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Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind Their Backs

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Sat Oct 14, 2006 at 11:14:07 AM EST
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The Los Angeles Times reports on a new book by former White House aide David Kuh in which he reports that while Bush aides publicly endorsed evangelical positions, privately they referred to them disparagingly.

In the book, Kuo, who quit the White House in 2003, accuses Karl Rove's political staff of cynically hijacking the faith-based initiatives idea for electoral gain. It assails Bush for failing to live up to his promises of boosting the role of religious organizations in delivering social services.

White House strategists "knew 'the nuts' were politically invaluable, but that was the extent of their usefulness," Kuo writes, according to the cable channel MSNBC, which obtained an advance copy.

"Sadly, the political affairs folks complained most often and most loudly about how boorish many politically involved Christians were.... National Christian leaders received hugs and smiles in person and then were dismissed behind their backs and described as 'ridiculous' and 'out of control.' ''

Kuo was a top official in the faith-based initiatives program.

The book will be out Monday, it's called "Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction."

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    Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind Their Backs | 9 comments (9 topical)
    Re: Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind T (none / 0) (#1)
    by Edger on Sat Oct 14, 2006 at 12:46:48 PM EST
    These are people who've spent their lives and built their careers treating people with the insulting assumption that they are so stupid they can be sucked in by kind of bullsh*t. They work for bush. Guess who's accountable. "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing!", "Greed is good!", "You're either with us, or we'll destroy you!" They have zero respect for anyone, not just evangelicals. And for some, if not most, of the evangelicals, it's the old sad karmic story: "You get what you give" No sympathy here.

    Re: Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind T (none / 0) (#2)
    by teacherken on Sat Oct 14, 2006 at 12:46:48 PM EST
    actually, according to Keith O, they did not receive an advance copy as would a reviewer. They simply went out to a bookstore which apparently was willing to sell it to them before the official release date. It will be interesting to see th roll-out coverage, which I believe also includes 60 Minutes tomorrow.

    Re: Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind T (none / 0) (#3)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Oct 14, 2006 at 03:34:22 PM EST
    That's the difference between us godless liberals and Coulter's evangelical automatons. We are at least aware that we are being manipulated, and by whom. So many have died or been maimed by preventable catastrophes. The death toll in Iraq is fast surpassing the the toll in Darfur. Both must be addressed. Neither are. Meanwhile, the main industry of the US, weapons, expands astronomically. The rich get richer, and the poor die off. This is no god's will. This is greedy, souless people doing whatever they have to, or manipulating whomever they can, to maintain their power and increase their wealth.

    Re: Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind T (none / 0) (#4)
    by John Mann on Sat Oct 14, 2006 at 04:09:03 PM EST
    Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind Their Backs
    Hmmm.. looks like these Bush guys aren't as stupid as I'd thought.

    Re: Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind T (none / 0) (#5)
    by Gabriel Malor on Sat Oct 14, 2006 at 04:59:46 PM EST
    Meanwhile, the main industry of the US, weapons, expands astronomically.
    Che, GDP by industry data can be found here. Weaponry is not the "main industry" of the US. Our biggest industries are retail and wholesale trade, real estate, telecommunications, healthcare, insurance, banking, autos, petroleum, and electronics.

    Re: Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind T (none / 0) (#6)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Oct 14, 2006 at 09:27:44 PM EST
    Gabe, You are correct. I should have stated it this way: "Already the largest weapons supplier in the world, the U.S. government is now providing arms and military training to an even wider group of states in the name of "homeland security."

    Re: Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind T (none / 0) (#7)
    by Edger on Sun Oct 15, 2006 at 08:42:46 AM EST
    Che, More complaining? Tell me, just how in the hell do you expect to win the war on terror without creating more rogue terrorist states like Washington, DC to fight? Hmm?

    Re: Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind T (none / 0) (#8)
    by Che's Lounge on Sun Oct 15, 2006 at 10:30:10 AM EST
    Edger, It's all working out quite nicely for the usual suspects. There is no win or lose, as you know. Just perpetual conflict for perpetual profit (HT to Gore Vidal). ...more rogue terrorist states like Washington, DC to fight? That's not a typo.

    Re: Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind T (none / 0) (#9)
    by Edger on Sun Oct 15, 2006 at 04:44:03 PM EST
    Che, you're right. It was not a typo. I meant every word. ;-)

    Bush Aides Called Evangelicals "Nuts" Behind Their Backs | 9 comments (9 topical)