McCain's campaign just sent out a press release citing inaccurate information from a left wing pro-Democrat blog called the Phoenix New Times. The McCain campaign makes the false claim that ALIPAC supports, endorses, and uses racially charged terms such as "Wetback" and "Pepper belly" and that ALIPAC is supported by the KKK.
ALIPAC is a multi-racial organizations with about 20% of the groups supporters being minorities. ALIPAC works openly with black and Hispanic leaders and organizations as documented in the national media. ALIPAC's President, Gheen, has a background in civil rights campaigns. ALIPAC has publicly rebuked racist groups and organizations on many occasions and the groups platform calls for "Americans of every race..." to participate.
The word "Wetback" and "Pepper belly" do appear on ALIPAC's website in the Discussion Groups comments section, which are open source.
All posts made in comments are covered by ALIPAC's disclaimer that proclaims in 14 locations....
"ALIPAC is not responsible for the content of posts, comments, articles, and links to other organizations. Posting here does not imply endorsement or support. Posts from the public here are NOT organizational statements or the positions of ALIPAC. Official ALIPAC organizational positions and statements are found on the main site atwww.alipac.us .... ALIPAC enjoys the support of Americans from many different racial and ethnic backgrounds. We are Americans United to fight illegal immigration. Our boards are open to all that share our cause. NO RACISM AND NO RACE BAITING"
The word 'Wetback' appears on the site in the phrase Operation Wetback, which refers to the historic deportation of millions of illegal aliens under President Dwight Eisenhower. A simple Google search indicates that the term "Operation Wetback" appears on over 90,000 websites, including Wikipedia, PBS, and Snopes to name a few. Would McCain call PBS racist for having the word Wetback on their website?
The word "pepper belly" appears in text documented from a pro-Amnesty blogger website, where ALIPAC activists sought to document the racism found on another website. No ALIPAC supporter wrote those words.
To illustrate ALIPAC's position of strength in this matter, links to both comments in question are provided here and being mounted on ALIPAC's homepage.
Here are the links
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-186741.html
http://www.alipac.us/ftopic-181813-next.html
"I've been involved with and worked on hundreds of campaigns in my life," said Gheen who previously worked as a campaign consultant. "This attack from John McCain's campaign is the dirtiest, most low down, false, and deceptive thing I've ever seen. To suggest that multi-racial groups and our black and Hispanic supporters are somehow working with the KKK is ludicrous. John McCain should immediately apologize to our minority supporters and to the public for trying to be deceptive."
The Anti-Defamation League, which actively supports Amnesty for illegal aliens and opposes ALIPAC's pro-enforcement positions, made the false claim that ALIPAC was supported by the KKK because of some racist made a comment on some website supporting ALIPAC's opposition to illegal immigration.
"Looks like McCain and Obama are just alike on illegal immigration," said Gheen. "They both want to label anyone that opposes them as a racist. By doing so they are in truth claiming a majority of Americans of every race are racists."
For more information about ALIPAC, or to schedule interviews with our minority supporters, please visit www.alipac.us
ALIPAC's Minority supporters are encouraged to contact the McCain campaign to demand an apology from Brian Rogers at (602) 604-2010.
CONTACT: Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC)
www.alipac.us (866) 703-0864
