Kerry's Catholicism...does it matter?

[Nym90]

If he wins the Dem nomination, John Kerry will be the first Catholic nominee of a major party since John Kennedy in 1960. Will this be a factor at all, and if so, does it help or hurt him?

My guess is that it isn't really an issue at all, however, to the extent that it is it may marginally help Kerry since Catholics are considered a key swing vote in many of the big battleground states in the North, so if he can do better than average for a Democrat among Catholics it could give him a boost. And any potential anti-Catholic sentiment against Kerry would be more likely to occur in the South, in states that he probably wouldn't win anyway.

[jravnsbo]

not really he basically told the pope to stop meddling in US affairs mid to late summer last year.  Plus he is for abortion whicht he church is adamanently against.

[Gustaf]

I agree with all of that. It would further strengthen the incentive for Kerry to go with a "no-southern-states-strategy". I don't think it would be a major issue, but on balance it would benefit Kerry, for the reasons you stated. People who don't like Catholics wouldn't vote Democrat anyway.

[jravnsbo]

Yes but his stands will turn off some Catholics too.  I am Catholic and I could not even fathom telling the pope to buzz off essentially.

I agree with all of that. It would further strengthen the incentive for Kerry to go with a "no-southern-states-strategy". I don't think it would be a major issue, but on balance it would benefit Kerry, for the reasons you stated. People who don't like Catholics wouldn't vote Democrat anyway.

[Gustaf]

Yes but his stands will turn off some Catholics too.  I am Catholic and I could not even fathom telling the pope to buzz off essentially.

I agree with all of that. It would further strengthen the incentive for Kerry to go with a "no-southern-states-strategy". I don't think it would be a major issue, but on balance it would benefit Kerry, for the reasons you stated. People who don't like Catholics wouldn't vote Democrat anyway.

[Platypus]

It certainly won't hurt him, whether it will help or not...dunno.

I really don't think it is an issue

[Gustaf]

Yes but his stands will turn off some Catholics too.  I am Catholic and I could not even fathom telling the pope to buzz off essentially.

I agree with all of that. It would further strengthen the incentive for Kerry to go with a "no-southern-states-strategy". I don't think it would be a major issue, but on balance it would benefit Kerry, for the reasons you stated. People who don't like Catholics wouldn't vote Democrat anyway.

Sorry, I posted accidentally before I had the time to type anything...that seems to be more of other stands than his religion, you're probably talking of conservative catholics there. But I don't really think the pope should meddle in the affairs of sovereign nations.

[jravnsbo]

The pope was just advising as he does to Catholics, I think it was an abortion case or law.  

Kerry just handled it poorly.  If I'd have been the pope I'd have been like Fine, EXCUMMINICATION for you then.  but that is why he is the holy father and I am not  more merciful.

[Dave from Michigan]

Won't hurt him.  but his position on abortion and being catholic is troubling

[MAS117]

JFK 1960... Catholic
JFK 2004....Catholic

HMMMMMM? ITS DESTINY

[Mr. Fresh]

JFK 1960... Catholic
JFK 2004....Catholic

HMMMMMM? ITS DESTINY

What is Kerry's middle name?

[Dave from Michigan]

   

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lets hope not
 
 
 
 

[Nym90]

Kerry's middle name is Forbes.

[migrendel]

Facially, it is of little importance. I don't think there are many Americans left that have a deep and abiding prejudice against Catholics. It now becomes a question of whether he can set aside those tenets of belief, and form a government that can represent all Americans. From what I have seen, he has a respect for a secular policy for this nation and separation of church and state, and I believe that he will not let his faith fetter his determination of what is right for this nation.

[© tweed]

Do you think Lieberman's being Jewish would hurt him, if he were the nominee?

[MAS117]

even though im jewish i would say yes, there is so much anti semitism in this country even though poeple dont say it. dean campgain manger joe trippi resigned today, before he was demoted. DEAN IS heading down down down

[dazzleman]

I think Lieberman's Judaism would help him in certain quarters, and hurt him in others.  It would probably only hurt him among those not inclined to vote for him anyway, so overall I think it would help.

As far as Kerry's Catholicism is concerned, I don't think it's an issue.  In any case, Kerry can't really be considered a serious Catholic.  He's as much a serious Catholic as Clinton is a serious Baptist.

[Nym90]

Well, Clinton did attend church weekly the whole time that he was in office, so he would appear to have been a pretty serious Baptist.

[Dave from Michigan]

he may have been in church but he must have missed the don't commit adultery part.

[jravnsbo]

details, details...

he may have been in church but he must have missed the don't commit adultery part.

[Peter]

JFK 1960... Catholic
JFK 2004....Catholic

HMMMMMM? ITS DESTINY

You might also notice that Keneddy was a Senator from Massachusetts

[jravnsbo]

kerry is no jack Kennedy, ted Kennedy maybe, but not Jack.

Jack was energetic engaging a fresh face, all of which Kerry is none.

JFK 1960... Catholic
JFK 2004....Catholic

HMMMMMM? ITS DESTINY

You might also notice that Keneddy was a Senator from Massachusetts

[MAS117]

good point pete, not to mention that mass has broguht us 3 presidents named JOHN

[Dave from Michigan]

It doesn't look like it will be 4 yet

[Nation]

Lieberman being Jewish wasn't exactly a big issue when he was the VP candidate, and I doubt it would affect him greatly in the general election. More conservatives seem to like him anyway (that may only be because he's the only moderate to conservative Democrat in the field of candidates.