The entire editorial is on point, but here’s the best part of the Colorado Springs Gazette’s lead editorial yesterday, titled “Fabricating a GOP tyrant,” which rips ABC’s Charlie Gibson and the rest of the MSM for their desperate attempts to demonize Sarah Palin’s faith:

This is the dishonest marginalization of a candidate some members of the mainstream media simply do not like. If she won’t marginalize herself with outrageous statements, some will pull them from thin air. Even if Palin were as bold about God as the media pretend, it wouldn’t put her in odd company. Consider the following presidential quotes.

Certainly no one should feel inclined to agree with them, but if Palin is too religiously extreme for public office, how do we explain Washington, Kennedy, Carter, Clinton and Reagan?

“It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.” – George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

“Let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking his blessing and his help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.” – John F. Kennedy, inaugural address, Jan. 20, 1961

“Let us teach our children that the God of comfort is also the God of righteousness. Those who trouble their own house will inherit the wind. Justice will Prevail.” – Bill Clinton, April 23, 1985, after the Oklahoma City bombing

“Those who are lost now belong to God. Some day we will be with them.” – Clinton, April 23, 1985, Oklahoma City

“You can not divorce religious belief and public service. I’ve never detected a conflict between God’s will and my political duty. If you violate one, you violate the other.” – Jimmy Carter, Atlanta, June 16, 1978

“Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.” – Ronald Reagan

One can agree or disagree with any or all of the above statements about God, and a great many others that have been made by presidents since the beginning of the this republic. What’s indisputable, however, is the fact that presidents – on the left and right – have a tradition of claiming partnerships with God as they’ve steered the executive branch.

Palin, by contrast, has merely spoken of prayers that God might have a plan. She has been nowhere near as boldly religious as the men who have governed us for 200-plus years. Perhaps standards are different for women.