Today’s Reading List – November 20, 2006 | Article VI Blog

The Washington Post and Newsweek are putting their heads together to "have a conversation" on religion in public life. (HT: participant Al Mohler) The first question:

If some religious people believe they have a monopoly on truth, then are conversation and common ground possible? If so, what would be the difficulties and benefits of such a conversation?

With a question like that, you have to think they are thinking "The Mormon Question." Why didn't they come to us? Huh?…Huh? Lowell: There's a Mormon member of the Newsweek panel. It's my understanding that he's there permanently.

Evangelicals in literature. (HT: CGO) Interesting insight in there into how much "evangelicals" DO NOT represent some sort of monolithic voting block. Which is why it is going to be a very interesting couple of years.

Lowell: What?! How long has this diversity of thought among Evangelicals been going on? Why wasn't I informed?

A SLC newspaper profiles "Evangelicals for Mitt." We have an interview with EFM coming out after Thanksgiving. Look for it!

Despite the rush by the other two of the big three, Romney appears to be taking his sweet time. – via FOXNews and SLCTrib - but the planning continues. If you want to hear Romney talk about it personally, you can go here. It also looks like there is no "big four" in the offing.

Deep thought on Evangelical principles of government – theological perspective. Interestingly, I see nothing that would preclude voting for a person of a differing religious persuasion.

The NYTimes campaign kick-off review.

Powerline begins to analyze the race. I think Romney's

lack of an established track record and clear identity among conservatives

is a plus. In this day and age of negative campaigning, it makes him less of a target. BTW, Kudos to Hinderaker for discounting the Mormon question!

Fascinating. All this time people have been asking "the Question" about a technically undeclared presidential candidate like it is the most significant question in American politics, and yet a Mormon rises to Senate Majority Leader and

Unlike many other Mormon politicians, Reid is not often identified by his religion. Many news outlets across the country noted his faith only after he was elected majority leader. It does not appear to be an issue in the Senate.

"It's a historical milestone that I'm sure LDS scholars will note," says Sen. Bob Bennett, a Mormon Republican from Utah. "Interestingly, in the Senate no one seems to care."

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., wasn't aware that Reid would be the highest-ranking elected Mormon, and it didn't seem to matter to him.

What's this "unlike other Mormons" stuff, who tagged the "others" anyway? Is it just me, or does anyone smell partisan politics here? Lowell: I'm afraid it's OK, in the MSM's eye, to be religious and liberal, but not religious and conservative. I'm willing to be convinced I'm wrong, but that's where the evidence points.

Remember when I said my objections to McCain could be summed up in three words: "Gang of 14"? Hugh Hewitt provides the back-up data. Lowell: I agree, and would add to that the political cover he gave the Democrats on the detainee issue.

This just strikes me as whining. Huckabee says McCain's campaign finance reforms give him an advantage, and yet we linked to a story a while back (sorry I could not find it) on the fact that McCain-Feingold actually helped those not currently holding federal office, you know, like Huckabee. I think the primary campaign has sorted out too early for some ….

Update from Lowell: With his term of office coming to a close, Romney continues to push the Massachusetts legislature hard on the gay marriage issue:

Romney said he would file a legal action this week asking a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to direct the secretary of state to place the question on the ballot if lawmakers don't vote directly on the question Jan. 2, the final day of the session.

JOKE BREAK

A fellow Presbyterian blogger is telling Catholic jokes, the second of which relates directly to this blog. There are some that will think me condemned eternally for this link, but it made me laugh very hard. Lowell: I'll be condemned with you. By the way, the first joke suggests that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are individual beings. Just thought I'd point that out.