Posted on 03/06/2007 5:39:37 PM PST by markomalley
DEMOCRATIC STRATEGISTS ISSUE MEMO ON LOSS OF CATHOLICS
Washington, DC, Apr. 13, 2005 (Culture of Life Foundation/CWNews.com) - A memo authored by a prominent Democratic strategy organization calls the decline in support of white Catholics for Democrats "striking" and "a big part of the 2004 election story." One of the analysis' key findings is that Catholic voters are becoming more pro-life, which the authors called "a factor in the recent losses and one of the blockages for Democrats, at least in the Midwest."
The data also reveals that young Catholics are more pro-life than their parents and that bishops who speak out against pro-abortion politicians help bolster the pro-life vote.
The abortion issue is particularly potent for a group called "Democratic defectors" who either identified themselves as Democrats or voted for Bill Clinton in 1996 but voted for President Bush in the last election. Among this group, "26 percent believe that abortion should be illegal in all cases, nearly three times the number for all Catholic Democrats."
The memo was issued by Democracy Corps, a research and tactical advice organization founded by Democrat strategy virtuosos James Carville, Stanley Greenberg and Bob Shrum. Titled "Reclaiming the White Catholic Vote," it is based on data from a nationwide survey of more than 1,000 white Catholic voters.
The decline in the white Catholic vote has been steady over the last decade. Clinton won it by seven percentage points; Al Gore lost it by seven points; and Sen. John Kerry lost it by 14 points. The data provided in the report provides a fascinating window into the much discussed Catholic vote and makes it clear Democrats are losing ground because of their stance on a range of cultural issues.
It turns out that one of the most contentious and visible issues in the 2004 election, the denial of the Eucharist to pro-abortion politicians, did not hurt the pro-life side as many said it would.
The poll found that when white Catholics were asked whether or not they were more or less likely to vote for a Democrat that "is denied Communion by the area's bishop for voting to support abortion rights" 49 percent said they were less likely while 33 percent said they were more likely.
The memo also made it clear that the abortion issue is not going away. "Although the pro-life position is strongest among seniors, Catholics' current pro-life position does not appear likely to lessen with time.
While middle-age Catholics lean toward keeping abortion legal, voters under 30 are more pro-life: 53 percent believe abortion should be illegal in most cases." The pro-life position could be a winning one for Democrats according to the study.
Fifty-nine percent of white Catholics say they are more likely to support a Democratic candidate who is pro-life and 35 percent say they are less likely, giving a pro-life Democrat a 24 point advantage. Even on the East Coast where Catholics are less pro-life, a pro-life Democrat has a 12 point advantage over a pro-abortion candidate.
The memo advises Democrat candidates to get around the issue by presenting themselves as one who "[b]elieves in a woman's right to choose but believes all sides should come together around the common goal of preventing and reducing the number of abortions, with more sex ed, including abstinence, access to contraception and more adoption."
This common ground approach is reminiscent of a recent speech given by New York Senator and likely presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, in which she softened her approach to abortion by calling it a "tragic choice." In the speech she said faith-based abstinence should be embraced but also called on increased funding for "family planning services," a euphemism for contraception, abortifacients, and abortions.
SOURCE http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=36492
Amen.
And no one is "shoving" candidates down someone else's throats.
My goodness. I fear for people who take someone strongly stating an opposing opinion as "running them off" or "shoving candidates down their throat."
Clearly you believe that. I'm very sorry.
As I stated, "Should we throw out principle because of fear, terrorists and the left have won already. The message our deserting conservative principles would send to all remaining Conservatives in Congress, to America, and the world would take decades to reverse."
This flunks the smell test. Both countries have sovereign governments which, such as they are, have the authority to close any such so-called "abortion businesses." And since abortion is forbidden by islamic law, I suspect this is a fight the new governments would not want to have to fight with their more fundamentalist rivals. I'd need to see confirmaton that this goes on before I'd believe it.
I'm new here?
Right.
Why don't you read that whole thread?
I am aware of JimRob's post to me. He used it to refuse to answer direct questions, posed by me and others, regarding his approval of that thread's use of the words "treasonous liberals."
His answer was snippy and, worse, immaterial to the question at hand. So what?
And, please, can you make the connection for me between what I posted to you and your reply, including quoting from The Owner? Spell that out for me.
I've read through the specs repeatedly. Giuliani hits about a 60% match. He is not, perhaps 80% ally. Neither is he 80% enemy.
Reagan's 11th commandment SHOULD rule in such a case, but I suspect we shall continue down the path of eating our own to save the MSM the trouble.
He is a most dear friend. He prayed faithfully for my son Vince before he died, and continues to pray for us. I hope you have a friend like that.
See the principles listed in post #180, the ones on which this site is supposed to be based? I joined FreeRepublic in 1998 because I believed those were valid principles. These days, they are most likely to be ridiculed on this site by posters supporting the pro-abortion, pro-gay candidate from Blue State America. Their hatred of pro-lifers is every bit as strong as anything I've seen on Daily Kos, and I go there only once every blue moon to find out what evil is brewing in the world. Now I don't need to. The evil has found its home right here.
Yes, I'm being run off--in exactly the same way bad always drives off good. You guys should know. You're always bragging about how your man cleaned up the rot that had driven legitimate businesses out of Times Square.
You honestly believe that JimRob has some sort of corner on conservative wisdom---because he started a website that attracted a community of conservatives and who make FR what it is?
That's scary.
Quit sucking up.
Actually that is a common mistake Westerners make. Islam and Sharia permit Abortion in certain cases when a woman is impregnated by "an infidel" for example. And terminating pregnancies are common practice via honor killings of young women.
I totally disagree......just today on the news I saw a Catholic Bishop I believe standing with Ted Kennedy advocating for him and his immigration plan....if the Catholic Church is so opposed to abortion, why don't they excommunicate most the Kennedy's, the Kerry's et al?.. I'm very curious why they don't follow their words with deeds.
AME Zion Churches, for one. A group of Baptist churches, for another. I believe they are a separate denomination but I am not sure of the exact title.
Oh, give it a break! My friendship with Siobhan is of little consequence to you.
Are you so bitter in person?
I understand your skepticism, but knowing what I know about the history of that region and U.S. foreign policy I am certain that nothing would stand in the way of the U.S. when it comes to implementing this kind of crap over there.
I wrote no such thing. He's the one that says "Liberals need not apply." He sets the rules and terms.
Okay fine. I stand corrected. You ARE being run off. /s
Don't let the door hit you in the azz on the way out.
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