Catholic League Clears Up Brownback Bashing Letter

I have been involved in politics since I was 15. Often someone that is supporting a person for office will do something that the campaign no way endorses. In fact that happens everyday. That is why I appreciate the Catholic League coming out quickly and getting the facts out on this letter against Senator Brownback. Here is the press release with the parts in bold made by me.

CATHOLIC BASHERS SMEAR BROWNBACK
A letter is being circulated among evangelicals in Iowa asking them not to split the Christian vote between former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Kansas Senator Sam Brownback; they are urged to vote for Huckabee, an evangelical, over Brownback, a Roman Catholic.

The letter stems from Walnut Creek Community Church in Windsor Heights. It says that unlike President George W. Bush, and his father, both of whom had to learn “how to speak to evangelicals,” Governor Huckabee is “one of us.” The missive continues as follows: “I know Senator Brownback converted to Roman Catholicism in 2002. Frankly, as a recovering Catholic myself, that is all I need to know about his discernment when compared to the Governor’s. I don’t know if this fact is widely known among evangelicals who are supporting Brownback.”

This issue was addressed today by Catholic League president Bill Donohue:

“Discernment. Evangelicals have it, and Catholics do not. But are those evangelicals who express themselves this way capable of discerning the difference between persuasiveness and abrasiveness? Do they really think all Catholics are rote-minded robots who let the Vatican do their thinking for them? We thought we’d gotten beyond such nonsense, but apparently some stereotypes are proving hardier than others.

“Like Sam Brownback, Mike Huckabee is a man of character, and as such he would never choose to be associated with such bigotry. The blame for this incident lies squarely with Rev. Tim Rude, pastor of the church. Unfortunately for him, he has now compounded his problem by saying that he did not intend his e-mail to be made public, and that in any event, ‘All I was trying to say is that Protestants should vote for Protestants.’ Great. But now that his gig is up—everyone knows about his stealth campaign against Brownback—the time has come for Rev. Rude (what a great name!) to fess up and apologize. He might also take this opportunity to explain his lack of confidence in the ability of Protestants to discern whom they should vote for in the election.”

The Huckabee campaign of course does not support this anti Catholic letter in the least as the Catholic League is very clear about. Governor Mike Huckabee never showed any anti Catholic bias in his years as Governor. Arkansas ,especially in the northwestern part, has significant Catholic populations. Governor Huckabee has Catholics working for this campaign in significant positions. Catholics will continue to have their views heard and engaged in the White House when Mike Huckabee becomes President

Thank you Mr. Donahue for clearing up this matter quickly. It is no secret that Brownback and Huckabee are both aggressivly going after the religious conservative vote. That includes both Evangelicals, Protestants, and Catholics. I have no doubt that each man shall conduct that campaign with high ethics and regard for all involved.

Governor Huckabee issued a statement on this matter here. Let me highlight this last part

Press Release: Former Gov. Mike Huckabee Issues Statement About Campaign Supporters
July, 31 2007

Our campaign enjoys strong support from Catholics as well as evangelicals, and for that matter, from people whose support is not faith-based at all. I have spoken in Catholic churches and maintained a strong relationship with Christian brothers and sisters from many denominations. “While I’m deeply grateful that many people of faith support me because they know I represent views compatible with theirs, I know that there are many others who support me because of an effective record of achieving results. Either way, I’m grateful for the support. “I consider Sam Brownback a Christian brother and know that he feels likewise toward me. Like Senator Brownback, several key members of my staff are Roman Catholic. As believers, we don’t have time to fight each other. We need to focus on having a servant’s spirit and bringing hope to those who have given up.” .

Amen to that.