| | In the primary race in 2000, [[George W. Bush]] campaigned at BJU, where he stated "I look forward to publicly defending our conservative philosophy." <ref>At Bob Jones U., A Disturbing Lesson About The Real George W., by Derrick Jackson [http://www.commondreams.org/views/020900-101.htm]</ref> His Republican rival, [[John McCain]], used the visit against Bush in a telephone calling campaign that turned out [[Catholic]] voters for the Senator. The McCain ad stated "Governor George Bush has campaigned against Sen. John McCain by seeking the support of southern fundamentalists who express anti-Catholic views." McCain said the calls didn't accuse Bush of bigotry, only the people Bush was turning to for support.<ref>CBS News: Bush Regrets Bob Jones U. Calls Visit There "A Missed Opportunity" NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2000 [https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/02/27/politics/main165529.shtml]</ref> | | In the primary race in 2000, [[George W. Bush]] campaigned at BJU, where he stated "I look forward to publicly defending our conservative philosophy." <ref>At Bob Jones U., A Disturbing Lesson About The Real George W., by Derrick Jackson [http://www.commondreams.org/views/020900-101.htm]</ref> His Republican rival, [[John McCain]], used the visit against Bush in a telephone calling campaign that turned out [[Catholic]] voters for the Senator. The McCain ad stated "Governor George Bush has campaigned against Sen. John McCain by seeking the support of southern fundamentalists who express anti-Catholic views." McCain said the calls didn't accuse Bush of bigotry, only the people Bush was turning to for support.<ref>CBS News: Bush Regrets Bob Jones U. Calls Visit There "A Missed Opportunity" NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2000 [https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/02/27/politics/main165529.shtml]</ref> |
| − | Bush reacted to the political distortions by criticizing the attempts at guilt by association. He wrote a letter affirming that he is not a religious bigot and sent it to Cardinal John O'Connor of New York.<ref>The letter contained this sentence, which is often quoted out of context to imply that Bush was criticizing evangelicals, when he was not: "On reflection, I should have been more clear in disassociating myself from anti-Catholic sentiments and racial prejudice. It was a missed opportunity, causing needless offense, which I deeply regret." CNN: George W. Bush's Visit to Bob Jones University Continues to Stir up Controversy, aired February 27, 2000 - 8:09 p.m. ET [http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/27/wv.12.html]</ref> | + | Bush reacted to the political distortions by criticizing the attempts at guilt by association. He wrote a letter affirming that he is not a religious bigot and sent it to Cardinal John O'Connor of New York.<ref>The letter contained this sentence, which is often quoted out of context to imply that Bush was criticizing evangelicals, when he was not: "On reflection, I should have been more clear in disassociating myself from anti-Catholic sentiments and racial prejudice. It was a missed opportunity, causing needless offense, which I deeply regret." CNN: George W. Bush's Visit to Bob Jones University Continues to Stir up Controversy, aired February 27, 2000 - 8:09 p.m. ET [https://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/27/wv.12.html]</ref> |
| − | Such spats are common in primaries, and McCain subsequently endorsed Bush for president in 2000<ref>Boston Globe. [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/53807426.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+14%2C+2000&author=Stacy+Milbouer%2C+GLOBE+CORRESPONDENT&pub=Boston+Globe&desc=MCCAIN'S+NEW+MESSAGE+IN+N.H.%3A+ELECT+BUSH&pqatl=google ''MCCAIN'S NEW MESSAGE IN N.H.: ELECT BUSH''] May 14th, 2000.</ref> while Bush endorsed McCain for president in 2008.<ref>FoxNews.com [http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Mar05/0,4670,BushMcCain,00.html ''Bush Endorses John McCain for President''] March 5th, 2008</ref> | + | Such spats are common in primaries, and McCain subsequently endorsed Bush for president in 2000<ref>Boston Globe. [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/53807426.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+14%2C+2000&author=Stacy+Milbouer%2C+GLOBE+CORRESPONDENT&pub=Boston+Globe&desc=MCCAIN'S+NEW+MESSAGE+IN+N.H.%3A+ELECT+BUSH&pqatl=google ''MCCAIN'S NEW MESSAGE IN N.H.: ELECT BUSH''] May 14th, 2000.</ref> while Bush endorsed McCain for president in 2008.<ref>FoxNews.com [https://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Mar05/0,4670,BushMcCain,00.html ''Bush Endorses John McCain for President''] March 5th, 2008</ref> |