Fundagelicals love President Bush
• Wearisome Bedfellows
Across the Bible Belt, and notably here in the electoral swing state of Florida, patriotism, social conservatism and religious fervor have come together to give Bush a solid pillar for his re-election campaign in 2004 - a power base that was born in the days of Ronald Reagan.
In interviews with pastors across Florida, many said some politicians are invited to meet the faithful during Sunday services, but their churches never endorse candidates. To do so would risk losing the churches' tax-exempt status. Some churches have also begun voter registration drives to bring congregants of the religious right - who stayed home in large numbers in 2000 - to the polls. Voter guides outlining candidates' positions on issues of concern among conservative Christians will be distributed in churches in the coming weeks.