Of "phony theology" and phony outrage . . .

In yesterday's "Morning Jolt" from Jim Geraghty at National Review Online:

Here's how Santorum is playing in Michigan this morning:

Over the weekend, Rick Santorum spoke of President Barack Obama's "phony theology," and, on Monday, he talked about "a culture that has radically changed," saying we need to "rebuild the family and the church." With the Michigan and Arizona primaries a week from Tuesday, Santorum -- who polls still show to be leading nationally and in Michigan -- has increasingly turned to invoking faith and spirituality on the campaign trail, making comments that could alienate moderate conservative less concerned with social policies but motivate more passionate believers. In Lowell just east of Grand Rapids, 74-year-old Virginia Kimmer doesn't want a president forcing others to follow -- or violate -- their religious beliefs but she still wants "a man in the seat of power . . . who would be a fundamentally religious person." She's leaning toward Santorum.

But also this morning, the Wall Street Journal notes:

In the latest indication of how social issues are rising in step with Mr. Santorum, the former senator sparked a debate with Democrats over the weekend when he said some of President Barack Obama's views are based on "some phony theology . . . not a theology based on the Bible."

The boss reminds us of the full context:

The comments came at an event in Columbus shortly after the former senator from Pennsylvania said efficacy and safety improvements in oil drilling technology are considered by the president to be "a dangerous technology." "It doesn't fit his pattern of trying to drive down consumption, trying to drive up your cost of transportation to accomplish his political science goal of reducing carbon dioxide," he said. Obama, he continued, is not motivated by "your quality of life." "It's not about your job. It's about some phony ideal, some phony theology," Santorum said. "Oh, not a theology based on the Bible, a different theology. But no less a theology."

John J. Pitney reminds us:

It's worth noting that political figures from both parties have sometimes referred to their opponents' belief system as a "theology." Several weeks ago, White House press secretary Jay Carney said: "Most of my adult life, the Republican theology has been tax cuts for everyone are the highest priority."