POLITICIANS DON'T PANDER


Perhaps the greatest example as wishful thinking as the title of a book, at least one politician - Howard Dean - doesn't pander on the issue of religion (or at least can't be bothered to pander properly). First, there's his revelation that he swapped denominations over a dispute about a bike path. Then, there his quotes about how he'll talk about Jesus (but he'd really rather be talking about more important things) when he campaign down South, because the public religiosity is, after all, an integral part of the Southern milleu. Finally, there's his response to the question about his favorite book in the bible (which happens to be Job), in which he can't help but put in a plug for biblical criticism. A refreshing candid embrace of his secularist-WASP roots, yes. A recipe for diasater outside of Latte America? Yes, again.