A DEFENSE OF KATHERINE HARRIS. John Podhoretz criticizes Katherine Harris' campaign tactics:

In an interview with a Baptist paper, she said, "If you’re not electing Christians then in essence you are going to legislate sin." Now, let's see here. Miss Harris is running for statewide office in FLORIDA. Guess which religious-ethnic group makes up a significant constituency in Florida?

At the risk of exposing myself as one of those famously liberal anti-Semites, I will assume Podhoretz is talking about Jews.

If so, why would they necessarily present a problem for Harris? For one thing, the right-wing have been encouraging Jews to embrace the growth of Christian fundamentalism because, in David Klinghoffer's words, “Christians are the most logical allies that Jews could have.” (This may be the beginning of a new conservative sect: neo-Marranos.)

And after all, didn’t the Jews of Palm Beach famously turn out in droves to vote for Pat Buchanan in 2000?

If you’re of a cynical turn of mind, and do not believe these voters were really in Pitchfork Pat’s amen corner, but were instead mere pawns in the heist of the century, then you still have reason to believe Harris can pull it off. For, though she is no longer Secretary of State, her successor seems like the sort to accommodate old friends.

So on Election Night we may yet see Harris declared the winner, with the margin of victory shown to be provided by members of her opponent’s own family, just for shits and giggles. Then who’ll be laughing, Mr. Podhoretz?