‘Smart’ Obama outreach to Catholics seeks to offset abortion concerns, commentator says

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President Barack Obama

Washington D.C., Jul 24, 2009 / 04:16 am (CNA).- Catholic commentator Deal Hudson says the Obama administration is engaging in "smart" outreach to Catholics by offsetting concerns about abortion with unifying rhetoric and compelling stories. In his view, this outreach also benefits from Republican inaction towards Hispanics and Catholics.

Speaking with U.S. News & World Report writer Dan Gilgoff, Hudson questioned President Barack Obama’s "common ground" rhetoric about abortion.

"It's very smart for Obama to actually take the advice of his Catholic outreach team. They have done a good job navigating the challenges they face among Catholics over their policy positions," Hudson, Catholic outreach director for Republican George W. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns, told Gilgoff.

He said that the common thread among Catholic nominees such as Judge Sonia Sotomayor and prospective surgeon general Regina Benjamin is that they are presented as Catholics but the White House highlights a part of their story that is "compelling from another direction."

"The administration knows in both cases that, once the Catholic issues are explored, there are going to be problems," he explained.

However, members of the Obama administration have worked to "offset" questions about abortion by putting forward nominees like Dr. Benjamin,who rebuilt a clinic to help the poor, or Judge Sotomayor, a minority woman.

"They have thought carefully about how they are going to offset the expected criticism of these pro-choice Catholic nominees by having stories ready that they know will appeal to Catholics and blunt criticism from the pro-life side," Hudson commented.

Hudson then criticized the Republicans’ 2005 anti-immigration campaign as a "huge mistake" that helped drive away Hispanic voters. He also said the Republican Party "just hasn’t done anything" to reunite the religious conservative base and to "reanimate" Catholic supporters.

He also said that Republicans had not offered Catholics anything to "rally behind" like President Obama has in his meeting with Pope Benedict XVI and his speech at Notre Dame.

Claiming that Obama’s Notre Dame speech cost the president support among some Catholics, Hudson said that Catholics are nonetheless receptive to appeals to "common ground" and "working together."

According to Hudson, Catholics don’t like "a lot of confrontational and aggressive speechmaking in politics" or "the old evangelical, more stringent-type message."

"Common ground" rhetoric also has resonance among Catholics because it was used by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, the late Archbishop of Chicago.

However, Hudson himself was skeptical of the Obama administration’s rhetoric in light of its policy actions.

"The policy itself is the funding of abortion, the appointment of pro-choice Catholics, and the repealing of the Mexico City policy, and that's the narrative people need to pay attention to."

Speaking with CNA in a Thursday e-mail, Hudson expanded on his comments to Gilgoff.

"Catholics can and do see issues like immigration in a special light," he commented. "Many American Catholics are descended from immigrants. Thus, Catholics understand the often harsh circumstances that drive people from one country to another."

Asked whether he believed the "common ground" initiatives to reduce abortion were sincere, Hudson replied:

"I see no evidence it is anything other than a political strategy to offset the image of Democrats and Obama as abortion supporters. The present health care bill with its abortion benefits tells the true story."

Comments: 19

Subscriber comments:

Published by: EDMaruyama
Japan 07/26/2009 08:22 PM EST

Please,open your eyes and ask God for wisdom. This leader is either used to do evil or he himself willingly embraces it...people around him are full of greed for power...so beware. Satan has his own way of confusing people. Just look at the way he uses Catholics to betray God. We really need to pray for these people to perform their role with honesty and devotion. I hope for the change of heart for Obama and the others who are supporting him.

Published by: momcasmi
Grand Rapids MI 49525 07/26/2009 07:31 PM EST

Those who are pro-choice are NOT Catholic. I wish the Catholic Church would stop soft peddling and excommunicate these persons that so publicly misrepresent the Catholic faith. They could certainly be welcomed back with open arms if they repent and make a good confession. There is no common ground for abortion...the wanton murder of unborn children is a curse upon our country.

Published by: Ellen Simoni
Port Charlotte, FL 07/26/2009 11:07 AM EST

I think the comments are better than the article. I had to read almost to the end to see what Deal Hudson had to say. It should have been the opening sentence. I am highlighting and giving it out free to my customers and e mailing it to my list of friends. Common Ground is a lie; Obama is sanctioning abortion on every level.

Published by: Zita
il 07/25/2009 11:35 AM EST

Pray! Pray! Pray! Let's show the world what it means to be a TRUE CATHOLIC- not a wolf in sheep's clothing!

Published by: diane smith
Northern California, USA 07/25/2009 02:16 AM EST

Obama's choices of "token Catholics" who have abandoned their faith won't wash. There is NO COMMON GROUND between a pro-abortion agenda and God's commandment, "Thou shall not kill!"

There is no recognition from this narcissist that he is not God, that he has no right nor does his administration, to decide who lives and who dies.
Woe to those who make ripples while he is admiring his reflection in the political pond.

Does he know, we wonder, that he is being used as a prime instrument of the "great deceiver"?

Published by: Robert Matzinger
Taylor/Michigan/USA 07/24/2009 08:31 PM EST

Obama's rhetoric on abortion has not chnaged since his campaign: he's all for it. He is by the office he holds, the world's foremost abortinist and offers no apology for it. He has spoken about reducing abortions but never once said "how" he would do this. His "coomon ground" dialogue with us Catholics is merely a guise designed to divide us Catholics and make us abandon our faith and believe that abortion is acceptable. We must not be deceived by Obama and remain strong in our Catholic faith on the sanctity of life!

