Double Standard of Huckabee and Romney

Both Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney are whining about questions about their religious beliefs and anyone questioning their fitness for office based on their religious views. Of course, neither of them have any problem attacking others who do not live by their religious views, gays being but one group they would deprive of civil rights based on non-conformity with Baptist or Mormon beliefs. Moreover, on MSNBC this morning, Romney was once again pontificating the Christian nation myth I addressed earlier this week in a post. Both men are utter hypocrites in my view and neither is fit for the presidency since it would lead to more of the same lunacy Bush's religion extremism has already caused. In my view, their religious views become irrelevant only at such time as they cease trying to diminish the legal rights of those who do not share their religious beliefs. Until then, they should be open targets for attack. They do NOT get to have it both ways.

The Washington Post has two stories that look at the crocodile tears of both candidates. The first from today's Post, from which highlights are set out below, looks at Romney's disingenuous whining (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/12/AR2007121200750.html?tid=informbox):

BOSTON -- Republican Mitt Romney retorted to questions about his faith by surging rival Mike Huckabee on Wednesday, declaring that "attacking someone's religion is really going too far."
In an article to be published Sunday in The New York Times, Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, asks, "Don't Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?"

Romney, vying to become the first Mormon elected president, declined to answer that question during an interview Wednesday, saying church leaders in Salt Lake City had already addressed the topic.

"But I think attacking someone's religion is really going too far. It's just not the American way, and I think people will reject that," Romney told NBC's "Today" show. Asked if he believed Huckabee was speaking in a coded language to evangelicals, Romney praised his rival as a "good man trying to do the best he can," but he added, "I don't believe that the people of this country are going to choose a person based on their faith and what church they go to."

"Governor Huckabee has said consistently that he believes this campaign should center on a discussion of the important issues confronting our nation and not focus on questions of religious belief," said Charmaine Yoest, a senior adviser.

The second from last week, from which highlights are set out, looks at Huckabee's hissy fit (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120400966.html):

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist preacher who has surged in Iowa with evangelical Christian support, bristled Tuesday when asked if creationism should be taught in public schools. Huckabee _ who raised his hand at a debate last May when asked which candidates disbelieved the theory of evolution _ asked this time why there is such a fascination with his beliefs.

Huckabee, at a dinner in Des Moines, told reporters that the theory of intelligent design, whose proponents believe an intelligent cause is the best way to explain some complex and orderly features of the universe, should be taught in schools as one of many viewpoints. "I don't think schools ought to indoctrinate kids to believe one thing or another," he said.

"I'm just not going to go off into evaluating other people's doctrines and faiths. I think that is absolutely not a role for a president," the former Arkansas governor said.

He appeared with more than 60 Iowa pastors endorsing him at a news conference Tuesday, including best-selling author Tim LaHaye of "Left Behind" fame and his wife, Beverly. Also endorsing him was Chuck Hurley, an influential Iowa conservative who had backed Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, a conservative who quit the race in October. LaHaye called Huckabee "the most electable candidate who shares our commitment."

Anyone LaHaye likes ought to send people fleeing if they believe in religious freedom and separation of church and state.