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1. Sam Brownback's humble presidential run

"What the world needs now," Sam Brownback said in a speech to the archdiocese of Denver, "is love, sweet love." And The Washington Post says Brownback is ready to spread that love as he explores a run for president.

"Instead of getting angry at somebody for opposing you on something, you're just praying for them," he says. "You just pray blessings on them, blessings on their family."

The Post finds this habit of Brownback's just bit incongruous with his evangelical and conservative Catholic following. (He grew up Methodist and attended a non-denominational evangelical church before joining the Roman Catholic Church.)

Because of his emphasis on compassion, Brownback does not fit the stereotype of the angry Christian conservative. This persona was embodied sensationally by "Pitchfork Pat" Buchanan and his talk of America's "religious war," by Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who once imagined "rampant" lesbianism in his state's schools, by the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who said abortionists, feminists, gays and pagans helped cause the 9/11 terror attacks. (Falwell later took it back.)

Brownback has teamed up with some of the most liberal members of the Senate to help victims of sex trafficking, and suffering Sudanese. He quotes Bono on the struggles of the poor and encourages college students to take their spring breaks in Africa. He has worked for women's rights in Afghanistan and for North Korean refugees. When the issue of illegal immigration blew up in the Senate earlier this year, Brownback embraced President Bush's plan for comprehensive reform, infuriating some conservatives who see it as too lenient. He has pushed for an African American history museum on the Mall, saying he became committed after a "divine intervention" came to him during prayer.

Unfortunately, The Post obviously thinks that Brownback's bleeding-heart-liberal positions on human rights somehow don't square with his pro-life, pro-family views.

But Brownback is as evangelical as any churchgoer. Discussing his reading of the Qur'an, Brownback says, "That's why I love grace so much. And mercy. Think of the burden that is on a person, that you're going to be weighed. And all of us fall short." The Post writes,

Once, years ago, he washed the feet of a staffer at a farewell party to demonstrate respect and humility. When he feels his staffers need guidance, he gives them index cards with Scripture encouraging them to follow Christ's model of servant leadership, or reminding them that "Pride goes before destruction."

Perhaps it's Brownback's humility that makes him a dark horse in the upcoming presidential primaries. But, The Post suggests, his presence could have a leavening effect. "Even if he doesn't get close to winning, though, his support in the conservative Christian community may affect what other candidates are talking about." Rob Schenck, a minister and the president of the conservative National Clergy Council says, "He in a way could hold the evangelical and the traditional Catholic vote hostage if the party began to waver on those [social conservative] issues."

2. Kay Warren: Christians must do more to combat AIDS

Kay Warren, wife of Rick Warren, writes for CNN:

Horrific and startling images confront each of us daily through newspapers, televisions, and eyewitness accounts of those suffering from AIDS. You can do what I did for years -- choose to ignore it all because it was too painful -- or you can become disturbed -- seriously, dangerously disturbed -- so disturbed that you are compelled to do something. …

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June (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50