OH-Kenneth Blackwell campaigning in churches

Here is how Blackwell started his speech at the Omega Baptist Church on Sunday.

Describing himself as a self-made man, "unbought and unbossed," J. Kenneth Blackwell spoke at length to those gathered at Omega Baptist Church on Sunday about personal responsibility in battling the problems faced by Ohio's black residents.

Blackwell: Blacks have to make the changes to improve their lot
However he also talked about himself as a candidate, explaining that three things define him as a candidate--his religious background, his emphasis on personal responsibility, and his refusal to play the race card.

Blackwell mentioned his Democratic opponent only once and not by name, while referencing his own track record of recruiting black people to top jobs. 'I want you to ask him, of his 12 years in Congress, how many black folks has he hired,' Blackwell said.

When asked about his decision to speak to an overwhelmingly black, Democratic audience, Blackwell said he was reaching out to the widest audience possible. 'The overall message is that I am not going to give up any vote that folks may feel is a lock for a Democrat,' he said.

Here is an explanation I found in an IRS publication about tax exempt churches and political activities. Now how is Blackwell's speech to this church OK with the IRS?

4. Churches and Political Activities IRC 501(c)(3) provides, in part, that organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes cannot participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office without jeopardizing their exempt status. The regulations, in sections 1.501(c)-1(c)(3)(i) and 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3)(iii), further define such proscribed political activity as the direct or indirect intervention or participation in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. The term "candidate for public office" means an individual who offers himself, or is proposed by others, as a contestant for an elective office, whether such office be national, state, or local. Activities which constitute participation or intervention in a political campaign include, but are not limited to, the publication or distribution of written or printed statements or the making of oral statements on behalf of or in opposition to candidates.

Developments Relating to Churches