That baggage was left behind when, just after his fortieth birthday, George W. got right with God. In its incarnation as a political force, the religious right has spent the past decade berating America for its moral depravity. As a result, the movement has developed something of an image problem. At its core, however, evangelical Christianity is about forgiveness and absolution. And the more wretched the sinner, the more glory to God when Jesus wipes away her sins.
Believers emerge from the baptismal font purified.
Even as you admit your sinful nature, you can offer assurances that the situation is now under control. Your life is in God's hands. The advantages of absolution have long been recognized by religious leaders, who, like politicians, occasionally stray from the path of righteousness. Politicians have also been known to play the God card when the going gets tough. Most notably, following his incarceration for that unfortunate crack episode, D.C.'s ex-mayor Marion Barry based his 1994 comeback campaign on a message of religious redemption.