Political expert examines the Catholic Vote for 2008

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In a Giuliani vs. Clinton race, Clinton will win Catholic vote

Comments: 6

Washington D.C., Oct 12, 2007 / 02:27 pm (CNA).- If the United States presidential race comes down to candidates Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton, the Catholic vote will swing to Clinton. That's the claim of Steve Wagner, a chief political strategist who helped George W. Bush win the majority of Catholics' votes in the 2000 and 2004 elections. He has argued that appealing to Mass-going Catholics is a key factor in a presidential candidate's electoral success.

Deal W. Hudson, of InsideCatholic.com, interviewed Wagner on the prospects of a Giuliani-Clinton match-up and the probable behavior of Catholic voters. According to Hudson's report, Wagner believes Giuliani's candidacy will be hampered by the contradictions between his professed faith and his pro-choice stand: "Kerry was punished for being a pro-abortion Catholic. Giuliani is wise not to talk about being a Catholic, or he will suffer the same fate."

In the absence of a pro-life candidate, Wagner sees economic hardship as a winning issue for Democrats. The housing market, employment, and high gas prices are issues that could benefit Senator Hillary Clinton. "Her message of helping the poor and those in need, in spite of her pro-abortion position, will be quite potent to Catholics when the GOP has nothing else to offer."

Wagner does not view the Iraq War as a pivotal issue in Catholic voters' behavior. "The Catholic discontent with Bush and the Republican Party is not about Iraq, or he would have lost their vote in 2004. It's about their failure to deliver on the promises they made to address the moral decline of our society."

Republicans' ambiguity will prove harmful to their campaign, says Wagner: "It's hard to say what Republicans are about these days. The GOP does not have an issue identity that Catholics are interested in buying into."

Comments: 6

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Yesenia
Houston, TX USA 02/14/2008 01:16 AM EST

The Catholic vote has to be morally aware of their candidates. It is our duty to vote for the most pro-life candidate. This round is difficult because of the competing imorality of this country's agenda... stem-cell research, gay marriage, war. I really really really doubt that Clinton will get the Catholic Vote. She and Obama are by far, the most pro-choice (meaning pro-death of an innocent), and least Catholic friendly.

Published by: Jim Waddell
Rochester, MN 01/31/2008 02:08 PM EST

I suggest that Catholics consider supporting Ron Paul for President. He is more financially responsible than the other Republicans, and can outflank the Democrats on war issues. A quick summary of Paul for Catholics:

* He has been married to his wife Carol for 50 years. They have 5 children, 18 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.
* Like Popes John Paul II and Benedict, he opposed the Iraq war. If elected, he would begin to withdraw troops immediately.
* His philosophy on war is firmly grounded in Christian Just War Theory - and he actually discusses this in appearances and debates.
* He is a pro-life doctor who delivered over 4,000 babies in his career. He recently was endorsed by pro-life activist Norma McCorvey.
* * He is committed to responsible government spending to get us out of the debt mess we are in. The national debt is now over $9 trillion, and the dollar has been falling rapidly. If we do not get control of spending, we will face serious financial consequences. Some would say the crisis has already begun. Ron Paul has never voted for an unbalanced budget in his 10-term career in Congress. He has never voted to raise Congressional pay. He also returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

Published by: Shirley Rogachesky
Florida 10/14/2007 12:11 PM EST

If I have a choice between Clint & Giuliani, I will write in Alan Keyes ( who expresses my concerns)

Published by: Grace M. Alvarez
Twain Harte, CA, USA 10/14/2007 01:36 AM EST

Mr. Wagner may be an expert on measuring the mood of "Catholic voters", but he certainly does not speak for me, nor many of my contemporaries. As Catholic Conservative Republicans, we would NEVER vote for Hilary - our vote for Giuliani would be a vote AGAINST Madam Clinton!

Published by: Harold Connett
Delta, co USA 10/13/2007 03:10 PM EST

I have never understood why voters would dislike a republican because he is pro-choice and vote for a pro-choice democrat who is absent of moral guidance.

Published by: LdelCalvo
Pembroke Pines, Fl USA 10/13/2007 11:05 AM EST

Hopefully, maybe a third party will be formed before we make any more mistakes and vote for either Giuliani or Clinton
most of us American Citizens are tired of what is happenning to this great Nation of ours "In God We Trust"...everyone should carry a pocket/size "Constitution of the USA" and study it just like we should also read the Bible and study it...has nothing to do w/one's own Faith...it is all about GOD the Father our Maker...

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