The J Word

Howard Dean recently unveiled a part of his strategy to be successful in the South. According to this report in the Boston Globe, Dr. Dean is going to start throwing around the J word a lot. But will it work?

Dr. Dean goes on to describe himself as a Christian in "The Northeast Tradition". I'm not sure where the Northeast Tradition thing is mentioned in the Bible but I'm pretty sure it isn't in the translation that I carry with me to church each Sunday. I've never heard of this Northeast Tradition, but I bet the media elite can explain it to us.

Dr. Dean also revealed that he and his wife considered Unitaritanism but decided instead to become a Congregationalist. In his comment about almost becoming a Unitarian, Dean shows just how little he really knows about those whom he's hoping to attract with this new found faith of his. Saying you considered becoming a Unitarian is like saying, "I almost became a professional football player except that I got cut from my high school football team." In other words, it renders what you say practically worthless since Unitarianism is the antithesis of Christianity.

Overall, his comments seem to be a pretty transparent way of pandering to Christians in the south. Somehow, I don't think Unitarianism is that popular down there and I rather doubt that Dean will be very popular either. John Edwards was asked about Dean's recent use of the J word and he wasn't going to touch it with a ten foot pole. Edwards, appearing on Fox News Sunday, was asked what he made of Dean's comments. He replied, " I have no idea. You know, I'll let Governor Dean speak for himself."

If Dean were really going to use this strategy effectively he'd make more subtle comments and let potential voters gradually "discover" his "deeply-held" beliefs. But this guy is anything but subtle and I'm looking forward to watching Bush savage him in the months prior to the election.

President Bush knows how to get his faith across without sounding like he's simply trying to con people out of their vote. In his weekly radio address this week he said, The voice first heard 20 centuries ago in Bethlehem stirs churches and communities to open homeless shelters and food pantries and job training centers to help those in need. Now that's how you weave your faith into a message.

I guess the real difference is that Dean is willing to say anything to get elected. I'd like to hope that people are able to see through this statement and will not be convinced somehow that Dean is the right guy to become President. But then I think of the fact that half the nation voted for Al Gore in this last election and it really makes me want to make a donation here.

Dean is willing to say the J word, but I would much rather have a President who knows the meaning of it.