Rep. Anh 'Joseph' Cao apologizes for taking words of praise out of context

U.S. Rep Anh "Joseph" Cao, heading into a difficult re-election campaign, has apologized to New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond for sending out a fundraising letter that strongly implies that Aymond and the local Catholic Church have endorsed him for re-election.

In response, Aymond said he will release a clarification through the Clarion Herald, a Catholic newspaper, underscoring the church's neutrality in the November election.

At issue is a direct mailer that the Republican congressman recently sent to 10,000 constituents in his largely Democratic 2nd Congressional District. The outer envelope features a prominent, boxed quotation from Aymond praising Cao's courage for "standing solidly for the values espoused by Jesus and the church in spite of personal criticism."

An enclosed letter from Cao solicits campaign donations, largely on the strength of the anti-abortion implications of his "no" vote on health care reform last spring.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/06/rep_anh_joseph_cao_apologizes.html