White House injects religion into U.S. politics

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Throughout the U.S. presidential campaign, many Republican supporters weren't convinced John McCain had an important force on his side: God.

That changed when McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. Palin is a fierce opponent of abortion rights. She has also said that gas development and the war in Iraq are duties commissioned by the Lord.

'This is a religious country and the interest in faith is always really high,' said Rob Boston, a policy analyst for Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

'Now, with the decision to put Palin on the ticket, it really has erupted.'

Since he became the presumptive Republican presidential candidate in March, McCain has struggled to win the hearts of religious conservatives, who have long played an influential role in U.S. elections.

Evangelicals, especially those in the U.S. Bible Belt, were energized by President George W. Bush's public declaration of faith and played a crucial role in his victory in the 2004 election.

But they have remained listless for most of this presidential campaign, despite the strenuous"