WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A former official with the White House's faith-based initiatives said President Bush hasn't lived up the promise to help religious groups' mission to the poor.
David Kuo charged Bush reaped the political benefits of verbally supporting faith-based programs but "there was minimal senior White House commitment to the faith-based agenda." Kuo's comments were posted on the Web site Beliefnet.com.
Kuo was deputy director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives from February 2002 until December 2003.
He claimed Congress -- "knee-jerk opposition" by Democrats and "snoring indifference" by Republicans -- stopped White House attempts to get $8 billion for the program. But added, "Capitol Hill gridlock could have been smashed by minimal West Wing effort."
A White House spokesman told the Washington Post "the faith-based and community initiative has been a top priority for President Bush since the beginning of his first term and continues to be a top priority." The spokesman said Bush has fought for funding for the program every year of his presidency.
