When it was announced in March that John McCain would speak this month at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, I stated that McCain, clearly a presidential contender in 2008, was selling out to gain the support of the Religious Right. McCain had been critical of Falwell and others in the Religious Right during his failed 2000 presidential campaign against George W. Bush.

However, several people commented that I was being too harsh against McCain. What if the senator used the opportunity at Liberty to challenge the Religious Right and Falwell himself to ascend to higher standards of morality?

That didn't happen.

"The Arizona senator's speech was shorn of religious references and avoided controversial social issues. Instead, he focused on constitutional principles while touching on themes of humility, patriotism, respect for political opponents and forgiveness that may be relevant to his preparations to seek the Republican presidential nomination again," reports The Washington Post.

McCain proved this weekend that he is just another typical politician willing to abandon his principles to climb the ladder of power.

The Religious Right is dangerous and people like Falwell - who opposed integration and the civil rights movement in the 60s and opposes rights for women and gays now - don't have the same respect for American democracy and pluralism that ought to be required of those seeking the presidency.

McCain has gotten into bed with a bad group of people and everyone ought to remember that come 2008.