Bush singing the gospel song "Power in the Blood" in SOTU

Our fourth goal is to apply the compassion of America to the deepest problems of America. For so many in our country – the homeless, and the fatherless, the addicted – the need is great. Yet there is power – wonder working power – in the goodness and idealism and faith of the American people, When I heard this in President Bush’s State of the Union address I didn’t realize “wonder-working power” is a shout out to his peeps in the Christian faith. I just thought it was an unusual turn of phrase. If you’re not convinced, the mighty google speaks.

The Chicago Sun-Times has a piece from their religion writer about Bush’s use of scripture in speeches. However, the News-Star in Monroe, LA (where I wrecked my car this past July!) has some commentary about how that part of Bush’s speech is engineered to ready Christians for the coming war. Listening: Archipelago-Mirah-You Think It’s Like This But Really It’s Like This