Catholics Opting for McCain
August 9th, 2008 at 06:07am Mark Noonan
Social issues are driving it:
The latest Associated TV/Zogby International poll reports a significant change in Catholic support for the leading presumptive presidential nominees of both major U.S. political parties. Zogby analyst Fritz Wenzel explains that the shift amongst Catholics is due to increased concern about “social values.”
In mid-July, Catholics polled by Zogby International favored Democratic Sen. Barack Obama by 11 percent. The latest poll now shows they favor Republican Sen. John McCain by a margin of 50 to 34 percent.
Zogby International said in a Tuesday press release that McCain leads Obama among all voters by 42 to 41 percent, as measured by a telephone poll of 1,011 likely voters. The poll, commissioned by Associated TV and conducted from July 31 to August 1, claims a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
On the other hand, an Associated Press/Ipsos poll conducted between July 31 and August 4 finds Catholic support evenly divided between both candidates.
Fritz Wenzel, a Zogby Polling Analyst, gave CNA a statistical breakdown of the 269 Catholic respondents’ answers.
About fifty percent of the Catholics favored McCain, while 34 percent favored Obama. Twelve percent were undecided, while two and one percent favored third-party candidates Bob Barr and Ralph Nader, respectively.
“Catholics vote largely on a set of conservative values and on social values. On social values McCain has a natural advantage because of his pro-life stance, compared to Obama’s pro-choice stance,” Wenzel told CNA.
“This is a dominant issue in voting for Catholics because of the balance of the Supreme Court. The other issues are also important. When you start thinking about the conditions in the Iraq War, that was a concern for Catholics earlier. It’s becoming less so, so voters are turning to other, more domestic concerns.”
The push is rapidly coming to a shove and I think that, in the end, a very large majority of devout Catholics will give their votes to John McCain. There’s just too much riding on this election to think that Obama is the man for the times. While a lot of Catholics very much want large increases in social spending (heck, in a way even I do - though I don’t want to pour it into the failed, liberal programs; I have other ideas), with the Supreme Court in the balance and the Culture of Life poised for some real victories under continued Republican government, the thought of a few more billion for social spending drops in the scales of relative values. Lets first save life, then we can worry about what to do with the life once here.
There is also in Obama that very off-putting arrogance and self-centeredness. While we’re not better than anyone else, there is in Catholic attitude a demand of humility, and the higher you go the more humble we want you to be. As Obama rises, so does his ego, and Pride isn’t a deadly sin for nothing, you know?
All in all, this year is shaping up to have a lot of surpises in store, and the fact that the Catholic vote might go decisively for McCain - and perhaps hand him the White House - is just one of a dozen oddities…but it is good that my fellow Catholics are wise to the needs of the day.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Democrats, Life Issues, Republicans
12 Comments
1. Daniel O'Connell | August 9th, 2008 at 6:26 am
On the other side of the equation is that for every citizen registering the vote, the overwhelming majority are registering as Democrats.
(Ed note: Weird part of comment deleted)
2. neocon | August 9th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Foreign lunatics and their irrelevant studies don’t usually merit responses from POTUS candidates.
Just saying.
But it would be nice if the two candidates would debate. Where’s Obama?
3. Kelly | August 9th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Religion and politics are supposed to be separate. The antichrist is an idea, many claimed Bush to be so.
I was born Catholic and am voting for Obama, race nor sex should be a factor if you can keep an open mind. My main issue with this post was the statement of “as the higher you go, the more humble you should be”. I am not arguing this, but “to be a good catholic, you must vote McCain” is ludicrous. If the higher you go, the more humble you are is true, why the hell is the pope dressed up like the Queen of England???
4. Mark Noonan | August 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Kelly,
Ah, there’s nothing like a fallen away Catholic to be both rude and ignorant about the faith he rejects.
I suggest you go here and brush a bit, then you’ll understand why the Pope dresses the way he does.
5. Jeremiah | August 9th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Religion and politics are supposed to be separate.-Kelly
No, they aren’t.
There’s nothing that says religion cannot influence the government or any State institution for that matter.
However, the government is supposed to stay out of my faith.
So, why is the ACLU violating the “Separation of Church and State” to suit their own ends, and taking away my rights?
6. Retired Spook | August 9th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
The antichrist is an idea, many claimed Bush to be so.
Reminds me of a parody on Glen Beck’ show a few days ago. I don’t normall listen to Beck’s show, show I may be wrong about the format because I turned the radio on in the middle of it. I think it was Glen doing both voices in which he has a debate with his Liberal alter-ego. Anyway, the Liberal voice says something like “for crying out loud, Obama’s just a Marxist, not the antiChrist.”
7. nro | August 9th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
the so called “separation between church and state” is not even in our constitution. Show me where the wording is exactly……Liberal activist judges along with the ACLU came up with this.
8. Somal Trin | August 9th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
The link below describes why no true Christian would ever vote for McCain.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/08/08/10885/
9. sue | August 10th, 2008 at 12:37 am
“The link below describes why no true Christian would ever vote for McCain.”
Yes, of course McCain is the anti Christ–just like Sadam, Hitler and others through history. (sarcasm)
I can see why liberals of all stripes would like to convince conservative Christians that McCain is the Anti Christ. What better way to get Obama elected!!
Yes some Christians will buy into this “research” but very few will. However you look at it these reasons for thinking McCain will be the anti Christ are extremely weak, and based entirely on innuendo, and subjective opinion.
Just one note: anyone who claims a “true Christian” will do this or that, or says they can determine who is a “true Christian” is one who I don’t listen to. What they claim is not truth. No individual, other than God, can determine who is a “true Christian”.
10. Nate | August 10th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Deleted - off topic.
11. congressive | August 10th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Don’t Catholics have some rule against BEARING FALSE WITNESS? Is it really ok to lie to win? Have we sunk to that now?
12. Nate | August 10th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
How was that off topic? You mention arrogance, self-centeredness, humility, sin, etc. focused on Obama. (see the quote of your words below)
Isn’t adultery a sin? Isn’t choosing to divorce someone because of disfigurement and marry a wealthy, attractive woman who you did the adultery with arrogance and self-centeredness? Are you really ignoring all that? So many posters here are so morals focused — where is your concern about McCain’s morals?
If you delete this at least respond to the questions about McCains morals.
—
“There is also in Obama that very off-putting arrogance and self-centeredness. While we’re not better than anyone else, there is in Catholic attitude a demand of humility, and the higher you go the more humble we want you to be. As Obama rises, so does his ego, and Pride isn’t a deadly sin for nothing, you know?”