Why Douglas Kmiec and other Catholics support Obama

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By Timothy P. Carney

Comments: 31

Sen. Barack Obama

Denver, Colo., Aug 27, 2008 / 01:19 am (CNA).- Barack Obama’s message of healing our cultural wounds and stressing all men’s duty to their brothers gives him a stronger appeal to Catholics than any recent Democratic nominee for President. But in the eyes of some conservative Catholics and pro-lifers, Obama’s extreme position on abortion makes him the most objectionable recent major party nominee.

As with John Kerry in 2004 and Al Gore in 2000, Obama has the firm backing of liberal Catholic Democratic politicians. Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), a hero to the abortion lobby and homosexual activist groups, gave Obama a boost in the primary with his endorsement and his speech at the Pepsi Center Monday was the highlight of the convention’s first night. Every Catholic Democrat in the House and Senate, as well as every Catholic governor, has endorsed Obama, in keeping with party loyalty.

Catholic delegates to the Democratic National Committee, including those who pledged to Hillary Clinton, also are lining up behind Obama.

Surprising, however, are conservative pro-life Catholics who are backing Obama. The most notable of them is constitutional law expert Doug Kmiec, a professor at the Pepperdine University School of Law.
Kmiec, a pro-lifer and an alumnus of the Reagan administration, in March endorsed Obama over McCain.

Kmiec, in Denver to speak at interfaith panels supporting Obama, spoke with Catholic News Agency Tuesday at breakfast. Kmiec openly states that Obama’s full support for legal abortion is “morally unacceptable,” but he argues that there are proportionate reasons to vote for Obama.

Pointing out that McCain has voted to use taxpayer money on embryo-destroying stem-cell research, and arguing that McCain’s pro-life efforts would end at nominating a judge who would overturn Roe v. Wade, Kmiec summed up his choices: “I’ve got an imperfect McCain and an imperfect Obama.”

Most impressive to Kmiec, Obama struck him as a sincere “bridge-builder,” trying to find common ground with those with whom he disagreed. “He’s not afraid to borrow a good idea” from conservatives and Catholics, Kmiec said, pointing to Obama’s appreciation of subsidiarity—the notion that local governments, parishes, or families—rather than the central government—are often the appropriate level at which to address problems.

For Kmiec, Obama’s disposition towards diplomacy and peace compares favorably to McCain’s general bellicosity. “Between the two candidates, I think Senator Obama is closer to the Church’s teaching than Senator McCain is.

In line with the Holy See, Barack Obama opposed U.S. intervention in Iraq in 2002 and 2003, while John McCain has long been a supporter. Democratic delegate Deborah Langhoff of New Orleans is a Catholic who favors keeping abortion legal, and she, too, points to foreign policy as a reason for Catholics to support Obama. Suggesting Obama’s foreign policy—and his notion of a fairly rapid withdrawal from Iraq—is a part of a culture of life, she told Catholic News Agency “we need to talk about the lives lost in Iraq war.’

Joshua Mercer, spokesman for the conservative Catholic advocacy group Fidelis doesn’t believe the Iraq war can outweigh abortion in this election. “When you compare the 4,000 soldiers who lost their lives fighting valiantly in Iraq to the 4,000 babies who died today, it becomes clear…. Barack Obama has admirable qualities, but he advocates legal abortion for all nine months.”

Polls and recent election results present a mixed picture of Obama’s chances among Catholic voters. On the question of party loyalty, Catholics have moved towards the GOP in recent presidential elections. According to CNN’s exit polls, Bush defeated Kerry by five points, 52% to 47% in 2004; among Catholics who attend Mass at least weekly, (11% of the electorate), Bush won by 13 points.

In 2006, however, Catholics aided Democrats in their sweep to control Congress: 55% of Catholics voted for the Democratic House candidate.

While winning the Democratic primaries this year, Obama performed poorly among Catholics. In the most crucial state with a large Catholic population—Pennsylvania—Obama pulled in only 30% of Catholic voters (26% of regular Mass attendees), despite the endorsement of pro-life Catholic Sen. Bob Casey (D).

Comments: 31

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Jeff
Colorado Springs/CO/US 09/18/2008 07:20 PM EST

One word of caution, one can not be pro-life and judgmental at the same time and be considered 'Catholic'. It is one thing to question another's point of view or offer correction, it is another to pass judgment which only brings judgment upon one's self.

