A Faith-Based Thing

Via the League, we find that Gov. Ehrlich apparently thinks the separation of church and state is "made up." I would chalk this up to simple pandering: Ehrlich has never struck me as a fundamentalist true believer. Rather, his mindset seems closer to Karl Rove's, who, if David Kuo is to be believed, is more concerned with using faith-based initiatives to lure conservative Christians to the polls than with actually implementing them. In 2004, however, he did sign an executive order setting up a small agency called the Community Initiatives Office that has few powers, but is hooked into the federal faith-based program. That said, I still think Ehrlich's support for faith-based initiatives is more rhetorical than real. Consider this anecdote from the Baltimore Sun in 2004, when the CIO was launched:

During a morning announcement yesterday, Ehrlich and Steele highlighted several projects they said illustrated the types of partnerships between the state and nonprofit groups they hoped to repeat, indicating that Ehrlich's administration has been undertaking some activities even before the formal creation of an agency.

Those partnerships included the Sanctuary at Kingdom Square, a large Baptist church in Capitol Heights that is refurbishing a dilapidated strip shopping center inside the Capital Beltway for church activities and other uses.

"The state's role was to assist Glendale Baptist Church in securing financing, legal counsel and other resources needed to turn this mall into a thriving economic engine," said a news release from the governor's office.

[snip]

But the pastor of the church, Anthony G. Maclin, disputed the state's description of its role yesterday. "I'm not trying to create any waves, but I am highly offended that they would even imply that they are the catalyst that made this deal happen," Maclin said. He said the lieutenant governor's office did not help the church get financing with Bank of America. [emphasis added]

In short, Ehrlich's remarks seem to be part of a pattern of demagoguery. Like many other Republicans, he's willing to tear at the constitutional fabric of this country if it has the chance of earning him a few more votes on Election Day. I don't think Maryland needs that sort of leadership.

Tags: maryland md-gov bob ehrlich republicans religion