And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world war must be an option sometimes, but it should never be the first option. I don’t know what Bible they’re reading, but it doesn’t jibe with my version. He’s still speaking to our Catholic friends – who are holding up a consistent ethic of life that goes beyond abortion – one that includes a respect for life and dignity whether it’s in Iraq, in poor neighborhoods, in African villages or even on death row. Let us be our brother’s keeper, Scripture tells us. As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm’s way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home.

That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. And all across the country, communities of faith are sponsoring day care programs, building senior centers, and in so many other ways, taking part in the project of American renewal. Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve. Those are mutual interests.