This week, Culture War Watchers learn what happens when events occurring in the real world do not fit neatly into preexisting categories. (Hint: we take a strange journey into an alternative universe where Mike Huckabee is the "religious left".)

(Pst. Hey You, yeah you, the Media, I have a secret: some evangelical voters vote for Democrats! Shh don't tell anybody) After goofing up big-time in its coverage of evangelical voters in Iowa, the media missed an opportunity to correct itself in New Hampshire. Despite the best efforts of so many people in the common good faith movement, the MSM is still learning that neither party "owns" the faith vote. People of faith, including--gasp--Evangelicals are diverse in political opinions. They are liberal, conservative and moderate and vote for independents, Democracts and Republicans. While the poor polling and ridiculous reporting continues ("pious" people apparently only vote Republican) the chorus of voices crying "foul" is steadily increasing. We'll give the MSM the benefit of the doubt one last time though. I mean, it's not like there are any nationally known progressive and moderate religious leaders or a simple place to locate progressive people of faith like, say, a map.

Focus on the Family soldiers on in noble quest to "help families"; Reluctantly spends millions on political action Culture War Watch appreciates Culture War icons like Focus on the Family because they keep us in the blogging business. Confronted with the hard facts that a new generation is turning away from its agenda and embracing new leaders, does Focus throw in the towel, admit it was wrong and adopt a new agenda? No! Focus President and CEO Jim Daley vows to keep up the good work and claims Focus still has its finger on the pulse of youth culture due to the young folks (the women at least) recognizing that "nothing is more important than being there for your kids." (No word on James Dobson's involvement in trying to keep the environment--a huge priority for young people of faith--off the Evangelical agenda). Daley also seems to be trying to take the emphasis off Focus' political activities by saying Dobson was reluctant to enter the advocacy realm. (Again, no word on how once they got in, they seemed to like it just fine. Or at least, enough to spend millions of dollars a year through Focus on the Family's political action arm.)

I'm sure Gov. Huckabee appreciates this
Since the Iowa caucus, several conservative commentators, troubled by some of Mike Huckabee's economic record, have labeled him the leader of the "religious left". This label is most likely confusing for Huckabee, who describes himself as conservative, and for those who actually self-identify as the religious left, who have serious differences of opinion with Huckabee. But wait, there's more. Mark Steyn thinks that a general election match-up between Huckabee and any of the Democrats would end up being a contest between the "secular left" and the "Christian left." Steyn does not seem to take into account the fact that the two Democrats currently leading in the primaries are people of strong faith or that Mike Huckabee is actually pretty conservative on several issues (other than the great liberal cause of creating a flat tax). But, no matter. Our handy stereotypes have served us so well so far. That's how we know that Democrat=godless and that Mike Huckabee=as far left as you can get while still being "Christian." If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The Scorecard: This week goes to the Common Do-Gooders, voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are showing that they are taking serious looks at all the candidates and defying the conventional wisdom on what kind of voters vote for what kind of candidates. The culture warriors do get an "A" for effort, however, for doing their best to resurrect their familiar themes and to keep on culture warring in the face of an ever unfriendlier reality.