Former Adviser Accuses Moran Of Making Anti-Semitic Remark

Reiley and Trippi recalled that Moran and Secrest exchanged angry words and raised their voices in a dispute over money and polling.

Reiley said Secrest was unhappy that the campaign was not fulfilling the terms of a contract.

"I have never heard Jim Moran say an anti-Semitic remark, nor would I permit anyone ever saying an anti-Semitic remark in my presence," she said.

Asked whether Moran made an anti-Semitic remark, Trippi said, "Not that I heard. I don't believe that." Trippi said Moran and Secrest exchanged "some fairly harsh words" in an argument over money and the poll.

"The only thing I heard in there was, 'I think we should poll,' and he [Moran] made some comment that Alan wanted more money, and Alan got upset, you know, kind of offended by that," Trippi said.

Moran said of Secrest: "He's a vendor. I felt he should have had a different plan for how to run this particular campaign."

While Secrest was pushing a costly strategy that involved expensive polls and media advertising and focused on defeating President Bush, Moran and campaign director Dan Lucas chose a cheaper, more grass-roots approach, Moran said.

The two had argued over money, but they settled the dispute, Moran said.

Secrest said any campaign dispute was irrelevant to Moran's remark and Moran's refusal to apologize or acknowledge his conduct. "It did add to the discomfort, the fact that it was that kind of a campaign, but that must happen a dozen times a cycle. . . . It's not unusual to have debates over campaign philosophies or approaches, particularly with Jim Moran. We've been having disagreements as a team over 20 years."

Rosenberg, 36, said in an interview: "Alan Secrest is a nationally renowned and respected pollster, with an impeccable reputation. For him to take a stand like this, especially only one week in front of an election, speaks volumes about Congressman Moran and the things he must have said."

Federal Elections Commission records compiled by Political Money Line show Moran's campaign paid Secrest's firm $31,350 for polling services for the 2002 election and $38,300 for the current election cycle.

The last payment of $8,000 was made on May 3.

Researcher Lucy Shackelford contributed to this report.