SOTU: Office Of Faith-Based Initiatives Has Been Ineffectual, Politicized

Bush said: “Faith-based groups are bringing hope to pockets of despair, with newfound support from the Federal Government.”

FACT — FAITH OFFICE USED MAINLY FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES: David Kuo, formerly Bush’s head of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, revealed that the office was mainly used “to mount ostensibly ‘nonpartisan’ events that were, in reality, designed with the intent of mobilizing religious voters in 20 targeted races.” National Christian leaders were mocked as “ridiculous” by White House officials behind their backs. [MSNBC, 10/13/06]

FACT — FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES NOT REACHING BLACK CHURCHES: A 2006 national survey of 750 black churches by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies found that fewer than three percent of black churches have received funding from the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives. [Washington Post, 9/19/06]