Getting Religion in Virginia

Friday afternoon's All Things Considered on NPR contained a segment on the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial election. The Democratic candidate, Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine, has distinguished himself by openly speaking about his faith. In contrast, the Republican challenger, Jerry Kilgore, has been far more reticent about introducing religion into the campaign.

NBC News reporter Mark Murray writes about Kaine's campaign style in the October/November Washington Monthly. Murray points out that other Democrats are developing a message that is rooted in faith:

Even though Dean might not have helped his cause by stating in June that the Republican Party is “pretty much a white Christian party,” the DNC he chairs has hired a former congressional staffer to develop their religious outreach program. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has established a Faith Working Group, and members in both chambers of Congress have invited a series of progressive religious leaders to sit down and talk with them. Democrats note that their governing philosophies and policies—combating poverty, expanding health-insurance coverage, and promoting civil rights—dovetail with religion and faith. “Democrats really tend to get the Good Samaritan principle; that the purpose of life is to serve God, but also serve your neighbor," Kaine said.