"Well, that's -- that's nitpicking, isn't it?"

Someday, I would like to see a Republican stand up and denounce Ralph Reed. I am not particular, I care little who actually does the job, but it must be done. Why? Because the standard criticism flowing from the Progressive end of the political spectrum will be ignored by the masses, as they reason it is simply political posturing and gamesmanship. It matters little how eloquent and thorough the report is from a progressive, for Reed's followers will simply shrug off the accusations and merrily spin out of the grasp of any critical mass that may force an actual move on Reed's part.

Thus, a Republican (I guess I am particular, it needs to be one with more then a little name recognition) needs to stand up, out Reed as a money-grubbing charlatan, and shame him into stepping down for the good of the party.

I am of the opinion that the two parties could regain a good bit of their reputation if they actually acted as if their reputation for integrity meant something. Too often we are confronted with politicians that seem only to want to be elected, not for any grand desire to do some good for the country. The perception exists that these folks are in it for themselves or a close circle of friends, not their constituents. Would it kill them to prove that this perception is wrong, every now and then?

That is why the Republicans are the only ones to be able to bring Reed down. If they do not, then the Democrats should state at every opportunity that the Republicans have no interest in cleaning up their own house, and therefore cannot be trusted to remain in the majority. The drumbeat must be constant, unyielding, unequivocal. The Democrats, likewise, must purge the charlatans from their midst.

They have the opportunity. Will they seize it?

Probably not. And they wonder why no one has high approval ratings.

The cynicism engendered by this nonsense is horrifically corrosive. Already we tend to assume that the politicians do not deal with us with honesty, what happens when another national tragedy occurs and the people simply tune out the government. Whose fault will that be?

Not the people. It is time for our politicians to start acting like adults who chose a career of service to their fellow Americans. Service, not scamming.

It would be a nice start.

Being that Mr. Reed is such a great, "Christian", perhaps he should follow in Christ's footsteps and be crucified.

Reed (and Falwall, Robertston, DeLay, Frist, Dobson, etc) are part of the demonination know as "Cargo Christians". It's all about grabbing as much cargo (money, property, influence,etc) as you can - as who care how you do it.

Voters who think these crooks are interested in bettering anyone's life but their own, are dopes. If they vote for them, send them money, sign their petitions, they deserve what they get - diddly!

I live in Georgia and I plan on voting in the primary for good ol' Ralph. I'm using his very own tactics. I figure if he wins he'll do such damage to the Republican party that we leftists will actually do better against them. I'm using his effort to hopefully thwart the efforts of those that support him and his kind.

But then again the American people don't seem to mind the scandals that have plagued the current VP, why should they mind them in a vice governor?

The nation seems to be in the same state of denial as any addict. We have not yet reached bottom, and when we do we'll dig deeper, so we will not turn around and join the path of the sane.

Ralph Reed will win again because his constituency is too dumb and lazy to question what he is doing.

Holy cow! I've known since the 80's that Ralph Reed is a snake, but I had no idea he'd actually used churches in one state to essentially lobby for casinos in another. One must admire Mr. Reed for his creativity and chutzpah.

Mr. Keillor takes Reed to task for his religious hypocrisy (and rightly so). However, I think that it’s important to point out that stories like this are interpreted by the agnostics and atheists of the world (like me) as proof that organized religion is something that needs careful scrutiny by the public and the government.

Perhaps the government should investigate these churches, their pastors, and their connection to Ralph Reed. Have these churches violated any tax laws, for example?

I am for the freedom of religion. However, at some point, these churches crossed the line between religion and politics. If we are not vigilant, we'll end up living in a de facto theocracy.

I think I know how those voters will go.They're the morons who get $1.25 back for every $1 they pay in federal taxes, while 'Blue State' taxpayers get 67 cents back. Of course, they believe their plasma screens they watch Pat Robertson on, and the granite counter tops they prepare their church suppers on, are courtesy JA-HEE-ZUZ. Come to think of it, who are the real morons?

I'm thinking of converting! Please send hate mail to convince me otherwise.

When Garrison Keillor puts it this way, how can ANY moral person in his or her right mind continue to support Ralph Reed?

Can someone please explain to me why Democrats can't field a candidate who can successfully make an issue of such blatant sleaziness? Why do attack campaigns work so g*dd**n well against terrific Democrats (for example, Cleland), but never against a Republican who's been exposed as a sleazeball?

Something makes no sense here. Can't Democrats get a focus group going with a bunch of typical Georgian voters, tell them this information, and see how they respond? Maybe conservative Georgians will tell the focus groupers that they really don't care if Reed made himself millions by taking money from casinos and snookering them into attacking rival gambling joints as long as he's against abortions and money going to blacks and poor people.

At least we'll know the truth.

But I can't help thinking that if there's a shred of decency left in the good people of the South, there must be a way to convey this information to them and have them turn against Ralph Reed in disgust.