Tuesday, August 03, 2004

Bush woos Catholics

From MSNBC.

On his own campaign swing in Dallas, the president told the Knights of Columbus that “we must address despair,” as the White House announced $188 million in federal grants for faith-based and community groups helping the homeless, the unemployed, substance abusers and the children of parents who are in prison.

The president has promoted a bigger role for faith-based groups in government-funded social service programs.

“I believe government needs to stand on the side of faith-based groups, not against faith-based groups,” the president said to applause from thousands at a convention of the group.

Bush split the Catholic vote with Democrat Al Gore in the 2000 election and has steadily courted Catholic voters ever since, mindful that they represent about a quarter of the electorate. The president met with Pope John Paul II for the third time two months ago, a fact he reminded the Knights of Columbus. Bush’s rival John Kerry is Catholic; the president is Methodist.

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