The Archbishop of Denver, Charles Chaput tells us that Joe Biden should not present himself for communion, and that Barack Obama is the most pro abortion candidate since Roe v Wade was first decided. What are we to make of such a statement. Well, he's the Archbishop so I guess the discussion is over, and he has settled the issue if not for all Catholics at least for all Denver Catholics.
The one redeeming feature of the Archbishop's comments is that he says he is making the statement as a private citizen and not as the head of the Archdiocese. The problem of course is that he is not a private citizen, and his remarks are taken by many as the official words of the infallible church in action. Just as General Colin Powell cannot be misconstrued as a private citizen when he crosses party lines to support Barack Obama for president, so the head of a major Archdiocese making a statement is not the same as a statement coming from 'Joe the Plumber'.
Yet, we also saw Barack Obama and John McCain enjoying dinner together with Cardinal Egan of New York the other evening. They had both been invited to the traditional Al Smith dinner, and both candidates were warmly received by the New York Archbishop and Cardinal. Cardinal Egan had many positive things to say about both candidates. Nothing occurred which would have intimated that it was O.K. to vote for one of the candidates but not the other. If anything, as an event recognizing the famous Democratic governor of New York, the assumption was that there were a lot of Democrats there, both clerical and non-clerical. So who is more important, the New York Cardinal or the Denver archbishop?
Additionally, in a September 18 article in the National Catholic Reporter, Archbishop John Favalora of Miami is indicated as having said that the Church can not be compared to a "party boss" and will not tell people how to vote. These comments were made in the process of rejecting a consortium of conservative Christian ministries to directly promote certain candidates who espouse specific scriptural values. The Archbishop points out that there are many ways to interpret scripture, and he also acknowledges the importance of the constitutional separation of Church and State as it relates to maintaining the Church's tax exemption.
The different voices within the Church might suggest to some that we need to develop in this country a uniform set of rules for what is acceptable in the political arena. I would submit, however, that we need to do precisely the opposite. What is demonstrated here is how tricky it is for a religious leader to insert themselves into a political discussion. Political decisions need to be made by politicians and the voters, not clerics. As the Archbishop of Miami noted, the Church should appropriately state its positions on moral issues, but it must be remembered that having a moral position on an issue is not the same as translating ones point of view into a political or legal policy. Clearly one cannot simply adhere to one specific religious leaders' comments as normative without personal reflection. We live in a world and a country where we are called individually to discern what the best course of action may be, and as Archbishop Favalora says, it is not up to the Church to determine how Catholics vote.
Let's look at the circumstance of the 2008 election. Suppose we reject a candidate who could help solve our economic crisis because of his position on abortion. We also reject a candidate who could help solve the energy crisis, the health care crisis, and who could lead America positively through the many foreign policy crises we face. Of course we don't know if any candidate can do any or all of these things, but isn't that exactly what each voter must decide for themselves? When a religious leader determines what issue should decide the campaign and how voters should vote on this issue, they demonstrate their lack of understanding of democracy and how our government operates. If nothing else, Archbisop Chaput has demonstrated what not to do.
Embracing one issue politics regarding abortion suggests that there is no other issue besides abortion worthy of consideration. This is a distortion of the 2000 year history of the Roman Catholic Church. It demonstrates that those religious leaders who promote such a position are fixated on the topic of abortion, but it does not mean that the Church itself shares this fixation. The Church is involved all over the world in many critical issues for its members and for non-members alike. Such issues include war, peace, poverty etc. These issues matter. To say that none of these issues should influence one's vote in an election in the United States of America, demeans the importance and the critical role that our country as well as the Vatican play in the affairs of the world. When you compare these matters with the limited influence the President of the United States will have on this country's abortion policy, the one issue voter seems foolish or naive.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Can McCain Come Back?
History would suggest that we will see a closing of this race in the last nineteen days. Some of the red states that seem to be turning blue will revert to traditional voting patterns. Those independents who usually vote Republican, but have been toying with the prospect of an Obama vote, will decide that they are more comfortable with McCain. Besides, John McCain gave his best debate performance last night. He was feisty and gave clear Republican arguments on taxes and the economy. He attacked and put Obama on the defensive. Obama seemed slightly off his game.