Published by: Jeff
Colorado Springs/CO/US 09/18/2008 07:16 PM EST

Peter's view is not that of a 'cafeteria Catholic', rather a Roman Catholic. We are opposed to abortion under any circumstance, at any time during a pregnancy. Yet, all those in the political arena or judicial system who promise to overturn Roe V Wade, with few exceptions, forget the issue once elected. Evangelium Vitae if literally interpreted says NO LIFE is without protection. Killing is evil, period. I have not seen one comment from my pro-life brothers and sisters lamenting the death of thousands of Iraqis. Finally, Kmiec's view is not out of line with the U.S. Bishops statements in Faithful Citizenship. Jesus felt the tax collector could change; to give up on Obama being able to change is to part with Christ's vision for our potential for conversion.

Published by: Jeff
Colorado Springs/CO/US 09/18/2008 07:04 PM EST

One can not be a Christian and a Tax Collector, or, one can not be a Catholic and a Democrat. Same inference, same mistake. I am neither but know pro-life (no conditions) Democrats. A former Republican, no Independent, I saw up close the manner in which voters were duped by candidates with the pro-life issue. G.W. Bush in Oct. 2003 was asked about a constitutional amendment banning abortion and he replied that the American people were not ready for an abortion ban. Not one Republican president has risked his political neck to advance such a proposal, and never will. It's a campaign ploy.

Published by: jan
pittsburgh 09/17/2008 12:27 PM EST

c'mon catholics, wake up. the republicans are just using this issue to get your vote. when is it going to sink in? when you are waiting in a line for some stale bread and processed cheese?

Published by: Gina
UK 09/16/2008 07:38 AM EST

Peter, you'd do well to acknowledge the difference between an intrinsic evil which ABORTION is, and issues such as Capital Punishment which is not an intrinsically evil act. Circumstances are to be looked at with the latter to determine the morality. Abortion is an evil no matter the circumstance.

This common line from the dissident Cafeteria Catholic manual is far too overused.

Published by: Diane Stack
Fox Lake, Il 09/13/2008 01:32 PM EST

I have said this before and I will say it again, You Cannot be a Catholic and be a Democrat. They are the party of the culture of death...the death of God in our land, the death of innocent babies, the death of the elderly (euthanasia is coming around the corner) and the death of our nation through Marxism, Socialism and Communism. Wake-up people before it is too late.

Published by: Peter
Mesa, AZ USA 09/02/2008 01:41 AM EST

Being a Pro-Life Catholic is more than the abortion issue. Right wing evangelicals have made us forget that somehow. Capital punishment, and the war in Iraq, are also clearly opposed by our Holy Father. Don't be brainwashed into believing we are a "one issue" religion. "Catholic" and "Republican" are not synonomous! If we truly followed Rome, we would have NO political candidate to vote for. . . ever! Doug is right. Our desire for a stop to abortions must begin with a change in our societal attitudes, not heavy handed laws.

Published by: Jake
TX 08/29/2008 11:13 AM EST

Zzzzzz... I have a news flash for everyone. NO candidate, regardless of political party, personal feelings, or speech, will EVER overturn Rowe v. Wade. EVER.

Although I'm sure abortion horrified biblical authors, I'm sure that cutting head start programs, school lunches, day care funding, and our lack of empowerment of the poor would horrify them more. Pro life should mean ALL LIFE.

To summarize, democrats need to kill less babies and republicans need to pay more attention the ones that are already here.

Published by: Stephany
Texas 08/28/2008 10:47 PM EST

Being awash in all the promises that excite the masses, let us not forget the fine print. Obama and the party platform also want abortion"regardless of the ability to pay", which translates to federally funded abortion on demand. That's you and me, folks.
Abortion will be further shoved down our throats and paid for with our tax money.

We all need to storm Heaven and pray for some moral civility.

And to the fellow who stated that republicans had no civil conscience, I challenge that.
Life is a CIVIL RIGHT.
Don't embrace the culture of death and then take the moral high ground towards others. That's pretty hypocritical.

Published by: RobertA
Charlotte NC USA 08/28/2008 12:23 PM EST

Could "Catholics" support a KKK candidate because they liked his health care and anti-poverty policies? Which is worse-racial segregation or direct intentional killing of innocent babies. Mr Kmiec and other "Catholics" will smile on Election Day if their pro-killing candidate wins, but I suspect they will feel a tinge of guilt-it may be from One higher than themselves.

Published by: Joseh Wagner
Sarasota Fl. USA 08/27/2008 08:35 PM EST

Hi

As a Christian, I can not vote for either candidate. I will vote for "none of the above"

Joe Wagmer

Published by: Stephany
Weslaco, TX USA 08/27/2008 07:49 PM EST

What a lame excuse for promoting a candidate who even has shown his acceptance of infanticide!

