There is no freedom without religious freedom. It’s foundational. But Tim Kaine will only entertain that as true if politically convenient.

Where’s Ben Sasse when you need a remedial civics teacher to school senators?

Tim Kaine’s remarks about the U.S. and Iran and religion during a recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing were so preposterous, there is no shortage of commentary in response. He’s sure earned it.

And to think one of the major parties thought he’d make for a good vice president of the United States. That’s the best you’ve got?

Here’s Bishop Robert Barron in response to his remarks — “God help us!”:

We have Rich and Caroline and others around these parts also responding. Here’s my syndicated column today.

I don’t believe the man is as ignorant as he sounds (although I know some folks who have spent time with him who are willing to believe he is). I think it is more likely that Kaine is shameless when it comes to telling the truth about religion in America.

I noted that in mid-July he was blasting the Trump administration for cutting contracts with Catholic Charities. He said the move was an “attack on the religious organizations so that they cannot do the work that their faith in their Creator compels them to do.” Oh, but isn’t it only the mullahs in Iran who would ever have anything to do with religious organizations?

We remain a beacon for religious liberty in the world, and it is our sacred duty to make sure we pass it along as we found it — but stronger. As Ronald Reagan put it about freedom more broadly:

All of us, as Americans, are joined in a common enterprise to write the story of freedom — the greatest adventure mankind has ever known, and one we must pass on to our children and our children’s children — remembering that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.

And there is no freedom without religious freedom. It’s foundational. But Tim Kaine will only entertain that as true if politically convenient.