Going the wrong way...

Fifty-two years ago, John Kennedy faced the real hurdle of his Roman Catholic faith. This was, at the time, a significant impediment that only one major party candidate, Al Smith, had faced before -- to the latter's detriment.

Kennedy had to face the hurdle that Mitt Romney may eventually have to face, assuring the public he will govern as best for this country, not as what is best for his faith. Here is Kennedy in 1960 facing that question.


But one candidate is determined to show just the opposite. Rather than proclaim himself determined NOT to govern solely as his religion's doctrines proclaim Rick Santorum is doing the opposite. He is completely non-secular. The Opus Dei candidate.

Being religious isn't enough -- even mainstream protestants are unfit to govern in Rick Santorum's view.

...this was a Protestant country and the Protestant ethic, mainstream, mainline Protestantism, and of course we look at the shape of mainline Protestantism in this country and it is in shambles, it is gone from the world of Christianity as I see it.

Two generations of Republicans decrying secular government have given birth to a candidate who can accept only one type of religious doctrine  leading to one type of rule.

To quote James Madison, "Ugh"*.

*(may not be actual James Madison quote)

[cross-posted at Firedoglake]