Gov. Huckabee & Reclaiming America For Christ

The Republican party has a problem.  Some of its potential 2008 nominees want religion to replace the state. We saw this earlier with Senator Brownback.  And now, let's examine Governor Mike Huckabee, who made a "powerful impression" during the Republican convention down in Memphis.  Huckabee has been described as a "moderate" for the 2008 race.  Sure, to a crowded room of die-hard Republicans, his rhetoric may not seem extreme. But consider how the following will play to the vast majority of Americans.  This weekend, Huckabee spoke at a conference for the Center for Reclaiming America for Christ. The Center's mission is to "To inform, equip, motivate, and support Christians; enabling them to defend and implement the Biblical principles on which our country was founded."  The five goals Huckabee aligned himself with are described as the "five key fronts of the modern-day culture war: (1) Religious Liberties, (2) the Sanctity of Life, (3) the Homosexual Agenda, (4) Pornography, and (5) Promoting Creationism."  Huckabee made it clear at the group's conference that he shares their goal of dismantling the constitutional wall between church and state:

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Faith is not present enough in politics as candidates and elected officials try to court voters too broadly, fearing their values will splinter their base, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist minister, said Friday at a Christian gathering.

Introduced as a "fine Christian American governor," Huckabee, who is considering a bid for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, said he will always remain true to his beliefs.

"I don't think most Americans are turned off by people of faith. I think they're turned off by people who are phony," Huckabee said to a small group. He added that Christianity is not represented "nearly enough" in Washington.

Yeah, because having all three branches of government filled almost entirely by Christians isn't enough.  Also speaking at the Conference is Florida Representative Katherine Harris, who will speak about "Bringing Faith to the Public Forum ."  And, indeed, the Center has brought faith to the public forum. Its Director had the unique opportunity to meet personally with Justices of the Supreme Court after Alito's confirmation.  The Center's founder calls the church-state separation `diabolical,' a `false doctrine' and `a lie propagated by Thomas Jefferson.'  In engaging the "enemy" in this "culture war", the Center's founder claims "This is our land. This is our world. This is our heritage, and with God's help, we shall reclaim this nation for Jesus Christ. And no power on earth can stop us."

Does anyone else find it incredibly disturbing that a potential Presidential nominee so easily embraces a group that states there is no separation between church and state?  And why hasn't the media asked Huckabee whether he agrees with the Center's mission of dismantling the Constitutionally prescribed boundary between religion and politics?