for public office are Republicans.