Here's an article from the St. Pete Times dated 10/21
Gov. Jeb Bush speaks to congregations on his opposition to abortion, his belief in prayer and desire to strengthen families.
By WES ALLISON, Times Staff Writer © St. Petersburg Times published October 21, 2002
CLEARWATER -- The governor's race so far has focused on matters of the mind. On Sunday, from the altars of Christian churches in Pinellas County, Republican Gov. Jeb Bush steered it toward matters of the soul.
Taking a break from the arguments over education, health care and taxes that have dominated the campaign, Bush reminded Christian conservatives that he has not forgotten the social concerns that earned him their support since his political debut eight years ago.
Bush and his wife, Columba, worshipped at Starkey Road Baptist Church in Seminole and Countryside Christian Center in Clearwater. At both, Bush stressed his opposition to abortion, his belief in the power of prayer and his desire to help strengthen families.
What gets him through every trying day, he told a cheering crowd at Countryside, "is the serenity of knowing that Jesus Christ is my personal savior."
"I believe in the sanctity of life from the beginning of life to its very end," Bush said. "It's not political. It's something that's grounded in my faith ... If we focus on the priorities of protecting life, we're doing God's work." Democratic challenger Bill McBride favors keeping abortion legal. It has not been an issue in the race, although McBride's wife, Alex Sink, frequently tells women's groups it's important to elect a governor who will protect the right to abortion.
Most polls show Bush with a slim lead over McBride. Both sides are counting on a high turnout from their parties' core constituents.
McBride has been working relentlessly to motivate key Democratic voters, including African-Americans, Jewish retirees and union members. He visited several black churches in South Florida Sunday afternoon, then campaigned at Broward County condominiums with U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, one of the nation's best known Jewish leaders.
Until Sunday, however, Bush had done little -- at least overtly -- to marshal the Christian conservatives who constitute a crucial chunk of the Republican base. Neither congregation could have been more accommodating. It was clear from the moment Bush walked into the sanctuaries that he was among friends, and his comments about family, God and the sanctity of life repeatedly prompted "amens" from congregants.
At Countryside Christian, Bush stood in the front row and sang along to four songs that could have come straight from contemporary Christian radio. No hymnals here -- the words were projected on a giant screen behind the swaying choir, and singers shared the stage with a drum set.
As at many charismatic Christian churches, the congregation was an eclectic mix of black, white, Latino and Middle Eastern worshippers in equally diverse dress, from tie-dyed shirts and jeans to Bush's dark suit.
The senior pastor, the Rev. John A. Lloyd, introduced Bush as the "best governor Florida has ever had," and later prayed for his re-election Nov. 5.
"All I can say is, this place rocks," Bush, who is Catholic, said to cheers. "I wish once in a while, maybe, that the Catholic church would have a bit more enthusiasm. Maybe we could talk to the bishop about a few more songs at least."
As he's done recently, Bush spoke briefly about their daughter Noelle, a recovering drug addict who is serving a 10-day jail sentence for violating her probation from an earlier drug charge.
"My family and I have been going through -- let's see if I can do this without getting too emotional. Normally I can't. We've been going through some tough times with our daughter," Bush told the hushed crowd at Countryside. "I'm not going to talk about that because I will break up ... It's a genetic flaw in the Bush men in the family, we cry a lot."
The crowd oohed a collective "aw," then cheered him on, clapping and whooping.
"I can sense the prayers for my daughter," he said. "There are thousands of people across this state praying for people, not just Noelle, but for others who have a similar situation. This is a problem that crosses all racial boundaries and incomes and ethnicity and -- the power of prayer is so awesome."