WASHINGTON — James Talarico, a contender for the Texas Senate, once captivated an audience with a powerful message titled “God is not a Christian.” In his sermon, he delivered a strong denouncement of conservative figures, whom he accused of attempting to establish a theocratic state in America.

The Democratic candidate, known for his roles as a Presbyterian seminarian and Texas state representative, candidly addressed a congregation in 2023. He noted his occasional hesitance to disclose his religious views, while also cautioning that the faith is under threat, stating, “There is a cancer on our religion.”

“God transcends our human categories,” Talarico declared during his speech at St. Andrews’ Presbyterian Church. “God is not limited to being a Presbyterian or even a Christian. God transcends nouns entirely. God is a verb. God isn’t merely a being; God is the essence of being itself. God is love.”

He elaborated further, “This is why Jesus opposes anything that obstructs love between neighbors, including religious dogma. It’s why he frequently challenged religious norms and claimed that sinners would find the kingdom of heaven before the religiously devout.”

In his rapid political ascent, Talarico has invoked religious themes reminiscent of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Both politicians are commended for their eloquence and vocal criticism of certain aspects of religious conservatism.

But the aspiring senator, who once called God nonbinary, previously explained in a 2021 podcast that “I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity,” though he also noted that despite his misgivings at times, “I always get drawn back into it.”

Those remarks were made during an interview with self-described “TransQueer, Latinx” activist theologian Roberto Henderson-Espinoza, whom Talarico described as a model for his faith.

“James is a Christian seminarian who’s dedicated his life to the teachings of Jesus Christ — fighting corruption when he sees it because there’s nothing Christ-like about powerful people using scripture to justify hate and greed and score political points,” Talarico’s spokesperson JT Ennis told The Post about the remarks.

“While billionaire-bought politicians like Ken Paxton attack James for his faith — he will continue encouraging Texans to come together by loving their neighbors as themselves.”

During his 2023 sermon, the Democrat detailed his struggle with Christian nationalism — which he said needs to be booted from church teachings.

“Christian nationalism is a sectarian movement based on mutual hate,” he argued. “Jesus came to transform the world. Christian nationalism is here to maintain the status quo. They have co-opted the Son of God.”

“They’ve turned this humble rabbi into a gun-toting, gay-bashing, science-denying, money-loving, fear-mongering fascist,” he added. “And it is incumbent upon all Christians to confront it and denounce it. Christian nationalism is on the rise.”

“We are closer than we think to a Christian theocracy.”

Examples Talarico cited during his sermon on Christian nationalism wreaking havoc include the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, a push “to replace public schools in Texas with private Christian schools,” and the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol.

Talarico also rejected the idea that America is a Christian nation and slammed those who weren’t open-minded towards other religions.

“If this was truly a Christian nation, we would make sure every child in this state and in this country was housed, fed, clothed, educated, and insured,” he said.

“If this was truly a Christian nation, we would never make it a Christian nation, because we know the table of fellowship is open to everybody, including our Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and atheist neighbors.”

Talarico currently has a 1.2 percentage point edge over his scandal-scarred rival, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), in the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate of polls.

When faced with some of his past “woke” comments from the early 2020s, Talarico has since described them as “cringey” and added that he “missed the mark on some of those old statements.”

In an era where media accountability is under scrutiny, the recent character attack on Natalie Harp has raised significant eyebrows, spotlighting the often partisan nature of political discourse.

The controversy began when Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, whose remarks seemed to echo the infamous rhetoric of yesteryear, insinuated that Harp, a vital aide to Former President Donald Trump, had become embroiled in a scandal reminiscent of Monica Lewinsky. This assertion, thrown around during a callous reference, undermines Harp’s professional dedication.

Ossoff’s comments suggested that Trump was more interested in personal indulgences than governance, claiming he preferred to venture on lavish trips with Harp on an opulently acquired aircraft. His speech, heavily scripted and broadcasted from a teleprompter, painted a picture of a politically motivated narrative more interested in theatrics than facts.

Critics of Ossoff’s tirade argue that the remarks were not just offhand comments but rather a premeditated smear, designed to diminish both Harp and Trump in a single blow.

