** Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), a long-time pro-life stalwart, and the invocation was given by His Excellency Rene H. Gracida, Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi, Texas. Father Frank Pavone, head of Priests for Life, gave the benediction, and Martin Gillespie, who is director of the RNC’s Catholic outreach efforts, provided welcoming remarks. The keynote was Catholic RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie.
Other scheduled speakers included Jim Towey, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives; Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Congressman Mark Green (R-WI); Governor Mike Johanns (R-NE); Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH); Congresswoman Melissa Hart (R-PA); Congressman Mark Kennedy (R-MN); Matt Schlapp, White House political director; and Virginia State Senator Ken Cuccinelli.**
Some names to re-elect and/or support!
My parish will have tables set up after all masses during the next two weekends with voter registration forms. We cannot, of course, endorse any candidates, but we can encourage people to vote. Our priest has emphasized the Catholic stance on the Life Issues and the Family. After the rousing standing ovation our (packed) parish gave our new bishop several months ago (after a VERY strong homily about our church's belief about abortion), I have no doubt we'll see many votes for President Bush!
"Any comments on the Republicans reaching out to Catholics??"
Darn shame that they have to. Catholics should be supporting the Stupid Party against the Evil Party as the best chance to bring wholesale baby-killing to a stop.
How a Catholic can support baby-killers is beyond me.
I was there at the Westin Hotel after the freeper breakfast, Sean Hannity was a no show at the hotel.
The sheet they gave out is very informative, Kerry voted against marriage penalty relief 22 times, child tax credit 18 times, adoption tax credit 7 times, stated that he would vote against any restrictions to abortion, DOMA, and is for: population control, taxpayer funded abortions, international family plannining, partial birth abortion, cloning, euthanasia,
..The “Catholic” vote is arguably the most important voting bloc to both presidential campaigns..
and is probably the largest voting block.
Religious Catholics could make the difference in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Outside of those states, they aren't much of a factor. But those three are VERY IMPORTANT this year.
BUMP
I fail to see how a Catholic or an other Christian can remain true to their faith and vote for Kerry.