POLITICS OF DEATH Falwell

Like everything else that happens over the next eight months, the death of Jerry Falwell is the perfect opportunity for Republican presidential candidates to demonstrate their conservative bona fides and score a few sympathy points.

In South Carolina for tonight's debate, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Rudy Giuliani all released statements within the first hour or two after the Moral Majority founder's passing was announced .

McCain's statement was suitably dry-eyed, considering he once branded Falwell an "agent of intolerance." "I join the students, faculty, and staff of Liberty University and Americans of all faiths in mourning the loss of Reverend Jerry Falwell," said McCain. "Dr. Falwell was a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Falwell's family at this difficult time."

McCain's spokesman couldn't immediately say whether the senator planned to attend Falwell's funeral. (Recall that McCain did speak at Falwell's Liberty University last May, a move widely seen as a kowtow to the religious conservatives who'd been affronted by his "agent of intolerance" jab.) Nor did Giuliani or Romney's reps know if their candidates intended to show up.

Giuliani, who is trying to convince conservatives to support him despite his liberal social policies, downplayed the religious aspect of Falwell's legacy in favor of portraying him as a fellow straight shooter. "He was a man who set a direction. He was someone who was not afraid to speak his mind. We all have great respect for him ... he is a person who told you what he thought, and you knew where he stood. My sympathies and my prayers go out to his family."

Meanwhile, Romney, who hopes evangelicals like Falwell's supporters will see him as an ally despite his Mormon faith, offered a eulogy that seemed to emphasize his own religiosity.

"An American who built and led a movement based on strong principles and strong faith has left us. He will be greatly missed, but the legacy of his important work will continue through his many ministries where he put his faith into action. Ann and I have had the honor to talk and meet with Reverend Falwell and get to know him as a man of deep personal faith and commitment to helping those around him. He will be forever remembered."

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