On June 17, Obama held a slight edge over Mitt Romney among Catholics (49 percent to 47 percent), according to the Pew Research Center. Since then, Obama has surged ahead, and now leads 54 percent to 39 percent, according to a Pew poll conducted Sept. 16. Among all registered voters, Obama leads Romney 51 percent to 42 percent, according to Pew. Obama and Romney are essentially tied among white Catholics, which some pollsters call the ultimate swing group.
But Obama's current even status among white Catholics now is an improvement over 2008, when McCain beat Obama among white Catholics by 52 - 47. Obama's total Catholic vote against McCain was where he is now: 54 percent. But Romney has only 39 percent compared with McCain's 45.
A small word of thanks to Cardinal Dolan, Robert George and K-Lo for helping shift the Catholic vote massively toward Obama with their summer campaign for religious liberty. And special thanks to Paul Ryan. No actual Catholic could ever find anything but puerile cruelty in the works of Ayn Rand, or rally to the idea that home-care for the elderly should be sacrificed to reduce tax rates for the super-rich. Paul Ryan believes that the basic principles of Rand can be compatible with Catholicism. American Catholics are just not that dumb or confused about their faith.
You know the Republicans were hoping to drive a wedge between the Obama administration and the Catholics over the Affordable Care Act's mandate that employers must provide free contraception to their employees. But that did not work out as well as they had hoped.
Personally I have always felt that the distrust which a substantial number of Catholics feel toward the Mormon faith, many still see it as a crazy cult (Which of course it is.), would dissuade a large number of practicing Catholics from voting for Mitt Romney despite their frustration with President Obama.
However I am coming to believe that the REAL reason that so many are turning against Romney has little to do with his faith, and everything to do with the fact that he, and of course his running mate Paul "I love Ayn Rand" Ryan, are douchenozzles.
That's a political term, right?
And to think that Romney was actually trying to 'court' Catholic voters. Ouch.
ReplyDeleteTo say the man repels is an understatement.
I'm glad to see that Catholics could see past Lyin' Ryan's aw shucks smile to the cold-hearted Randian atheist inside.
ReplyDeleteWhy would a 'real/practicing' Catholic vote for a Mormon the likes of lying Mitt Romney? Someone who wants the USA to be in war upon war, increase our military size and then tells us nothing else about how he'd be a 'real' president.
ReplyDeleteRomney cannot be trusted. He goes back and forth and forth and back...poor President Obama in having to debate him....he probably figures it's going to be a miracle getting through the first round!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Gryph, it's Ayn Rand. Sorry to pick at nits.
ReplyDelete3,381,529 views?
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/cwarzel/status/251720569618309120/photo/1/large
Romney's 47% Video Has Been Viewed 3 Times As Often As His Convention Speech
http://www.businessinsider.com/romneys-47-viewed-more-than-convention-speech-2012-9
And it shows him being a lot more honest.
DeleteThe issue is that Catholics aren't as much a solid voting block as the (as my 92 year old mother calls them) pointy-hatted hierarchy might think. Many Catholics are well educated and DO think for themselves. Mom astutely noted as well that her parish features very few families with more than 3 kids and (again quoting the lady) "they didn't do that playing Vatican roulette."
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Many Catholics are very well educated and have been thinking for themselves (as opposed to the Vatican telling them what to do) for many years -- back to the original birth control battles of the 60s. I was there; I went to a Catholic college, and I remember.
DeleteAnd as far as that stupid "religious liberty" argument goes, here's my comparison. Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe in blood transfusions. Letting Catholic businesses off from having to provide birth control insurance coverage is like telling businesses owned by JW’s that they don’t have to provide medical plans that cover blood transfusions.
Same (lack of) logic. Has nothing to do with religious liberty and everything to do with "control."
Pointy-hatted hierarchy, Vatican roulette, LOL! The Vatican is as out of touch with their 'flock' as Romney/Ryan are with the American people.
DeleteI love your mother!
