This must rank as one of the least surprising headlines of this election cycle. It wasn’t very hard to predict that voters who: 1) are opposed to gay marriage and abortion and 2) overwhelmingly think military strength is the best way to ensure peace and that the U.S. made the right choice going to war in Iraq just aren’t going to like Barack Obama. He can share all the faith stories he likes, but biography isn’t necessarily the ticket for a candidate who had Reverend Wright as his spiritual mentor for twenty years.

Following the 2004 election there were a spate of symposia and lots of buzz among Democrats about how to appeal to “values” voters. Yes, it is a good idea not to disparage religion and, yes, it is good to show respect for voters who have deeply-held beliefs on abortion. But it turns out these voters actually care about the candidates’ positions and world outlook. When you think about it, devout people who organize their lives based on religious principles are the last people who are going to be swayed by sweet talk and atmospherics.

John McCain may worry about getting value voters to turn out, but he probably doesn’t have to worry much about the ones who actually show up on election day.