http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=891&e=1&u=/laweekly/56643This is a presidential campaign of God and man. Or, at least, that is how George W. Bush and his strategists want the electorate to view the contest. Bush is on the side of God, and Kerry is . . . well, you get the picture. And what evidence does Bush offer to prove he is doing God’s work? The war in Iraq (news - web sites). Yes, the Bush team has decided to use the war — which most Americans, according to polls, consider a mistake — to demonstrate not only that Bush is decisive and committed to protecting the United States but that he also is bold enough to lead this nation in a crusade to bring liberty and democracy to countries throughout the world, especially in the Middle East. And this endeavor, Bush declared during his acceptance speech, is literally a mission from God. While defending his war in Iraq, Bush, speaking from a wooden podium bearing the image of a cross, said, “I believe that America is called to lead the cause of freedom in a new century . . . Freedom is not America’s gift to the world, it is the Almighty God’s gift to every man and woman in this world.” Forget the WMD; the war in Iraq is now about exporting God’s gift to the Arab world. And at the end of the speech, Bush again defined his foreign policy in messianic terms: “Like generations before us, we have a calling from beyond the stars to stand for freedom.” Now who calls from beyond the stars? Not Captain Kirk.
Before Bush’s address, New York Governor George Pataki told the convention that Bush “is one of those men God and fate somehow lead to the fore in times of challenge.” That suggests a vote against Bush is a vote against God. Or is God perhaps now leading John Kerry (news - web sites) to the fore as a reasonable alternative to the last fellow God led to the fore? (At the start of the convention’s final evening, Bishop Keith Butler, who founded the Word of Faith International Christian Center in Detroit, delivered the invocation and said, “We give thanks to you
because more families in America are enjoying the benefits of this nation’s economic recovery.” He did not ask God to help the 4 million Americans who have fallen into poverty since 2000.) This is how the GOPers want voters to see the race: On one side there is a bold, visionary fellow who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect America (even if that means committing a big screwup in Iraq) and who resides in the White House due to an act of providence; on the other is a concrete-minded and pedestrian guy who thinks too much and is far too grounded in reality and nuance.
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