Even though the 60 Minutes interview with John Kerry and John Edwards on Sunday was mostly positive, there was a question and answer that was truly cringeworthy.

Lesley Stahl: Ron Reagan Jr. was recently very critical of President Bush invoking religion when it comes to policy � particularly in the war in Iraq. What do the candidates think of this?

Kerry: “Abraham Lincoln wisely avoided trying to invoke God on the side of the North or assist the South, but prayed that he was on God’s side. I think that that’s the lesson that John and I would bring to this. We are both people of deep faith. I think that and I respect the president’s faith. I don’t question it. None of us do. But I think it’s important for us to be really mindful of not stepping over that precious line that the founding fathers drew. And I believe that on a number of occasions this president has stepped over that line.”

What they should have said:

“We are men of faith, and spirituality is important to us. But it is just one part of what goes into leadership. Effective leaders incorporate their faith with their experience and lessons they have learned. Our experience both in the Senate and our lives prior to politics have prepared us to lead and protect the United States.”

It’s that simple. Don’t talk about the President’s faith, he can do that for himself. Don’t talk about the separation of church and state, everyone knows what the First Amendment says. People have already made up their minds on what they think of religion. Throw moderates a token by saying that faith is part of the process and move on.

This is an issue where a small number of votes can be won or a large number of votes can be lost.