The good news: "The antichrist isn't going to be an American, so it can't possibly be Obama. The Bible makes it clear he will be from an obscure place, like Romania," Left Behind author Reverend Tim LaHaye tells the Wall Street Journal in an article examining the allegations that John McCain's "The One" ad is really a coded message to evangelicals suggesting that Barack Obama will bring about the Tribulation.

The bad news:

"In some swing states with concentrated pockets of fundamentalists and evangelical Christians, like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Virginia, the ads could have particular impact. Suggestions that Sen. Obama is the antichrist have been circulating for months in Bible-study meetings in towns like Chillicothe, Ohio, where congregants compare his remarks and his biography with verses from the Bible."

In other news: "They're not exactly rooting for him, but prominent white supremacists anticipate a boost to their cause if Barack Obama becomes the first black president."

Remember when I was all optimistic about America being ready to elect an African-American candidate? Why didn't any of you slap me hard?