Monday In The Sleepy Summer Season…
Why We Are (Still) Here . . .
This blog keeps running because Mitt Romney might be the Republican V.P. selection. Real Clear Politics has introduced a “VeepWatch” blog to track the comings and goings on that front. Recommended.
Ahem . . .
We commented on Friday that Huck’s “don’t demonize Obama” comments evoked that whole pot/kettle/black thing. Jonathon Martin had some fuller quotes from the same comments by the Huckster. His comments illustrate something that has bothered me through this whole thing.
One of the big themes for Evangelicals in politics is “civility.” I cannot tell you how often I hear people telling me they “wished” politicians were “nicer,” or politics weren’t so “dirty” or something to that effect. Huck’s comments in re: Obama hit that theme and preserve his base. But they also point out the deep double standard when it comes to Romney and Mormons.
Huck’s plausibly deniable shot in Iowa was one of the lowest blows in the campaign and remains the only religious shot taken by any candidate on either side. Huck has apologized to Romney in that “if I offended you” sense. Better than nothing, but quite tepid compared to the denouncement of similar comments we see here.
If Huck wants to be taken seriously it is time for him to denounce his own comments about Mormons and Romney in equally strong terms. Or become a Democrat . . .
This Is What Happens . . .
. . . when religion and politics get too closely confused. Politco reports on John McCain’s church attendance and presumes in their comments that his motivations for attending are political in nature. Might it be possible the guy felt the need to worship?
Sigh . . .
This will hurt the church more than it will change the law. (HT: Holy Coast) The IRS restrictions on political speech from the pulpit probably do violate the constitution. I have never concerned myself with it too much because while I think we should be free to engage in such speech, I think it is a bad idea actually to do it.
But painting a giant target on your church for the IRS to come after? Well, let’s just hope this guy has an army of PAID FOR lawyers to hide behind; otherwise all he has done is gotten himself in a world of hurt. Oh yeah, and here’s praying he preaching a REAL sermon at some point that week too.
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