A California Democrat and you are going to use your opponent’s religious views against him to pander for votes? Really?
And how was this exposed? Our esteemed representatives of who the America public holds in such high regard don’t have anything better to do than debate a figurehead resolution to “uphold our national motto”.
You Mr. Swallwell, are part of the problem.

Yes, how dare someone not blindly follow the majority! It definitely sounds like Mr. Stark’s vote almost prevented the national motto from being reaffirmed. Sorry, I have a lot more respect for someone who sticks up for what they believe in even in the face of such bitter opposition. Might want to change shirts — your persecution complex is showing.

@swalwellforca15 Have you read the comments on your site lately? The people are speaking. Listen to us. http://t.co/kLCCheHB

It would behoove you to not alienate secular voters, especially over time-wasting resolutions like this one. Pete Stark is a fellow Democrat & throwing him under the bus is shifty. I’d trust him over your political ‘strategy.’ We’re all in this together & we should remember who the real opposition is (it starts with an ‘R’).

Would you attack Stark’s religious convictions like this if he were Jewish? or Buddhist? or Catholic?
Why do you think religious bigotry is the key to success?
You are spitting on Article 6 of the Constitution and I hope you lose badly.

This guy is a Democrat. Sigh. The comments below are great though. http://t.co/rKMWvXs2

Congrats on dropping down to a new low, Swalwell!

Who’s out if touch? A history lesson: The phrase “In God We Trust” appeared on COINS during the 1860s. It did not appear on paper currency until the 1950s. This dubiously “inspirational” motto certainly didn’t help the Confederacy, which actually enshrined god-belief in its Constitution, as opposed to the utterly godless secular Constion of the United States. Forced piety apparently didn’t help the Confederacy, and foul attacks on Pete Stark for upholding the true American values of religious freedom hopefully won’t help you. This certainly proves that you can’t work well with others because you’d rather sling mud than focus on real issues.

Way to go, Swallwell. If I was in your district I’d vote for you. All I can do is donate and I have. God bless you, God watch over the USA.

Eric Swalwell just looks like one of those bratty dick lacrosse players. I’m not surprised by his actions here. Honestly, shame on you for fighting a bird of your own feather on his religious views just to win your seat. I’m donating $100 to stark’s campaign.

The number of logical fallacies within this press release is staggering. More importantly, I can just imagine if this Eric is elected he’ll be committing all his time to trivial, venal “my flag is bigger than yours” types of bills instead of real, serious, and difficult issues. Not ready for congress.

Hey, I’m an atheist and I vote… just not for you. How can i vote for anyone who wants to force their religion on everyone else through the legislative process. The First Amendment, Ever heard of it?

Good for Rep. Stark for standing up for all Americans and shame on you for appealing to bigots and bigotry to advance your political agenda. I’m not in your district but I’m sending a donation to Stark in the hopes that he beats a bully like you.

This is the kind of tactic and attitude I expect from Republicans. Maybe you’d feel more comfortable with them.

I hope you come to find the mistake in this tactic. You look fairly young, so I’ll bet people can come to forgive you for this rookie mistake. There are many Christian, Mormon, Hindu, Muslim, and like myself atheist Democrats out there that would like to keep the separation of church and state strong. Feel free to join us when you also come to understand this American value.

I do not trust or believe in a god. But I would like to trust those I elect to run my government. Like Pete Stark.

I have always voted for Democrats because they support my views on issues. but I will never, ever vote for you, and I will donate and work against you, because by attacking Pete Stark for his religious views shows that you are cut from the same cloth as the bigoted, pandering demagogues that make up most of the Republican Party. There is no difference between what you’re doing and attacking an opponent because he is Jewish. Shame on you. You have a serious character flaw that makes you unworthy of the public’s trust.

Have you stopped using this disgusting tactic yet? How dare you criticize another for SUPPORTING EQUAL TREATMENT? Hindus, atheists, pagans, and many more non- and poly-theistic Americans are Americans too.

If you criticize Stark, don’t be pro-bigotry while you’re at it. Focus on policy rather than slinking and scraping to bigoted Christians. I know that many Christians are good people and will oppose you because of your stance on this.

Although “In God We Trust” is the new American motto, it is nevertheless very un-American.

That’s fine if your personal view is that you trust in God, Mr. Swalwell; however, “Representing Our Views” insinuates working on behalf of all the citizens in your district. Thoughtlessly endorsing a national motto that excludes nonbelieving citizens, as well as polytheistic ones, who have as much right as you do to believe or disbelieve what they wish, goes against everything this country stands for. I’m sure you’re aware that “In God We Trust” was adopted as our nation’s motto at the height of the dismally embarrassing Communist witch hunts of the 1950s, and anyone who dared speak against it risked their careers, families, and safety in doing so. It was put on our currency in the midst of a terrible war, and at a time when our nation was overwhelmingly Christian. 40,000 people were still enslaved in America in 1864. It was, thankfully, a very different time. As Mr. Howell points out, this phrase directly contradicts our Constitution, as does questioning the patriotism or legislative efficiency of a person running for office based on his or her religious beliefs, or lack thereof. Surely you have more substantive issues to press Congressman Stark on. Shame on you.

It is deplorable that you are using Mr. Stark’s non-belief as a political talking point. Perhaps members of Mr. Swallwell’s campaign should aquatint themselves with the Constitution:

“The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”