Published by: Frank Heverly
HotSprings Ar 07/24/2009 04:29 PM EST

JUST SAY NO to Mr. Obama. Snake Oil peddlers went out with the 19th century.

Published by: Lynn
Carbondale, IL 07/24/2009 03:57 PM EST

In discerning a person's true character, I realize that Obama has been influenced by at least two Satanists; Saul Alinsky & this book Rules for Radicals which he taught & defended as a lawyer-- and Albert Pike, the founder of the Royal Arch Masons Degree. Alinsky says that Lucifer or Satan was the first community organizer/radical par excellence. Obama & Biden attended the first ever Masonic Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C. at the Royal Arch Mason Lodge; where Col. Pike is burried. There is a bronze statue of Pike in full Masonic regalia near the Judiciary Bldg. Does he not know the histories of these men..like his 20-year pastor J. Wright? Create chaos & conquer; grab power. This is Obmam & his top administrators, Rhom Emanual, Axelrod, H. Clinton. Either he is deceived or a willing accomplice. As a Christian I flee from Satan & from those who hang with him.

Published by: dano
Omaha, NE 07/24/2009 03:35 PM EST

Freedom of Choice is settled law. Move on folks or risk irrelevance.

Published by: Margaret
Baltimore MD USA 07/24/2009 02:35 PM EST

OBAMA NEEDS TO BE KNOCKED OFF HIS HORSE FOR HIS CONVERSATION.
JUST LIKE WHAT JESUS DID TO ST. PAUL

Published by: Jeff Johnson
Collegeville, MN 07/24/2009 12:56 PM EST

For the last time, there is no common ground on abortion, and we are not falling for that phrase.

No amount of deceptive language can stop us from understanding that abortion is destroying the future of this country, and Obama, and all who assent to his leadership comply with this bloodshed.

Published by: John ODonnell
Roseville, MN, USAS 07/24/2009 11:40 AM EST

How can anyone take seriously anything this guy says based on his personal history.

Published by: gerry boos
branchville,nj,usa 07/24/2009 11:33 AM EST

Mr. Obama has proven over & over again, that his word means nothing & 'What is a man without his word?' it is obvious what his position is on the 'Theology of Life'. Disgraceful!

Published by: Anne
Philadelphia 07/24/2009 11:15 AM EST

I agree, he is as deceptive as Judas. All the catholics he embraces need to be de-programmed, just like Ms. Pelosi. It is very clear he has an agenda to confuse and divide catholics. He has the arrogrance to believe he is on the same level as the Pope.

Published by: Luis
Delhi Ca USA 07/24/2009 09:29 AM EST

I invite everyone to pass this on, to everyone.

Published by: WSBowles
Louisville, KY 07/24/2009 08:58 AM EST

More smoke and mirrors from Obama and his crew. Obama's tactics are only meant to confuse and diffuse Catholics to gain support for him so he can continue to push his abortion agenda. The last line of this story tells it all and should have been the lead. Instead, CNA seeks to confuse us with a "smart" Obama headline.

Published by: Billl Sr.
Jacksonville, FL 07/24/2009 08:30 AM EST

I agree with Deal Hudson's appraisal of Obama's rhetoric vs his agenda.
In these few fast and furious months of his administration Obama, with his words and actions, has been able to offer up to the public the real character of his personality, demeanor, and agenda which, during the campaign, the media adorned with royal robes worthy of their Messiah. Unclothed, the naked truth reveals not a Messiah but a Judas.
You can take the community organizer out of Rev. Wright's theology and Mr. Ayers princibles of government but you can't take those out of the organizer.

Published by: dAVID LARSEN
scituate Mass. USA 07/24/2009 07:33 AM EST

Dear Lord I have a general lack of confidence in our President,as I think that he is self oriented to the pushing of all his own political agendas. I also don't believe that he is a straightforward character by nature and is prone to communicate with pure rhetoric. I fear that he is deliberately misleading and very careful in the way he presents his particular viewpoints.I believe that abortion is a major priority with him as is euthanasia. I believe that these priorities of his,are a major part of his health care plan. At the same time,as he is the first black American President and he has caught the imagination of the whole world,I pray that you will guide him from tactics of deception,to ones that are acceptable and in good faith,in accordance to your most Holy Will. Mostly,as always,I pray to an end to abortion. Amen

Published by: catherine KENNEDY
melbourne AUSTRALIA 07/24/2009 06:20 AM EST

Deal Hudson nails it
here, so well done Deal for the analysis, but Obama can be even SMARTER for the pro life cause
Now savvy people can see through ploys.
Obama may think he can hoodwink people with his so called common ground approach, but in the end the evidence that his (prochoice- abortion) policies present speak for themselves!
Obamas record is the record. So far its not been good for the unborn at all!
so Obama(PO*) should relinquish his pro chioce agenda whilst he still has time!
he Obama is lucky he is so early into his presidency as the USA is trending Pro life
so PO* we are ALL for HOPE that you CHANGE your pro abortion mindset.
PO* should work to save lives and so formulate credible pro life policies that stretch his mind, not the mere common ground that he PO* advocates - thats far too easy. PO a path that is a path of mimimal effort to eradicate the blight of abortion will not do!
so common ground shouldnot be the esatblsihed guide line as
where is any EVIDENCE that the common ground approach will work?
its just not good enough its just a fob off and people see through these slick lines
people want substance in the pro life arena PO, not just slick oratorial policy styles
PO show some panache for the unborn give them a break for once!
You will see the rewards such smart pro life moves will bring
PO *the unborn deserve better from you than your current stance so up the pro life ante
you owe that to the next generation the future of the country.

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