A Loss Of Faith

Former White House Insider Tells Lesley Stahl Staffers Called Evangelicals "Nuts" And "Goofy"

(CBS) 
Asked if in retrospect this was morally wrong, Kuo says, "I feel like it was more spiritually wrong. You’re taking the sacred and you’re making it profane. You’re taking Jesus and reducing him to some precinct captain, to some get-out-the-vote guy."

Kuo believes they helped some Republicans win elections, but that didn’t translate into more money for religious charities.

"David Kuo says that what the president delivered on the faith-based initiative was a 'whisper' of what he promised," Stahl tells Jim Towey.

But Towey says it's not true. "He has delivered on every single thing he promised."

"But not the money," Stahl replies.

"But not every cent of it," Towey says. "He’s not king. He had to work with Congress. It’s naïve to say, 'Oh, because the president asked for it and didn’t get it, that meant he didn’t really want it.'"

And, Towey says the White House got more money after Kuo left.

"Here’s the White House: they say 'Okay, we’ve added $740 million to these programs. We signed an executive order ending discrimination against religious charities.' I mean, they say that these are genuine accomplishments. And aren’t they?" Stahl asks Kuo.

"I think, perhaps for any other president, you know it's not bad. But when he continued to make a promise in the campaign and over and over again: 'This is my signature domestic policy initiative,' and you look at the numbers and you say, 'Well, it really doesn't match up with a man who says that,' and he was supposed to be different," says Kuo.

"Are you being a little naïve?" Stahl asks. "In the sense that the president operates in a political world where everything is compromise, where new priorities had to bubble up because of 9/11. And how could he fight for these programs when he had to worry about Iraq and all these other issues?"

"You know if naïve is believing in a promise, I'll plead to that sort of naiveté," Kuo replies.

This has been gnawing at both him and his wife since 2003, when he learned he had a malignant brain tumor, and left politics for good. Now he has written his book, "Tempting Faith," published by a CBS sister company.

"I have this burden on my heart that the name of God is just being destroyed in the name of politics," Kuo says. "I felt like I had to write this."

"You’re calling for a fast. That’s your expression," Stahl remarks.

"Yes. I think that Christians, particularly evangelical Christians need to take a step back. To have a fast from politics," he replies. "People are being manipulated. Good well-meaning people are being told, ‘Send your money to this Christian advocacy group or that.’ And that’s the answer. It’s just not the answer. It’s not the answer."

Asked if he thinks the White House is going to view his book as a betrayal and may go after him, Kuo says, “Of course they will. I can hear the attacks, right? ‘Oh, he's really a liberal.’ or, ‘Oh, maybe that brain tumor really messed up his head.’ Or, you know, ‘He's an idealist.’"

"But you're okay with that?" Stahl asks.

Says Kuo, "I'm fine with it."

[roger_inkart]

Another nail in the GOP's coffin.

[rsharp83-2009]

Why did you seem surprised that the extremists of the religous right would be snickered at by mainstream Republicans? You must tolerate the extreme elements in your political party because they vote too. Just as the extremists on the left (NOW, PETA, etc) are tolerated by the mainstream Democrats.

[jdcapshew]

I was expecting David Kuo's segment to be yet another reason to criticize President Bush. Actually, Kuo's claims that Bush, Rove et al dissed the fundamentalist and evangelical extremists in private is heartening and shows some good judgment. The extreme Christian right is ruining the country, these people think Old Testament which does not fit life in the 21st century. That they were exploited by the Republicans is cheap and tawdry, but at least they didn't follow through on the promises.

[walt1944]

Its about time someone on the religious right woke up and realized that they were being used for political means. History is full of dictators who came to power claiming that God was on their side, so what Bush and the Republicans have done to the religious right isn't anything new. There is a line out of "Fiddler on the Roof" that everybody should remember. No matter what the "spin" is, remember "Everything's political!".

[jimmytoh007]

It's best to leave the preaching of the gospel and helping the poor (as commissioned by Christ) to the church, not the government. The Christian Rights have used the name of God in vain for the sake of politics. It is ashame they are doing this. Just remember this, it was the religious and civil government that nailed Christ to the cross. Separation of the church and state is no brainer. God's kingdom is not of this world.

