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Obama’s View on Abortion May Divide Catholics ( "May Divide?" )
new york times ^ | August 7, 2008 | JOHN M. BRODER

Posted on 08/07/2008 4:44:15 AM PDT by kellynla

WASHINGTON — Sixteen years ago, the Democratic Party refused to allow Robert P. Casey Sr., then the governor of Pennsylvania, to speak at its national convention because his anti-abortion views, stemming from his Roman Catholic faith, clashed with the party’s platform and powerful constituencies. Many Catholics, once a reliable Democratic voting bloc, never forgot what they considered a slight.

This year, the party is considering giving a speaking slot at the convention to Mr. Casey’s son, Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, who like his late father is a Roman Catholic who opposes abortion rights.

The likely shift reflects concern among Democrats that they need to do more to regain the allegiance of Roman Catholic voters, who broke decisively for President Bush in 2004 and could be crucial to the outcome in a number of battleground states this year. Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, lost the Catholic vote badly to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who, like Mr. Obama, is a supporter of abortion rights, during the primaries in states like New Hampshire, Missouri and Ohio. In Pennsylvania, Catholic voters preferred Mrs. Clinton to Mr. Obama by a 40-point margin.

The Obama campaign is being close-mouthed about its convention plans and would not confirm whether Mr. Casey would be given a prime-time speaking slot. Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said that the call was Mr. Obama’s, but that a prominent speaking role for Mr. Casey would assist in the candidate’s efforts to woo Roman Catholic voters.

Mr. Casey, who endorsed Mr. Obama early and campaigned extensively for him in Pennsylvania, said there was no formal offer yet from Mr. Obama or the party. But, he said, “I think we’ll get something worked out.”

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abortion; catholicism; catholics; catholicvote; obama; prolife
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To: kellynla

Can Senators Kennedy and Kerry still take Catholic communion?


21 posted on 08/07/2008 6:56:57 AM PDT by sweet_diane ("They hate us cause they ain't us." RTR!)
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To: kellynla

In other news, the sun may rise in the east today.


22 posted on 08/07/2008 7:01:20 AM PDT by MortMan (Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. - Alexander Hamilton)
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To: sweet_diane; Salvation; narses; NYer; A.A. Cunningham

“Can Senators Kennedy and Kerry still take Catholic communion?”

They “can” but like everyone else, I doubt that “if” they are in the state of mortal sin that the Body of Christ is present in the Holy Communion that they receive. That is JMO and I could be wrong. Maybe some of the other Catholics could shed some light on the issue.


23 posted on 08/07/2008 7:04:52 AM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: kellynla
Divide nothing. Obama is the biggest pro-abort to have won his party's nomination--ever. No true Catholic could ever vote for him.


24 posted on 08/07/2008 7:07:21 AM PDT by Antoninus (Every second spent bashing McCain is time that could be spent helping Conservatives downticket.)
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To: Non-Sequitur

“It didn’t stop millions from voting for Kerry.”

Lets not mistake CINO’s with practicing Catholics.

You do know the difference...don’t you?


25 posted on 08/07/2008 7:26:11 AM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: kellynla

Exactly, it won’t divide Catholics at all.. No practicing Catholic that believes as the faith teaches that LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION, PERIOD, and ALL HUMAN LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD AND DESERVING OF RESPECT can support someone who is pro abortion. Particularly one that is so pro abortion that he believes its ok that when doctors botch an abortion and the child is born alive no medical treatment or even pain killers should be administered... which yes folks Fauxbama believes and has fought hard so that doctors can leave botched abortions born alive children to die alone in a waste basket and not be charged with criminal penalty.

This man is an abomination to dececency at every level, an affront to intellect, and a depraved human being... The Democrats have truly put up the weakest candidate of any major party in the history of this Nation.. but if you dare challenge him on anything, regardless of the facts, you are wrong? To quote an African American with far more talent and accomplishment than Fauxbama will ever have... “I don’t think so.. Homie don’t play that.”


26 posted on 08/07/2008 7:31:40 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
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To: kellynla

Casey Jr. is supported by Bishop James Clifford Timlin of the Scranton Diocese. Does that mean that Bishop Timlin is Pro Choice?


27 posted on 08/07/2008 7:32:49 AM PDT by ethics
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To: kellynla

Casey’s a stuffed shirt, just like Fauxbama, he’s ridden his daddy’s name and done nothing of any merrit or consequence of his own.. He’ll have no problem selling out his fathers vehement pro life stance at the feet of Fauxbama without a second thought.


28 posted on 08/07/2008 7:35:22 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
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To: ethics

Casey Jr. claims to be pro life.. because Pro Abortion is DOA in PA.. but in terms of actions, I can’t say Casey’s shown one way or another a strong conviction on the issue, such as his father did when the party blacklisted him from the convention in 92 simply because he was pro life.

Casey Jr. is just a stuffed shirt, riding his daddy’s name.. nothing more.. him and Fauxbama are peas in a pod as far as I’m concerned.


29 posted on 08/07/2008 7:37:05 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
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To: ethics

Bishop Timlin was a senile dotard when I went to Catholic school in the Diocese of Scranton...fifteen years ago.


30 posted on 08/07/2008 7:38:48 AM PDT by Malacoda (A day without a pi$$ed-off muslim is like a day without sunshine.)
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To: Coleus; nickcarraway; narses; Mr. Silverback; Canticle_of_Deborah; TenthAmendmentChampion; ...
This is the biggest load of fertilizer I’ve read in a while.

