Anti-Muslim Rhetoic in Congressional Race

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Rep. André Carson (D-7th District) is one of just two Muslims who serve in Congress and his religion is suddenly an issue in the Congressman's bid for re-election.

The Facebook page for Carson's opponent, Republican Marvin Scott is one of two places on the Internet where anti-Muslim commentary popped up over the weekend with André Carson as the target.

The other place is the Democratic blog called Indianapolis Times. It posted the invitation to a Marvin Scott fundraiser in March. In it, the host suggests sarcastically that the President should appoint Carson to the Department of Homeland Security, the organization created to protect us from Muslim terrorists.

Marvin Scott claims he never saw the complete letter until 24-Hour News 8's Jim Shella showed him where to find it on the Internet. After he read it Shella said, "Strikes me that you could interpret that as anti-Muslim commentary."

"Well, lots of people join the campaign," Scott responded. "They come with many ideological notions about this. If I had seen this I would have advised against it."

Meanwhile, on Scott's campaign Facebook page, a supporter made an obscene suggestion regarding Allah. When we notified the campaign of the posting, it was removed. "This was left on there for a few days," says Scott strategist Bob Croddy, "and we took it down as soon as it was brought to our attention."

Democrats are using the postings to rally support for Carson. "This country will not accept that," says Marion County Democrat Chairman Ed Treacy, "will not tolerate that nonsense and if he's (Scott) doing that, shame on him!"

Marvin Scott says he's not doing it. But he also says there is no reason to return the money raised at the controversial March fundraiser.

Shella asked him, "Is Andre Carson's religion an issue in this race?" "Not with me," Scott says. "But I don't control all the people who write to the blog and the way they feel."

And with regard to the fundraising letter, Scott says the author is free to express his opinion. Bob Croddy, the strategist for Marvin Scott, does say that the person who approved the letter is no longer with the campaign.