Former Sen. Danforth Calls For Moderates To Take On Christian Right

[Sapphire Blue]

'St. Jack' and the Bullies in the Pulpit
By Peter Slevin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 2, 2006; Page C01

ST. LOUIS

Jack Danforth wishes the Republican right would step down from its pulpit. Instead, he sees a constant flow of religion into national politics. And not just any religion, either, but the us-versus-them, my-God-is-bigger-than-your-God, velvet-fist variety of Christian evangelism.

As a mainline Episcopal priest, retired U.S. senator and diplomat, Danforth worships a humbler God and considers the right's certainty a sin. Legislating against gay marriage, for instance? "It's just cussedness." As he sees it, many Republican leaders have lost their bearings and, if they don't change, will lose their grip on power. Not to mention make the United States a meaner place.

Danforth is no squalling liberal. He is a lifelong Republican. And his own political history shows he is no milquetoast.

A man of God and the GOP, he is speaking out for moderation -- in religion, politics, science and government. The lanky figure once dubbed "St. Jack," not always warmly, for the perch he seemed to occupy on Washington's moral high ground, expects people will sour on the assertive brand of Christianity so closely branded Republican.

"I'm counting on nausea," he says

Continued @ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/01/AR2006020102393.html

[w13rd0]

1. Being a Missouri native...

...this should be made known more widely. Here in Missouri, Danforth was a figure much adored by the GOP for quite some time. And he's right, what the extremists are doing is frightening. I too hope for nausea.

[punpirate]

2. Let's not forget who Danforth really is...

... and his overall record:

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_C._Danforth

[Hekate]

3. Well he better get busy. To date, nausea hasn't been enough...

...to unseat these flaming hypocrites, these whited sepulchres.

Nonetheless, glad to have him on board the good ship Bill of Rights and Common Sense. We need all the help we can get from moderate Repubs and moderate Christians.

Hekate

[Dogmudgeon]

4. So does Christie Whitman

She used to be the Governess* of New Jersey and the head of the EPA. She's a moderate Republican and she was on the Colbert show tonight, talking treason and Socialism (in the words of the Freepers).

The movement is growing. Most of the Republicans, like us, love freedom and fear tyrants. And very soon, they're going to need our help.

--p!
*Sexist, perhaps; but always good for a Jersey-appropriate laugh!

[murielm99]

5. It looks like they are going to allow Whitman to be smacked

down, though.

Remember when she said New York City's air quality was fine, too soon after 9/11? It was wrong, of course. But I heard on the news tonight that the courts are going to allow her to be held responsible for that legally. I think someone should be held responsible, but I don't want to see her scapegoated. I am sure she was acting on orders from higher up. Let * and Cheney bear equal responsibility.

[Dogmudgeon]

6. I don't think she cares

She's out of politics.

Anyway, the 9-11 thing is a two-edged sword. What cuts Whitman can also cut Little King George. They'd have to make a criminal case against her, which would also take them too close to the Bush in-crowd.

--p!