BUSH, THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST OF AMERICA

Did Bush need to intrude into the memorial service for the 32 Virginia Tech students killed yesterday by an apparently deranged gunman? He jumps at every such opportunity to portray himself to the electorate as the great High Priest of the Nation.

By painting himself in religious overtones, Bush can achieve his own political ends. That's why he publicly calls upon the deity so that he can appear virtuous in the eyes of voting-age believers. That's why he loves to lead prayer services. Here's the AP story as reported in the WashPo:

"Laura and I have come to Blacksburg today with hearts full of sorrow," he said in six-minute remarks at a convocation on the campus where 32 people were gunned down in two separate attacks the day before.
"This is a day of mourning for the Virginia Tech community and it is a day of sadness for our entire nation," Bush said. "In this time of anguish, I hope you know that people all over this country are thinking about you and asking God to provide comfort for all who have been affected."