DeleteToday a Facebook "friend" posted this big rant about how she thinks it is important that we all vote for the best "Christian" candidate, and then all those other pesky issues like the budget and wars would be taken care of by God. She says that Mitt is a better Christian than Obama, thus God will help him more than he would Obama.
DeleteI don't know enough about the Mormon faith to argue, but are they really "Christian"? Can someone who knows more about the topic help me out here.
Personally, I think it won't be too long before there is an "American Catholic Church". The education level of most American Catholics - along with their ability to think for themselves - is something the Vatican cannot change and they have been trying.
DeleteOf course, it doesn't hurt matters that these same American Catholics have a strong dislike about being told WHAT to do and HOW to do it and what NOT to read and etc.
Now, if we could just get the typical blind southern fanatic to LEARN to read and think for themselves, we may get something done!
@11:57
DeleteI do too! She's got a clear eye and a sharp tongue. What's not to love?
(her daughter)
Speaking as a lapsed Catholic who will be voting for President Obama again, I can say that my aversion to Romney has nothing to do with his being Mormon and everything to do with his policies being a disgrace.
ReplyDeleteI respect Harry Reid and were he running, my views of his candidacy would have nothing to do with his being a Mormon.
Catholics are not monolithic. For every Santorum obsessed with birth control, there is a Catholic who has taken to heart all the best of the social justice teachings of the church. That Catholic would not dream of voting for Romney, who has forgotten that "Whatsoever you do to the least of My brethren, that you do unto Me."
I was raised Catholic....twelve years of Catholic school...and no longer practice and only walk into a church when I attend a family wedding, funeral, baptism, or communion. I have no use for a church full of self hating pedophiles that put their own interests ahead of those of innocent children , deny women full ministry, and still think using contraception to plan your family is a mortal sin.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I have conservative Catholic friends that do think Mormonism is a cult, and would never vote for Mitt because of it, and one in particular has told me that she will just not vote this year since she can't bring herself to vote for Obama. Works for me! And yes , it doesn't help that Mitt is a piss poor candidate and a competely clueless gaffe machine, but the Mormonism is definitely a factor.
I too was raised Catholic and am no longer - in fact, I could qualify as a 'non believer' of much in religion.
DeleteAfter watching Romney (a Mormon) and Ryan (a Catholic), they both make me sick to my stomach. Neither should EVER be elected to anything as to politics. I'm sure they are going to lose this election and I sincerely hope Ryan loses his congressional seat election that he has held for years.
I think, too, that people in Congress should have to resign their seats when they decided to run for a national office. They shouldn't be able to have it both ways especially after America gets to see who they 'really' are!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
The Catholic church is losing Catholics with their BS. Yesterday an Illinois bishop said we're all going to Hell if we vote for Obama.
ReplyDeleteLater for you....
Bumper sticker seen on a car in Catholic church parking lot. Car plastered with self-congratulatory pro-life slogans. And then there was this one, "Abort Obama".
ReplyDeleteThe stupid just burns, doesn't it?
Hey, Sean Hannity is Catholic.
ReplyDeleteOne more reason to get the Hell out.
http://twitter.com/cwarzel/status/251720569618309120/photo/1/large
ReplyDeleteWow. Thanks for that twitter link. I needed that today. Let what each of those columns in the graph represents sink in for just a minute. Not only did fewer folks tune in to Romney's televised RNC speech (down how much? 20% from 2008?), nor his wife Ann's speech which was moved to a supposedly better time slot, they weren't even curious enough to want to check it out on YouTube.
Only a fool like Dick "sucking toes" Morris can continue to say that Romney is ahead in this campaign. Oh, and Rasmussen's polls which are artificially being inflated with more than a representative sample of Republican voters, and still they show it to be a dead heat.
Plus over 3 times as many have seen the "47% of Americans" video on YouTube than have downloaded his RNC speech. I realize that YouTube's audience skews younger than the electorate by a wide margin, but something (intuition?) tells me that most kids under 18 aren't going to be watching many political-oriented videos anyway. This is just based on level of interest and support.
