Gould 0738 wrote:

A number of cites, including this one from the WashPost, which questions
the credibility of the statement, but...if you enter the statement in
google, you'll come up with a plethora of hits.

I got 914.

Most seem to say it's a translation, of a translation, of a translation, of a
translation.

So, surely Bush has cleared this up?
Scanning through the hits I didn't immediately spot anywhere Bush had clarified
or repudiated the statement. Doesn't mean there aren't any, just that I didn't
see one. I did type in "Bush denies God told him to strike Al Qaida" and got a
bunch of hits, but actually *none* seemed to be Bush denying that he said it.
All of them seemed to be people noting that Bush had not denied it.

It does pose an interesting political dilemna for Bush. Do you clarify or
repudiate a statement that claims you said
God is directing the military and foreign policy of the United States -(and
reduce the effectiveness of the incident when used by your detractors), or do
you say that God is *not* speaking to you and giving specific instructions on
conducting the "war on terror" and disappoint a lot of your most ardent
followers?



I would bet Bush said it. It is just the kind of stupid statement he
would make. Remember, this is a man who declared "Jesus Day" in Texas
while he was governor.