"HOWEVER: The difference is ego. "I was called by God" or "God spoke to me and said..." should be a red flag coming from a person with civil powers. "God has placed this task on my doorstep" or "God help me in this work that Providence has put before me" and such remarks indicate not only a rather less, um, intimate relationship with the Omniscient but also admits that the burden, while God's to present, is ours to accept, and as such is subject to free will with all its human glories and foibles.

I don't know what Mr. Bush said. I would like to, though..."

I would like to know what people mean (exactly) when they say "God spoke to me"- whether that person is the President or anyone else.
I think it's a "language" used some denominations more than others. I would suppose that the Catholic church would have "historical" opposition to this sort of "language". The tradition being the word of God goes through the priests & from the top guy (the Pope). Whereas the Baptists have a different slant (particularly is this aspect). I think a President would need to be careful when speaking about anything religious because of this difference in language and emphasis among the various religons- you could get a multitude of "green & red flags" depending on which church various people attended.

"Third: I have known people who consider everything to be the result of God's direct intervention. And you're right, they're not pleasant to be around. But then, they don't consider pleasantness to be an option when faced with God's will, because He is Inscrutible, with a capital "Screw". The God they worship sits on high and smites the humble and the mighty with his Divine Flyswatter, seemingly at random. They mean well, but I, in my infinite wisdom, consider their view of Creation to be warped. Yet they do get elected to office. Beware of them."

I have met these people also- I would characterize them as having a narrow and shortsighted view. But I don't think that "God on the sidelines" is a significantly improved POV.
I think "either of the above" is *more* to do the doctrine of social control rather than "spiritual aspects" of religion. AND a narrow and shortsighted person might be attracted to a certain way interpreting the bible.