Amy Sullivan: Some Good News about Kaine's win
The Washington Monthly's Kevin Drum's blog, with Amy Sullivan opining: "The post-mortems of yesterday's elections will continue, but already one of the conclusions forming about Tim Kaine's victory in Virginia is that it shows how a religious Democrat can neutralize the recent Republican advantage on cultural issues and character.
Kaine talked about his faith consistently, starting from the very beginning of his campaign. He didn't throw it out as an honor badge for which he should get instant credit, but explained how his work as a Catholic missionary in Central America formed his commitment to public service. And although Kaine relied on his Catholicism to explain his personal opposition to both abortion and the death penalty, his insistence that as governor he should not impose his religious beliefs on others by blocking either one was an argument voters--if not pundits--understood and supported."
posted by Cephas @ 11:31 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I think this is true, but I think the much more interesting development is the coming fracture of the republican party. Without a popular Bush, I doubt the GOP can maintain itself as two parties: the moderate pro business, and the crazy christian.
If you look at the 08 Repub contenders, you've got McCain and Giuliani who the religious right hate, and Frist and Santorum, who every rational person hates. So, Although there will have to be lip service paid to the religious zealots, I think that religion will begin to be presented differently.
If this is the case, Dem candidates may not have to immunize themselves against religious attack.
Maybe I'm a cynic, but I see the current religious wave as simply a cultural fad. It's baby boomers getting older, trying to attach some meaning to their long materialistic lives.
And, much like country music, it will ebb and flow, and there will always be guys with the christian equivalents of the country mullet. Just a question of how we perceive them.
Mike
As usual, Mike, you make some great points. I think, however, the GOP may be grooming George Allen, who I think is about as bright as Bush but a real nice guy, Christian, and a governor. He worries me. He could be the next Bush.
Cephas
Oops, Allen is the Senator. Mark Warner has been governor and I see he's making moves toward 2008, which may not be a bad thing.
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