Amy Sullivan over at Time magazine, who for my money is one of the most astute observers of politics and religion (or to be more precise, Democrats and religion), asks an important question about John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin as his VP: does it hurt McCain more than it helps, at least among some evangelicals?
Sullivan writes: “While Palin is inspiring rhapsodies from the lions of the Christian right, her appeal to more moderate and younger Evangelicals – as well as independent swing voters – may be limited.”
Here is, as we say in the biz, Sullivan’s nut graf:
“With fewer than 60 days until Election Day (and a month before the start of early voting in many states), the McCain campaign’s continued courting of the more traditional base spells trouble for any efforts to expand his appeal to independent voters and less conservative Evangelicals. If so, McCain may find himself quoting a bowdlerized verse of Scripture in November: What does it profit a man to gain the Christian right and lose the White House?”
(photo credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
