"No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God."

- George Bush, to a AA reporter Robert I. Sherman in August 27,1987, while serving as vice-president and running for President, Full text of exchange follows:

Sherman: What will you do to win the votes of the Americans who are Atheists?
Bush: I guess I'm pretty weak in the Atheist community. Faith in God is important to me.
Sherman: Surely you recognize the equal citizenship and patriotism of Americans who are Atheists?
Bush: No, I don't know that Atheists should be considered as citizens,
nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.
Sherman (somewhat taken aback): Do you support as a sound constitutional principle
the separation of state and church?
Bush: Yes, I support the separation of church and state. I'm just not very high on Atheists.