From the Archives…

Here's what those well-known scholars of evangelicalism say we're going to do:

Evangelicals are wary about GOP front-runners John McCain and Mitt Romney. Though much was made of McCain's retro embrace of Jerry Falwell, his aides know that at best the senator is going to make a truce with evangelicals. He is not at ease talking about his Christian faith, and he's going to disappoint them on issues like gay marriage. Romney makes a show of having read The Purpose Driven Life and has met with Warren. He has also voiced strong opposition to Roe v. Wade, gay marriage, and Hillary Clinton--all popular stands with Christian conservatives. But that may not be enough for those evangelicals adamantly opposed to his Mormon faith.

In 2008, religious purists will either rally around long-shot candidates like Sen. George Allen or Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, or they'll sit out the election. More pragmatic conservative Christians may lend their support to a compromised front-runner like McCain or Romney with a lower expectation of what they might receive from him once in office.

Calling Allen a "long-shot" is an interesting move. But more importantly, does this sound like low expectations to you?