Thursday, August 7, 2008

Casey Considered as Convention Speaker


Senator Barack Obama is considering inviting Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey to speak at the Democratic National Convention later this month. This would be a welcome statement of inclusion those voters, Catholic and not, who support a consistent ethic of life. The Republican Party has no announced plans to allow a convention speaker in support of a consistent ethic of life. Both Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean and Catholic scholar Douglas Kmiec are encouraging a Casey speaking slot.
A speaking slot for Casey would respond to the failure to allow his father to speak at the 1992 DNConvention. That decision offended many Catholic Democrats. It has also been reference politically by some conservative Republicans who never had a single kind word to say about Casey, Sr. during his life.

Even Leonard Leo, who directed Catholic outreach for Republicans in 2004, and is an informal adviser to the party and the McCain campaign admitted that the appearance of Senator Casey on the dais at the Democratic convention would be favorably received by Catholics. “He might get a slight bump from Casey among Catholics generally" Leo said.

Leo also hinted at what many other political observers have noted, that the McCain campaign seems focused almost exclusively on mobilizing white conservative Catholics while ignoring the wide group of Catholics who feel "politically homeless", neither able to fully embrace the dominant positions of the Republican or Democratic parties. The Obama campaign, however, has reached out to these voters, often called "Common Good Catholics."

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

In September '07, Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) voted to end the "Mexico City Policy," which bars federal funds from going to organizations offering abortions overseas.

Katherine said...

true. not the same as supporting abortion, however.

Milehimama @ Mama Says said...

I'm not sure how having Casey, a Democrat for Life (and abortion opponent, more or less) speak is a "consistent ethic for life", given that Obama is NOT pro-life. How is having a prolifer introduce a proabort consistent? Seems like pandering inconsistency to me.

Katherine said...

Some would call it "Big Tent". Bu the question remains, will the GOP ban consistent ethic of life speakers from their Convention? Time will tell.

Anonymous said...

Katherine,

What's your definition of "consistent ethic of life " speaker?

Katherine said...

If we could hear from a speaker at the Republican Convention that supported the Catholic Church's policy recommendations as to abortion, the war in Iraq, economic injustice, health care and workplace safety, I would be a happy woman. Of course, the concept goes beyond that, but i don't want to set the bar too high for the GOP.

Anonymous said...

Then would Bob Casey's support for the military action in Afghanistan negate a consistent ethic of life philosophy?

Milehimama @ Mama Says said...

But Casey doesn't fit that criteria.

Katherine said...

Then would Bob Casey's support for the military action in Afghanistan negate a consistent ethic of life philosophy?

Thre would be different opinions on that, it would seem. I'm willing to set the same low bar for both parties and use the policy recommendations of the Catholic bishops as a guide.

Rustler45 said...

Katherine SAID: "...and use the policy recommendations of the Catholic bishops as a guide."

And their guide is useful?

A pro-abortion protestant would be comfortable with THAT guide.

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Katherine said...
"true. not the same as supporting abortion, however."

Would you please explain the difference?

Rustler45 said...

Hey Katherine, you might fool some people, but you aren't fooling me. You are a lying, no-good, hypocritical chicken shit. It's as simple as that.

You do Obama more harm than good.

But of course there's very little that can be done to salvage that dumb shit. He's a laughing stock and so are you.

BTW Does your broom handle say AIR BITCH ONE on it?

Anonymous said...

Casey as a convention speaker is a very good idea. We all need to encourage the Party to do this. This will solidify the strong Catholic support we are winning for Obama.

Anonymous said...

I love your photo of Casey at church. How impressive! Hopefully, he is asking God for forgiveness for supporting Obama.

Anonymous said...

MEOW, Susan. Get all uppity with a guy for going to church. Glad I'm not YOUR husband.

Anonymous said...

Actually, anonymous, my husband said the same thing!:)