Sorry. but Kmiec's so- called explanation doesn't pass the smell test. It is pure hogwash, and more of the same multiplicity of excuses. A willingness to trade the lives of the unborn for more social programs????? And this guy is being called "pro life? Believing that requires a willing suspension of the truth.
What a horrible disappointment!

C'mon fellow Catholics, WE are the Church Militant. Let's join our good bishops and stand up for God's truth!

Published by: Terence
Albuquerque/NM/USA 08/27/2008 07:24 PM EST

Kmiec is either just a partisan hack or he has completely deluded himself about Obama. Obama is a marxist pure and simple. Anything that resembles a social conscience on his part is the just the Marxist rhetoric. He is for infanticide and their won't be any "healing" if he is elected. I hope all these prominent Catholics that support Obama publicly will realize that position excomunicates them according to Canon Law.

Published by: Rich Newhouse
Phoenix/AZ/USA 08/27/2008 06:35 PM EST

When we profess at Mass that "We believe in the Catholic Church" we are stating that we believe all that the Magesterium teaches. Since the begining, our church has always taught that abortion is intrinsically evil and always will be. A real Catholic does not pick and choose their beliefs based on personal feelings. a rightly formed conscience includes the proper teaching from the Catechism, the Bible and all the Magesterium and tradition of the Catholic Church. My heart truly aches when pseudo Catholics like Mr. Kmiec spout this type of heresey. 50 million murdered children cry out from the grave and the Blessed Mother's tears are a sorrowful stain on our nation.

Published by: Dan
East Machias, Maine, USA 08/27/2008 06:14 PM EST

We're letting one issue run away with us - I also oppose abortion. But I would hate to see the unfortunate people who choose abortion sent to the back alleys again. Legalizing abortion doesn't mandate abortion; it doesn't even encourage it. Right-minded people will continue to oppose abortion. In the meantime, I truly believe allowing legal medical service to people who need it to be immoral. The Democratic suggestion is far better than uselessly railing against Roe v Wade.

Published by: Douglas J. Cook
Madison/Al/USA 08/27/2008 05:50 PM EST

Abortion kills absolutely helpless and innocent babies! This is not political it is a sacred moral issue.

The baby is the most innocent of humans! Men defend the unborn. Man protects the family; Man (male) and Woman (female) joined in marriage nourish and flourish. Abortion violates woman’s nature which is to nurture and protect children.

Abortionist talk of a woman’s "right" to do with her body as she wishes. But abortion kills another human! A right by definition does not infringe on any one else's right.

Abortion is not far from the German Concentration camps where the Nazi government invented the "right" to kill other humans because they were not wanted, were defective, could cause problems, were sub humans, etc. So Jews, Catholics, Protestants, the handicapped, the homosexual and others were all murdered. Note, Hitler created jobs, increased welfare and made the trains run on time. Wow! This meets Kmiec’s “logic” “Obama’s full support for legal abortion is “morally unacceptable,” but he (Kmiec) argues that there are proportionate reasons to vote for Obama. Hitler had “proportionate reasons!!!

Today an innocent inconvenient child is murdered in the name of "woman’s rights".

Archbishops, bishops priests and laity who defend the unborn are to be cheered on! Good for them don’t let this issue die!

Question? Where is the archbishop of San Francisco, Pelosi's bishop, in all of this? The silence from San Francisco is deafening!

Published by: Ed M
Moab, Utah 08/27/2008 05:36 PM EST

Douglas Kmiec and the other Catholics have the right to support Obama, just don't call your self a Catholic, because you will have too much blood of Jesus littlest ones on your hands.

Published by: robert JOSEPH
Vienna Va. USA 08/27/2008 05:31 PM EST

Mother theresa of Calcutta":If you want to end war, end the war against the child."

Published by: Janice Brown
Palm Desert, CA, USA 08/27/2008 04:28 PM EST

YES, to that last email. If you vote for abortion or prochoice, you cannot be considered Pro-Life!!!!!!!!!! Bring up his voting record and clear this up. Knowing a close relative who is shocked that he HASN'T stood with his Father, Gov.Bob Casey, PA, but has used him & his record. Remember when his Father was so sick with cancer & the Demo-cratic Party refused to let him speak at their Convention? Don't forget that. Young Bob Casey should be ashamed of what he did last night! He dishonored a brave Father who STOOD with his Catholic Church. Maybe someday he will be declared a Saint - never the Senator Bob Casey who caved & dishonored the name CASEY. Janice

Published by: Raymond Peringer
Toronto, Canada 08/27/2008 04:20 PM EST

Even though both candidates fail the sniff test, election time demands a decision. Choose one, hold your nose,and vote. Machiavelli, or perhaps Thomas More, observed that good, on occasion, is whatever brings the least evil.

