Find me a video of Bush saying that quote, Nagas. Then we'll talk.
There was no video recorded at the event. The lack of a physical recording does cut into the quote's authenticity I admit, but the
written correspondence after the fact leads credence to its authenticity. Bush has never denied the quote and page 39 of the correspondence suggests that it is something he could have said. Even if the actual quote is fabricated, the lack of denial and what was written is pretty indicative of his views toward that segment of the population.
You get props not when you're out of office or when its politically expedient, but when you're in a position to actually affect change and policy (for the record, not a fan of Obama doing this to get elected) at risk to you or your party's electoral prospects. He was not an ally toward the LBGT community nor the non-religious community during his tenure. Still, his reversal on gay marriage (at least a lesbian one, which is less stigmatized than a male-male, but we'll give him the benefit of the doubt), is of course welcome.
Granted, he is a better Republican than the bulk of the party that exists today, and most of what his personality was should be emulated. His domestic policies and utter aloofness to domestic issues, less so.
