Prophet Obama smites king McCain

The current race for the White House is more blatantly biblical than any in recent times. Two Judaic archetypes are having a stand-off. In the red corner we have the military tough-guy; in the blue corner we have the prophet of peace.

McCain is a politician whose authority has been forged in war, like one of the kings of ancient Israel. In fact modern Israel has revived this warrior tradition: McCain looks very like one of those scary war veterans who end up running the country, Sharon or Netanyahu.

Of course other American presidential candidates have served in the military, including Kennedy, but this guy's different: he volunteered for extra torture. He makes Rambo look like a conscientious objector. His message is that the divine purpose of America depends on security.

It isn't easy for Americans being God's chosen people, because they have to balance two things: the moral purpose that proves they're God's elect, and the power that keeps them safe and strong, in case God's pre-utopian plans include a bit of smiting.

So if you're John McCain you don't spout liberal platitudes about giving every kid a chance until you've made damn sure your enemies are scared of you. His running mate Sarah Palin resembles Deborah, who sang and danced about the drowning of Pharaoh's army: just rejoice! Politics is ultimately about leading the people in a victory-cry.

But of course there's more to Old Testament politics than tribal militarism. The strength of the nation is not an end in itself, but the means to world peace. What does it profit a chosen people if it gains the world but loses its soul?

In ancient Israel the macho kings were challenged by the prophets, counter-cultural figures who condemned military triumphalism, exposed court scandals (including sexual ones), and most importantly banged on