Does the Road to the White House Pass Through Rome?

President Bush taps his Catholic brother to represent the nation at Benedict XVI's installation in Rome on Sunday.


TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Jeb Bush, who became a Catholic a decade ago at a turning point in his life, will lead the American delegation to Rome for Sunday's inaugural Mass of Pope Benedict XVI.

President Bush asked his younger brother to represent the United States at ceremonies marking the change in leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.

"I'm excited to represent our country, and particularly people of the Catholic faith, at this important time," the 52-year-old governor said. "I'm delighted to be going."

The five-member U.S. delegation also includes Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele; Carl Anderson, the chief executive officer of the Knights of Columbus; Helen Alvare, an associate professor of law at Catholic University in Washington; and Frank Hanley, president emeritus of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

Also attending are 21 members of Congress, none from Florida. That delegation is made up of 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats. The Senate is not sending a delegation.

...This is the second time in four months that Bush has been asked by his brother to represent the U.S. on the world stage. In January, he took a message of hope to a South Asian coastal region devastated by the tsunami after criticism that America's response was too slow.

That trip led to talk that Bush might want to succeed his brother in the White House, despite his repeated disavowals of any interest. Bush said he wasn't concerned that going to Rome would have the same effect.

"Not concerned at all. I'm really honored that the president asked me to do this," Bush said.
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I doubt there is any hidden agenda behind Gov. Bush leading the U.S. delegation to Rome for the installation of Pope Benedict XVI.

It strikes me as very appropriate for the President to ask his Catholic brother, the governor of Florida, to be a part of the group representing America.

It's not as if he asked him to be the Attorney General.