Neither can most mainline Protestants--the Episcopals, Methodists and Presbyterians. Look what they did to their churches in just the past 30 years or so. The only faithful Protestant groups (as opposed to individuals) are some Baptist congregations and other evangelical churches. Someone who is a member of one of those churches would probably be harder to confirm than a faithful Catholic, so it probably makes sense for Republicans to rely on Catholics to shoulder the load. I'm not saying that individuals who are Episcopal can't be faithful Christians. It's just that they may be more likely to turn out like Souter when they go to a church that has instituted gay pastor services and gay weddings than one that is clearly opposed to all that social revolution nonsense. Conservative Mormons are probably more likely not to waiver from their beliefs, but their beliefs are so out there for most Americans that it is probably better not to look for a Mormon jurist.
I'm not saying that individuals who are Episcopal can't be faithful Christians. It's just that they may be more likely to turn out like Souter when they go to a church that has instituted gay pastor services and gay weddings than one that is clearly opposed to all that social revolution nonsense. Conservative Mormons are probably more likely not to waiver from their beliefs, but their beliefs are so out there for most Americans that it is probably better not to look for a Mormon jurist.
As a former Methodist, I can attest to this. Catholic nominees are more likely to be pro-life, I think, and an evangelical non-denominational individual would be flayed and roasted. And can you imagine a nominee from a "Harvest Assembly of God"?
Maybe we will get there one day soon.