President Bush said Tuesday that controversial remarks by Lt. Gen. William G. 'Jerry' Boykin about Muslims and Islam do not 'reflect my point of view, or the view of this administration' — sharp language from an administration that tends to circle the wagons when a member is under attack.
Bush's move to distance himself from the outspoken general was the strongest administration response to date to disclosures of Boykin's frequent appearances before religious groups at which he characterized the war on terrorism as a battle between Judeo-Christian tradition and 'Satan.' His remarks have put the president in a difficult spot.
With hundreds of supportive calls coming into the Pentagon and Bush facing a reelection campaign in which he'll seek the help of Christian conservatives, it might be out of the question for the administration to fire Boykin.
"Gen. Boykin is kind of the living embodiment of a key Republican electoral constituency. So forcing him out would not be a very bright move with elections approaching," said military analyst Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute, an Arlington, Va.-based public policy group.
But his continued presence as deputy undersecretary of Defense for intelligence is causing such trouble in the Muslim community, Congress and elsewhere that some senior defense officials and others have suggested privately that a less visible, strictly military post should be found for the oft-decorated soldier.
Bush's remarks Tuesday might make that a foregone conclusion. Said Thompson: "He may simply decide that he's become too much of an issue and seek another assignment."