I feel like I've been kicked in the gut with all of the racial flak that has been thrown out by a few desperate Romney supporters. But the more people there are who actually listen to President Obama AND Mitt Romney, the more they realize why we need to re-elect this president.
He rises above all of the nonsense and noise in the political cycle, and the fact that his lead is increasing is very encouraging---because to me, that means a lot of people are actually thinking hard about the decision to be made in November and that many of us are making now in early voting. He's a leader, and I hope the margins continue to improve for him and the other Dems running for the Senate and House.
Don't knock the under 18 crowd! They do a tremendous amount of work for the candidates of their choice. A LOT of door bells are rung and envelopes stuffed and all the other things that need to be done! Just because they can't vote - YET - doesn't mean they aren't involved! And highly intelligent about it, too.
DeleteA lot of the pre-voting age teens I know are far more knowledgeable that most of the Repubes who are refusing to even think about what Rmoney's sick mouth produces!
Leland
DeleteThank you for the shoutout to the underage volunteers!
OT
ReplyDeleteDid you see this, Gryphen?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49204836/?ocid=ansmsnbc11#.UGYHNY59nzI
Mormons considers the Catholic Church, as an Abomination. Heck the Mormons look down on all other "Christian" religions. Quite funny since I don't consider Mormons as Christians. They may use His name, but, they sure don't believe in Him, or His teachings.
ReplyDeleteRomney losing the Catholic vote? Ouch! I think we all knew this already, but he's totally screwed.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember four years ago, how the Catholics felt about Obama? It may have just been in my area, but the Catholics I knew HATED him. I saw a few pamphlets that were being handed out to Catholic church members in my area, and they were not kind to Obama.
It's great! Obama leads in all demographics except the racist right. four more years and he will unite us all as one and as equals, no more rich or poor. Once our financial collapse is complete than his reign can really begin.
ReplyDeleteoh, just shut up.
DeleteGryphen, I think you might be misunderestimating Mittens. I'm hearing very credible rumors that his campaign is about to launch a shot-for-shot re-creation of this famous ad - but featuring Mittens in the central role - which could very easily turn his pathetic yet comical free-fall into an impressive zombie-like staggle (combination stagger & stumble) to the finish line.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rZdAB4V_j8
Whoa, Rafalca!, that's got me shaking in my boots!
DeleteCould be, but overall the momentum in the last couple of days has moved toward Romney. Check out HP's politics page and then their election dashboard. Also, Rasmussen which is biased a bit has Romney and Obama tied now. This is a long way from a sure thing.
ReplyDeleteI guess by November all that he'll have left is that one percent of job creators.
ReplyDeleteLet them staggle to the finish line. (Great combo, Beldar!)
Remember the polls said Scott walker was going to be recalled. Keep believing these Bullshit polls and Obama will lose because people will assume he's got it wrapped up
ReplyDeleteDon't underestimate us Dems. WE WILL VOTE!
DeleteGryphen, I think you might be misunderestimating Mittens. They've begun carpet bombing this market with his very effective "I am not a loser" ad. You know the one: the audio is 60 seconds of his annoying lipsmacking and awkward satanic chuckling while the simple visual is 34pt bold helvetica text reading "I AM NOT A LOSER" over Mittens' grainy black and white "Master of the Universe" official portrait which hangs in Bane Capitol's mold-ridden oak-paneled "Hall of Profits" .
ReplyDeleteNov 7 might as well be the end of the Mayan calendar. Obama wins we're done, if Romney wins all you ass kissers are gonna shit and kill yourselves
ReplyDeleteGryphen, periodically I just like to say 'thank you, dude' for providing your provocative blogs posts and a forum for diverse and insightful (inciteful?) comments, even tho the trolls do stink up the joint from time to time... (you know, as if there arent an abundance of right wing cesspools for them to splash around in)
ReplyDeleteBeldar get off your knees
DeleteAs a former Catholic, my "spy" 79 y.o. mom goes religiously to church every morning except saturday. When the clowns were being voted off the island, the only thing the Priests kept pushing was, "Vote Pro Life" or "Vote according to the tennents of your faith".