[bellal-2009]

Christians you've been played and you dropped the ball. Get out there and start feeding the hungry, nursing the sick, saving the wretched and all that good stuff. What are you doing hanging around the White House.

[jw218389]

Mark Foley believes in "Christian values" too.

I'm not making fun of Christians.

I'm making fun of anyone that thinks "family values "and compassionate conservatism" are really part of the GOP platform.

Beware of FALSE PROPHETS.

[dailykos1]

I've had my suspicions about the Bush administration's cynical use of the Christian right since the 2000 campaign. What David Kuo reports here is a "well, duh" moment for me, however it may be a rude awakening for millions of Christians. People don't like being duped.

Just one more example of the hypocritical depths to which the Republicans will go to amass and retain power.

[prelgovisk]

The Democrats are clueless about the Evangelicals. The conservative Christian Churches care little for any funding from the government. People like Jessie Jackson represent those who have bellied up to that trough. And those feeding there alongside him are not likely to vote Republican anyway.

This article is simply an attempt to discourage the Republican base before the election. But the question is, %u201CCan the Christian conservative expect better treatment at the hands of the Democrats? Would the Democratic Party promise more, give more or mock conservative Christian leaders less the the Republican Party?%u201D

In every conceivable way, the Republican treatment of the conservative Christian base, though imperfect, is still far superior than they could ever hope for if the opposing party panders its way back into power.

[buddyandmom]

If David Kuo is naive and simplistic because he believed the promises of a man running for President of the United States and then believed the same man again when he promised to make programs for the poor his top priority during his presidency, then you can call me naive and simplistic too. I too believed Bush. I believed his words in his State of the Union Address in 2003. And I'm a lifelong Democrate.
Who wouldn't want to work for a president whose vision about compassionate conservatism would be matched with sweeping legislation to help the poor ? OK, call us both naive and simplistic. And at the same time you can call Bush a big fat liar !

[vincan-2009]

Many times I have been frustrated that the republicans convinced people they were the only christians - which is hogwash. Blindly people bought into the big lie. Bush and his machine did everything to win, and I mean everything. Now they are holding on as tightly as they can to power, crushing any and all who dare get in the way. They don't care about anything or anyone but themselves - definitely not the average American who is a christian.

[phil-in-fin]

To jdcapshew:

I am Pentecostal, and have been often characterized (demonized?) as a Bush supporter, even though I have never voted for him.

Your comments are exactly right.

I too am heartened that this attempt to join church and state (i.e. Iran) has failed. Funny. That most Christians point to Iran as a failure between church and state, and yet do not see that Bush had attempted to do the same thing.

There are many Christians who believe that The Bible holds all the answers, and for me personally and for my family they do. America is one crazy place and I like the fact that I can teach my children about morality and have a good reference to read to them about it. Whether or not my children continue to Believe after they grow up and leave the nest is entirely up to them; at least I was able to gave them some clear answers whenever they asked.

A reference to any "(surreal) reality" TV show makes my point clearer. Some people actually believe that actors display "real" emotion and attitude. Strange. Actors are paid to do whatever it takes to get ratings for their shows, so how can that be real? Anyway, I digress.

And, well, actors and politicians are the same, are they not? When it comes to defining their professions?

With regard to how to country should be run, Jesus never left behind such a mandate: He never said that The Great Commission was to preach the Word through government office, that belief must be gathered, harnessed, and ultimately, controlled.

[candojj]

from "http://elite.asadi.org/" As the means of information and power are centralized, some men come to occupy positions in American society from which they can look down upon%u2026and by their decisions mightily affect, the everyday worlds of ordinary men and women. They are not made by their jobs, (but) they set up and breakdown jobs for thousands of others%u2026 %u2018They are all what we are not%u2019.

The Power Elite is composed of men whose positions enable them to transcend the ordinary environments of everyday men and women; they are in positions to make decisions having major consequences%u2026For they are in command of the major hierarchies and organizations of modern society%u2026They occupy the strategic command posts of the social structure, in which are now centered the effective means of the power and the wealth and the celebrity which they enjoy.".
Mr. Kuo is clearly of the masses and needs an education on the power elite. We all do. And that's the truth. God help us if we don't know and perpetuate the lie forever.

