Paul Mango is taking heat from Republicans for his extremist interview with a cult leader who believes that public school children are being “indoctrinated into the homosexual political agenda.” After flatly lying about the interview, he is now doubling down and defending it despite the widespread criticism.
When asked about why Mango would do the interview, Mango’s spokesperson doubled down and said that, “Paul does believe that our culture has eroded and become more and more intolerant of traditional family values. It is a problem when people of faith are treated like bigots for holding to their religious principles. That is antithetical to what our Founders intended when they drafted our Constitution.”
“The facts are simple: Paul Mango gave an interview to a homophobic cult leader, then he lied about it, and now he’s defending it,” said Beth Melena, communications director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. “Paul Mango’s homophobic and racist interview and his subsequent lies about it are proof that he is not fit for public office.” Beynon defended his candidate’s decision to conduct the interview: “He is running a campaign where he listens and speaks to all Pennsylvanians and he will not discriminate against anyone based on their race, faith, or ethnic make-up.”
Background:
“Beynon defended [Mango’s] decision to conduct the interview…” [The Morning Call, 2/1/18]
“Pundits can’t understand why he gave a gubernatorial platform to an obscure leader of a small religious sect, World Peace and Unification Sanctuary, who has limited political clout, considers himself the “King of Heaven’ and is entangled in lawsuits over the assets of his more famous and influential father, the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a Korean evangelist, self-proclaimed messiah and businessman.” [The Morning Call, 2/1/18]
‘This is one of the most bizarre interview choices I have seen,’ said Chris Borick, a Muhlenberg College political science professor and pollster. ‘It just seems to have no upside for a candidate trying to build a statewide campaign.’” [The Morning Call, 2/1/18]
“Like Borick, Charlie Gerow, a GOP consultant not working with a gubernatorial campaign, questioned the wisdom of doing the interview, calling it a rookie mistake no seasoned political adviser would have recommended. ‘It is something I’m sure he wishes he had avoided…’” [The Morning Call, 2/1/18]
“Two of Mango’s primary opponents, Pittsburgh lawyer Laura Ellsworth and state House Speaker Mike Turzai, declined comment. “The conversation speaks for itself,” a Turzai spokesman said.” [The Morning Call, 2/1/18]
“Andrew Romeo, a spokesman for Scott Wagner, a York County state senator and businessman, accused Mango of being willing to say or do anything in hopes of becoming governor.” [The Morning Call, 2/1/18]