On Aug. 24, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris said a few interesting things.

She said the separation of church and state is "a lie we have been told," "God is the one who chooses our rulers," and "if you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin."

The fact that Harris, a senatorial candidate for the 13th Congressional District in Florida, has demonstrated such blatant ignorance of the Constitution and the very ideals on which this country was founded is appalling.

To its credit, the Republican Party has made endeavors to distance itself from Harris. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush went as far as to say he feels she doesn't have a chance at winning her election.

Nevertheless, polls show Harris leads Florida's Republican Senate nomination race by a staggering 38 percent. Harris is a representative of an alarming trend in the Republican Party to lead, not with informed policies, but rather with blind religious fundamentalism.

If Harris is an example of what the Republican Party has to offer in 2006, this should be an interesting midterm election.