Politicians often seem to be trying just a little too hard. For example, they seem to invoke faith and God more than most people. When some of them get consistently carried away, people often wryly note that they seem to be running for preacher rather than public office. Some pols go even farther. George Bush and some fellow GOP leaders, act like they believe they are literally God’s prophets, holding forth not only on their own Faith, but castigating their opponents as puppets of The Evil One. (On a good day, they try to be subtle about it.) But when the time comes to appear more statesmanlike, the surrogates gather like storm clouds on the horizon.

As I write, the primarily protestant Christian Right, in tandem with certain far right-wing Catholic Bishops, are gearing up for a final assault on the religious faith of John Kerry. Many people will follow these leaders to varying degrees, and they will be looking for people who, well, don’t agree.

Some moderate and liberal Christians may occasionally find themselves at something of a loss for words in such discussions around the neighborhood, and around the water cooler. Fortunately, help is on the way. A group called Christians for Kerry/Edwards has put together a web site chock full of useful resources and links to progressive religious organizations. They have some tips for getting through that ride on the elevator — or wherever one might happen to be trapped — with folks whose notion of Christianity has become conflated with the policies and ambitions of certain Republican candidates.

For those who seek a little more adventure in their elevator rides, there are also Christians for Kerry/Edwards buttons and tee-shirts available.

Christians for Kerry/Edwards also provides deeper rationales for the conversations that go beyond the elevator — as well as statements that Kerry and John Edwards have made about how their personal faith has informed their lives and their notions of public service.

The group points out that Mr. Bush, who had made much of his Christian faith, originally ran as a “compassionate conservative.” They discuss the notion of Christian compassion in this context and emphasize their view that Christian compassion is more about deeds than words. By that measure, they find that Bush has been long on talk and short on deeds in the face of growing human suffering in the U.S. and in the world. Kerry on the other hand, is offering a roster of deeds he would seek to accomplish if he were president. So when Kerry talks about his plan for America, Christians for Kerry/Edwards are hearing a roster of the kinds of deeds they would hope and expect from a fellow Christian.

The strength and clarity of the compassionate Christian views of Christians for Kerry/Edwards make for a refreshing read. They are likely to equip many a beleaguered Christian liberal with what they need for politically adventurous rides on the elevator, and beyond.