VA-Gov: Spruill steps in it

Apparently, Virginia Republicans (like George "Macaca" Allen and Virgil Goode) aren't the only ones prone to foot-in-mouth disease.

The latest to offend is Democratic delegate Lionell Spruill:

During a debate on the House floor yesterday, Spruill spoke out about a proposed law that would allow state police chaplains to use Jesus' name in public prayers.

According to the Virginian Pilot, Spruill announced his opposition to the law but then said he doesn't like to hear prayers of different religions, "especially those of the Muslim faith that I don't care too much about."

When the Pilot asked him later about his remarks, Spruill said he didn't mean to offend Muslims but maintains he doesn't like how they end their prayer.

Perhaps the worst part of this is that Spruill was rather understandably trying to keep religion out of the public sphere. Instead, he found himself at the center of a religious controversy which distracts from the bill itself. Evidently there's something to be said for tact.

Spruill's gaffe could have some minor repercussions in the gubernatorial race. He's on the payroll of Brian Moran, making over $80,000 last year as the "minority outreach coordinator" for the Moran campaign.

It's unfair to judge Moran and his campaign by the statements of one of their surrogates, particularly as Spruill was not speaking in his capacity as a member of Moran's staff.

Still, it's certainly not the kind of publicity Moran (or Jon Bowerbank, a candidate for Lieutenant Governor who also plans to hire Spruill) would necessarily enjoy.