Posted on 08/01/2007 10:09:01 AM PDT by NYer
WASHINGTON -
Republican presidential hopeful Sam Brownback said rival Mike Huckabee should apologize for a supporter's "prejudiced whisper campaign" against him for being Catholic.
The supporter, a pastor in Windsor Heights, Iowa, sent an e-mail to Brownback supporters pointing out that Huckabee is an evangelical Protestant and Brownback is not. Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, is an ordained Baptist minister.
"I know Senator Brownback converted to Roman Catholicism in 2002," Rev. Tim Rude, pastor of Walnut Creek Community Church, wrote in the e-mail. "Frankly, as a recovering Catholic myself, that is all I need to know about his discernment when compared to the governor's."
In the e-mail, Rude calls Huckabee "one of us."
Evangelical Protestants have a history of suspicion toward Catholics, although it has lessened significantly in the decades since the National Association of Evangelicals warned against electing John F. Kennedy, a Catholic, to the presidency in 1960.
Issues such as abortion have brought the faiths closer, although some suspicion remains.
Rude apologized Tuesday, saying he never meant to sound critical of Catholicism.
"I was careless in the first place with my words," Rude said in a statement. "I frankly agree theologically more with a Southern Baptist. In no way do I think a Catholic would not make a great president. In fact, if Governor Huckabee drops out of the race, I will support Senator Brownback."
Brownback, a Methodist until he converted, said through a spokesman that Huckabee should apologize. With days to go before the Aug. 11 Iowa straw poll, a traditional measure of strength, Brownback's campaign has sparred with several other campaigns.
"Governor Huckabee should apologize and denounce this prejudiced whisper campaign," Brownback spokesman John Rankin said. "Political campaigns should focus on the issues that Americans care about, not make bigoted slurs aimed at a person's faith and character."
Huckabee's campaign did not apologize; spokesman Eric Woolson said Rude is not a campaign staffer and was expressing a personal opinion in what he believed was a private e-mail.
Protestant Pastor Apologizes for Anti-Catholic Whisper Campaign
Catholic Ping
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What was Henry Kissinger’s famous quote about the Iran-Iraq war? It applies in Huckabee & Brownback’s case.
People can support or oppose candidates for whatever reasons they choose—that’s what America is all about, right?—but the Rev. Mr. Rude (good name) is a bonehead.
“Recovering Catholics” are usually the most ignorant about Catholicism, and most virulent critics.
Reverend Rude is well named.
But Reverend Scumbag would be even more apt.
I don't know anything about his being a "recovering Catholic" but I can attest to this guy being a bigoted arsehole.
No, he shouldn't. He didn't say anything wrong, and is not responsible for the actions of the preacher in question.
I think this puts Brownback on the same level as Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton.
What a Rude thing to say...
I know what, Christians better get it together and fast.
We have evil itself to face.
I’m not playing this game.
As a Catholic, I ask the same question. Huck just needed to advise him re: hurting the campaign... and more to the point, splintering Christians period. We’ve had enough of that. All I can do is pray.
Not exactly... all they have is race, no scripture.
They bow to the shakedown and dollars.
When was the last time God came out of their mouths?
“’I know Senator Brownback converted to Roman Catholicism in 2002,’ Rev. Tim Rude, pastor of Walnut Creek Community Church, wrote in the e-mail. ‘Frankly, as a recovering Catholic myself, that is all I need to know about his discernment when compared to the governor’s.’”
“Rude apologized Tuesday, saying he never meant to sound critical of Catholicism.”
Lying hypocrite.
I remember reading an article once about Trinity Church in Boston, a very left-wing mainstream Episcopal Church, where the pastor described the “recovering Catholics” in his congregation. I was very offended by that, but understood it coming from left-wing liberals who hate the Catholic Church. But to hear this from a believing Evangelical makes me think that the old “whore of Babylon” anti-Catholic mentality is not yet dead in Evangelical circles...
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