8mm
Posted on 06/14/2008 9:58:14 AM PDT by wagglebee
June 12, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com/insidecatholic.com) - Sen. John McCain reached out to Catholic voters yesterday in Philadelphia at a gathering of Catholic lay leaders and clergy. The meeting, held at the venerable Union League on South Broad St., is one in an ongoing series being held nationwide by McCain and his Catholic surrogates - Sen. Sam Brownback, Gov. Frank Keating, and former Vatican ambassador Jim Nicholson.
Before his remarks, McCain met privately with Rev. Frank Pavone, president of Priests for Life. Father Pavone's organization promotes voter education and registration throughout the nation, and his pro-life advocacy has been crucial in bringing the non-negotiable life issues to the attention of Catholic voters.
In his prayer before McCain spoke, Father Pavone prayed that the "Lord would let all Christians know they are still His sons and daughters when they are in the voting booth."
The first issue addressed by McCain was abortion. He said that the "noblest words ever written" were "the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." McCain believes that those words "apply to the unborn." He reminded the Philadelphia Catholics of his pro-life voting record, adding that he would "maintain that commitment" if elected president.
McCain talked about the "stark contrast" between himself and Sen. Barack Obama on the life issue - the evidence being Obama's vote against the ban on partial-birth abortion and his opposition, as a state senator, to legal protection for babies born during an abortion procedure.
Introducing McCain was former ambassador Jim Nicholson, who described the need for outreach to Catholic voters as "self-evident." In Pennsylvania, 30 percent of the voters are Catholic, he said, and argued that "McCain would attract Catholic voters because his beliefs line up squarely with them on issue like protecting unborn life, defending marriage between a man and a woman, and the all-important appointment of judges."
Nicholson told the group that McCain was qualified for the presidency based upon his years of experience and his judgment in times of challenge and adversity. "His opponent is young, untested, inexperienced, green, and liberal - not a bad man, but unqualified."
In addition to protection for the unborn, McCain emphasized the pressing need to protect America from Islamic extremism, "a transcendent challenge to everything we hold dear." He said that the heart of this battle is being fought in Iraq, but it is also playing out on the Internet, where well-educated young people are being recruited to terrorist organizations.
McCain also brought up the subject of defending marriage, saying that some in the room may differ with his view that this decision should be taken up first in the states. "But," he added, "if some federal judge rules that all the states must recognize the [gay] marriages in Massachusetts, I would be in favor of pursuing a Constitutional amendment."
During the question-and-answer session, McCain talked about a wide range of issues, from energy and tax policy to the political unrest in South America. When someone asked him for a demonstration of his "famous Irish temper," McCain tore into "pork-barrel" spending and earmarks -- a long list that would have been funny, if it weren't such a waste of taxpayer money.
When asked about the possibility of universal healthcare, McCain rejected the idea completely. "The government can't run the healthcare systems it already has; take a look at the Bureau of Indian Affairs." He argued that government-run health systems around the world have been "colossal failures," and inevitably become two-tiered systems, "one for the rich and one for the poor."
The answer to the need for more healthcare coverage, he said, was giving people more choice, not "mandating" those choices. If elected, McCain said he would propose a $5,000 tax credit for those who must pay for their own health insurance. This insurance should be made affordable while those who are "uninsurable" will be covered by government-assisted programs of high-risk pools among insurance companies.
On the controversial question of immigration policy, McCain said that border security must come first. True immigration reform, he elaborated, will only happen when the American people are confident that the borders have been brought under control. The 12 million illegal immigrants, McCain insisted, are "God's children" and should be treated with compassion. This country "does not have 12 million pairs of handcuffs to arrest all these people - that's not the kind of country we are."
The final question to McCain was about his choice of a vice-president. Though he said he was not close to making a decision, he did explain that his running mate should share "my values, principles, and priorities." This decision will likely be the most important (and perhaps most difficult) one McCain will make during his campaign.
McCain was well-received by the Catholics gathered in Philadelphia. The campaign is planning many more of these events in the months leading up to the Republican National Convention, September 1-4 in Minneapolis.
