By Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press, October 17, 2006

18 Oct 2006 // WASHINGTON, D.C. — A watchdog group filed a complaint Tuesday with the IRS against a Minnesota church, claiming the pastor violated the church's tax-exempt status by endorsing GOP congressional candidate Michele Bachmann.

An official from the church, Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park, said the pastor "misunderstood IRS guidelines" and promised it wouldn't happen again. But the Washington watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, said it would not rescind the complaint.

Bachmann, who is running against Democrat Patty Wetterling in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, told parishioners at the church Saturday night that God had called on her to run for Congress, according to a video of her appearance posted on YouTube by "Dump Bachmann Blog." She also said God is now specifically focused on her race.

When he introduced Bachmann, the Rev. Mac Hammond said the church could not endorse any candidate. "But I can tell you, personally, that I'm going to vote for Michele Bachmann," he said to laughter and cheering, "because I've come to know her, what she stands for, and I want her to share her testimony with you tonight."

Under federal tax law, church officials can legally discuss politics, but to retain tax-exempt status, they cannot endorse candidates or parties.

According to a fact sheet put out by the IRS to help churches and other charitable organizations maintain their tax-exempt status, "leaders cannot make partisan comments in official organization publications or at official functions of the organization."

Hammond was not available for an interview Tuesday, but associate pastor Tim Burt said Hammond thought he was within the rules by saying he was speaking personally.

"When Pastor Hammond went to introduce her, he did make a comment of (personally) endorsing," said Burt, who confirmed the video was accurate. "He didn't knowingly or deliberately violate IRS guidelines. He misunderstood the IRS guidelines … Pastor Hammond agrees that going forward, this is not going to happen again."

Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, said that wasn't enough.

"They knew they were skirting the law," she said. "He knew exactly what he was doing. The IRS has been sending out guidelines to churches, to avoid exactly this."

In its complaint, CREW says it appears the church "illegally promoted" Bachmann's candidacy and asked for appropriate fines and penalties, including the revocation of the church's tax-exempt status.

IRS spokeswoman Nancy Mathis declined to comment on the complaint, saying federal law prevented the agency from disclosing information about any taxpayer.

Burt said the church invited Bachmann to speak not from a political platform but to discuss the role God played in her life.

In her remarks, Bachmann said she and her husband prayed and fasted for three days after God called upon her to run for Congress.

Bachmann said they asked God, "Lord, is this what you want? Is this your will?" On the afternoon of the second day, God "made that calling sure," she said.

Bachmann added someone would have to be a fool to spend two years running for a seat that lasts just two years.

"You are now looking at a fool for Christ. This is a fool for Christ," she said to laughter and applause.

God, she said, "has focused like a laser beam in his reasoning on this race."

After Bachmann's remarks, Hammond said: "It is important, I said important, that we put men and women of God in office in our government, amen. I don't want any more letters about church and politics don't mix. If that's your opinion then you need to get saved, because the Bible makes it clear that we are to have an effect on the world in which we live."

Bachmann's appearance and the possible violation of IRS rules were first reported Sunday by the left-leaning blog Minnesota Monitor.

Neither Bachmann's nor Wetterling's campaign returned phone and e-mail messages Tuesday seeking comment.

Wetterling campaign worker fired for Bachmann e-mail

Democrat Patty Wetterling's campaign manager fired a field organizer Tuesday after Republican Michele Bachmann alleged a "dirty trick."

Bachmann said one of her field workers received an e-mail Monday from a volunteer named "Erick," but the e-mail heading said the message was from "Jon Bohn," a Wetterling employee who joined the campaign about a month ago.

"I have not had a chance to volunteer yet this year, but I see we are trailing in the latest poll," the e-mail reads. "Is there a plan to get us back ahead? We need to win this race and keep power in the house. Thanks, Erick."

Wetterling campaign manager Corey Day said he fired Bohn minutes after he received the e-mail from the Bachmann campaign. He said Bohn admitted to sending it.

"Once he told me he sent it and I saw the e-mail, he's no longer part of the organization," said Day, who added Wetterling wasn't in the office at the time.

Bachmann campaign manager Andy Parrish said he suspected Bohn signed up to volunteer under the name "Erick Johnson," providing an e-mail address similar to the one used to send the message this week.

Parrish urged Wetterling to investigate the matter. He said Bohn's conduct may have broken a federal law that prohibits candidates and campaign workers from misrepresenting themselves.

Day said Wetterling's campaign didn't know about the alleged misrepresentation until Bachmann contacted him. He said Bohn had volunteered for other political campaigns but that this was his first job as a paid campaign staffer.

Bohn didn't respond immediately to attempts to contact him by e-mail.

Bachmann asked the state attorney general and U.S. attorney to look into the situation.