Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, left, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano listen to President Bush address the governors today. Seated behind them is Josh Bolten, White House chief of staff. (AP Photo / Charles Dharapak)
by Mark Silva
President Bush campaigned for the White House with a pledge to "rally the armies of compassion,'' insisting that the federal government could play a greater role in supporting the social services of faith-based organizations and private, not-for-profit organizations.
Eight years later, today, the White House is celebrating what it calls "The Quiet Revolution,'' with the distribution of billions of dollars in federal funds to faith-based and other non-profit groups and the organization of offices promoting the work of the president's "faith-based initiative'' in 35 states.
In 2006, a voluminous report from the White House today finds, the government distributed $2.18 billion to faith-based organizations delivering social services around the country -- a level of annual spending on this initiative that the Bush administration had reached a couple of years ago. And in 2006, the government distributed $12.56 billion to not-for-profit organizations. All told, some 15,000 secular groups and 3,000 faith-based groups benefited.
The White House is delivering a state-by-state report today to the nation's governors, assembled in Washington for an annual meeting.
"I'm a big believer that government ought to empower people who have got a great capacity to help change people's lives,'' Bush told the governors in a meeting at the White House. "Sometimes I like to say government is not a very loving organization, it's an organization of law and justice. But there are thousands of loving people who are willing, if given help, to interface with brothers and sisters across the country that need help.
"There's 35 faith-based offices set up in different states,'' Bush told them. "And for those of you who've got them, I thank you. We want to help you -- want to coordinate. If you don't have one, I strongly urge you to take a look at what other governors have done.
"Billions of dollars have now gone into help these different community or faith-based groups meet specific needs,'' said the president, who signed executive orders directing that faith-based and nonprofit groups should be able to compete for federal funding on "a level playing field'' with governmental agencies.
"I want to thank you for your cooperation, to the extent that you feel comfortable doing so,'' Bush told the governors "It's making a huge difference in people's lives, and I congratulate you all.''
See the White House's accounting of the program here.
• 
• 
• 
• 
Comments
"OBAMA SPEAKS"
BRING IT ON! MY FRAGILITY IS MY FERTILITY. MY FERTILITY IS MY FRAGILITY!
"I DO RECALL" UNLIKE MY CONSERVATIVE GOP PAXSON COMMUNICATER, "I DON'T RECALL"
BRING IT ON! MY FRAGILITY IS AMERICA'S FERTILITY TO GROW INTO A MORE PERFECT UNION.
BRING IT ON! IT'S A HAT, IT'S NOT A GOP "BREATHTAKING ABUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION"
IT'S A HAT! IT'S NOT CHENEY LAW! IT'S A HAT!
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 25, 2008 12:28 PM
President Bush campaigned for the White House with a pledge to "rally the armies of compassion,'' insisting that the federal government could play a greater role in supporting the social services of faith-based organizations and private, not-for-profit organizations
This is why I have trouble understanding how the rightious right and conservatives can rally under the same party. Conservatives who believe in small government and the religious who believe in entering the lives of everyone with their agenda to bring the rule of God in our everyday life. How can a party have small government and want to change our lives with gays, flag burning, sten cell, abortion, birth control, the all important 10 commandment statues.
Posted by: bill r. | February 25, 2008 12:31 PM
"BIG POPPY SPEAKS"
MO MONEY, MO MONEY, MO MONEY, IF YOU VOTE FOR JOHN MCCAIN OR HUCKABEE.
MO MONEY, MO MONEY, MO MONEY IF YOU GIVE ME "DIVINE IMMUNITY" WHILE LISTENING TO YOUR MOST INTIMATE PHONE CALLS.
MO MONEY, AND NO TAX AUDITS IF YOU ALLOW AT&T TO DATAMINE ALL "PORTALS" BORN OR UNBORN.
MO MONEY, AND NO TAX AUDITS IF YOU PLAY BALL WITH ME AND MY "INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY" AT REGENTS UNIVERSITY HALL.
SO MY FELLOW AMERICANS
"HAS GOD TOUCHED YOU" I "HAS GOD TOUCHED YOU"
PLEASE SEND 5.00 TO THE GOP "PUBLIC ELECTIONS" COMMISSION AND I WILL SEND YOUR CHURCH NEAR YOU SOME "BIG POPPY" MONEY.
