At the risk of alienating a base of loyal Democrats who balk at religious discussion in the public square, they picked a religious Democratic loyalist to reach out to the 61 percent of Americans who, according to The Gallup Organization, describe religion as very important to their lives. The press needs to move on, he says. Not surprisingly, Ron Barrier of the American Atheist Society agrees with Lynn. The candidates are alienating a large part of the population who have no religious beliefs, he tells Insight. It hardly is astonishing to learn that Barrier is particularly distressed about Bush s support of faith-based groups receiving government money.
Vouchers now is a code word for religious imperialism.
Bush is still for them. Janet Parshall, a radio talk-show host who has fought for years for religious liberties in America, says opponents miss the precedent. We did this 50 years ago with the GI Bill, she says. Some of them used that voucher for seminary to become pastors. Lieberman would have agreed with her until last week, when he had to step up to the platform with Vice President Al Gore.