IS HARRIS SIMPLY SHORING UP HER BASE ON THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT?

Sarasota Herald Tribune political columnist Jeremy Wallace writes that some are asking that question after Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R - Longboat Key) has brought up her religious faith quite a bit recently.

The U.S. Senate candidate recently spoke to a conference of Christian activists at the Fort Lauderdale Presbyterian church pastored by televangalist D. James Kennedy, and made Biblical references during an interview earlier this week on ABC News Nightline.

Ms. Harris, who is seeking to replace Democratic incumbant Bill Nelson, has a consistant record in favouring the religious right since her days as a state legislator. Mr. Wallace notes that "Florida Right to Life routinely gave Harris high marks for her advocacy of abortion restrictions from 1994-98, while she was in the Florida Senate. In Congress since 2002, Harris...has won top ratings from groups like the National Right to Life Committee and low scores from the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, which supports legal access to abortions". Former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed called her "a champion for the families of America".

But will her apparant strategy work? As a growing number of Republicans are wishing someone else would save the day and run, and with consultants generally saying that with no primary opponent Ms. Harris should concentrate on independent and conservative Democratic voters, there is lingering doubt.

Noone should hide their faith, and I do not doubt for a moment Ms. Harris' sincerity about hers. I certainly don't mind an individual discussing their religious beliefs in an open, honest way. What particularly annoys me is when it seems as though a candidate or officeholder talks about their beliefs in an apparant attempt to court favour among the electorate.