Greater Role for Religious Charities Urged

Competing for ground usually claimed by Republicans, Vice President Al Gore on Monday called for Washington to work more closely with religiously based charities in delivering social services to the needy.

“Let us put the solution that faith-based organizations are pioneering at the very heart of our national strategy,” Gore said at a Salvation Army center here. “If you elect me your president, the voices of faith-based organizations will be integral to the policies set forth in my administration.”

While repeatedly insisting that government must protect the separation of church and state, Gore argued that faith-based programs could have more success than traditional government responses at coping with such problems as drug abuse and youth violence. “I believe that faith in itself is sometimes essential to spark a personal transformation,” Gore declared.

With his unequivocal support for the work of faith-based groups, Gore dramatically put himself on the same page as Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.

In Texas, Bush has worked aggressively to expand partnerships between the state and religiously based charities in delivering services such as drug treatment, and he has signaled that the idea will be a centerpiece of his presidential campaign. On Monday, Bush’s presidential exploratory committee responded to Gore’s remarks only by noting that the governor “has been advocating and implementing faith-based social programs since 1996. We welcome Vice President Gore’s endorsement of the concept.”

Speaking anonymously, though, one Bush advisor portrayed Gore’s comments as an effort to neutralize an attractive GOP idea. “They obviously have decided it polls very well and are getting on board,” the advisor said. “Al Gore may have the words, but I don’t think he has the rhythm.”

Gore advisors noted that he has praised the work of faith-based groups for some time.

In his speech, Gore called for significantly expanding the “charitable choice” provision of the 1996 welfare reform act that allowed government to contract with faith-based organizations to provide services for welfare recipients. He said that the government “should extend this carefully tailored approach to other vital services where faith-based organizations can play a role--such as drug treatment, homelessness and youth violence prevention.”

Reflecting the traditional uneasiness among some Democrats about mixing religion with public policy, Gore noted that under existing law faith-based groups cannot proselytize directly as part of their work with welfare recipients or require them to attend religious observances. He said he would maintain those restrictions.

By stressing that he saw partnerships with religious groups as a supplement--not a substitute--for government action, Gore also sought to contrast himself with Republicans who have emphasized voluntarism as a response to social needs.

Even with those caveats, Gore concluded: “We must dare to embrace faith-based approaches that advance our shared goals as Americans.”

Gore’s speech--the latest in a series detailing his campaign agenda--underscored how rapidly the social policy debate between the parties is evolving and in many ways narrowing. Just a few years ago, only a few conservative intellectuals promoted significant reliance on religiously based charities.

But the concept has steadily gained ground. In the GOP presidential field, the idea is being highlighted not only by Bush, but also by Ohio Rep. John R. Kasich and former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander. And Gore’s rival for the nomination, former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey, has discussed relying more heavily on local groups, including religious charities, to confront the problems of the poor.