Published by: Patrick Cummings
Westland, MI, USA 08/27/2008 02:30 PM EST

HOw can Obama be labeled a "bridge Builder" when he voted his party line almost 98% of the time.

McCain has a history of reaching across the aisle to accomplish a common good.

Published by: Ed
San Jose, CA 08/27/2008 01:46 PM EST

Rate: Regular

I voted Republican in 2000 and 2004 because I am Pro-life. In the last 8 years, abortion increase instead of decrease. Over 4000 of our troops died in Iraq, in a war because of lies.
I believe that our approach in our fight in at least reducing the abortion can be done by what Obama suggested in the recent debate with McCain. If we devout more time in educating our kids by promoting "Abstinence Program", we can win.
I will vote for Obama this time because we need change in our economy, health care insurance, end the war, and as Pope John Paul says...Be not afraid.

Published by: Michael B McGinty
Swansea/IL/USA 08/27/2008 01:34 PM EST

Our Pope said it best:
“The failure to protect and defend life in its most vulnerable stages renders suspect any claims to the ‘rightness' of positions in other matters affecting the poorest and least powerful of the human community.”--Pope Benedict XVI

Published by: Jenny
Chicago, IL 08/27/2008 01:10 PM EST

The proportionate reason Kmiec is supporting Obama is that he devoutly hopes Obama will give him a job. A federal judgeship, perhaps?

Published by: Frank
Phoenix/AZ/USA 08/27/2008 12:25 PM EST

Prof. Kmiec disregards the Church's teaching that respect for life is a non-negotiable position and falls back on "proportionalism". A very weak argument. His credibility is nil among Catholics who adhere to the teaching of the Church.

Published by: John Nemia
riverview, fl, usa 08/27/2008 12:03 PM EST

Being Catholic dosen't mean that we turn away from thoes who hold life in such low regards. Obama against the war is the same stance he has with abortion. Don't proctect thoes who can't themselves. We hid our heads in the sand before WW2 we allowed atrocities to happen and because it wasn't in our backyard millions died. The mass graves in Iraq should be ignored, becaused it wasn't in our backyard. We are country who believes in life, but are always willing turn a blind eye because it ruffle a few feathers. St Michael defend in battle against thoes that so blind not see the evil one.

Published by: Russ Craigmile
Alexandria, MN USA 08/27/2008 11:53 AM EST

What does closer mean? You are either for life or against it. There is NO room on the fence for this most important issue. Peace!

Published by: Mike
Denver 08/27/2008 10:52 AM EST

>and arguing that McCain’s pro-life efforts would end at nominating a judge who would overturn Roe v. Wade.

McCain has consistently voted pro-life for 25 years including:
1. against public funding of abortion
2. against partial birth abortion
3. In favor of a constitutional amendment to end abortion
4. In favor of parental notification and other limits on abortion

We know that Obama would not have support these pro-life measures. What else does Mr. Kemic think McCain should have done?

Published by: John Keenan
Boise, Idaho, USA 08/27/2008 10:19 AM EST

I yearn for such a leader that would aid and assist in the healing of cultural wounds, but two practical questions remain. (1) How can there be cultural healing on a grand scale when on the smallest scale the culture and law tolerates the killing of kids in the womb? (2) When I see the candidates practical positions that are exposed to practical debate, Obama is an extreme 1960s liberal, and would it be better that he know well how to fill the pot holes?

The cultural divide can only be healed by Christ. Those who govern our Nation should know that fundamentally, life comes first before the bigger questions. In this, sadly Mr. Obama fails.

Published by: Carson Weber
Sacramento, CA 08/27/2008 08:47 AM EST

If the thousands and thousands and thousands of aborted babies were all able to stand outside the Democratic National Convention in Denver and protest, Kmiec would have a much harder time explaining himself.

Published by: Michael W
Floral City, Florida 08/27/2008 08:08 AM EST

Sen Bob Casey is not pro-life and the press does the public a disservice by continuing to propogate this error. Just because he shares his pro-life father's (RIP) name, doesn't mean he shares his values.

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