Yet post debate polls gave Obama the same clear victory he has shown in each of the previous debates. Voters did not seem to feel any better about John McCain after this debate than before. It seems that the character of this race has already jelled. What Obama gained in the first two debates in terms of being seen as presidential, more steady than McCain, and even more likeable are firmly in place. The image of John McCain as angry, negative, and attacking on irrelevant subjects has been established. Obama is out pointing McCain in areas that would never have been expected: leadership, coolness in a crisis, judgment, and even the right kind of experience.
Senator Obama was right twenty long months ago when he began his campaign. This election is about change, and that's what the American people are demanding. The problematic economy solidified this judgment, and a marginally better debate performance is not going to alter the fundamentals of the campaign. Although the discussion has changed, the American people have not forgotten Katrina, the Iraq War, secrecy, torture and the erosion of civil liberties; in short, the things that have given George Bush a 23% favorability rating. The country seems more than ready to turn the page.
Senator McCain, however, says that he is not George Bush, and that George Bush is not running. First thing this morning a new Obama add tackled that issue. It even replayed John McCain's own words in which he had previously said with pride that he had voted with George Bush 90% of the time, more than many other Republicans. This quick response highlights the other part of the mountain that John McCain needs to climb. He has neither the resources nor organization necessary to close this gap. These are areas where Republicans are normally quite strong. Clearly it was their ground game that beat John Kerry in 2004. Yet in state after state, including such red states as Virginia and North Carolina, it is Obama's strong primary campaigns that have given him boots on the ground to make these states competitive.
What does John McCain do, now? He keeps fighting. He keeps campaigning non-stop. When you are down 40-0 in the 4th quarter you can quit or you can keep fighting. Nobody thinks John McCain will quit. He likely will close the race somewhat. He needs to forget the score, and continue to move forward as if the score is tied. Does he continue to talk about Bill Ayers and Acorn? I don't think it matters. I believe those issues were essentially put to rest last night. They were laid on the table and Obama responded. You can argue that questions remain, but I believe at this point there is nothing much left to say on either side. If McCain or Palin choose to continue to hammer away at these issues, they will provide background noise and cheers from the base, but I think the rest of the electorate has moved on.
Finally, What does Barack Obama have to do? Can he still lose this race? Of course a serious gaffe by him or Joe Biden could have an effect. He could also be too cautious and try to sit on his lead. Also there is always the possibility that some outside cataclysmic event could change the dynamics of the campaign. I believe Obama,like McCain, needs to put on an energetic final push. He needs to travel from state to state talking to voters about his message of change. He then needs to activate his ground game, especially in marginal states, and continue to play like he's two points behind. He needs to make sure those young and newly registered voters find their way to the polls. Maybe McCain can catch up. I just can't come up with a scenario in which that seems to be a realistic possibility.
Yet post debate polls gave Obama the same clear victory he has shown in each of the previous debates. Voters did not seem to feel any better about John McCain after this debate than before. It seems that the character of this race has already jelled. What Obama gained in the first two debates in terms of being seen as presidential, more steady than McCain, and even more likeable are firmly in place. The image of John McCain as angry, negative, and attacking on irrelevant subjects has been established. Obama is out pointing McCain in areas that would never have been expected: leadership, coolness in a crisis, judgment, and even the right kind of experience.
Senator Obama was right twenty long months ago when he began his campaign. This election is about change, and that's what the American people are demanding. The problematic economy solidified this judgment, and a marginally better debate performance is not going to alter the fundamentals of the campaign. Although the discussion has changed, the American people have not forgotten Katrina, the Iraq War, secrecy, torture and the erosion of civil liberties; in short, the things that have given George Bush a 23% favorability rating. The country seems more than ready to turn the page.
