except, of course, when he does say so

Bush Claims He Feels Uncomfortable Saying, ‘I Know What God Was Thinking’

Yesterday on Fox News, host Sean Hannity asked President Bush whether it was the “destiny” of certain people to become president. Bush responded by saying that he wasn’t sure, noting that he was uncomfortable presuming to know what God was thinking:

BUSH: I think — first of all, I think that those who say — you know, I am very reluctant to say, of all the people in the world, I have been picked out by the Almighty. And the reason I’m reluctant to say that is, one, I don’t know. Secondly, far be it for me to put myself in the Almighty’s shoes or position. […]

Some — some believe that. I have real trouble, as I repeat, I have real trouble, you know, saying, Well, I know what God was thinking, because I don’t.

But the past — when trying to convince the American public that he is right — Bush has had no problem pretending that he knows what the Almighty believes.

Some examples:

“I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can’t explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen… I know it won’t be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it.” [2000]

“We are in a conflict between good and evil. And America will call evil by its name.” [6/1/02]

“[T]he former Palestinian foreign minister Nabil Shaath says Mr Bush told him and Mahmoud Abbas, former prime minister and now Palestinian President: ‘I’m driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, “George, go and fight those terrorists in Afghanistan.” And I did, and then God would tell me, “George go and end the tyranny in Iraq,” and I did.’” [6/03]

“I don’t see how you can be president at least from my perspective, how you can be president, without a relationship with the Lord.” [1/11/05]

“This struggle is waged with the technology of the 21st century, but at its core it is the ancient battle between good and evil. … No one who prays to the God of Abraham could strap a suicide vest to an innocent child, or blow up guiltless guests at a Passover Seder, or fly planes into office buildings filled with unsuspecting workers.” [5/16/08]

(Think Progress)