Today’s Reading List – November 14, 2006

Posted by: John Schroeder at 05:52 am, November 14th 2006 — Comment on this post »

The New Republic looks deeply at the Mormon v. Evangelical question, including in theological detail (subscription required). Evangelicals for Mitt comments:

Just because we view ourselves as truthful and objective does not mean that the non-evangelical public will see this conflict as anything other than a hypocritical contest between two sides with their own faith and reason-based blind spots. In other words, much of the country would see evangelicals as launching a volley of stones from a glass church.

EFM's point, and ours here, is that if we as Evanaglicals make decisions based on such religious considerations we play into the left's worst visions of us. The left is simply incapable of distinguishing the theological differences between Evangelicals and Mormons; they would think it was Greeks and Romans arguing about whose mythology was better. Which means it would look very much like we are fighting over the spoils of victory which just smells of the much dreaded "theocracy" – something we do not want to even smell like, let alone actually accomplish.

Lowell adds: The New Republic piece is interesting on several levels. The author, Molly Worthen, seems to make a sincere attempt to be fair, but what struck me was the way she almost lampoons Evangelical anti-Mormons. The hard-core zealots described in the article are surely not representative of most Evangelicals. As we've said before, and as John repeats above, if there's a serious fight over Romney between Evangelicals and Mormons on religious grounds, nobody will end up looking good.

McCain announced the formation of his exploratory committee and the left starts the pot-shots. I find it fascinating that the DNC talking points concerning McCain are remarkably like those a hardcore conservative might have in the primary:

"The question is, which McCain is running," said DNC Communications Director Karen Finney. "[Will it be] the McCain who called right wing extremists like Jerry Falwell an evil influence, or the McCain who spoke at Liberty University as he attempted to cater to the far right in advance of a presidential run?" she asked. "Or the McCain who opposed overturning Roe vs. Wade or the McCain who said he would support South Dakota's ban?

Guliani is keeping his hat in.