Senator McCain, however, says that he is not George Bush, and that George Bush is not running. First thing this morning a new Obama add tackled that issue. It even replayed John McCain's own words in which he had previously said with pride that he had voted with George Bush 90% of the time, more than many other Republicans. This quick response highlights the other part of the mountain that John McCain needs to climb. He has neither the resources nor organization necessary to close this gap. These are areas where Republicans are normally quite strong. Clearly it was their ground game that beat John Kerry in 2004. Yet in state after state, including such red states as Virginia and North Carolina, it is Obama's strong primary campaigns that have given him boots on the ground to make these states competitive.
What does John McCain do, now? He keeps fighting. He keeps campaigning non-stop. When you are down 40-0 in the 4th quarter you can quit or you can keep fighting. Nobody thinks John McCain will quit. He likely will close the race somewhat. He needs to forget the score, and continue to move forward as if the score is tied. Does he continue to talk about Bill Ayers and Acorn? I don't think it matters. I believe those issues were essentially put to rest last night. They were laid on the table and Obama responded. You can argue that questions remain, but I believe at this point there is nothing much left to say on either side. If McCain or Palin choose to continue to hammer away at these issues, they will provide background noise and cheers from the base, but I think the rest of the electorate has moved on.
Finally, What does Barack Obama have to do? Can he still lose this race? Of course a serious gaffe by him or Joe Biden could have an effect. He could also be too cautious and try to sit on his lead. Also there is always the possibility that some outside cataclysmic event could change the dynamics of the campaign. I believe Obama,like McCain, needs to put on an energetic final push. He needs to travel from state to state talking to voters about his message of change. He then needs to activate his ground game, especially in marginal states, and continue to play like he's two points behind. He needs to make sure those young and newly registered voters find their way to the polls. Maybe McCain can catch up. I just can't come up with a scenario in which that seems to be a realistic possibility.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Who is John McCain?
We've been hearing a lot of questions in the last few weeks about who Barack Obama is. Suggestions or inferences have surfaced that he may be different from the rest of us - less American, less Christian, less patriotic etc. My question during that period has not been about Barack Obama, but about John McCain.
Along with much of the "main-stream media" I have wondered what happened to the John McCain I thought I knew. I remember the candidate in 2000 who was pilloried in South Carolina by the Bush team. I think of the John McCain who stuck to his guns in advocating for immigrant populations despite the anger of crowds. I remember the John McCain who succumbed to popular sentiment about flying the confederate flag in South Carolina, but then regretted his decision publicly saying he shouldn't have done that. I remember not a perfect man, but a man of conviction and integrity.
I have heard Joe Scarborough on "Morning Joe" say a number of times that John McCain has not changed. He's always been a politician. He has always spoken like any politician, tailoring his message to the crowd in front of him. No doubt there is truth to that perspective. Yet, while it is impossible for politicians to be something other than politicians, it is also true that there are some who rise above what is expected of them. Perhaps that is what has made John McCain a real maverick in the past.
The McCain campaign in the last several weeks has gone over the top. Senator McCain has amazingly, hired many of the same team that attacked him in South Carolina. They have flooded the airways with hateful advertisements. His campaign has apparently told him that these tactics are necessary if he has any chance to win. The rallies have been the worst. Rally attendees have shouted out their feelings about Senator Obama saying everything from him being a terrorist to the need to get him or kill him.
Yesterday, we may have finally seen the old John McCain emerge. Listening to one of his supporters say that Barack Obama was an Arab he apparently couldn't take it anymore. He retrieved the microphone and said that was not true and that Obama was a decent family man, and he expected his followers to be respectful. Clearly, he has been uncomfortable with his own campaign, and finally responded like a true statesman.
What happens now? We don't know, but hopefully it will mean a genuine toning down of the over the top rhetoric at these rallies. These rallies have become not only hateful but even dangerous. It should also impact the McCain adds being run. Nothing of course can be done about the adds run by other organizations, and no doubt there will be a lot of ugly stuff going on until election day. But during the primaries McCain castigated the Republican party for attacking Obama on Jeremiah Wright. He needs to return to this more high-minded approach to his campaign, and tell his advisors to buzz-off. He especially needs to do this, because I believe this is who he truly is.
