: "Bush wants monopoly on faith
St. Petersburg Times staff writer Bill Maxwell weighs in on a recent faith-based flap between the Bush and Kerry campaigns. While speaking recently at a church in St. Louis, Kerry quoted Scripture to criticize the president. Although Bush frequently relies on faith-based language, his campaign went after Kerry, saying his Bible quote was inappropriate.
Maxwell starts off his column with this quote from George W. Bush: 'As I studied and learned, Scripture took on greater meaning, and I gained confidence and understanding in my faith.'
He continues: 'The Bush administration is feeling threatened ... because it responded in a childish manner to a matter of religion -- the purported essence of this president's character and leadership. Last Sunday, John Kerry, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, worshiped at a black church in St. Louis and used a Bible verse to describe President Bush's leadership as one that has 'faith but has no deeds.' ? Bush's attack dog Steve Schmidt pounced on Kerry, intoning that the Massachusetts senator's indictment 'was beyond the bounds of acceptable discourse and a sad exploitation of Scripture for a political attack.''
'Did Schmidt forget that he speaks for one of the most 'faith-based' administrations ever? If Bush can be legitimately attacked on any front, it is that of 'faith.' In other words, the president's own public declarations of faith as the source of his leadership and designs on the world are fair game for political scrutiny and attack.' "