[candojj]

%uFFFDOur minds are not yet captive%uFFFD We belong to those who are still capable of personally rejecting (the official myths and the unofficial distractions)%uFFFD...we have got first to get it clear with ourselves that we do not belong and do not want to belong to an unfree world. As free men and women we have got to reject much of it and to know why we are rejecting it.%uFFFDDirectly Quoted from C. Wright Mills -as written by him in the summer of 1954- Letters & Autobiographical Writings, University of California Press 2000: 184-187). Let us begin with these DECLARATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE Our Central Goal:"...A (world) society in which all men and women would become people of substantive reason, whose independant reasoning would have structural consequences for their societies, its history and thus for their own life fates." (C.Wright Mills, The Sociological Imagination, 1959:174)"The powers of ordinary men are circumscribed by the everyday worlds in which they live, yet even in these rounds of job, family, and neighborhood they often seem driven by forces they can neither understand nor govern%u2026The very framework of modern society confines them to projects not their own, but from every side, such changes now press upon the men and women of the mass society, who accordingly feel that they are without purpose in an epoch in which they are without power%u2026

[candojj]

Very often, the fear of total permanent war paralyzes the kind of morally oriented politics, which might engage our interests and our passions. We sense the cultural mediocrity around us- and in us- and we know that ours is a time when, within and between all the nations of the world, the levels of public sensibilities have sunk below sight; atrocity on a mass scale has become impersonal and official; moral indignation as a public fact has become extinct or made trivial. We feel that distrust has become nearly universal among men of affairs, and that the spread of public anxiety is poisoning human relations and drying up the roots of private freedom. We see that people at the top often identify rational dissent with political mutiny, loyalty with blind conformity, and freedom of judgment with treason. We feel that irresponsibility has become organized in high places and that clearly those in charge of the historic decisions of our time are not up to them. But what is more damaging to us is that we feel that those on the bottom- the forced actors who take the consequences- are also without leaders, without ideas of opposition, and that they make no real demands upon those with power.However:

[candojj]

from "http://elite.asadi.org/" %uFFFDThe more we understand what is happening in the world, the more frustrated we often become, for our knowledge leads to feelings of powerlessness. We feel that we are living in a world in which the citizen has become a mere spectator or a forced actor, and that our personal experience is politically useless and our political will a minor illusion.

[alphaa10-2009]

Prevgovisk-- 4
5. This article is simply an attempt to discourage the Republican base before the election--
A news flash for you-- such revelations of GOP corruption have been coming out for the last five years. Those GOP voters still paying attention are more than discouraged, they are bitterly angry at being lied to by those who counted on their trust. Like those who supported Nixon and discovered he was, indeed, a crook, they have every right to be angry.

6. "Would the Democratic Party promise more, give more or mock conservative Christian leaders less the the Republican Party?%u201D--
There, in your own words, is the problem-- the GOP not only cynically manipulates religious voters, the GOP does not understand religion is a matter of the conscience, and cannot be bought like a commodity. The GOP tried, and failed to use taxpayer dollars to buy itself votes on religious issues.

David Kuo, Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction (copy and paste the URL below into your browser)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-4133496-2944811?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+kuo&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

[alphaa10-2009]

Prelgovisk-- 3
3. The Faith-Based Initiative diverts tax dollars to the GOP infrastructure, all in the name of religion--
Towey and the White House were embarrassed by a Washington Post story saying the faith office to trying to woo voters. Though Bush repeatedly denied the politics, Kuo says the story was true, and it was endorsed at the high level. After Kuo developed his idea, he brought it to Ken Mehlman of the Bush political affairs office, and suggested holding events for Republicans in tight races to reach religious voters. Mehlman, Kuo says, was "thrilled... He just whipped off a bunch a names of particular races and said, 'We need to go there, there, there, there and there'" The practice was widespread. Far from Washington, a local congregation in Philadelphia, PA, church whose pastor publicly endorsed Bush in the 2004 election year promptly got a $1 Million 'Faith-Based' Grant.

4. The Faith-Based Initiative is largely a campaign of slogans--
Kuo saw political connections as a way to "empower" the program. "And you think if you can get it tied %u2013 hooked in with the political people, that they'll then come back and support you, is that the thinking?" reporter Leslie Stahl asked. Kuo replied, "This is not rocket science or brain surgery, this is a matter of survival." Nonetheless, Kuo's estimate, the mere $60 million actually delivered by Bush in the first two years was less than one percent of the original federal promise of $8 billion (actually .075 percent).

