To the Point

Is the GOP America's First Religious Party?

The man who predicted the "emerging Republican majority" back in the 1970's now says the party has recently been "transformed." Kevin Phillips, who worked in the Nixon White House, says the rising power of radical Christians endangers the separation of church and state. He says religious belief in the Bush White House shapes policy not just on social issues but foreign affairs as well. How many Republicans think America should be a Christian state? Does religion threaten democracy in a diverse country? We talk with Phillips and Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, a group Phillips is especially alarmed about. Making News: President Thanks Card, Names Bolten New Chief of Staff For the first time since January, 2001, President Bush has a new Chief of Staff. Andrew Card has resigned. He'll be replaced by another White House veteran, Joshua Bolten, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. David Sanger, White House correspondent for the New York Times, considers how the change in personnel will affect policy and behind-the-scenes relationships within the Bush Administration.Reporter's Notebook: Justice Scalia's Controversial Remarks on DetaineesThe Supreme Court today took up the case of Salim Ahmed Hamdan, who President Bush wants to try as a terrorist before a military tribunal. The former chauffeur to Osama bin Laden wants to be heard in federal court. A group of retired generals and admirals have asked Justice Antonin Scalia to recuse himself because of comments he made in Switzerland, dismissing the idea that military combatants have rights in civil courts. Barbara Olshansky is legal director at the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York.