Lots of Catholics (Italian and Irish in particular) filled the working class and supported the Democrats because they were the ones supporting the Labor Unions.
But now the only labor unions the Dems care about is the public employees unions which should never have been allowed to be created.
A bunch of Catholics became Reagan Democrats, but I don't know what became of them as the manufacturing base in the Midwest rusted up and blew away.
I think Trump is getting some of them back, but I think those folks will always be Independent and have one foot in the Dem party because the Pubbies don't seem to care about the working man either.
I think the term is “thick Irish”. I’m originally from Massachusetts and there are some mighty stubborn Catholics in that whacky State.
Democrat James Michael Curley brought the Irish to power in Massachusetts in 1914 and was mayor of Boston for 4 terms and served one Governor stint as well. Wikipedia history says he basically controlled the Party till 1950.
Then the Kennedy family came along and every Irishman in the Bay Stater firmly believed he was knight in JFK’s Camelot. They were star-struck and firmly believed they were God’s gift to America.
It’s never really changed. I have 6 siblings in New England who are all staunch Democrats (and non-practicing Catholics). My brother and I who escaped the State are firm Republicans and Trump supporters.
But all is not lost. Conservative and Kennedy hater Howie Carr of WRKO rules the airwaves of talk radio, so there’s still hope once the deadwood and the Charlie Fakers can be kicked out. Maybe Trump’s second term will force some reality to step in. We’ll see.
Now my Dad was a strong Reagan Democrat — and am certain he would love everything about our beloved President Donald J. Trump. My Dad also served as a gunner’s mate on an LST at both D-Day Normandy and D-Day Okinawa.