The Baltimore Sun writes that the president's visit to Jericho, a project of Episcopal Community Services in East Baltimore, was timed to coincide with the 7th anniversary of Bush's executive order creating the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives.

I posted earlier about the poor track record of this faith based office and the dissatisfaction expressed by former staff who doubted the sincerity of Bush's efforts in its success. In his State of the Union last month, the president asked that the office be made permanent.

"Our government should not fear the influence of faith on our society," said Bush.

Baltimore's Jericho has received more than $500,000 in annual grants to help rehabilitate non-violent offenders from the Bush administration, according to the Sun. Bush spoke with two of the men attending and shared his own story:

"Addiction is hard to overcome," said the president. "As you might remember, I drank too much at one time in my life." ...(snip) ..."I understand addiction, and I understand how a changed heart can help you deal with addiction," he told the men. "First is to recognize that there is a higher power ... It helped me quit drinking."

Later, with the two men at his side, Bush said, "These are men who were, in some ways, lost, and lonely, and found love and redemption at Jericho." "Proud to be with you," he said, seemingly heart felt.

Bush's approval ratings are at near record lows. In a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, 70% American adults predict he will be rated a below-average president. Now he's re-emphasizing a claim he made seven years ago -- that he's a believer who will revive the strength of faith-based charities in the U.S. But time is running out.