Bob Casey being “Pro-Life” and a dem pol at the national level is meaningless. His choice of party negates his position and illustrates the complete lack of PRIORITY he has for the cause. He’s a PLINO - Pro-Life in Name Only. A hypocrite.

B. Hussein Obama is fully committed to the abortion agenda with every fiber of his being and having Casey speak is a shyster con-man tactic.

Any Christian who falls for this gimmick is approaching hopeless.

You cannot be both Christian and pro-choice on abortion. The two are diametrically opposed—polar opposites. If you think you are both you are living a lie.


31 posted on 08/07/2008 7:44:09 AM PDT by cpforlife.org (A Catholic Respect Life Curriculum is available FREE at KnightsForLife.org)
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To: cpforlife.org

Oh, they will let Casey speak primetime. As long as he promises to only mention his abortion stance in one sentence. If he talked about his anti abortion stance for much longer those radicals would boo him out of the convention.


32 posted on 08/07/2008 7:58:03 AM PDT by rbmillerjr ("bigger government means constricting freedom"....................RWR)
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To: kellynla

Only a fool who is pro-life would vote for the empty suit with the big ears.


33 posted on 08/07/2008 7:58:09 AM PDT by Publius804
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To: cpforlife.org
"The likely shift reflects concern among Democrats that they need to do more to regain the allegiance of Roman Catholic voters, who broke decisively for President Bush in 2004 and could be crucial to the outcome in a number of battleground states this year.

The Obama campaign is being close-mouthed about its convention plans and would not confirm whether Mr. Casey would be given a prime-time speaking slot. Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said that the call was Mr. Obama’s, but that a prominent speaking role for Mr. Casey would assist in the candidate’s efforts to woo Roman Catholic voters."

It's a hat trick. Bait and switch. If Casey is really pro-life why would he ever vote for Obama? For minimum wage? Healthcare? Global warming? Well, you know, even Judas got his 30 pieces of silver. They're reducing themselves to tokens and exploiting working-class voters. The promises are never delivered.

34 posted on 08/07/2008 7:58:38 AM PDT by HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity
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To: ethics
"Casey Jr. is supported by Bishop James Clifford Timlin of the Scranton Diocese. Does that mean that Bishop Timlin is Pro Choice?"

Republican Catholics seem more interested in life before birth. Democrat Catholics seem more interested in life after its birth. Pennsylvania Catholics elected Ridge and Casey - who stinketh the most?

35 posted on 08/07/2008 8:08:59 AM PDT by ex-snook ("Above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")
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To: kellynla
This despicable bastard is way passed abortion, he's for killing miracle abortion surviving babies by leaving them alone on a stainless steel hospital table to slowly die of dehydration and starvation. He is a low life swine.

Catholics must keep telling the world about this monster. We have to keep telling everyone that the monster's wife traveled Illinois supporting this nazi like plan.

36 posted on 08/07/2008 8:34:51 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Conservatism is truth. Liberalism is lies.)
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To: kellynla

If Catholics and Prots actually believed their own spiritual ideologies, their own theology, they would not trust any Dem abortionist protector. Yet, they will zombie like vote for Dems because: Bush , Reagan are evil!!!


37 posted on 08/07/2008 10:21:54 AM PDT by phillyfanatic
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To: phillyfanatic

I think you’re lumping practicing Catholics & practicing Protestants in with CINO’s & PINO’s...BIG difference.


38 posted on 08/07/2008 10:43:09 AM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: All

Behold the carrot:

‘Catholic problem’ dogs Obama and Democrats
Abortion foe may speak at convention
http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=27956

But I remember how he explained his position previously, I have talked to him about it; He’s not a martyr, he’s obstinate.

Memories...
I remember when Kmiec wrote the Slate piece... Ramesh smacked him and he had this response:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZWE1ZGU0YWVkZmZmZGZiMGVkM2ZjNjE1NDM2MWZjYjY=

Deal W. Hudson: The Case Against Barack Obama
By Deal W. Hudson

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=28393

Top Ten Reasons Obama Voted Against the Illinois Born Alive Infant Protection Act

http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/01/top-10-reasons.html

Links to comments on the floor

http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/obama-links-to

Kmiec still didn’t get it:
EXCLUSIVE: Doug Kmiec on ‘The Politics of Apostasy’

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=27956


39 posted on 08/07/2008 10:58:04 AM PDT by AliVeritas (We have help in heaven. Stolen graphics courtesy of Are We Lumberjacks blogspot)
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To: ardara
All I would add to your very correct statement is that no informed practicing Catholic can vote for Obama.We must continue to inform people that Obama is the most anti-life candidate to ever run for president

Obama is indeed a pro-abortion extremist. He voted against the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, which protected victims of botched abortions that were born infants. Obama was wanting the abortion mills to not have any compunction about letting such victims die. It is horrifying how extreme pro-aborts can be, and he signed up to be that extreme.

He is also anti-traditional families and voice opposition to the attempt to defend traditional marriage in California - he is for gay marriage.

He is also someone who has worn his Christianity on his sleeve, yet when you examine it closely, its Black Liberation Theology nonsense, the Rev "God d*** America" Wright's leftwing anti-American claptrap. Wrapping that garbage with the bible is insane.

Real Christians ought not get fooled.

40 posted on 08/07/2008 12:20:32 PM PDT by WOSG (http://no-bama.blogspot.com/ - NObama, stop the Hype and Chains candidate)
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