Yes, you're right. One could quibble that the paragraph 2 only specifically holds the judiciary to that standard, not the executive or legislative branches. I had paragraph 3 in mind because of another thing McCain said in that interview, that he felt that any viable candidate had to uphold Judaeo-Christian principles and that he didn't feel he could vote for a Muslim candidate. Later on, of course, he backpedaled all over himself.

Both paragraphs apply to what McCain said. Note that the Treaty of Tripoli is a much more obscure document. I wonder how many Capitol Hill staffers (elected ones included) you'd have to ask before you found one who had heard of it, much less was familiar wit...

Yes, you're right. One could quibble that the paragraph 2 only specifically holds the judiciary to that standard, not the executive or legislative branches. I had paragraph 3 in mind because of another thing McCain said in that interview, that he felt that any viable candidate had to uphold Judaeo-Christian principles and that he didn't feel he could vote for a Muslim candidate. Later on, of course, he backpedaled all over himself.

Both paragraphs apply to what McCain said. Note that the Treaty of Tripoli is a much more obscure document. I wonder how many Capitol Hill staffers (elected ones included) you'd have to ask before you found one who had heard of it, much less was familiar with any of its provisions.

The Confederate Constitution's preamble invokes "... the favor and guidance of Almighty God...", but they lifted article VI verbatim from the US document (only changing "United States" to "Confederate States"), including preserving the prohibition of a religious test.

Of course no law is going to prevent the voters from applying their own religious test at the polls.

Later on, of course, he backpedaled all over himself.

I've noticed he does that frequently now. I'm only half-way joking when I make comments about his mental state. It wasn't all that long ago that he held views that seemed more in line with reality and not so swayed by political expediency.

I wonder how many Capitol Hill staffers (elected ones included) you'd
have to ask before you found one who had heard of it, much less was
familiar with any of its provisions.

How sad but probably true.

Of course no law is going to prevent the voters from applying their own religious test at the polls.

And being fully exploited by the candidates. On both sid...

Later on, of course, he backpedaled all over himself.

I've noticed he does that frequently now. I'm only half-way joking when I make comments about his mental state. It wasn't all that long ago that he held views that seemed more in line with reality and not so swayed by political expediency.

I wonder how many Capitol Hill staffers (elected ones included) you'd
have to ask before you found one who had heard of it, much less was
familiar with any of its provisions.

How sad but probably true.

Of course no law is going to prevent the voters from applying their own religious test at the polls.

And being fully exploited by the candidates. On both sides there is this ridiculous contest to "out-god" one another. I always admired Kennedy for simply stating that that was a personal choice, next question. The present day pandering to various religious groups to beg for votes is depressing. Not only that but dangerous since it promises hope of future privilege.

I barely remember Kennedy (I was born in '57), but realize now that my generation is probably the last one that will ever grow up with the idea that we could trust our leaders being part of the national psyche. I think the world would stop and the cosmos unravel if a politician ever gave a simple "yes" or "no" answer instead of a Britannica's worth of two-faced drivel.

McCain is no less a weasel than the worst of them. Check out http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/10/08/4391/.

There is one positive note lately. James Dobson and the Religious Reich aren't happy with the Repubs any more, so they're talking about backing a third-party candidate or even fielding one of their own. If t...

I barely remember Kennedy (I was born in '57), but realize now that my generation is probably the last one that will ever grow up with the idea that we could trust our leaders being part of the national psyche. I think the world would stop and the cosmos unravel if a politician ever gave a simple "yes" or "no" answer instead of a Britannica's worth of two-faced drivel.

McCain is no less a weasel than the worst of them. Check out http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/10/08/4391/.

There is one positive note lately. James Dobson and the Religious Reich aren't happy with the Repubs any more, so they're talking about backing a third-party candidate or even fielding one of their own. If they do the latter, can they help but to reveal just how extremist they really are? Maybe they'll choose to back John Taylor Bowles.