From the Guardian/Observer:

Bush says God chose him to lead his nation
Book reveals how President's religious and political beliefs are entwined - and claims he did pray with Blair

[He better not have.]

President George W. Bush stood before a cheering crowd at a Dallas Christian youth centre last week, and told them about being 'born again' as a Christian.

Behind Bush were two banners. 'King of Kings', proclaimed one. 'Lord of Lords', said the other. The symbolism of how fervent Christianity has become deeply entwined with the most powerful man on the planet could not have been stronger.

Few US Presidents have been as openly religious as Bush.

Now this can't possibly be true. What about Jimmy Carter? I guess if by "openly religious" you mean "openly and aggressively brandishing the symbols and codes of the latest version of America's special brand of corporate/militaro-nationalistic/theocratic zealotry," then yes, Bush is the most "openly religious" president.

Now a new book has lifted the lid on how deep those Christian convictions run.

And the "deeper" the "convictions," the more "religious" the "Christian," right?

The book, which depicts a President who prays each day and believes he is on a direct mission from God,

Does Bush think he is in "The Blues Brothers"?

Bush has also been accused of a 'creeping Christianisation' of federal government programmes. In September, the government made more than $60 billion available for religious charitable groups. Critics say the groups will be able to use the cash to promote their religion. One group that benefited from previous grants was an Iowa prison project that entitled inmates to televisions, private bathrooms and computers - in return for Christian counselling.

Among Mansfield's revelations is his insistence that Bush and Tony Blair have prayed together at a private meeting at Camp David. Blair has previously denied this.

See, that's how smooth Bush is with his "religion"--Blair was praying and he didn't even know it!

Mansfield, however, says that, while there were no witnesses, aides were left in little doubt as to what had happened. He told The Observer: 'There is no question they have shared scripture and prayed together.'

Uh-oh...I certainly don't like the sound of that.

The book also shows that in the lead-up to announcing his candidacy for the presidency, Bush told a Texan evangelist that he had had a premonition of some form of national disaster happening.

Bush said to James Robinson: 'I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it.'

He was exactly right: the "national disaster" was his becoming president.

In another incident, Mansfield recounts how, on Palm Sunday last year, Bush was flying back from El Salvador aboard the presidential jet Air Force One and seemed to be destined to miss church.

However, knowing that Bush hated to miss a service, some officials suggested they worship in the air. Bush agreed, and soon 40 officials were crammed into the plane's conference room. The service was led by National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, while the lesson was read by close Bush aide Karen Hughes.

Just imagining that is inutterably disturbing. Was Condi in like some kind of robe? Can you imagine Hughes reading "the lesson"? Whew.

Also:

·A woman rammed a car carrying her children, aged three, five and eight, into a building where Bush was campaigning in Mississippi yesterday. Betina Mixon, 29, was dragged away at gunpoint and charged with aggravated assault.

I don't get it...why didn't Bush kiss her on the forehead and tell her that he loved her? Well, at least Ms. Mixon will maybe get to have the TV if she accepts the "Christian counselling"!