Custos Fidei: "Evidence of Mike Huckabee's Catholic Problem"
Tito of Custos Fidei has a post showing what he calls "Evidence of Mike Huckabee's Catholic Problem".
Tito links to an entry by Matthew Yglesias at The Atlantic website, which, in turn, links to an analysis done by Philip Klinkner regarding Iowa counties won by Huckabee vs. those counties in Iowa with the largest proportion of Catholics.
Iowa counties won by Huckabee (in blue)
Distribution of Catholic population in Iowa (red = higher density of Catholics)Definitely worth a read.
I actually believe there is much about Huckabee's message that should appeal to Catholics. So this disconnect with Catholic voters (to the extent this analysis bears out that there is one) ought to be troubling to the Huckabee campaign.
Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Steve Dillard of Catholics Against Rudy Supports Huckabee
Wall Street Journal: Huckabee Would Make GOP More Like Europe's Christian Democrats
Deal Hudson on "Mike Huckabee's Anti-Catholic Problem"
National Catholic Register Asks: "Will Brownbackers Back Huckabee?"
"Pro-Life" Candidate Huckabee Clueless on Mexico City Policy
Huckabee Campaign Criticizes Pope for Long Vacation, Extended Stay in Summer Residence
Huckabee Campaign: "How Dare Sam Brownback Take Time Off from Campaigning for His 25th Anniversary?"
Deal Hudson Rips Evangelical Pastor (a Former Catholic) for Disparaging Sen. Brownback's Catholicism
Labels: Anti-Catholicism, Elections, Republicans, The Catholic Vote
posted by Pro Ecclesia 10:31 AM
12 comments
12 Comments:
There is a lot to like about Mike Huckabee for Catholics. I like him myself, but I haven't committed to him yet. I am a Brownback supporter, but now that he has dropped out, Huckabee has the best appeal so far.
I just want Mike Huckabee to denounce John Hagee's anti-Catholic comments.
I think the nasty fight between Brownback and Huckabee that played out in Iowa is the most reasonable cause for this. Second might be Huckabee's inane immigration policy, which many Hispanics (or Catholics who sympathize with Hispanics) are rightfully wary of. That said, I think Huckabee's abortion stance as well as his credence on other social issues combined with what appears to be a genuine concern for the poor will win most Catholics over in the end.
Jay, correct me if I'm wrong, but this has been my experience - that many Catholics are far more liberal than Catholic doctrine should allow them to be. Personally, most of the Catholics I know are pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, and typically vote Democrat. If my experience is similar to that nation-wide, then Huckabee's lack of appeal in Catholic-heavy areas of Iowa isn't that much of a surprise.
Michael & Luke,
I would agree with those statements. They probably played a more important role than Huckabee's visit to Cornerstone Church.
Nonetheless, Huckabee needs all the help he can get and he needs to denounce the bigoted comments coming from John Hagee for that to occurr.
Luke,
Maybe that's the case in Massachusetts and New York, but I don't think that would hold true for a place like Iowa.
Remember that Bush won an outright majority of the Catholic vote in 2004 when he was running against a Catholic in John Kerry. I doubt those Catholics were voting for Bush because they were liberal on abortion and same-sex marriage.
Nice to know I am not the only socially conservative Catholic turned off by Huck's identity politics.
Besides he's a "Christian Leader" and I already have my own Christian Leader he lives in Vatican City so I don't really need another
I do happen to know the area, growing up in the Dubuque media market.
1) Catholics heavily voted in the Democratic primary.
2) Romney's Mormonism was not as big of an impediment in the Catholic community.
Tito Mike has I repeat has renounced those beliefs
http://opinionatedcatholic.blogspot.com/2007/12/huckabee-disavows-hagees-anti-catholic.html
Michael:
I will say that I think the rift between Mike and Senator Brownback has healed. He said very good thinggs about him recently
As I have mentioned on otehr sites Hagee is associated with Santorum and BROWNBACK himself. They are associated with his PAC and have shared the stage with him at his events.
I ahve seen no Catholics as or demand that Senator Brownback or Senator Santorum denouce his teachings. Why is that?
Mark:
I would hold judgement if Huckabee is doing Idenity politics. THe more I watch him it is clear he talking to particualr audiences. THe National Review blog has even noted this in New Hampshire. Living just 15 miles from where he was Governor for 10 years I can attest he was no theocrat or did you govern in a maaner of a overriding Christian Theocrat
Way too much is being made of a man running for office - without the advantages of money, press coverage and advisors -speaking to whatever large groups will give him a hearing all those months ago.
It would be different if he invited Hagee into his campaign in some capacity; he hasn't done that. He's said he doesn't agree with Hagee on Church matters. Read his speech to Hagee's congregation and show me where he said anything controversial or offensive to Catholic sensibilities.
I'd remind the critics that when the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and speaking with sinners (Luke 5:30 and Matthew 9:10), they criticized Him; he kept speaking with anyone who would listen. They criticized Him because they opposed Him in principle and I think a lot of Huckabee's critics on this issue are just secret supporters of someone else, most likely Guilliani.
In this day in age when our faith is being attacked we don't need to atack someone who I know believes taht Jesus Christ is the only answer and loves Cathlocs
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