ReplyDeleteThen they had this fake outrage at having to supply birth control to their employees, and they went bonkers for awhile over "religious freedom".
Then, Obama made accommodations to ensure they didn't have to pay for birth control, and they chilled for awhile.
She NOW reports that the Priest semi endorses Obama because he represents helping the elderly and poor.
Hallejuiah!
My Take? They can't vote for Romney because he's a mormon, but I don't think it's because the people actually listen to the priests anyway, most Catholics don't fall in line with everything the higher ups demand.
One night, I hauled my mom in front of the television, and she saw Sister Simone, the nun on the bus lady, speak at Obama's convention, and my mom's whole outlook changed.
That, and it's a "Pew" research. She thinks they asked catholics in that survey. Ha!
"Personally I have always felt that the distrust which a substantial number of Catholics feel toward the Mormon faith, many still see it as a crazy cult (Which of course it is.), would dissuade a large number of practicing Catholics from voting for Mitt Romney despite their frustration with President Obama."
ReplyDeleteGo ahead and call me a racist bigot, I'd expect nothing else from people who interpret any honest analysis of Hispanic(Catholics)voting records. But somehow I have this racist notion that the 71 percent of HAs Catholics that voted for Obama don't have a very in depth knowledge of the Mormon faith, not due to ignorance of course, but rather that they simply didn't care about his faith near as much as the personal benefits and guaranteed amnesty of their illegal brethren, which is somewhat understandable considering many of them are close relatives whom they care deeply about, but who nevertheless are breaking the law and preventing legal immigrants from getting in a timely manner. And the fact is that most (but not all) HAs Catholics are personally opposed to having abortions themselves, and do strongly believe it's murder (which it is, although you pro-choicers have decided that murdering the unborn is ok because they are alive but not human beings yet, I never quite understood that argument, but alas I'm just a ignorant redneck who can't think logically). So basically the fore-mentioned Catholics are supporting what they believe to be genocide to retain benefits (notably amnesty) for illegals who like or not are not entitled to anything as they are not American citizens. And on another note, the Catholic Church has every right to retain their core religious beliefs, as backwards and non-progressive as you supposed champions of freedom of religion believe them to be. NO ONE is forcing Catholics of any race to abide by the religious long standing tenets of the Catholic faith; If American Catholics don't want to abide by the Vatican law, then they every right to branch off and create a new "progressive" sect of the Catholic Church. It is simply against every thing that American freedom stands for to claim that the centuries old Catholic Church should have to accommodate the people who willingly chose to join the C.Church knowing full well what their core beliefs. P.S I am by no means affiliated with the C.Church and never have been, but I do admire the passion that the genuinely Pro-life Catholics have for fighting the American Holocaust that has gone on for 39 years. You want to talk about who are really sick people, I'd have to say its you shameless, disgusting people, all of whom I'm sure thought it was ok to pull a third trimester baby out of the womb and suck his/her brains out with no pain relievers, try putting yourself in the shoes of the innocent babies who had no control over their conception and spent their last moments in severe agony. I don't know if there's a God or a heaven or hell, but if there is every one of you heartless bastards is going to the lowest level of hell. I'm a hardcore conservative on nearly every issue, but I would vote for a pro-life democrat over a pro-abortion conservative in a heartbeat, because I don't selfishly choose my politicians based on who can get me the most handouts or create a higher paying job for me.
I'm Catholic and a Republican. Why any true Catholic would ever vote for Obama, I don't know. He is everything a Catholic is not: pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, and if you ask me, he's an atheist too (he'd lose a lot of votes if he admitted it). Abortion is wrong no matter what (Romney thinks its ok in cases of rape). It makes no sense to be pro-life in one case and not in another. Abortion is abortion. It is killing an innocent baby who deserves to live. And I agree with matt90parker; I too would vote for a pro-life democrat over a pro-abortion republican. Without a doubt.
ReplyDelete