Well, they co-opted the flag, so...

They've used lies, misrepresentations, threats and fear to tear down Democrats this election season. Now, incredibly, the campaign weapon being brandished by the Republicans is the Holy Bible itself. If ever there were one book that should never be used for political gain, if ever there were one book that should never be the subject of lies and deception, it is the Bible.

Yet, that is exactly what the Republican National Committee (RNC) is doing with a mailing sent to voters in my state of West Virginia. The flyer claims that Democrats are out to ban the Bible. You heard me, the Bible. And they sent it to voters in Arkansas, too.

This flat-out, no-doubt-about-it, silly, sophomoric charge is part of a nationwide pattern in Republican National Committee politics to use any means necessary-even the Bible-to win elections. If the RNC is willing to go that far in West Virginia, imagine how far they'd go elsewhere. These smear tactics are happening in our Senate races across the nation.

What is their basis to determine which party is for the Bible and which is against, or for whom Christ would vote? It is a crass insult to people and to their faith.

Will you stand for that? Charges that Democrats would ban the Bible? I know I won't! That's why I am standing with the DSCC. They're the only ones watching every Senate race, every hour to make sure Democratic candidates across the country have the resources they need to fight back against this kind of shameless Republican smear.

...Do they think the people of my state are a bunch of gullible, ignorant country bumpkins? Voters in West Virginia are smart enough to see right through the false garbage peddled by high-priced Republican National Committee consultants. And that goes for voters in every other state in the union. America will not be fooled.

Because Democrats know that the Bible would never be banned. And I know it because I know the Constitution. It says that the First Amendment, not a political party, protects the Bible: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The Republican National Committee hacks should pick up the Constitution and read it sometime. They should read the Ninth Commandment of the Bible too, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." What could be more false than telling voters that the Bible would be banned if non-Republicans are elected to office?....

Sincerely,

Senator Robert Byrd [edited -- emphasis mine]