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MAY 10, 2001

President Bush's nominee to a federal court that oversees cases affecting a large number of tribes once told the Salt Lake Tribune he wants to break down the wall between church and state.

In an interview with the paper last year, University of Utah professor Michael McConnell said his goal is to get away from the strict separation of church from state. He said religion shouldn't get special privileges but shouldn't be excluded either.

The position echoes Bush's faith-based initiative. The President wants federal agencies to eliminate obstacles which may have limited funding to religious groups.

The proposal is controversial and McConnell's nomination to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals may soon be. But a spokesman for Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said McConnell's view probably won't be a hindrance to his confirmation.

Bush Announces Nominees:
Video | Text | White House Factsheet

Get the Story:
Bush Taps U. Prof for Bench (The Salt Lake Tribune 5/10)
Bush Nominees to Federal Bench (The Washington Post 5/9)

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