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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TideGlider who wrote (524948)	1/16/2004 6:41:15 AM
From: Tom Clarke	Respond to of 769667

BUSH, BOOZE & JESUS By BRIAN BLOMQUIST January 16, 2004 -- WASHINGTON — President Bush talked openly yesterday about his decision to quit boozing at age 40, telling church and community leaders in Louisiana that his faith in God helped him kick his "addiction." It was an extraordinary discussion led by Bush, who rarely talks about his past drinking and his life-changing decision to quit. But something was different in his visit to Union Bethel church in New Orleans, where Dr. Martin Luther King, who would have celebrated his 75th birthday yesterday, once preached. Bush was there to promote his faith-based initiative, a proposal popular with many African-American leaders. It would give federal money to religious charities that are effective at fixing social problems at the local level. "This is an initiative based upon some personal experiences of mine and some practical application of public policy," Bush said in a meeting with local church leaders. "See, I was a drinker at one time in my life. I changed my habits because I changed my heart, which is how faith-based programs work. "We all make decisions based upon our own life experiences. "That was my life experience. I wouldn't be sitting here if I didn't ask for Christ's help in my heart." Bush added that he wasn't sure if another type of addiction-recovery program would have helped him: "I don't think so. I was kind of stubborn." In a separate speech at the church, Bush elaborated on his personal challenge with alcohol. "Many of the problems that are facing our society are problems of the heart," he said. "Addiction is a problem of the heart. I know." The president drew laughs when he added, "I guess I was a one-man faith-based program." nypost.com