A Bush defends Michelle Nunn

In their race for the U. S. senate seat from Georgia, Republican David Purdue has approved a television ad claiming that, in her position as CEO of "Points of Light," his Democratic opponent Michelle Nunn "gave money to organizations linked to terrorism."

Background:   Michelle Nunn was already CEO of the nation's largest organization of volunteers when it merged with former President George H. W. Bush's "Points of Light" volunteer organization.  She served as CEO of the merged volunteer organization from 2007, taking a leave of absence in 2013 to run for the senate.   She has touted this association with the former president as demonstration of her ability to work across party lines to get good things done for our society.   In 2012, they mobilized 4 million volunteers in 250 affiliates in 22 countries.

So it seems a bit backhanded that Poppy Bush has endorsed her opponent in a tv ad paid for the National Republican Senatorial Committee-- even though it makes sense, given that they are both Republicans.    No doubt, Purdue actively worked to get the endorsement, hoping to undercut Nunn's rightful claim to having worked with the former (Republican) president.

Now Neil Bush, son of Poppy Bush and current chair of the Points of Light Foundation, has denounced Perdue's claims:  "It really makes my blood boil to think that someone would make that kind of an allegation. . . .  Neither Points of Light nor Michelle Nunn have had anything to do with funneling money from our organization to terrorists organizations. . . .  To smear our organization for political gain is, in my opinion, shameful."

The connection is so remote as to be laughable -- and really should be an example of the desperation the Purdue camp must feel to find something . . . anything . . .  to smear Nunn with.   Points of Light regularly serves to validate charities for the donations wing of EBay, which serves as a collector for some 20,000 charities.  An individual can donate to any one of those charities through an EBay account, and EBay then distributes the money.

One of those is Islamic Relief USA, which is an IRS recognized non-profit, tax-exempt organization.   It may, or maybe not, has a separate connection with an umbrella group that has been accused by Israelis of being linked to Hamas.  It has denied any link with terrorists.   Even if it did have, there is no evidence that Points of Light funneled any money to them.   At most, it's a case of imputed guilt by the most tenuous threads of association with an organization whose umbrella organization may possibly have a link to Hamas.

That's it.   That's the story.   That's all they've got.  It's laughable . . . except in today's heightened frenzy about "terrorists," and Lindsey Graham getting all hysterical and saying "they're going to kill us all," many voters will hear that buzz word and nothing else.

Politics is a dirty business.  When it usurpts non-political, humanitarian organizations -- for political gain, as Bush says -- it is shameful.   And Purdue and the Republicans should be ashamed.    The smear should rebound to hurt them.

Denouncing this false charge was an honorable thing for Neil Bush to do.   His father should do the same and retract his endorsement of Purdue. 

Ralph