Of Little Faith: The Politics of George W. Bush's Faith-Based Initiatives

by Black, Amy E.; Koopman, Douglas L.; Ryden, David K.

• ISBN13: 9781589010130
• ISBN10: 1589010132
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-01
• Publisher: Georgetown Univ Pr

Summary

George W. Bush had planned to swear his oath of office with his hand on the Masonic Bible used by both his father and George Washington, however, due to the inclement weather, a family Bible was substituted. Almost immediately on taking office, President Bush made passage of "faith-based initiatives" -- the government funding of religious charitable groups -- a legislative priority. However, "inclement" political weather storm-tossed his hopes for faith-based initiatives as well.What happened? Why did these initiatives, which began with such vigor and support from a popular president, fail? And what does this say about the future role of religious faith in American public life? Amy Black, Douglas Koopman, and David Ryden -- all prominent political scientists -- utilize a framework that takes the issue through all three branches of government and analyzes it through three very specific lenses: a public policy lens, a political party lens, and a lens of religion in the public square. Drawing on dozens of interviews with key figures in Washington, the authors tell a compelling story, revealing the evolution of the Bush faith-based strategy from his campaign for the presidency through congressional votes to the present. They show how political rhetoric, infighting, and poor communication shipwrecked Bush's efforts to fundamentally alter the way government might conduct social services. The authors demonstrate the lessons learned, and propose a more fruitful, effective way to go about such initiatives in the future.

Author Biography

Amy E. Black is assistant professor, politics and international relations, at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois Douglas L. Koopman is a professor of political science and director of the Center for Social Research at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan David K. Ryden is an attorney and associate professor of political science at Hope College in Holland, Michigan

Table of Contents

List of Focal Points	vi
Preface	vii
Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction: The Faith-Based Initiatives through Three "Lenses"	1	(32)
Chapter One Before the Faith-Based Initiative: Background and Disputes	33	(42)
Chapter Two On the Trail: Campaigning on Faith-Based Issues	75	(32)
Chapter Three Partisan Appeal: Faith-Based in a Republican House	107	(40)
Chapter Four Who CAREs? Faith-Based in a Divided Senate	147	(38)
Chapter Five Rocky Roads: Faith-Based Efforts in the Executive Branch	185	(38)
Chapter Six Pervasive Confusion: The Federal Courts and Faith-Based Initiatives	223	(40)
Chapter Seven Of Little Faith? Lessons from the Faith-Based Saga	263	(28)
Appendix A: Interview Methodology	291	(2)
Appendix B: List of Interviews	293	(4)
Appendix C: Executive Orders Affecting Faith-Based Policies, 2001-2002	297	(12)
Cases Cited	309	(2)
Notes	311	(24)
Bibliography	335	(14)
Index	349