What we learned when Senator McCain retrieved that microphone is that some things are more important than winning. Tarnishing one's legacy in the midst of a final campaign does not seem to be worth the prize being sought. Senator McCain may not win this election, but if he is true to himself and runs the kind of campaign he can feel comfortable with, he can walk off the stage with his pride, dignity and integrity in place. He can hold his head high. Bravo, John McCain.
Along with much of the "main-stream media" I have wondered what happened to the John McCain I thought I knew. I remember the candidate in 2000 who was pilloried in South Carolina by the Bush team. I think of the John McCain who stuck to his guns in advocating for immigrant populations despite the anger of crowds. I remember the John McCain who succumbed to popular sentiment about flying the confederate flag in South Carolina, but then regretted his decision publicly saying he shouldn't have done that. I remember not a perfect man, but a man of conviction and integrity.
I have heard Joe Scarborough on "Morning Joe" say a number of times that John McCain has not changed. He's always been a politician. He has always spoken like any politician, tailoring his message to the crowd in front of him. No doubt there is truth to that perspective. Yet, while it is impossible for politicians to be something other than politicians, it is also true that there are some who rise above what is expected of them. Perhaps that is what has made John McCain a real maverick in the past.
The McCain campaign in the last several weeks has gone over the top. Senator McCain has amazingly, hired many of the same team that attacked him in South Carolina. They have flooded the airways with hateful advertisements. His campaign has apparently told him that these tactics are necessary if he has any chance to win. The rallies have been the worst. Rally attendees have shouted out their feelings about Senator Obama saying everything from him being a terrorist to the need to get him or kill him.
Yesterday, we may have finally seen the old John McCain emerge. Listening to one of his supporters say that Barack Obama was an Arab he apparently couldn't take it anymore. He retrieved the microphone and said that was not true and that Obama was a decent family man, and he expected his followers to be respectful. Clearly, he has been uncomfortable with his own campaign, and finally responded like a true statesman.
What happens now? We don't know, but hopefully it will mean a genuine toning down of the over the top rhetoric at these rallies. These rallies have become not only hateful but even dangerous. It should also impact the McCain adds being run. Nothing of course can be done about the adds run by other organizations, and no doubt there will be a lot of ugly stuff going on until election day. But during the primaries McCain castigated the Republican party for attacking Obama on Jeremiah Wright. He needs to return to this more high-minded approach to his campaign, and tell his advisors to buzz-off. He especially needs to do this, because I believe this is who he truly is.
What we learned when Senator McCain retrieved that microphone is that some things are more important than winning. Tarnishing one's legacy in the midst of a final campaign does not seem to be worth the prize being sought. Senator McCain may not win this election, but if he is true to himself and runs the kind of campaign he can feel comfortable with, he can walk off the stage with his pride, dignity and integrity in place. He can hold his head high. Bravo, John McCain.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Obama Closes the Deal
On September 28, after the first debate, I wrote that I believed Barack Obama was poised to win the election fairly comfortably. Nothing that happened at last night's town hall debate suggested anything different. There were no knock out blows. Both candidates handled themselves well, although overall it was pretty boring television. If anything, it was McCain who came up with a somewhat new idea in terms of buying up bad mortgages and renegotiating their terms. So, why is this election over?
The election basically ended when the market fell 500 additional points just before the second debate began. Obama didn't really do anything to advance his cause on Tuesday night, but like the good Doctor, he did no harm. He continuted to look presidential, his calm demeanor was reassuring to many voters, and he demonstrated a command of the issues. He had already passed the threshold of being seen as presidential in the first debate. Now it was up to the voters to decide which candidate they wanted to be their president.
The voters have decided, and I believe we may be looking at an oncoming landslide. Why, because the country is now ready for change. This country generally votes for change when things are not going well. This is why people have been wondering for months why Obama was not already farther ahead. Change is always scary, but when not changing becomes more scary than embracing change, it is pretty clear what will happen. I might just add, for those who are not yet reassured, I find reassurance in the team that is working with Obama. Just on the economy all the best minds have been tapped from Bob Rubin to Warren Buffet, from Robert Reich to Paul O'Neil. The same caliber of foreign policy team also appears ready to step up to the plate.