[alphaa10-2009]

Prelgovisk-- 2
Meanwhile, the confessions of David Kuo ( Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction ) is only part of a parade of facts returning to haunt those at the highest GOP levels with charges of massive corruption-- in the very regime which once claimed the right to govern on its mastery of "moral values". Among the GOP-confounding facts--

1. Evangelicals, as individuals, are not for sale, and frequently vote for the Democratic Party--
The evangelical spectrum runs widely across traditional religious boundaries and many do not consider Bush to have honestly delivered on promises to help those in need or to witness faithfully to the moral values he claims to champion. They also oppose prosyletizing imposed by many Faith-Based groups under a new Bush provision allowing them to "consider" religious beliefs for eligibility. Like other Americans, they do not agree with the Bush plan to combine church and politics.

2. Many conservative Christian churches-- at least, in the opinion of Bush's own staff-- DO care for government funding--
According to White House documents, Bush-defined faith-based groups got $1.17 billion from federal grants in 2003. Faith-Based head Jim Towey claimed another $40 billion was available from federal money distributed through state governments. How much was actually delivered in the first two years is much less, according to Kuo.

[alphaa10-2009]

Prelgovisk said, "The Democrats are clueless about the Evangelicals. The conservative Christian Churches care little for any funding from the government. People like Jessie Jackson represent those who have bellied up to that trough. And those feeding there alongside him are not likely to vote Republican anyway.

This article is simply an attempt to discourage the Republican base before the election. But the question is, %u201CCan the Christian conservative expect better treatment at the hands of the Democrats? Would the Democratic Party promise more, give more or mock conservative Christian leaders less the the Republican Party?%u201D

----

Thank you for a revealing series of non sequiturs about the GOP and its hidden partisan agenda in a supposedly "non-partisan Faith-Based Initiative" It is interesting how your attempted defense of Bush policies-- which might boast of Faith-Based accomplishments-- has little to offer. Instead, it turns into an attack on Democrats and others who do not favor Bush. After a fashion, you *** the GOP with such faint praise.

[alphaa10-2009]

This blog's Auto-Bowdler objected to the word "d-a-m-n" in a paraphrase from Shakespeare, giving it three asterisks for emphasis.
----
The correct spelling of "proselytize" no longer escapes my fingers.
----
This blog resolutely refuses to allow long URLs. Suggestion-- select the whole URL, and paste into Notepad with wide margins or completely open, then copy and paste that line into the browser window.

[carlylaine]

yaaaaaaaaaa yaaaaaaa yaaaaaa....Kuo looks like a liberal.

If it looks like a liberal, talks like a liberal and the talk smells of bones and flesh from crunching on Christians ....IT'S A LIBERAL!!!!

[jw218389]

Beware of FALSE PROPHETS!!

[oleander8]

Contrary to attempts by Republicans - LIBERAL is not a dirty word.

[houser123]

To paraphrase, " Some truths are self evident." Keep in mind that with all politics, money trumps everything.Republicans claim to be morally superior to Democrats, stronger on defense and protectors of tradional family values. To this I say "BUNK". First and foremost, Republicans are capitalists, which is not a bad thing to be except when taken to extremes. Three things that one of our Republican Senators' teaches his political students they need to succeed in politics. MONEY, MONEY MONEY. Its all about the money.

[observantx]

David Kuo quote %u201CYou%u2019re taking the sacred and you%u2019re making it profane. You%u2019re taking Jesus and reducing him to some precinct captain, to some get-out-the-vote guy."

This is perhaps the ultimate in cynicism and dirty tricks. They used people%u2019s faith by promising to infuse government with a Christian agenda; then laughing and referring to them as %u201Cnuts%u201D when they are out of earshot.

They took every one of the Evangelical leaders and played them like fish on a line. They baited each line with the single hot button issue of abortion, stem cells, ***, evolution and then stole their votes. They did this just to stay in power.

