Was Jesus a Democrat or a Republican?

I have heard Sen. Max Cleland speak at least a half dozen times now, and tonight was the speech I have ever heard him give. He told some of the best jokes I had heard in a long time too, my favorite of the evening, that is simple enough to repeat, was when he asked the question, was Jesus a Democrat or a Republican?

For his answer, he said:

I don't know, I do know that he was a carpenter, and every carpenter I know is a Democrat. I know he was also a teacher, and ever teacher I know is a Democrat, and I know that it sure wasn't an elephant that Mary rode into Bethlehem!

I laughed.