GETTING religion is the first hurdle in the world's longest race, starting in Iowa yesterday and ending at the White House in November.

Over here, this is the last leap politicians would make, if at all. Our ex-PM simply didn't do God' in office for fear of being thought loopy.

Tony Blair then chose to become RC at Christmas when even hardened Brits allow the Almighty 15-minutes of tinsel and fame.

American politicians wear Jesus stickers alongside rosettes, and when the polls slump they turn up the God dial.

"I trust conversions on the road to Damascus, not on the road to Des Moines," said a minor candidate of another whom he accused of getting godlier on the road to Iowa.

Surprise Iowan winner Baptist minister Mike Huckabee says his faith in God defines him'.

He tells voters to get to their knees and pray for caucus wisdom'. Senator Barack Obama, the shock Republican winner, was baptised at 26 and declares that faith guides' his values.

Mitt Romney's campaign is bannered Faith in America', and promises that his Mormon faith will inform my presidency'.

United Methodist Hilary Clinton, a sad Iowan third, used to host church picnics'.

As a man of faith I should celebrate. My faith in man, sadly, makes me pause.