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Bush pushes faith-based initiative (NEDRA PICKLER, March 1, 2005, AP)

President Bush, brushing off critics who say he's pushed his faith-based initiative for political gains, reaffirmed his commitment to letting religious groups compete for government money so long as they help anybody in need.

"We ought to judge faith-based groups by results, not by their religion," Bush said Tuesday to more than 250 religious leaders gathered for a speech here to push his initiative, which has stalled in Congress.

Undeterred by congressional inaction, Bush sidestepped lawmakers with executive orders and regulations to give religious organizations equal footing with nonsectarian ones in competing for federal contracts. He pushed Congress to codify the executive orders into law this year.

"It is said that faith can move mountains," Bush said. "Here in Washington, D.C., those helping the poor and needy often run against a big mountain called bureaucracy. I'm here to talk about how to move that mountain so that we can reach out and partner with programs which reach out to people who hurt."

The other day our 8 year old asked if the President's last name was really Brushingoffcritics.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 1, 2005 4:47 PM