SO WAIVE YO HANDS IN THE AIR, BIG POPPY IS RIDING IN HIS BIG MO MONEY CHAIR!
GO SHOPPING MY FAITHFULL BORROWERS OF GREAT CHINA!
JUST DON'T INVEST IN QWEST!
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 25, 2008 12:38 PM
ROGER MORRIS,
YOU COULD BE POSTING THE PATH TO WORLD PEACE OR THE CURE TO CANCER - AND NOBODY WILL EVER NOTICE UNTIL YOU TURN OFF YOUR FLIPPIN' CAP KEY!
Now being a leftie, if you'll just let us know it's a result of some sort of affliction, I'll be glad to support a tax increase to pay for it.
In the mean time, TURN YOUR CAP KEY OFF !!!
Posted by: Doug Zook | February 25, 2008 1:58 PM
Doug, you could just do what I do and that is not read Roger Morris' posts. That choice is much better than paying more taxes os he can continue to write gibberish in ALL CAPS.
Posted by: John D | February 25, 2008 3:12 PM
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ?
Posted by: bill r. | February 25, 2008 4:37 PM
Doug--I agree with you on Roger's CAPS. He is brain damaged, high while typing, someone who delights in pulling chains, or else he enjoys exercises in futility. Have not read his screaming rudeness since forever.
Posted by: Vivian | February 25, 2008 5:44 PM
Talk about 'Faith Based'; What's wrong with these fundies? 'What's wrong with Kansas?'
Isn't it time for 'fundies of good conscience' to stand up to these retrogrades? I don't hear the mainstream Baptist industry calling them down. Please, show us we are wrong.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/02/18/anti-gay_group_to_protest_niu_funerals/2383/
Posted by: TheLeninSisters | February 25, 2008 6:44 PM
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/02/18/anti-gay_group_to_protest_niu_funerals/2383/
Posted by: TheLeninSisters | February 25, 2008 6:44 PM
Where are the leaders of the Baptist church at?
Until I hear them come out and strongly denounce this nutty Baptist church in Kansas that's run by the Phelps family I'm going to continue tie all of them to every single dirty rotten stinkin' thing that these hatemongers do.
Posted by: John E | February 25, 2008 9:40 PM
"ROGER MORRIS SPEAKS"
WHATEVA! CAPS LIKE ME AND I LIKE CAPS! IT'S NOT RUDE, IT'S ENGLISH IN A HIGHEST TYPOGRAPHICAL FORM.
IT'S NOT PERSONAL, IT'S RHETORICAL so don't read ALOUD. So don't read at all!
It is not I that pulls thy chain, it is George Bush and his failed policies, diplomacy and the FACT THAT YOU NEED A PROTECT AMERICA ACT TO FEEL SAFE AFTER JANUARY 21, 2001.
LONG LIVE NANCY PELOSI!
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 25, 2008 9:42 PM
2 .1 billion tax payer dollars well spent to entrench a unconstitutional religious cause in our government. Keep the Religious right intact 2.1 billion now that buys a lot of votes do ya think! Do ya think any Madrasa schools got some or only Evangelical schools. What will the next guy give to? Have you seen Obama the Messiahs church! I'll bet they could use a million or two to promote their man of the year Louis Farrakhan. Yeah Faith Bases thats the ticket. Rev Jim Jones of Kool- Aid fame ya think he would have gotten some of that 2.1 BILLION
Posted by: Rick B | February 26, 2008 12:48 AM
Talk about boring...they all look ready to fall asleep...too much partying at the WH the night before?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | February 26, 2008 7:15 AM
I have to agree with the talk about the Phelps group. When are the moderate Christians going to reign in their extremists.
Posted by: bill r. | February 26, 2008 7:37 AM
I think Roger M. is very very funny. I'm even getting used to the caps. He's like the 'loud talker' on Seinfeld, or the shouter in Dilbert's office.
GOOD STUFF, ROGER!
Posted by: C.Morris | February 26, 2008 9:31 AM