The secular GOP.

Mocking fellow conservative Andrew Sullivan, Putz writes:

THE CHRISTIANIST THREAT mushrooms.
MAYBE THE ALARMISM IS JUSTIFIED AFTER ALL: Those "Christianists" seem to be everywhere.

Putz, who's played this game before, is in total denial. I mean, shouldn't a "moderate libertarian" especially be alarmed at the increasing influence of the Christian far-right on the GOP and actively denounce it, rather than just denying it exists at all?

Did he happen to notice that James Dobson has veto power over the White House's SCOTUS nominees? Was he asleep when President Bush traveled thousands of miles in the middle of the night for this? Happen to see Bush's genuflecting at Bob Jones University? Doesn't he think its an odd coincidence that it's only Republicans, including President Bush, Bill Frist and even John McCain that want "Intelligent [sic] Design [sic]" taught in public schools?

Or maybe he hasn't seen the 2006 Texas Republican Party platform which includes this:

We understand that the Ten Commandments are the basis of our basic freedoms and the cornerstone of our Western legal tradition. We therefore oppose any governmental action to restrict, prohibit, or remove public display of the Decalogue or other religious symbols.

And this:

We support the traditional definition of marriage as a God–ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman, which is the foundational unit of a healthy society, and we oppose the assault on marriage by judicial activists. We call on the President and Congress to take immediate action to defend the sanctity of traditional marriage. We urge Congress to exercise authority under the United States Constitution, and pass legislation withholding jurisdiction from the Federal Courts in cases involving family law, especially any changes in the traditional definition of marriage.

And this:

We believe that the practice of sodomy tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.”

And this:

We support the objective teaching and equal treatment of scientific strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories, including Intelligent Design. We believe theories of life origins and environmental theories should be taught as scientific theory not scientific law; that social studies and other curriculum should not be based on any one theory.

And in 2004, included this:

“We pledge to exert our influence toward a return to the original intent of the First Amendment and dispel the myth of the separation of church and state.”

Putz ignores these unsavory truths, because he'd have to admit that he's supressed whatever remains of his libertarian impulses to cheerlead for a party that's become antithetical to libertarianism.

Barry Goldwater expressed open contempt for far-right religious conservatives, viewing them as a danger to the Republican Party.

How would Putz mock him?

UPDATE:

Well, well, well -- lookie here:

GOOD NEWS / BAD NEWS: Good news -- Bush looks like he'll finally veto a bill.
Bad news: It's a stem-cell research bill.

But yeah, that "Christianist" thing is so overblown. Heh.