Power is not the means but is the end to these hypocrites. It%u2019s all they want, it%u2019s all they need. It%u2019s the monkey on their back. It%u2019s their drug, and they will lie, cheat, steal and even torture and murder to keep it.

So each of us needs to ask ourselves: %u201CWhat bait are they trailing in the water for me?%u201D

Don%u2019t take the bait. It%u2019s a lie. VOTE these addicts out!

[bluestardad]

This Administration will say and do anything to anyone to stay in power, Up to and including using our overextended military to start a war with North Korea and risking total destruction of our way of life at the hands of China. This administration played to the Christian Right by painting John Kerry as a waffling weak Northeasterner from a state that lets Homosexuals get married. Now come to find out have covered up for gay pedophiles in the Republican party for years. This Republican Administration has some Sergeant Shultz looking dufus whipping boy as Speaker of the House bumbling thru the halls of Congress saying %u201CI Knew Nothing%u201D%u2026go ahead and vote Republican you deserve what you get.

[mickeyjay31-2009]

How could anything that happens in "The Right House" become suprising or dissapointing? The Emperor not only has no clothes, he has no brains. This man would say anything, promise anything to reach his goals. He pulls us into a war, with troups being killed and injured, then cuts benifits for those returning. Why wouldn't this man use The Almighty any way possible. Lincoln was wrong, you can fool all of the people all of the time and we are the biggest fools of all.

[marcpcbs]

Obviously David Kuo knows very little about America. Seperation of church and state. It's been that way for a while now.

[grumpas]

I wish I could feel sorry for these poor Christian's who have been mocked! But, I don't! What did they expect???? They made a pact with the devil and got burnt! They were willing to sink everything this country has represented for a little extra power and influence! That was exactly what they were after was the same thing the Republican were. They tried to make this a "Christian Nation"! To shove their Christian ideology on all American's and make it a manditory religion! To inflict their style of laws on us! To exclude everyone who wasn't Christian from the process. I do not see Evangelicalical's as being wronged in this story! They used the Republican party to shove their religious belief's down every American's throat! They got what they deserve! Let's hope a few of have learned a valuable lesson here. When you lie down with dogs you get flee's!

[getcentered]

Religion IS Politics

Most religions exist today, not to have an open philosophical conversation, but to create political alignment within society.

Rome converted to Christianity back in 2 A.D. when the Jews were overpowering them POLITICALY.

We as a people need to return our religious beliefs back to their philosophical origins so as to open the discussion about why we are alive, once again.

[frankly6]

You said it. The Christian right made a deal with the devil. The union of Church and State has always corrupted both. Always will.

[cabaird55]

C S Lewis in his "Screwtape Letters," the imaginary account of a senior devil giving the benefit of his experience to fellow tempters, has Screwtape saying:

"Religion can still send us the truly delicious sins. The fine flower of unholiness can grow only in the close neighbourhood of the Holy. Nowhere do we tempt more successfully as on the very steps of the altar."

These days I am reluctant to call myself a Christian because I don't want anyone to associate me and my beliefs with the "conservatives" or the "right". I think "follower of Jesus Christ" is more appropriate since he is the leader.

To expand on what grumpas said earlier, the "right" wants to shove their Christian ideology and their style of laws on those of us who don't practice Christianity the way they do as well as those who aren't Christian. There are many of every denomination who are fearful of retribution from their fellow church members if they express their true beliefs.

Please go to the polls and vote against every candidate whose slogan includes the word "right" such as The Right Candidate" or "Right for You". Take all your friends to vote too. We can make a political statement against theirs. It is our duty as free Americans and essential to keeping our Constitutional freedoms.

[adventurepa]

As a tax payer, I would be very upset that 8 billion would be given to any religious cause.
It should go back to the citizens before it lines the pockets of any religious leaders.

[skappesser]

So we have White House staffers rolling their eyes at evangelicals, calling them "nuts" and "goofy". And serious people in serious places mocking Christian leaders. People referring to Pat Robertson as "insane," Jerry Falwell as "ridiculous," and that James Dobson "had to be controlled."
Doesn't sound any worse (or better) then a Democratic White House would, does it?

[pugster]

For the guy who said, Religion IS Politics certainly don't know what is the separation of Church and Sate. You certainly don't see Jews, Muslims, or Buddists shoving their beliefs into Politics.

