[Coleus]

Pro-Life Agenda for the 2004 Democrat National Convention, Boston

New Jersey Catholics Urged to Elect Moral Politicans-Ambassador Ray Flynn, June 29th, 2004

Statement by Ray Flynn of 'Your Catholic Voice' Regarding Comment by Cardinal Arinze on Communion

Flynn: Dems ignore Catholics

[Coleus]

Ray Flynn was Clinton's only pro-life apointee as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican from 1993-97 and was Mayor of Boston from 1984-93.

He supported President Bush in 2000 and will vote for him again in 2004.

[jscd3]

Flynn suggests that Kerry could serve himself better by being more overt with his own faith.

I'm not sure what Flynn means here - Kerry is VERY overt with his faith. He worships himself, as anyone with eyes can see.

[BenLurkin]

bttt

[NutmegDevil]

Ray Flynn sold out to BJ Clinton in the '90s and was rewarded with the Ambassadorship to The Vatican.

Ray must have seen the error of his ways; a true contrition cleanses the soul. I sure hope so, as we could use Ambassador Flynn on our side.

[ex-snook]

"Kerry is the first Roman Catholic from a major political party to seek the presidency in 44 years. "

If Kerry goes down it will be another 44 years for the Democrats and never for the Republicans. Their influence has been successfully neutralized.

[Antoninus]

Ping. I will be posting a here-to-fore unpublished interview with Ambassador Flynn very shortly...

[Coleus]

Ex-Boston Dem Mayor Says Party 'Out of Touch' With American Values
By Roch Hammond
CNSNews.com Correspondent
July 28, 2004

(CNSNews.com) - Ray Flynn, former three-term Democratic mayor of Boston and the Clinton administration's ambassador to the Vatican, said the "core values" shared by Catholics and most Americans are being ignored at the Democratic National Convention and are absent from the Democratic Party platform.

Flynn said the Democratic National Convention being held in Boston is not reflective of how average working people in America feel on a number of important issues.

"The Democratic Party delegates, hierarchy, [and] leadership are out of touch with American mainstream values," Flynn stated.

Flynn and other pro-life Democrats are unhappy with the Democratic Party and candidate John Kerry for their views on issues such as abortion. While Kerry, a Catholic, has stated that he believes "life begins at conception," he has maintained that he does not want to impose his Catholic beliefs on others and supports a female's right to an abortion.

Kerry has voted against bans on "partial-birth" abortion and has garnered the enthusiastic support of groups like Planned Parenthood, which actually provides abortions, as well as NARAL Pro-Choice America and the National Organization for Women, which aggressively lobby for abortion rights.

Flynn noted that Democrats did not allow the late Bob Casey, popular former Democratic governor of Pennsylvania (1987-1995), to speak at their conventions on several occasions because of his "pro-life" and Catholic beliefs.

"What's so wrong with having a diversity of opinion on important issues in a major political party?" Flynn asked.

The former Boston mayor claims that the voices of average Americans and pro-life Democrats are being ignored because politics are "controlled, influenced and manipulated" by the money and pull of special interest groups.

"[T]he feminists, the left-wing groups -- they're the ones that have the great impact on the Democratic Party now," Flynn said. "Where are the voices of just average people out there?"

While Flynn pointed to the discontent among pro-life Democrats, Catholics and other Americans for the way Democratic leaders are "evading" certain issues, he was not impressed with the Republican Party's ability to address the concerns of average Americans either.

Those average Americans "don't believe either party welcomes them with open arms," according to Flynn.

Politicians from both parties need to be more "open" and "respectful" of the views of average Americans, Flynn said, but he added that the burden rests not only with the politicians. Catholics, as well as others who believe in American "core values," also have the "responsibility to get politically involved" to ensure that their views are being addressed by the major parties, he said.

Officials from the Democratic National Committee did not return repeated phone calls requesting comment for this article.

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[Unam Sanctam]

Mayor Flynn should have said "faithful Catholics" -- of course the liberals can just shoot back by pointing at all the "pro-choice" "Catholics" in the Democratic Party.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Flynn said:

"A positive movement of young Catholics is building, not only in the United States, but also in many parts of the world. I personally saw the impact that Pope John Paul II has had on young people in my many trips with him over the years.”

In the run-up to the November elections, these are some of the important hearts and minds that Kerry must capture, says Flynn."

I may be a semi-young fogey of 48 (almost 49) and not strictly a young person, but by me - Kerry couldn't capture the heart and mind of this new Catholic if he was running to command Tootie the Tugboat in my neighbor childrens' bathtub!

[AmericanMade1776]

Former Mayor Flynn of Boston, is not happy with the Democratic Party, Even in the 2000 Presidential race, I saw Flynn on the TV saying that he had not left the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party had left him.