Two red campaign signs for Denis Moynihan placed Tuesday morning outside a Lawrence church used as a polling place were too close for the comfort of some Democratic Party loyalists.

Volunteers for the Douglas County Democratic Party complained about the Moynihan placards, which were removed by poll workers at Southside Church of Christ, 1105 W. 25th Street.

Amy Herren, one of the party’s volunteer poll observers, said the signs were apparently placed in churchyard Monday night.

That was especially annoying to local Democrats, because Moynihan’s write-in campaign targets U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, the Democrat who represents east Lawrence in Congress.

“He’s trying to steal votes from Dennis Moore,” Herren said.

Moynihan, interviewed today on a cell phone while tacking a sign into the ground near downtown Lawrence, said his supporters had placed many signs around the city.

“Different volunteers have taken signs and put them up,” said Moynihan, adding that he didn’t know the precise locations.

The signs said: “No Moore War!”

It was a reference to Moore’s support of the resolution allowing President Bush to authorize the use of military force against Iraq. Moynihan said Moore ignored phone calls and letters from constituents who opposed the resolution.

Moynihan said his campaign had brought real debate about foreign policy to the 3rd District race. On the ballot with Moore are Republican Adam Taff, Dawn Bly of the Reform Party and Douglas Martin of the Libertarian Party.

“The general outcome of the election is a foregone conclusion,” Moynihan said.

Polls show the race a contest between Moore and Taff. Both support the presidential resolution.

“To me,” he said, “and a lot of people, it doesn’t matter whether Taff or Moore are in office,” Moynihan said.

“We know innocent people will be killed,” he said. “We’re not supporting Saddam Hussein in any regard, but there has to be another way to solve this problem.”

Moynihan, 37, moved to Lawrence in May to support release from prison of Leonard Peltier, an American Indian activist who was convicted of the 1975 murder of two FBI agents. He announced his candidacy in October.

He said he had lead an attempt to shut down the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle.