Wednesday, October 24, 2007

New York Sun Talks ABout How to Win The Catholic Vote

Tip of the Hat to Pro Ecclesia and his post NY Sun Op/Ed: "Winning the Catholic Vote" . Let me add some of my observations.

When we are talking about the Catholic vote we are really talking about the Mass Going Catholics. These voters came to Bush in 2004 and got him in the White House. Bill Clinton was at times called the "First Black President". I often call and try to make the case that in that same vein that Bush is truly one of the first "Catholic Presidents" Yes even more than JFK.

The article of course is focused some on RUDY!!! as all thing are it seems nowadays. Even his opponents it seems give him ton of free press. A frustrating development for us Republicans backing the Huckabees , the McCains, , the Romney's and the Thompsons of the world.

I thought this part interesting:
"Nevertheless, Mr. Giuliani's advocates maintain that his biography and overall record in New York will enable him to thrive in the areas that are heavily Catholic."

I do not find that a very compelling argument. I suspect if we looked at John Kerry's numbers we would see him getting the Catholic vote in past elections as much as that pains me. Basically there was never a pro-life viable alternative.

However the article makes a lot of great points and it should be read. Some people in the conservative camp don't wish to talk about the Catholic vote. Why? Because it brings in certain unpleasant realities. Such as the Catholic vote(Mass Going Catholics) have a much more George Bush view of the World than they like. The dreaded "compassionate conservative" that is now viewed sadly as the equivalent of the "F Bomb" in some political camps. Also we start talking about the "Catholic vote" and we start starting Hispanics. Those same Hispanics Bush targeted quite well in the final months of the election. Needless to say we have a PR disaster we are still recovering from there.

I have and will continue to make the argument that Huckabee is the best person to get this Catholic vote that Bush got in 2004.

The Catholic Vote is not a much of flaming liberals. It is pro-life but it is not "far right". The article I think brings up some realities the party and the GOP voter must deal with.

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