Here’s a revealing tale about what’s happening in the Republican party. It’s a story that needs to be followed up. Kudos to Beliefnet for breaking it. The gist:
The Republican National Committee is employing the services of a Texas-based activist who believes the United States is a ‘Christian nation’ and the separation of church and state is ‘a myth.’
David Barton, the founder of an organization called Wallbuilders, was hired by the RNC as a political consultant and has been traveling the country for a year–speaking at about 300 RNC-sponsored lunches for local evangelical pastors. During the lunches, he presents a slide show of American monuments, discusses his view of America’s Christian heritage — and tells pastors that they are allowed to endorse political candidates from the pulpit.
It gets worse. Barton is on the board of advisers for a Christian Reconstructionist group – people who believe that America should scrap its constitution and go back to Biblical law. When I have described the trend within the GOP as theocratic, I am sometimes criticized for hyperbole. But this is the reality. Barton is the vice-chair of the Texas GOP. Figures.
BIGOTS AGAINST KERRY: This has to be the most homophobic internet ad for Bush I’ve yet seen. Yes, I know it’s supposed to be jokey. But it crosses the line. The ominous music at the beginning, the images used, the appeal to homophobia are all too real. It implies Kerry and Edwards are gay; and ends with Bush holding a football with the background of a bald eagle. Really: classy. But what did I expect? This is today’s GOP. I might as well face reality.
The Dish 