POACHING IN THE DEMOCRATS' PRESERVE

Buh Meets With Black Urban Leaders (DEB RIECHMANN, 7/17/03, Associated Press)

Earlier in the day, Bush gave a 25-minute speech at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building to about 120, mostly black, community leaders from across America. Most of his speech underscored his belief that taxpayers' money should be used to fund effective faith-based programs, but he also talked about his recent trip to five African nations. Afterward, the group was briefed on the trip by national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, who was with Bush at Goree Island.

"Those who were chained, sent in those ships ... never lost their desire for freedom and hope, stood strong in the face of the oppressor, finally made the oppressor feel guilty and, in fact, made us realize what it meant: liberty and justice for all," Bush said.

With that, one of the urban leaders shouted out "amen" and the group applauded. [...]

When his "faith-based initiative" stalled in Congress amid this controversy, Bush began sidestepping lawmakers with executive orders and regulations to give religious organizations equal footing in competing for federal contracts.

Courting black leaders is amusing, but it's the last--about effecting FBI via the rule-making power--that should be paid attention. Posted by Orrin Judd at July 18, 2003 12:44 AM