Commentary: John McCain is a Jackass

AMENDMENT I
the Constitution of the United States of America Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Courtesy of the Associated Press.

McCain: I'd prefer Christian president

Sen. John McCain said in an interview published Saturday that he would prefer a Christian president over someone of a different faith, calling it "an important part of our qualifications to lead."

In an interview with Beliefnet, a multi-denominational Web site that covers religion and spirituality, the Republican presidential hopeful was asked if a Muslim candidate could be a good president.

"I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles ... personally, I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith," McCain said. "But that doesn't mean that I'm sure that someone who is Muslim would not make a good president."

Later, McCain said, "I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the candidate best able to lead the country and defend our political values."

Asked about Republican rivals Mitt Romney's Mormon faith, McCain said, "I think that Governor Romney's religion should not, absolutely not, be a disqualifying factor when people consider his candidacy for president of the United States."

The Arizona senator was also asked about the confusion over which Christian denomination he belongs to. "I was raised Episcopalian, I have attended the North Phoenix Baptist Church for many years and I am a Christian," McCain said. He added that he has considered being baptized in the Baptist church, but he does not want to do it during the presidential race because "it might appear as if I was doing something that I otherwise wouldn't do."

This is the type of pandering that has led this country to the problems that we have today. The exploitation of religion for political purposes is perhaps, one of the most diabolical things a politician could do, not just John McCain, but every last candidate running for office today. (I single him out just because of this article.) It plays on the beliefs that most devout Americans hold most dear to themselves, allowing most these hucksters to be heard when they should be shilling peanuts in a traveling carnival somewhere. Even worse are those within religious institutions who give them the voice. They are complicit in this travesty that we now know as American politics. People like Jerry Falwell, William A. Donohue, Pat Robertson, Ralph E. Reed, Jr., James Dobson, Rick Santorum, are responsible for the deep divisions within this country that keep us from focusing on the real issues that have become major problems for this country. Our next president should be concerned with unemployment rates, the crashing housing market, addressing climate change as well as challenging industry to find alternative fuel sources, and most importantly ending the war in Iraq. Wearing your faith on your sleeve for votes should be the least of all the candidates concern.