The mainstream media, often champions of defending individuals against injustice, faced questions about their response. Did they stand by Harp, a young woman’s reputation at stake, or did they allow the narrative to slip by unchecked? Such developments continue to provoke discussions about the integrity of modern political journalism.

They cheered.

‘His “travel with Natalie” line… showed a sophisticated understanding of the social media environment,’ spewed CNN’s Brian Stelter.

The New York Times dutifully followed. ‘[Harp] caught the president’s eye,’ during a TV appearance in 2019, they suggestively wrote, identifying Harp as a ‘platinum blonde geyser of positivity, there to buck [Trump] up when the going gets rough.’

Look, I don’t fault Americans for curiosity. And if you choose to work for the president, the scrutiny comes with the territory. But the seeing these MeToo warriors turn on their heels to do the Democrats’ bidding is just too much to ignore.

But who is Natalie? She’s Trump’s ‘body woman,’ ubiquitously by his side, through thick and thinning hair.  Every president and big-time politico has one.

President Barack Obama relied on Reggie, a former Duke basketball player. Homophobe Washington gossips were convinced these fellas got sweaty doing more than playing hoops.

Hillary Clinton was famously joined at the hip to Huma Abedin (now Mrs Alex Soros, ick!), and tongue waggers swore there was a genuine Sapphic connection betwixt them.

Joe Biden didn’t have a ‘body man’ because he was basically a walking corpse shuffling through the West Wing looking for ice cream.

But my point is that the arrangement is not that strange. What does give me pause are – the letters.

Harp reportedly leaves Trump gooey notes that, frankly, border on the bizarre. ‘I also am sorry if I was an embarrassment walking the course in Scotland,’ she wrote to Trump after she was seen running behind his golf cart during a May 2023 trip.

‘I want things to always be right between us. I also know I’ve been distracted all week (forgetting to eat throughout the days, and even forgetting to sleep, and only catching a couple hours at a time),’ she continued in the letter published by the Daily Mail last year.

‘With all my heart, Natalie,’ she closed.

Why the seemingly fanatic devotion? Well, Natalie credits her boss with saving her life. Not romantically, literally. She was diagnosed with an almost certainly fatal form of stage-two bone cancer in 2018, and after two failed rounds of chemo rolled the dice on a non-FDA approved treatment thanks to Trump’s Right-to-Try legislation.

After the experimental gamble saved her life, she gushed: ‘I’m not dying from cancer any more thanks to President Trump, I’m living with cancer.’

The fetching loyalist is also known as ‘the human printer,’ reportedly carrying a portable printer to rattle off news articles for the luddite commander-in-chief.

A close friend of the president who knows Natalie confided to me: ‘She works her a** off, she’s a really good kid and loyal as can be. Jon Ossoff was way out of line, there was no reason to attack Natalie. She hasn’t done anything wrong.’

Maybe that’s why reaction from the White House and conservative circles has been so swift. They knew that biased journalists would take this insult and run with it.

Trump’s first term inspired whispers of body doubles and ‘fake Melanias’ who, according to conspiracy theorists, filled in for the crowd shy First Spouse. Now that Melania is doing even fewer public appearances (you can’t really blame her after the family has endured more assassination attempts than the Avengers), weirdos like Jon Ossoff have had to invent new scandals.

But I’m not buying this one. Let’s remember, folks. President Trump is 80. He’s not exactly the notorious Casanova of decades ago.

And to the Dems and their media ghouls: Scoring political points by dragging a hardworking cancer survivor is rancid, even by today’s standards.

Hot girl summer

Outgoing Congresswoman Nancy Mace hastily covered her body in nine new ‘freaky tattoos,’ as they were described by the president, since being elected in 2020.

After quitting the House and losing her bid for South Carolina governor, Mace debuted the ink in saucy bikini pics and tank tops on her new YouTube show.

Eagle-eyed rock fans are comparing her to late-stage Steven Tyler.

You know what, I see it, too.

Who needs Ossoff?

Andrew Gillum was an alligator’s tail away from becoming Florida’s Democratic Governor but now the disgraced ex-Tallahassee mayor is swapping prison orange for rehab jammies.

