George W. Bush and faith

There is an interesting article in the Washington Times today in which the president speaks openly about his faith, the role it plays in his life, and the role he believes it has in American life. In response to a question, he also swats at a fly on the wall. Here are some key paragraphs:

"'I fully understand that the job of the president is and must always be protecting the great right of people to worship or not worship as they see fit,' Mr. Bush said. 'That's what distinguishes us from the Taliban. The greatest freedom we have or one of the greatest freedoms is the right to worship the way you see fit.

"'On the other hand, I don't see how you can be president at least from my perspective, how you can be president, without a relationship with the Lord,' he said.

"Michael Newdow, the California atheist who famously failed to get the words 'under God' out of the Pledge of Allegiance, is now attempting to get a D.C. District Court to prevent clergy from participating in Mr. Bush's inauguration.

"'I will have my hand on the Bible,' Mr. Bush said, expressing a tone of amusement and exasperation that one day, even the 216-year-old centerpiece of the inaugural ceremony might be challenged."

Expect the president to get a lot of grief for stating that he doesn't think you can be the president without faith in God. Don't expect to see a lot of people, especially on the talking heads shows, acknowledging that Bush admitted that was his perspective.