The Christian Coalition may unraveling at the seams (see below), but at least it was all for a bad cause (self-enrichment, bullyboy politics, career-launching, aka “Ralph Reed“). Tony Perkinsof the Family Research Council, one of the ascendant powers of Christian conservatism, seems to be the real deal, which is why it’s just a little bit sad to see him turn into a snake eating its own tail over Harriet Miers. The latest edition of his email newsletter contains two items, one decrying the notion that religious belief is a relevant criteria for choosing a judge, and the other tearing into liberal minister Barry Lynn for decrying the notion that religious belief is a criteria for choosing a judge. Maybe this is like a mamma joke — it’s just not cool when someone else tells one about your mother.