By most standards, the Bush Administration, more than any other in U.S. history, has blurred the distinction between church and state. Never before has so much taxpayer money, some $2 billion, gone to religious groups via the "faith-based initiative" program. According to Kevin Phillips, the base of Bush's political support is "a huge evangelical. fundamentalist, and Pentecostal community" with their own "broadcast, publishing, and direct-mail empires". A 2006 Baylor University poll finds Americans in large numbers believe in a wrathful, authoritarian God. And many agree that "God favors the U.S. in international politics." As religious fervor grows, is democracy edging toward theocracy?

Kevin Phillips was chief political analyst for the 1968 Republican presidential campaign, which culminated in the victory of Richard Nixon. One year later he wrote the influential book The Emerging Republican Majority. His politics have evolved over the ensuing decades. He is the author of many books including Wealth & Democracy and American Dynasty. His latest is American Theocracy.