Let me certainly add a word of caution. There is no question that 28 days is more than a life time in a political campaign. Anything can happen. However, once all the cliches have been uttered, the question remains as to just what is it that can change the direction of this campaign? It becomes more and more difficult to see what that might be. The negative campaigning does not seem to be having the desired effect. At this point even a good economic plan won't save John McCain. He needs a miraculous and speedy turn around in the economy. All the forcasts are for at least nine months of continuing economic problems.
What about Sarah Palin's huge crowds in Florida and other states? Rest assured you will see huge crowds for the McCain/Palin ticket from now to election day. Notice that these crowds are for the most part in Republican strongholds, including Nebraska. No one can doubt that conservatives are energized and are greatly enamored of Governor Palin. However, I remember that in 1996 during the last several weeks of that campaign Bob Dole kept receiving larger and larger crowds. Many, perhaps including Senator Dole, believed that he must have been gaining on Bill Clinton. As it turned out it was probably a fond public farewell to a great old soldier rather than an endorsement of his candidacy. The current crowds may say something about Sarah Palin in 2012, but beyond that the country is about to embark on the Obama era.
The election basically ended when the market fell 500 additional points just before the second debate began. Obama didn't really do anything to advance his cause on Tuesday night, but like the good Doctor, he did no harm. He continuted to look presidential, his calm demeanor was reassuring to many voters, and he demonstrated a command of the issues. He had already passed the threshold of being seen as presidential in the first debate. Now it was up to the voters to decide which candidate they wanted to be their president.
The voters have decided, and I believe we may be looking at an oncoming landslide. Why, because the country is now ready for change. This country generally votes for change when things are not going well. This is why people have been wondering for months why Obama was not already farther ahead. Change is always scary, but when not changing becomes more scary than embracing change, it is pretty clear what will happen. I might just add, for those who are not yet reassured, I find reassurance in the team that is working with Obama. Just on the economy all the best minds have been tapped from Bob Rubin to Warren Buffet, from Robert Reich to Paul O'Neil. The same caliber of foreign policy team also appears ready to step up to the plate.
Let me certainly add a word of caution. There is no question that 28 days is more than a life time in a political campaign. Anything can happen. However, once all the cliches have been uttered, the question remains as to just what is it that can change the direction of this campaign? It becomes more and more difficult to see what that might be. The negative campaigning does not seem to be having the desired effect. At this point even a good economic plan won't save John McCain. He needs a miraculous and speedy turn around in the economy. All the forcasts are for at least nine months of continuing economic problems.
What about Sarah Palin's huge crowds in Florida and other states? Rest assured you will see huge crowds for the McCain/Palin ticket from now to election day. Notice that these crowds are for the most part in Republican strongholds, including Nebraska. No one can doubt that conservatives are energized and are greatly enamored of Governor Palin. However, I remember that in 1996 during the last several weeks of that campaign Bob Dole kept receiving larger and larger crowds. Many, perhaps including Senator Dole, believed that he must have been gaining on Bill Clinton. As it turned out it was probably a fond public farewell to a great old soldier rather than an endorsement of his candidacy. The current crowds may say something about Sarah Palin in 2012, but beyond that the country is about to embark on the Obama era.
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Vice Presidential Debate
There was more interest in last night's debate than there was in the earlier presidential debate. Excitement was in the air. Everyone wanted to see who would fall on their face. Would Biden be the famous gaffe machine? Would Palin be able to connect two simple sentences together? It was like going to the circus to see if the tightrope walker would fall.
What did we actually see? None of the above. Joe Biden demonstrated his knowledge of the subject matter, wtithout sounding arrogant, demeaning, or cocky. He talked tough about issues, attacking John McCain's policies without attacking Governor Palin or appearing condescending.
