Courage, Conviction, Kerry, Palin

So Palin is a fundamentalist Christian but not (Douthat would have us believe, just as he would have us believe that Chesterton's anti-semitism is a mere peccadillo in the face of his sterling and brave critique of liberalism) a particularly officious or apostolic one. Is it possible to separate religion and politics this way? I believe it is. But isn't this precisely what John Kerry (and Rudy Giuliani) was criticized for - not having the courage of his convictions? Professing moral disdain for abortion like a good Catholic but refusing to enshrine those beliefs into law?

If Sarah Palin is a sincere creationist, how can she justify NOT insisting that it be taught in schools?