Republican presidential candidate
George W. Bush defended the death penalty and said he
supports the Vatican's stance as a permanent observer at
the UN in a videoconference speech before the Catholic
Press Association on Friday.
Bush maintained that the death penalty is an effective
deterrent for crime, but added that he supports the use of
DNA testing to erase any doubts of guilt before execution.
As governor of Texas since 1995, Bush has overseen dozens
of executions, including 35 last year alone and three in
three days this week.
"I don't believe we've executed a single innocent person,"
Bush said. "If the DNA testing helps to settle a case, or
erase any doubts or concerns, we would support that."
Bush also supported the Vatican's current status at the UN.
Several radical feminist and pro-abortion groups have been
pushing for the United Nations to remove the Holy See's
status as a non-voting member-nation which gives it unique
access to conferences and other events where its voice can
be heard. "The position of the administration is unclear,"
Bush said. "The position of my administration will be very
clear and firm: America supports permanent observer status
for the Holy See."
The governor also said his administration would help
families by cutting taxes and through intangible actions.
"There is no law we can write that will say 'You must love
your children,'" Bush said. "But the president can set the
tone."
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