John McCain rarely schedules meetings with high profile religious leaders, in stark contrast to George W. Bush–and Barack Obama. But after whacking Obama this afternoon for campaigning among foreigners in Berlin, McCain is trumpeting his one-on-one meeting tomorrow with a superstar religious leader from the international scene: the Dalai Lama.
Irony of ironies, the powwow is happening in Colorado, where Colorado Springs is home to so many evangelical organizations that it’s earned the nickname Vatican West. When’s the last time McCain sat down with their leaders?
When it comes to the Dalai Lama, meanwhile, McCain’s admiration sounds boundless:

“I have been a great admirer of the Dalai Lama and I look forward to the opportunity of meeting an individual who is a transcendent international role model and hero and I have admired him and respected him for the efforts he’s made on behalf of freedom of the people of Tibet but also all over the world.”

When’s the last time McCain had such kind words for a Christian leader? Think the Christian Right will notice?

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