Gary Bauer calls Obama's use of scripture to sell failing health care plans "clumsy attempt to manipulate"

Former presidential candidate Gary Bauer on Thursday called President Obama's invocation of scripture in defense of his failing health care takeover "breathtaking hypocrisy" as well as a "clumsy attempt to manipulate."

The chairman of the Campaign for Working Families made the following statement:

"President Obama's playing of the 'Christian card' yesterday was breathtaking. He is the product of the political Left, which routinely attempts to purge faith from the public square. It regularly demands that conservatives ignore their faith in making public policy arguments on the sanctity of life, marriage and the notion that our liberty comes from God.

"But now, as his scheme to take over healthcare unravels by the day, President Obama is attempting to exploit Jesus to justify more big government. As I recall, government was not very kind to Jesus. And Jesus never suggested that government should be a substitute for individual Christian charity. Helping our neighbors and the disadvantaged is an individual charge - not a call for more bureaucracy.

"I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the President to cite the teachings of Christ that would force people to pay for abortions and deny healthcare, as some presidential advisors have suggested, to those who are incapable of 'being or becoming participating citizens.' And Christ certainly would not advocate either individuals or nations stealing money from their children and grandchildren by spending themselves into bankruptcy with outlandish amounts of debt, which is exactly what President Obama is proposing."