In politics we trust

An article in Politico today raises an interesting question for John McCain: Can he take the presidency without the Rove-inspired focus on religion that catapulted the faithful to the polls for George W. Bush? According to the article, McCain rarely talks about his religious beliefs on the campaign trail, instead focusing on his military service and love affair with America. Sometimes the public is lucky enough to see him inadvertently show his true colors (bomb Iran) or accidentally leak his stance on an issue.

As such, the article says, McCain is from the old school where religion is a personal matter and nobody else's business, thank you. Personally, I think that attitude makes sense because religious factors should be utterly meaningless when it comes to public policy. What's good for the Buddhists is not necessarily good for the Christians. The president is theoretically supposed to represent all Americans, so vocally stumping a Christian God while running for the office is distasteful, unethical and obsequious.

Unfortunately, this is politics we're talking about, so inevitably religion will become part of the conversation eventually. McCain was throttled by Mike Huckabee in early primaries in terms of evangelical support, and the jury's still out on whether the ultra-faithful will back McCain in the general. If the opinion of insane leaders is any indication of McCain's support among the rabidly religious, I'd say he's not in great shape. Recently, James Dobson of the fascist-minded Focus on the Family accused him of "fracturing" the Republican Party. If you're wondering why that's significant, Focus on the Family has a membership of roughly 220 million angry zealots.

What does this all mean? Well, considering that the religious vote is still essentially up for grabs, expect faith to become a major issue after Obama wins the nomination (see what I did there?) McCain will get over his cold feet about religion in a big hurry when he realizes he's running against a giant money-maker who has no qualms about talking Jesus in a public setting. Also, he's a Democrat, which means he won't be invading any foreign nations, and that already gives McCain an automatic underdog status.

In a way, I think the flap with Obama's pastor actually helps him against McCain. Sure, the pastor is a firebrand who alienates many white voters, but at least now the entire nation knows Obama goes to church. Think about it: Obama's campaign is suddenly defined by religion since Pastorgate. McCain's campaign is still defined by his gruesome experience in Vietnam. That potentially sets up the ultimate battle this fall: Religion vs. Patriotism. Which do you think will win?