Bush pauses for traditional prayer, pushes on

[HighOnHotSauce]

www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1106397038153060.xml

Bush pauses for traditional prayer, pushes on
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Jennifer Loven
Associated Press

Washington

-- President Bush set forth Friday on an ambitious second-term agenda of reshaping Social Security and sparking democracy in the Middle East after wrapping up his inaugural with moments of prayer and reflection.
Advertisement


Click Here


His Republican allies said they were eager to begin as well, while Democrats vowed to resume their fight against "extreme" GOP policies.

Four days of celebrations surrounding Bush's inauguration culminated with a National Prayer Service on Friday, following a tradition set by the nation's first chief executive, George Washington. The hourlong service, Bush's second visit to church in two days, brought together 3,200 invited family, Cabinet members, top White House aides and others in the majestic Gothic-style sanctuary of the National Cathedral.

Instrumental and choral music filled the church and an interfaith lineup of Christian and Jewish clergy helped celebrate through prayer the events of the day before -- Bush's swearing-in at the Capitol. The president, who did not speak, was met with anti-war and anti-abortion protesters on his route to and from the cathedral.

Offering one prayer, the Rev. Billy Graham said he believed God had a hand in Bush's re- election.

"The next four years are hidden from us, but they are not hidden from you," said the 86-year-old evangelist, whom Bush credits with inspiring him to reaffirm his faith and give up drinking at age 40. "You know the challenges and opportunities they will face. Give them a clear mind, a warm heart, calmness in the midst of turmoil, reassurance in times of discouragement and your presence always."

On Thursday, the president was on the go all day, from an early morning church appear ance to the inaugural ceremony to watching the traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to a late-night dash through 10 black-tie inaugural balls. The only thing on the president's public schedule for the first day of his second term was the prayer service.

For the immediate future, Bush's list of most-pressing duties include naming someone to the powerful new post of director of national intelligence, watching the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq and mending still-frayed re lations with Europe during his first overseas trip of his second term.

"I'm looking forward to putting my heart and soul into this job for four more years," he told congressional leaders at a post- swearing-in luncheon.

"We're ready to go to work," replied Sen. Trent Lott, Republican of Mississippi, chairman of the congressional inaugural committee.

Senate Democrats are delaying confirmation of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state. The inauguration, they said, was only a brief respite in their battle against the GOP majority.

Sen. Charles Schumer, Democrat of New York, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, told supporters in a fund-raising e-mail that "when the inauguration bands stop playing and Congress comes back into session, we Democrats will be on guard and ready to fight against the Republicans' extreme policies once again."