Bush, more than any other candidate, has incorporated his personal faith into his campaign policy and rhetoric. He proclaimed Jesus Christ as his hero during an Iowa Republican debate and has outlined 'faith-based' initiatives.
Specifically, he has called for the lifting of federal regulations to help allow religious organizations assist the poor. He also wants the government to provide tax credits to encourage charitable gifts.
After graduating from Yale in 1968 with a history degree, Bush entered the Texas Air National Guard for five years, serving his country far from Vietnam's shores. After being rejected from the University of Texas Law School, Bush was accepted at Harvard Business School, where he graduated in 1975.
He started an oil-drilling business upon his return to Texas, and flirted with political office with his 1978 run for the U.S. House. After his loss, he did not return to political work until 1987, when he helped out his father's presidential campaign. After a successful run as a part-owner of the Texas Ranger baseball team, he ran for Texas Governor in 1994, won and was reelected in 1998.