Costas Interview with Bush

President Bush was just interviewed by Bob Costas on the NBC Olympic’s coverage set. A couple of impressions.

First, Bob Costas is one of the sharpest people in broadcasting. I have never seen him when he did not come across as the consumate professional. In this case, he asked the President a series of questions on the Olympics, politics, and sports. His questions on politics were very well informed, easily asked using the names of international personalities without reference to notes, and fully at ease through his exchange with the President. Costas is the man.

Second and more important were the President’s comments. He spoke on the importance of future U S presidents maintaining constructive and candid engagement with China. But more impressive to me were his two intentional references to religious freedom. At one point he prefaced a response with, “if you are a religious person,” while making a gesture to himself as if to say, “like me.” At another point he pointed out that he intentionally attended a church service while in China. He said that he did it in part to show the Chinese people that American’s value religious expression and think that it is not to be feared. He spoke of private conversations with the Chinese leadership on the importance of human rights and especially religious freedom. He said that they should give freedom to the underground house churches. Excellent stuff from President Bush.