Sarah Palin was able to retrieve her earlier confidence. No one was ready to put her into the category of Lincoln or FDR, but she did not embarrass herself. She may have not really answered many of the questions as she kept reverting to discussions of energy as her comfort zone. She did, however, maintain her dignity, and made some good points. She had a few one line zingers, but she also exhibited some sensitivity, and humanity especially on the issue of same sex couples. Biden and Palin both appeared warm and friendly toward each other, which was refreshing.
These results were predictable, given the format of the debate, and the amount of time they had to prepare. There were a limited number of questions which could pretty much be anticipated. There were no trick questions. So, unfortunately for those who were hoping for a disaster, both candidates showed up in St. Louis well prepared.
So what was the meaning of this debate? It did stop the bleeding for John McCain, but I don't believe it did anything to reverse course. The economic crisis is too much with us. Giant challenges await the next President and a decent debate performance is not going to change the equation going forward. Palin's performance should energize her base once again, but I don't believe it will move independents into McCain's column. It will be up to John McCain to win this election, not Sarah Palin. He has two more debates in which to make his case.
What does he need to to do? We are hearing strong advice to go negative and return to issues such as Jeremiah Wright and others.I think that would be a mistake. If you watched the annoying line running across the bottom of the screen as the debate was proceeding, at least on CNN, the line always trended down when any candidate was criticizing the other. At this point people are not interested in negativity. They know neither candidate is a saint. They want someone who can lead, and tell them how they are going to fix our many problems. Obama has risen over the past few weeks on the strength of his steady hand and unflappable nature. He appears to have a plan and knows what he wants to do. By contrast, John McCain has seemed erratic, jumping from one position to another, and lacking a coherent plan. He has his work cut out for him, and his unpredictable bold moves do not appear to be the answer. In the remainder of the campaign John McCain needs to show the American people why they should trust him to lead our country at such a perilous time. Telling us why Barack Obama is not that man just will not do.
What did we actually see? None of the above. Joe Biden demonstrated his knowledge of the subject matter, wtithout sounding arrogant, demeaning, or cocky. He talked tough about issues, attacking John McCain's policies without attacking Governor Palin or appearing condescending.
Sarah Palin was able to retrieve her earlier confidence. No one was ready to put her into the category of Lincoln or FDR, but she did not embarrass herself. She may have not really answered many of the questions as she kept reverting to discussions of energy as her comfort zone. She did, however, maintain her dignity, and made some good points. She had a few one line zingers, but she also exhibited some sensitivity, and humanity especially on the issue of same sex couples. Biden and Palin both appeared warm and friendly toward each other, which was refreshing.
These results were predictable, given the format of the debate, and the amount of time they had to prepare. There were a limited number of questions which could pretty much be anticipated. There were no trick questions. So, unfortunately for those who were hoping for a disaster, both candidates showed up in St. Louis well prepared.
So what was the meaning of this debate? It did stop the bleeding for John McCain, but I don't believe it did anything to reverse course. The economic crisis is too much with us. Giant challenges await the next President and a decent debate performance is not going to change the equation going forward. Palin's performance should energize her base once again, but I don't believe it will move independents into McCain's column. It will be up to John McCain to win this election, not Sarah Palin. He has two more debates in which to make his case.
What does he need to to do? We are hearing strong advice to go negative and return to issues such as Jeremiah Wright and others.I think that would be a mistake. If you watched the annoying line running across the bottom of the screen as the debate was proceeding, at least on CNN, the line always trended down when any candidate was criticizing the other. At this point people are not interested in negativity. They know neither candidate is a saint. They want someone who can lead, and tell them how they are going to fix our many problems. Obama has risen over the past few weeks on the strength of his steady hand and unflappable nature. He appears to have a plan and knows what he wants to do. By contrast, John McCain has seemed erratic, jumping from one position to another, and lacking a coherent plan. He has his work cut out for him, and his unpredictable bold moves do not appear to be the answer. In the remainder of the campaign John McCain needs to show the American people why they should trust him to lead our country at such a perilous time. Telling us why Barack Obama is not that man just will not do.
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