This article is reprinted with permission from http://www.insidecatholic.com
When did McCain come out in favor of Infanticide?
“There is no meaningful difference”, I have never seen such as BS statement on FR ever!
“The 12 million illegal immigrants, McCain insisted, are “God’s children” and should be treated with compassion. This country “does not have 12 million pairs of handcuffs to arrest all these people - that’s not the kind of country we are.””
That’s right, Mr. McCain..GOD’s children, not yours,and certainly not the USA’s. As for the handcuffs? The LAW states these illegal aliens are to be deported. I don’t care if you use handcuffs or not, but stop ignoring the law and our sovereignty.
“If McCain is honest, he will prove this by selecting someone who conservatives approve of.”
I agree. Talk is very, very, cheap. I want to see action.
“You shall know them by their fruit.”
Here's hoping MacQueeg stands by his promise to the unborn (He won't) better than he did his first wife when she had been horribly injured in a traffic accident and there was a wealthy beauty queen (Smurfette, the current Mrs. MacQ.) waiting in the wings.
Where does McJerk stand on fetal stem cells?
“When did McCain come out in favor of Infanticide?”
I never said that he stated he was in favor of abortion. He is looking to be elected as a Republican. So he’ll mumble all the pretty words about the right to life and then he simply won’t do anything about the practice if he happens to be elected to office. Much like most of his predecessors.
Since abortion is already legal through the second trimester in our country, what’s the difference between active advocacy and passive acquiescence? The end result is the same.
“That is to say, expect lots of lofty platitudes about life, but zero action.”
Here is what you consider ‘zero’ action regarding McCain:
Voted YES on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)
Rated 75% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion. (Dec 2006)
Compare this to Obama’s voting record with regard to the same issues:
Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Sponsored bill providing contraceptives for low-income women. (May 2006)
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
Why would we want to vote for defeatists?
You’ll note that the anti-war Libertarians, who favor defeat in Iraq, oppose the patriot act, and favor partial birth abortion, share the same views as Obama on these issues. The DU trolls also favor Obama’s views. They really want Obama to win. So theads like this one will be quickly hijacked into immigration threads, just like they did with Bush. But I see you already know the format.
P.S. Who do you want to win, Obama or McCain?
Where do you stand on pulling all U.S. troops from all nations abroad? And when was the proper time to withdraw our forces from Europe after the second world war?
Please don’t vote third party and give the election to Obama.
McCain will come around on some of these points. Pray!
Source for your list, please.
Major Catholic Ping here!
Faithful Citizenship: “Catholic Vote” is very sought after
Has Obama dissolved his Catholic advisory council?
Commentary: Faithful Citizenship and the Formed Conscience
Catholic League: Where's Obama's 'Catholic Advisory Council'? [Not to be found!]
Right-wing Christians beginning to lean left (Misleading headline)
US Bishops Urge Voters to Give Priority to Life [Ecumenical]
Corralling the Catholic vote: Political necessity or pipe dream?
DOUG KMIEC: Catholic Reasons for Hope in the General Election
EDITORIAL: Why This Catholic Dreads the Campaign
The Catholic-Obama Problem (Pope Benedict XVI instructs Catholics about pro-abortion candidates)
Thoughts On ‘Roman Catholics For Obama’
How Obama's Catholics Will Dodge the Infanticide Question
Catholic Pro-Life Leader Feuds With Barack Obama's "Catholic" Backers
McCain and the Pope: McCain cannot win in November without the Catholic vote (Reagan re-visited?)
Catholics Cannot Vote for Pols Who Support Abortion, Except for Morally Grave Reasons: KY Bishops
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
I approve of Michael Steele. Not because he is black but because he is a solid pro life conservative who will speak eloquently on why being a pro life conservative is the proper path for America.
It depends on the meaning of the word “person.” Ordinarily this is taken to be a living, individual human being. Scientifically, the unborn qualify. They are indisputably human. They are indisputably alive from the moment of conception. They don’t die and then come to life. They are not a blob of tissue but living tissue forming a human person.
The right to life is prior to the right to liberty, because you can’t very well be free if you are killed.
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