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Church's speaker rates call from GOP
Minister says caller challenged plans for Social Security talk.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A minister said she was shaken by a call from a state Republican Party staffer who challenged her church's planned discussion of Social Security.

The Rev. Lisa Doege said the caller told her that holding the program could even endanger First Unitarian Church's tax-exempt status.

"I would not use the word 'threat,' " Doege said. "It shook me a little."

No threat was intended, said state Rep. Luke Messer, executive director of the Indiana Republican Party.

The call to the church was made Monday afternoon, a few hours before University of Notre Dame economics Professor Teresa Ghilarducci spoke at the church about Social Security issues.

Messer told the South Bend Tribune that the call to the church was made after his office was contacted by St. Joseph County GOP Chairman Chris Faulkner.

Messer said he understood that Ghilarducci was active in Democratic politics and contributed to the campaign of Joe Donnelly, who ran against Republican Rep. Chris Chocola in last year's election....