The single most significant but least-understood fact about the federal government is that it does not directly administer major domestic programs that it enacts or partially funds," declared John DiIulio, director of the Bush Adminsitration's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, at the Center's large April 3 press briefing at the Hay-Adams Hotel. Rather, since World War II, it has prgressively become a "government-by-proxy" that relies on a network of largely nonprofit organizations to translate its policies into administrative action. Those attempting to improve government performace or acheive measureable civic results, then, need to find and fund the most effective social programs developed by community-based groups, both religious and secular. "Government should welcome successful religious groups into pverty-fighting and other problem-solving partnerships," DiIulio insisted, "not discriminate against them."

To illustrate the kind of faith-based grassroots orgnaizations that he think merit public funds, DiIulio introdcued Reverend Herbert Hoover Lusk III of the Greater Exodus Baptist Church and the Reverend Luis Cortes of Nueva Esperanza, and described the "life-saving," transforming work--from mentoring to health care to economic development--they do in inner-city Philadelphia. He pointed out that "absolutely every major survey showed that the American people agree with president Bush in wanting to support the good workds of such communityhelperd and healers." And the people and the President are "empirically correct," because studies confirm the enormous social contributions made by churches, synagogues, mosques, and other local faith-based organizations, particularly in poor urban neighborhoods. "There is and there can be no government funding for religion," DiIulio concluded, but charitable choice should be expanded and existing provisions more fully and fairly implemented.

An ensuing discussion period, moderated by Center vice president Michael Cromartie, centered on eligibility criteria, civil rights, and other constitutional issues. DiIulio asked Lusk and Cortes, as well as his colleagues Carl Esbeck and Don Willett, to field several of the questions. Among other participating were Fred Barnes and Willam Kristol of The Weekly Standard, Michael Barone and Jay Tolson of U.S. News & World Report, Barbara Bradley of National Public Radio, Paul Gigot of the Wall Street Journal, Michel Martin of ABC News, Kate O'Beirne of National Review, syndicated columnist Mona Charen Parker, Ira Rifkin of Beliefnet.com, Sharon Samber of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Melana Zyla Vickers of USA Today, Kenneth Woodward of Newsweek, and Pat Zapor of the Catholic News Service.