In early July, Gillum was pulled over for erratic driving and cops found meth, pre-rolled joints, cut straws and a bong in his car.

Now, after testing positive for meth he’s back in custody. He’s one groping accusation away from being the 2028 Democratic front runner.

Free the nipple

Nutty Brooks Nader just can’t seem to keep the girls at home.

The reality TV star went looking for more attention in all the wrong ways, leaving nothing to the imagination by going topless on a yacht in Positano, Italy in front of her dad, her God and the paparazzi.

Rep Nancy, are you taking notes?

Dingo ate my demon

‘It’ girl Kaia Gerber says her supermodel mom Cindy Crawford was so convinced that the fruit of her beautiful loins was possessed by the supernatural that she hired an exorcist.

‘I was told I was possessed as a child,’ the 24-year-old Shards actress said.

Cindy and hubby Rande apparently ordered up some weirdo cleric to go medieval on poor little Kaia: ‘They played a didgeridoo all over me. That’s how they did the exorcism.’

Did it work?

Thriller

Speaking of unconventional therapeutics, Michael Jackson’s daughter skipped the Aboriginal treatments, but kept things archaic.

After seeking help at five different mental health facilities and being put on ‘a conveyor belt of medications,’ Paris, 28, revealed she underwent at least nine rounds of electroshock therapy: ‘You’re knocked out and then they shock you.’

Regressive party

A socialist lawmaker in Brooklyn says shoplifters have a right to steal items like soap and toothpaste because of their ‘biological need’ for the products.

You know what else is a biological need?

A brain.

She should get one.

In a delightful update from Southern California, Big Bear’s renowned bald eagle nest welcomes a new guest, captivating viewers with her presence.

A regal entrant, a young female eagle affectionately dubbed KD1, or “Kaydee” by her growing fan base, has made her debut alongside Shadow, the resident male eagle renowned for his nurturing role alongside his previous long-term mate, Jackie.

This past Saturday, August 15, marked a significant event as Shadow and Kaydee were spotted spending considerable time together in the nest, prompting excitement among the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s online community on Facebook. This rendezvous followed Shadow’s initial return to the nest from a hiatus since July 23, a notable sighting as it marked the first joint visit for the eagles.

The sighting occurs in the poignant aftermath of losing Jackie, whose heartwarming journey with Shadow has been closely followed by millions of nature enthusiasts via the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s live-stream cameras nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Tragically, Jackie passed on August 10 after enduring over three weeks of intensive treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center. It is believed that Jackie succumbed to injuries sustained from an altercation with other birds. Her loss has been a heartbreak to many who cherished her story.

While multiple spellings of the new eagle’s name have been shared online, including “Katie,” in an update Wednesday, Friends of Big Bear Valley shared that the eagle will be called “Kaydee.”

Who is Kaydee?

Kaydee is KD1, a banded female bald eagle previously spotted around Big Bear Valley. Because of her band, observers have identified her as a younger eagle from Southern California.

The Friends of Big Bear Valley group has cautioned against reading too much into the interactions just yet. Bald eagles are wild animals, and Kaydee spending time near Shadow does not necessarily mean she will become his next mate.

That distinction hasn’t stopped fans from getting invested.

On the Friends of Big Bear Valley Facebook page, commenters have been sharing their excitement, grief and plenty of jokes about Shadow’s new companion.

“I have an addiction to watching for HOURS now,” one commenter wrote, adding that while they were “still missing Jackie,” they “absolutely adore this new lil lady that is keeping him company.”

Another fan imagined what Shadow’s dating profile might look like ahead of mating season.

“Recently widowed, handsome middle-aged man, chortles well, excellent fisherman and nest builder, superb father, has secure roost tree and 14-story tall mansion overlooking Big Bear Lake,” the commenter joked. “Check him out, ladies!”

For others, Kaydee’s arrival has taken on a more sentimental meaning.

“I think Jackie sent this beautiful new lady to take care of her beloved Shadow,” another commenter wrote. “It’s so great that we will be able to continue to see new babies in the nest. Just have to wait