In case clarification is needed: We need more religious people who confidently let their faith inform their public lives. I’m certainly way into candidates who are free of silly hang-ups about not offending by wishing a “Merry Christmas.” What bothers me about Huckabee is a) that he is not ready for primetime (see Foreign Affairs); b) much of his record; c) that he appears to be using religion as a political weapon.

During his treadmill interview with the New York Times, he said: “I’m being questioned about the details of my faith like no one else.”

Now he knows that isn’t true. And as a preacherman politician, he could uniquely raise the bar going into Iowa. Instead he’s exploiting religion and is the cause of unnecessary distractions.

We need this coalition — of conservative evangelicals, Jews, Catholics, nonbelievers, all — to be able to work together come February. Primary candidates and their peeps each want to win — but each also needs to think of what he leaves behind if they don’t. This is about more than any one candidate. My version of Reagan’s 11th: Don’t do damage to a winning coalition.

UPDATE: From a reader: “I still don’t think you have said what it was about the Huckabee Christmas ad that was offensive.” That he used religion as a political tool. I may be all wrong. I may be way too cynical. But coming days after the Jesus/Lucifer innocent question, he looks to be saying to “Christians” in that ad and elsewhere: I am your guy. But we’re not electing a “Christian leader.” We’re electing a president.

It’s a brilliant way to win Iowa, for sure. Change the subject away from policy and record questions, get with the season. But I don’t think it’s me trying to divide and conquer evangelicals and non-evangelical conservatives. And God forgive me if I’m wrong in that regard.