[elwoodblues]

I have no problem with Bush's policies being based on his personal beliefs. It is silly to believe that they could/would/should be based otherwise. However, the public policies should have solid justification beyond the religious tenor. In my opinion, Bush does a very poor job of explaining why people who disagree with his religious beliefs should still agree with his policies (not a very "uniting" quality.) His rhetoric is so tied with his religious beliefs that his policies often appear illogical/irrational when someone who focuses less of his public time on his faith would be able to make a better case for support. Because so much of his rhetoric has religious overtones, his administration's "you're either with us or with the terrorists" ideas/language (again, not a very uniting way of looking at the world) carry some very scary religious overtones that can very easily inflame those of other religious beliefs who might otherwise support his policies.