Blog from the Capital

Pastor and former SBC Vice President Wiley Drake has been under investigation by the IRS for his endorsement of presidential candidate Mike Huckabee - in an email using church letterhead, and on his radio show broadcast (the complaint argued) out of the church. He also made news when he called on parishioners to pray for the demise of AU leaders as a result of the group's complaint.

Yesterday, Drake announced to his congregation that he has received word from the IRS.

Southern Baptist Pastor Wiley Drake Sr. announced today that the Internal Revenue Service cleared him of any wrongdoing in his endorsement of presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee.

"The bottom line is we are absolutely not guilty. We win,'' Drake told about 50 parishioners at the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, who broke out in applause.
...
The IRS letter says Drake did not violate a tax code governing non-profits when he issued a press release in August 2007 backing Huckabee or later that month when he endorsed the candidate on his Internet radio show "The Wiley Drake Show." Both actions were taken separate from the church and not funded by the church, the IRS said.

Another part of this Orange County Register story caught my eye:

[I]n an interview with the Register, Drake said he told the IRS he backed Huckabee from the pulpit. But he made it clear it was his personal opinion and one not necessarily endorsed by the church. He reiterated that point during Sunday's sermon, saying he is free to give his opinion.

An endorsement from the pulpit was not part of the original complaint reported in the media. If it is true that he admitted to doing just that in a church service to endorse Huckabee, I would hope that would not be overlooked. Drake sure sounds like as far as he is concerned the rules have changed.

[UPDATE: You can read the letter (pdf) from the IRS here.]