Thomas More Law Center lawyer files papers to run for Congress
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Washington D.C., Nov 10, 2009 / 05:00 am (CNA).- A Catholic lawyer from Michigan who says John Paul II is one of his role models has filed to run for the state’s 7th Congressional District.

Brian Rooney, a pro-life Republican attorney for the Thomas More Law Center, will face a primary challenge against another pro-lifer, Tim Walberg, who lost the seat to Democrat Mark Schauer in 2008.

Rep. Schauer has been described by NARAL Pro-Choice America as “fully pro-choice” and he voted against the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to the health care bill.

Rooney told Deal Hudson of InsideCatholic.com that that vote shows Schauer is “completely out of touch with his constituents,” whom Rooney described as “mostly middle to right.”

Rooney is the grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney. His uncle, Dan Rooney, is a former Steelers chairman who is now the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. His brother, Tom, is a U.S. Congressman from Florida.

A Marine Corps veteran, he served as a military criminal prosecutor and served in Iraq as part of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing.

Rooney has said his role models are Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Pope John Paul II. He believes the government needs to stop “reckless and radical” spending, properly finish the war in Iraq, and fully commit to the war in Afghanistan.

“No one can deny Rooney's credentials as a conservative pro-life candidate, especially with his service at the Thomas More Law Center. But with Michigan at 15 percent unemployment, the worst in the nation, voters in the Ann Arbor/Battle Creek area may be more interested in what he brings to the table with regard to the current economic crisis,” Hudson commented at InsideCatholic.com.

Rooney continues to work for the Thomas More Law Center. His honorary finance chairman is Tom Monaghan, the philanthropist and controversial founder of both Ave Maria University and Domino’s Pizza.

He had initially shelved his political plans when his son was born with a congenital heart defect. His son underwent surgery on his heart and brain twice.

He said his experience lead him to believe the U.S. has the “best health care in the world,” which he credits for his son’s full recovery.

Rooney is reportedly strongly opposed to Congress’ current health care reform proposal, which he believes will lead to rationed care for children and the elderly.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Walter Blogger
Chicago, IL 11/10/2009 04:55 PM EST
Mr. Rooney's candidacy is inconsistent. How can he claim to be a "John Paul II Catholic" if he supports the American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? John Paul II criticized the wanton march into war and fought for its prevention until hours before it started. The American bishops implored the administration not to commit a grave inequity and, indeed, sin. As Catholics we should trust our religious leaders, who have a call from God, not our political ones, who may have won elections or not even that. Much as I would love to see more engaged Catholics in politics and much as I support Mr. Rooney's stance on abortion -- sorry, he won't have my support. The Church preaches peace, justice, reconciliation, forgiveness, and love, not militaristic jingoism. And by the way -- "the U.S. has best healthcare system in the world"? Ever lived in Denmark, Austria, Norway, or France? Citizens of these countries only laugh at what passes for healthcare here in the U.S., and rightly so ... Again, our bishops got it right (and Republicans got it wrong, again): yes to a government-supported healthcare, no to public funding of abortion. Movement Republicans and Catholics are two incompatible groups, alas.
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