What Scott D'Amboise Told FrumForum

A number of people have requested to know the context of the quotes from Scott D’Amboise. Originally, we were asking him about some endorsements he received – but he said something interesting about Obama’s religion, so we conducted a follow-up interview to focus on that comment.

Here are the parts that particularly stood out to me from the first interview, conducted on Friday, July 15:

You’ve collected a number of endorsements from some political action committees. What do groups like the Minuteman PAC see in you and how do you represent their views?

With the Minutemen in particular, it’s all about patrolling and guarding our own borders, and making sure we keep this country safe by keeping our borders safe.

So you would generally agree with their views?

Yes.

On the Minuteman PAC website there is a link to a video that supports the discredited birther theory - claiming that Barack Obama’s birth certificate is fake – would you disavow that or would you agree with the Minuteman’s stance?

Well, that’s a very good question because it doesn’t matter what the view is – he’s already elected president. There’s nothing we can do. And therefore I really don’t get involved with the birther situation. I think it’s beating a dead horse, literally. We’re just gonna vote him out this time.

So you agree with their stance on immigration, but not on their other positions (like the birther stance)?

Well… I don’t agree completely with it [the birther stance]; I think it’s a point that – there’s nothing you can do about it.  [INAUDIBLE] wasn’t born in the United States either, and no one seems to be playing with that. It isn’t about the birth, it’s about the birth certificate, and whether they can prove it or not, like I said – I think we can take our energy and use it in different areas of trying to get this country back in order instead of – uh, you know, uh, you know -- it’s just one of those things. It’s a frustrating issue, the birther situation. But I’m not one of those people that will jump on board with it just because I think we’ve got better things to do. Or should I say, more important things to do.

You’ve also been endorsed by the National Republican Trust PAC – is that an endorsement that you will campaign on?

We’ll, we’ve mentioned it. I think what we’ll do is we’ll just campaign on our own merits and the things Senator Snowe has voted on for her lack of conservative votes and her issues on abortion and late-term abortion and Roe v. Wade and also the liberal judges that have voted. I mean, I’m glad I’ve got their endorsement. I’ll let them do what they need to do. And with me personally – and this is with any endorsement – it’s my own campaign and how we’re running – we’re conservative, constitutional, and we’re basically sticking to the constitution.

One of the reporters in our office has discovered that the National Republican Trust PAC has actually run ads that were widely derided as racist. They said that the president is “getting in touch with his Muslim roots” and they have actually said that you represent their views. So how would you respond to that claim?

The President says he’s Christian but you know, he’s exercising a lot of Muslim faith too. Me personally, I’m a Christian conservative and I don’t hold any malice to anybody whether they’re Muslim or Jewish or Catholic or anything else. It’s the fact that everybody has a right to believe in what they do. Am I concerned? Of course I’m concerned, but I’m concerned of all of his views as president. I don’t think he’s been a good president at all. He’s very underqualified for the position. And I just believe that he needs to come forward with his views a little bit clearer.

Would you generally agree that the National Republican Trust PAC sends an appropriate message to voters – or what kind of message do you think they are sending?

I think…. Well again, that’s a double-edged sword on that answer. To those that support their views, they’re gonna find that they do support them. But to those that don’t, they’re gonna find them possibly offensive. I find their views seem to be in standard with what I believe in Christian views. But I don’t hold malice with anyone else who is Muslim. I mean, I think people have a right to exercise their religion any way they want. There’s a difference between being Muslim and then there’s a difference between being a radical Islamic Jihad. And you gotta separate those.

I’m just curious: The National Republican Trust PAC has also taken a stance against building the Ground Zero Mosque about a year ago. Do you have any opinion on that?

Yeah, we don’t need to build a mosque there. There’s plenty of other places to build a mosque. That’s something I am against. I don’t think we should build a mosque at Ground Zero. Straightforward.

Because we were so intrigued by his comments, I scheduled a follow up interview with Scott D’Amboise on Monday, July 18. Here is the full transcription of what he said:

You said in our previous interview that you have some doubt about Obama’s faith. So I just wanted to clarify: do you feel that Obama is not really an authentic Christian?

I feel that he is not.

Can you elaborate?

I just believe by his actions – eliminating the Day of Prayer on August 6, but yet celebrating a Muslim – uh, I don’t know if it was a holiday or – uh – I can’t think of the name right now. I don’t know exactly, but he cancelled the Day of Prayer.

So you think he’s a secret Muslim?

I don’t know if he is or isn’t, but I don’t believe he’s a Christian.

How are his beliefs affecting his policies – other than cancelling the Day of Prayer? Do you think his beliefs have anything to do with his foreign policy?

I don’t think so – I just think it’s his complete ideology and his form of governing – what he believes – I don’t think it has to do with his religion at all, I think it’s just a form of ideology.

You did say that you thought he was “exercising his Muslim faith” in your previous interview – so do you think he has a tendency towards Islam?

Yes I do. But again, if he is a Muslim or if he isn’t – that isn’t for me to judge him on that. But the fact is, he seems to show more tendencies towards that faith than towards a Christian faith.

How big of a role do you think religion plays in politics?

It’s a double-edged sword. I feel that it is very important to have a religious background because that gives you someone that you’re always gonna have to answer to. You’re always gonna have to answer to a higher power. Those that don’t believe in that – who do they have to answer to? I believe that it’s important in the fact that when it comes to making policies, following the constitution that was put forth by our founding fathers – I believe that it is very important in playing [INAUDIBLE]. I mean you look at your evangelical voting from the Midwest down to the South – that’s a huge block of voting. I think it plays a huge role – I don’t think it matters so much what ones religious background is, whether they are Baptist, Catholic, Christian, Jeho – any religion. I just think if true to their values and morals, it makes a person a better person in general.

Would you say that the United States is a Christian nation?

Yes.

So do you think it’s important to have a Christian president?

Again, I mean we could have a Jewish president and I wouldn’t have any problem with that. I just believe if you stick to your values – I believe we’re a Christian nation on the fact that I believe this nation was founded for the purpose that they were seeking religious refuge, and I believe that all our founding fathers were inspired by a higher power.

I just want to let you know that I myself – I’m a Christian, but I don’t look at any one in any way shape or form that is not Christian – I try not to judge them. I guess that’s the most Christian thing we can do is not to judge.

So basically you just want people to be honest about their beliefs?

Be honest. Don’t be afraid to talk about them. Or share them – but don’t be so “my way is the only way.” That’s not the right way. That’s what makes this country so great – we all have a right to our own religious beliefs and our own religious affiliations.

Do you think there are any other politicians, besides Obama, that are being dishonest about their faith?

I don’t know about that. Again, I don’t know, to be honest. I don’t know. There’s some people that may – and I don’t know if there’s anyone among presidential candidates or any other candidates that are using their religion as a spring board to help them, you know – along those aspects.