I appreciate Mike Huckabee's candor, that's for sure. But it's hard to take him seriously. I guess that's the way I feel. Those Evangelicals who he supposedly represents are not really bowling over the political process thus far in the primary season, and therefore when he offers up one of his more ahistorical schemes like amending the Constitution so that it's written according to God's standards, I have an image in my mind of a late-night minister running a cable ministry rather than a serious candidate for President of the United States.
In other words, why get hysterical? I think all evidence points to the fact that as we hurdle toward February, the Republican Party is coalescing around Romney and McCain while the Democratic Party is coalescing around Clinton and Obama. Otherwise, we can't really be bothered.
The quirkiness of all other candidates aside, we're settling in to the real races as they'll unfold in the month ahead.
In the meantime, at least from where I sit as rabbi in a fairly skeptical corner of the Universe, most Americans seem content to let people worship as they please; respect the basic structures of American civic life (foremost being the Constitution); and demand of the remaining candidates some real vision for uniting the country in tone and content.
The notion of amending the Constitution flamed out with President Bush's blown mandate after the 2004 election. Since then the clock has been ticking while the country waits for a candidate from either party who can inspire and unify while keeping us focused on the practical: closing the gap between rich and poor; helping us extricate our military from Iraq while attempting to salvage its future; remaining ever-vigilant against global terror; and bringing the country together, not dividing it.
Most Americans, I believe, are deeply practical and work too hard to be messing around with one of the sacred documents of our diverse democracy.
Amend the Constitution so it's more in line with God?
Sounds less like a Governor (or Presidential candidate) and more like a late night preacher on cable television.
Best solution? Change the channel.
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