Slate‘s Martin Edlund trots out what will likely soon be the reigning narrative for mainstream coverage of the “religious left,” contrasting Rabbi Michael Lerner’s obviously flaky confab (think concentric prayer circles) with Jim Wallis’ upcoming conference, focused on electoral politics (which, in the press, is always the most reasonable course): “Wallis’ conference this week, Pentecost 2006,” writes Edlund, “will bring hundreds of Christian activists to Washington to promote a Covenant for a New America aimed at eradicating poverty at home and abroad. Unlike Lerner’s conference, Wallis’ isn’t going to be dominated by the liberal fringes: Among the speakers are Republican Sens. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Sam Brownback of Kansas.”

Oh — so it’ll be dominated by the right-wing fringe. Too harsh? You decide: Santorum compares gay sex to bestiality. Brownback compares it to murder. Santorum “discovered” weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that not even Cheney believes in. Brownback has taken to the Senate floor to fight for action against killer asteroids. Santorum accuses Hillary of being part of a plot he describes as the “elders of liberalism” (shades of anti-Semitism). Brownback can almost work up tears when he tells you how, although he used to hate her so much it made his stomach hurt, now he loves her so much it makes his heart thump.

Who’s kooky, now?