War Room

Bush: I feel the power of prayers

George W. Bush says he doesn't take policy advice from his father --"I am the commander in chief," he told Brit Hume over the weekend -- and he seems to view all advice about Iraq with a sort of dismissive lack of discrimination. Bush told Hume that he's getting "a lot of advice documents," and that it's "very hard for me to, you know, prejudice one report over another."

So what does speak to the president? If the Hume interview is any indication, he's impressed by three things: The fact that terrorists haven't succeeded in launching another major attack in the United States since 9/11, the fact that presidents' legacies can change over time, and the fact that people are forever telling him that they're praying for him.

"Laura and I are sustained by the prayers of millions of people," Bush told Hume. "Now that's hard for some to -- I guess chew on."

Hume asked Bush if he "senses" the power of prayers sent his way.

"Absolutely," Bush said. "I feel it ... Because the load is not heavy, I guess is the best way to describe it. Look, somebody said to me, 'Prove it.' I said, 'You can't prove it. All I can tell you is I feel it.' And it's a remarkable country when millions pray for me and Laura. So therefore I am able to say to people that this is a joyful experience. Not a painful experience. And yeah it's tough, but that's OK. It's tough times. And there's a lot of big issues ...

"I know that my relationship with an almighty provides comfort and strength during difficult times, just like it provides comfort and strength during difficult times for others, as well. And so prayer matters to me. And the prayers of others matter a lot in my life and so to those who worry about me, I say: 'Don't worry about me.'"

Rove criticizes Obama on gun control
In a speech at an NRA convention in Kentucky, Karl Rove said Obama "belittles" the values of Americans and holds a "dismissive" opinion of gun owners.
Huckabee jokes about gun being aimed at Obama
Speaking at the National Rifle Association's convention, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee quipped that a sound heard from offstage was Barack Obama diving to the floor.
McCain's California dreams don't rest on marriage ruling
A senior advisor to John McCain says the Republlican does hope to put the state in play, but the campaign doesn't think gay marriage will be what does it.
Obama Strikes Back
Responding to attacks about his foreign policy positions from both John McCain and President Bush, Obama says he's ready to debate the issues, and win on them.

Current Salon Politics Stories

’08 Update

06:42 EDT, May 17, 2008
How much can John Edwards help Barack Obama? The Democratic front-runner needs his former rival's working-class populist fire, not just his endorsement. Plus: The Elizabeth watch continues.
Joan Walsh
59
17:20 EDT, May 16, 2008
Huckabee jokes about gun being aimed at Obama Speaking at the National Rifle Association's convention, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee quipped that a sound heard from offstage was Barack Obama diving to the floor.
War Room
44
16:49 EDT, May 16, 2008
McCain's California dreams don't rest on marriage ruling A senior advisor to John McCain says the Republlican does hope to put the state in play, but the campaign doesn't think gay marriage will be what does it.
War Room
8
12:38 EDT, May 16, 2008
Quote of the day Joe Klein raises some questions about Barack Obama, the neoconservative establishment and Iran.
War Room
29
12:01 EDT, May 16, 2008
John McCain's lobbyist problem McCain's campaign has had to fire four employees within just the past week, and now they're re-vetting the entire staff.
War Room
12

Salon Politics Blogs

Recent Posts

Huckabee jokes about gun being aimed at Obama
Speaking at the National Rifle Association's convention, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee quipped that a sound heard from offstage was Barack Obama diving to the floor.
McCain's California dreams don't rest on marriage ruling
A senior advisor to John McCain says the Republlican does hope to put the state in play, but the campaign doesn't think gay marriage will be what does it.
Obama Strikes Back
Responding to attacks about his foreign policy positions from both John McCain and President Bush, Obama says he's ready to debate the issues, and win on them.
Previous Posts…

War Room RSS Feed

Posts by date

May 2008
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

About War Room

War Room is written and edited by Alex Koppelman, with contributions from Salon reporters around the country.

Daily Newsletter

Get Salon in your mailbox!