What does God expect of political candidates?

The election for governor of Ohio is not until November 2006, but campaign ads are already airing.

Here is the transcript of one advertisement that runs regularly. It's for current Republican Attorney General Jim Petro:

Petro's voice: "What does God expect of us? To do justice. To love kindness. Nancy and I have been married for nearly 33 years. We’re pro-life. We believe that we have to do all that we can to advocate the protection of all life. We believe that marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman, that allows for families to develop, to become the basic foundation of our society. Our worship and our faith give me the opportunity to make decisions that are more effective for people."

Narrator: "Jim Petro for governor."

Visuals in the ad include a Holy Bible, wedding rings, and a marriage certificate.

Let's look at one phrase:

Our worship and our faith give me the opportunity to make decisions that are more effective for people.

Wait - is he suggesting that people of a different faith than his, or people without a faith, can't make decisions as effectively?

More effective than whom? Jews? Muslims? Atheists? At the very least he is saying his religion makes him a better decision-maker than an atheist or agnostic.

Interestingly enough, this guy is too liberal for at least one of his Republican opponents, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. Blackwell's response was that Petro's abortion record is misleading - that Blackwell is more pro-life than Petro.