Why no more Catholics in the White House?

[pragmatic liberal]

When JFK was elected in 1960, there was still a great deal of anti-Catholicism throughout the country.

These days, that is virtually a thing of the past. Catholics are nearly completely integrated with the White Protestant majority and are solidly represented throughout politics, the business world and the professional classes.

So it seems odd that 48 years after JFK was elected we still have not had another Catholic president.

Of course, John Kerry came close in 2004, but even so, he was only the second Catholic major-party nominee.

Why so few?

My theory is that since 1964, Southerners and Westerners have dominated presidential nominations, and Catholics are concentrated in the Midwest and the Northeast.

[The Mikado]

When JFK was elected in 1960, there was still a great deal of anti-Catholicism throughout the country.

These days, that is virtually a thing of the past. Catholics are nearly completely integrated with the White Protestant majority and are solidly represented throughout politics, the business world and the professional classes.

So it seems odd that 48 years after JFK was elected we still have not had another Catholic president.

Of course, John Kerry came close in 2004, but even so, he was only the second Catholic major-party nominee.

Why so few?

My theory is that since 1964, Southerners and Westerners have dominated presidential nominations, and Catholics are concentrated in the Midwest and the Northeast.

Note: John Kerry was the third Catholic major party nominee.  Al Smith was the first.

[Adlai Stevenson]

Sooner or later there will be a Hispanic President, ergo a Catholic President...

[Workers' Friend]

Sooner or later there will be a Hispanic President, ergo a Catholic President...

That is kinda true, even though I have heard of Protestant Mexicans.

[pragmatic liberal]

When JFK was elected in 1960, there was still a great deal of anti-Catholicism throughout the country.

These days, that is virtually a thing of the past. Catholics are nearly completely integrated with the White Protestant majority and are solidly represented throughout politics, the business world and the professional classes.

So it seems odd that 48 years after JFK was elected we still have not had another Catholic president.

Of course, John Kerry came close in 2004, but even so, he was only the second Catholic major-party nominee.

Why so few?

My theory is that since 1964, Southerners and Westerners have dominated presidential nominations, and Catholics are concentrated in the Midwest and the Northeast.

Note: John Kerry was the third Catholic major party nominee.  Al Smith was the first.

Of course. I meant Kerry was only the second Catholic nominee since Kennedy.

[Workers' Friend]

Quick Question: What party will the next Catholic nominee likely be?

[Barack Hussian YO MAMA!!!!]

When JFK was elected in 1960, there was still a great deal of anti-Catholicism throughout the country.

These days, that is virtually a thing of the past. Catholics are nearly completely integrated with the White Protestant majority and are solidly represented throughout politics, the business world and the professional classes.

So it seems odd that 48 years after JFK was elected we still have not had another Catholic president.

Of course, John Kerry came close in 2004, but even so, he was only the second Catholic major-party nominee.

Why so few?

My theory is that since 1964, Southerners and Westerners have dominated presidential nominations, and Catholics are concentrated in the Midwest and the Northeast.

something to think about I don't think America has ever had an Italian catholic president,
of course the Irish catholics are always good at politics for reasons I don't totally understand, but mostly I think it goes back to the old days of the democratic party before the New Deal back in the era when political machines dominated,  the Irish like many immigrant groups found exceptacne into mainstream American society difficult you had an angry nativist  population who did not trust catholic Immigrants saw them as invaders hell bent on destroying this country, (sounds familiar)
but they took advantage of there right to vote which they did not have back in the old country
so they voted for candidates that would give them jobs ,fire fighters, Cops and jobs in city Government they democratic party was very good to Immigrants in this country for along time
and it wasn't until the sixty's/seventy's  that catholics became divided politically.   

[DownWithTheLeft]

It is quite possible that the next Catholic president is a minority, specifically thinking Jindal here

[Workers' Friend]

Wait, Jindal is Catholic? My uncle told me he was Hindu.

[Keystone Phil]

something to think about I don't think America has ever had an Italian catholic president

Uh...something you have to "think" about? Our only Catholic President was John F. Kennedy - obviously an Irish Catholic. I think that answers it.

Wait, Jindal is Catholic? My uncle told me he was Hindu.

Yes, he's Catholic.

[pragmatic liberal]

something to think about I don't think America has ever had an Italian catholic president

Uh...something you have to "think" about? Our only Catholic President was John F. Kennedy - obviously an Irish Catholic. I think that answers it.

Wait, Jindal is Catholic? My uncle told me he was Hindu.

Yes, he's Catholic.

Yup. He was born Hindu but converted to Catholicism in high school.

[Workers' Friend]

I see, my uncle must've not've read that.

[pragmatic liberal]

I'm pretty sure we've not had ANY Italian-American president, nor any president with Italian ancestry.

The top prospects would have been...

Gov. John Volpe (R-Mass.) -- Mass. governor in the '60s, he made Nixon's VP shortlist. Had he been picked, he'd have been president instead of Gerald Ford.

Gov. Mario Cuomo (D-N.Y.) -- Never ran, but had he run in '88 or '92, he'd probably have won the Democratic nomination and may have won either time (although I think he'd have had a close race both times).

Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NYC) -- Obviously, his presidential campaign was an epic failure. Also, as far as I know, he isn't a practicing Catholic.

[Keystone Phil]

I'm pretty sure we've not had ANY Italian-American president, nor any president with Italian ancestry.

Yes, this is also true.

[Workers' Friend]

Speaking of Italians, I am 1/4 Italian, maybe If I ever become President, I'll be the 1st.

[Keystone Phil]

Speaking of Italians, I am 1/4 Italian, maybe If I ever become President, I'll be the 1st.

I'm 100% Italian (by heritage) but, lucky for you, I don't plan on running for President. 

[Associate Justice PiT]

Speaking of Italians, I am 1/4 Italian, maybe If I ever become President, I'll be the 1st.

I'm 100% Italian (by heritage) but, lucky for you, I don't plan on running for President. 

     I'm 0% Italian, so don't hold your breath waiting for me to run.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Quick Question: What party will the next Catholic nominee likely be?

I believe more Catholics are Democrats, so probably a Democrat.

[DownWithTheLeft]

Wait, Jindal is Catholic? My uncle told me he was Hindu.

Yeah, I have a feeling that if Jindal runs

Jindal = Hindu might be like Obama = Muslim

[Associate Justice PiT]

Wait, Jindal is Catholic? My uncle told me he was Hindu.

Yeah, I have a feeling that if Jindal runs

Jindal = Hindu might be like Obama = Muslim

     At least Jindal was Hindu at one point (I think).

[??????????]

Palin is Catholic.

[Keystone Phil]

Palin is Catholic.

She left the Church.

[??????????]

Palin is Catholic.

She left the Church.

From what I understand you can't leave unless you're excommunicated.

[Barack Hussian YO MAMA!!!!]

Palin is Catholic.

OMG secret catholic!!!! manchurican candidate, she wants to set up a puppet govenment
for the Vatican.


   

[??????????]

Palin is Catholic.

OMG secret catholic!!!! manchurican candidate, she wants to set up a puppet govenment
for the Vatican.

Glad to see you fit the perfect match for about every Bostonian I've ever known.