The statements, overheard by reporters, show Bush to be a sharper analyst of his political situation than his public appearances have suggested, according to Pro-Life Infonet, which cited news accounts from The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Times.
For instance, Bush has promoted his plan to let religious organizations bid on federal social-service contracts as a way to help the poor. In his remarks Wednesday, he also linked the initiative to the struggle to protect the right to life.
«See, this faith-based initiative really ties into a larger cultural issue that we are working on,» Bush said. «Take the life issue,» he said. «This issue requires a president and an administration leading our nation to understand the importance of life. When you´re talking about welcoming people of faith to help people who are disadvantaged, … the next logical step is also those babies.»
Bush said that the «pro-life movement» has been «losing a war of words to the opposing side.» On the issue of abortion, «there is a kind of a built-in prejudice against a particular position on both sides of both issues,» the president said. «And the language of the issues is never for life, it´s always anti-somebody´s right.»
Bush told the Catholic leaders that they are important allies for him because «you´re not going to be eroded by political correctness.»
The private meeting, which came before a press pool was brought in to hear brief remarks from the president, included 35 Catholic leaders. Among those on hand were Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, Colorado; Cardinal-designate Edward Egan of New York; and key advisers in Bush´s push for federal aid for faith-based social programs
