The politics of faith

Olbermann, Huffington and the gang are going ape over a new 'explosive' Bush-critical book soon to hit the shelves just in time for the election. Written by former Special Advisor to the White House David Kuo, the book alleges that Bush never came through on the compassionate agenda he promised the faith voters years ago.

The left will do their hypocrisy dance and make a fuss, but many insiders have characterized the President as a genuine compassionate conservative. In fact, Mr. Kuo himself said it:

I have deep respect, appreciation, and affection for the president. No one who knows him even a tiny bit doubts the sincerity and compassion of his heart. Likewise, the people around the president are good and caring people. I know this firsthand because I experienced it during a health crisis in my own life when their kindness was evident.

Bush is still a politician, and as Charlie Daniels once crooned, "a politician's gotta have votes". It wouldn't be real surprising to learn Rove or others have poked fun at the fundamentalists behind their backs since that seems to be a universally accepted intolerance these days (if true it should endear Rove to people like Bill Maher). Let's not forget that the democrats have treated the black vote similarly for years.

Both parties have at times courted the religious vote only to have trouble pleasing the "moral majority". Jimmy Carter famously wooed them when it was convenient, yet has lately changed his tune. Democrat Harold Ford, Jr, knowing full well he's in the Bible Belt, has appeared inside a church in a campaign ad while openly mentioning his faith numerous times.

Kuo seems to be coming at this honestly. He argues for things like universal health care for children and other spending that would send warm fuzzies up Barbara Streisand's neck, ideas usually reserved for socialist democrats. He's coming from a Biblical "help thy neighbor" perspective that has sparked debate forever, IE, should the help come from each person's heart or should the government become the heart? Traditional conservatism usually sides with the former pathway.

Some pundits are atwitter about this issue becoming a decider next month. But the born-agains simply have no place to turn. Even the democrats don't realistically believe their tent is big enough for them--it's doubtful they'd want 'em anyway. Surely they'd much prefer a general disillusionment strong enough to keep the faith voters at home--in droves. The Foley scandal fits in nicely there and we're liable to see more.

But it's far from a done deal. When push comes to shove the fundies might show up holding their noses to vote 'against' the democrats on general principle. After all, Bush gave them Alito and Roberts and even tried to give them Harriet Myers. He's still in the ring on gay marriage and stem cells. These points will likely be made a few more times before crunch time.

MORE 10/12/06

From the always entertaining Allahpundit. He's got a good point--how can Bush simultaneously be "el Diablo", "a crazed rapture-believing fundie", "a secularist making fun of fundies", "Hitler", and "dumb as a rock"? BDS is the only sane explanation.