[skappesser]

I wouldn't think everyone working in the White House during any administration is monolithic in their thinking and actions. Not all of the staff are Christians or respect them.
Did everyone on staff during the Clinton presidency cheat on their spouse? Even Nixon's staff had a few that weren't arrested...!

[skappesser]

Hi Pug_ster-

Think a minute...
Unlike Chistians, Jewish and Muslim people have totally integrated their religion with politics:

Isreal = Jewish state.
Iran = Muslim state.


(I think Buddhists have no state though.)

[snowbrd7]

David Kuo go out in the world and do what good Christians do best, provide hope to the sick, hungry,downtrodden. I don't understand how the Christians became so obsessed with politics.

[taoset]

With Carl Rove at the helm, why is anyone surprised at the slick use and manipulation of good people, causes, and organizations. The strength of the current maninpulation shows the dangers of mixing faith with politics. Reasoned judgement need not be, but is too often a poor second cousin to preached faith, whether it comes for the pulpit or from the oval office.

To then respond that Christians would do no better under Democrats, shows how much some have bought the "faith," and turned they're backs on a genuine spiritual vision. To circumscribe God within the confines of a human agenda may be comforting, especially when its one's own agenda, but any sense of an Almighty and transcendent is lost.

[bluestardad]

Next time you are in the shower with Rove and Foley are you going to be the one who picks up the dropped soap?

[luvny-2009]

I listen to the guy on 60 Min last night and I believed what he was saying. Sadly I think Bush & Co used the Bible to get the votes from those that hold the Bible close at heart, then kept them on a string. He'll cut them loose as soon as he's done with them. Pretty sad but they were fooled not once but twice. Bush & Co pulled religion into politics for their benefit. They will have to explain to the big guy some day. When you mix religion and Politics you get the Middle East.

[frankly6]

The union of church and state corrupts both. Always has. Always will.

[frankly6]

The money changer have overun the temple and the pharisies let them in once again.

[frankly6]

They've simply thrown a bone to the religious right on a few issues and used the power they gained to enrich themselves and their friends. Since when did money, power and curruption become Christian values?
Wake up Church you've made a deal with the devil.

[pakaal]

Keep marching who out, janem4? David Kuo has been a self-proclaimed "compassionate conservative" since the phrase was coined in the early '90s. And he's certainly been a conservative far longer. And this is a Democrat plot?

It's amazing how you can spin this to try and make people believe that more than two years ago when he started writing his book, David Kuo anticipated all the OTHER scandals in US politics would lead to the POSSIBILITY of Democrats taking over the House and MAYBE the Senate so he timed it so his book would come out now. That theory is just ludicrous!

Republicans are scared because they've made a whole bunch of big mistakes that are now coming up to bite them on their butts. Who's fault is it? Democrats, who haven't held power since '94? Please, get real.

[norcalruss]

I saw 60 minutes and what David Kuo said didn%u2019t surprise me a bit. The Bush Whitehouse and Karl Rove will stoop to any level to hold onto power. They will lie, cheat, and steal. In 2000 Rove spread lies about John McCain to ensure a Bush victory in South Carolina. In the 2002 elections Rove told Republicans to %u2018run on the war against WMD%u2019 meaning the upcoming war with Iraq even though, to this day, there has been not a single WMD found. In 2004 Rove was behind the Swift Boat lies that torpedoed the John Kerry campaign. This is one the most arrogant, manipulative, hypocritical, and corrupt administrations in recent history. Karl Rove and company see the Christians as being little more than useful idiots to take advantage of for holding onto power. I hope the Christians boycott the election in droves this year.

[sanfelz]

In the Bush Administration, only Christian conservative supporters have acceptable faith-based charities. No other religious group can get funds from this ostensibly compassionate conservative office.
Bush skirts legality by violating the separation of church and state and the churches violate their unacceptable tax exempt status by electioneering for their supposed benefactor.

[jimlaregina]

nikosk1, you asked, "Remember how Kerry lost in 2004?" John Kerry won the election but Bush Republicans in Ohio and other states rigged voting machines to award the vote to Bush. Read Mark Crispin Miller's book FOOLED AGAIN. Also, read RFK Jr.'s ROLLING STONE article:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432334/was_the_2004_election_stolen