Obama's Catholic Church Gambit: Lessons from American Communists

American Thinker ^ | February 16, 2012 | Paul Kengor

[neverdem]

A fascinating theory has been advanced by Dick Morris, which, in turn, is being considered by Rush Limbaugh and other leading conservatives. Morris speculates that the Obama HHS mandate on contraception, sterilization, and abortifacients is a fight with the Catholic Church that Team Obama wants -- and with the focus based narrowly on contraception, not abortifacients.

Dick Morris may be right. It seems no accident that Obama publicly noted that the vast majority of Catholic women use contraception. Yes, the vast majority does, but the vast majority does not support abortifacients -- that is, "contraceptive" drugs that cause or induce an abortion.

Obama is underscoring "contraception" generally, not abortifacients specifically. Sadly, our superficial media, which reflexively ramrods everything into a 10-second sound-bite, is aiding and abetting his tactic. Again and again, I hear reporters refer to Obama's mandate not as a mandate on "contraception, sterilization, and abortion-inducing drugs" (which it is), but as simply one on "contraception."

If Obama can successfully frame the debate that way, which should be easy with the American public, he can make great headway on this assault on the Roman Catholic Church. He will appeal to many apathetic Roman Catholics as well as many Protestants who disagree with the Catholic Church on contraception. Among non-evangelical Protestants, Obama will find lots of sympathy from the liberal mainline denominations that flew off the hinges decades ago, and some of which are members of the hideous Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Their split with Rome over matters of birth has roots in the Episcopal Church's embrace of contraception a century ago.

Speaking of a century ago, if this is indeed a gambit by Obama to pit religious believers against the Catholic Church, it would be nothing new from the radical left. Consider some examples:

In my book, Dupes...

[D-fendr]

In short, American communists and the radical left generally have long targeted the Roman Catholic Church. They know their enemy, one that is both spiritual and eternal. They have long attempted to pit Protestants and Catholics against each other. It's an old art, really, that's today totally forgotten.

[berdie]

I really don’t think O thought he would stir up the hornets nest that he did, even though his advisors told him.

I would be interested to hear if he totally backed out of this in some way, by the time the November elections roll around, will all be forgiven? Like he heard us so all is good?

[bruinbirdman]

Abortion is always a collectivist diversion.

yitbos

[gr8eman]

Yes...he can’t be an evil genius and a blooming idiot at the same time like Bush. Unfortunately, as far as he gotten I come down more on the evil genius side!

[veritas2002]

Repeat after me: “It’s not about contraception; it’s about my 1st amendment constitutional rights.”

Repeat after me: “It’s not about contraception; it’s about my 1st amendment constitutional rights.”

Repeat after me: “It’s not about contraception; it’s about my 1st amendment constitutional rights.”

Repeat after me: “It’s not about contraception; it’s about my 1st amendment constitutional rights.”..........

[Aussiebabe]

In the past the American Catholic bishops have always backed down (i.e. Pelosi, Biden, etc..the so-called Catholics have gotten away with continually defying the bishops) and additionally, they are in a weak position because of the molestation issues, and the media hates Catholics. So I have no doubt that Obama did this intentionally. Unfortunately, I expect the bishops to eventually back down again.

[originalbuckeye]

Sadly, this all began with my generation's ‘if it feels good, do it’ attitude. Breaking down morality is a must for the State to take complete control of all aspects of our lives. Catholics used to be in a higher realm when it came to morality and protecting the most vulnerable. I have watched as various states have decreed that gay adoption MUST be allowed and so Catholic adoption facilities have closed. Now it's abortion that the Catholic Church must swallow. I hope this is Obama’s downfall. But I am afraid this Admin's smoke and mirrors rhetoric is so persuasive (to the easily fooled) that the public has been snookered again. This is NOT about women's rights at all but about the continuing moral breakdown of our culture. I am heartbroken.

[freemama]

Have you listened to soon to be Cardinal Dolan of New York? He won’t back down. Before he went to NY, he was in my town for a few years. He’s a smart man and a man of his word.

I hope the bishops stand with him on this.

[Rytwyng]

They have long attempted to pit Protestants and Catholics against each other

Didn't work this time. The Southern Baptist leadership came out on the side of the RCC. One said they're willing to go to jail for them.

[Campion]

Unfortunately, I expect the bishops to eventually back down again.

They can't, at least not without a substantial concession from Obama.

This will go to the courts now, where Obama will almost certainly lose. (Unless Commiecare is voided for unconstitutionality on other grounds first.) He'll look like an evil, arrogant, fool ... which is perfectly fitting, because he is one.

[jmaroneps37]

This makes little sense unless you believe women think with their vagina. I’ve listen to Limbaugh babble about this and he was very unconvincing. At one point while he was telling us Obama was going to trick women into voting for him over contraception, it sounded like he was going to stick face in a paper bag and hyperventilate. The way he was talking he should have his Quantas ticket to Australia ready.

[shoff]

Well Obama could just run on his record couldn’t he? Or would he try to divide up the country between rich and poor, religious and atheists, black and white, taxpayers and tax users. Then tell the country he’s on the “good” side and the republican’s are the face of the rich, white, greedy 1% who want to take away your birth control.

[ripley]

“He can’t be an evil genius and a blooming idiot at the same time...”

He is neither. He is just someone who knows exactly what he’s dong.

IMHO

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Unfortunately, I expect the bishops to eventually back down again.

I think Obama is counting on them NOT backing down. To preserve their conscience, the church will have to leave the hospital business. Obama can take over the Catholic hospitals and subsidize them to run other hospitals out of business and create a government health monopoly.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

——I would be interested to hear if he totally backed out of this in some way, by the time the November elections roll around, will all be forgiven? -—

He’s popularity is polling at 50% right now, so, no, he won’t back down.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

-—This will go to the courts now, where Obama will almost certainly lose. (Unless Commiecare is voided for unconstitutionality on other grounds first.-—

I have no confidence in SCOTUS. In this post-Constitutional era, I give them a 10% chance of making the correct decision.

[neverdem]

I have no confidence in SCOTUS. In this post-Constitutional era, I give them a 10% chance of making the correct decision.

Liberty for the Amish & Quakers but not Catholics. . .

Scarcely two weeks ago(as of late January 2012), in its Hosanna-Tabor decision upholding the right of churches to make ministerial hiring decisions, the Supreme Court unanimously and enthusiastically reaffirmed these longstanding and foundational principles of religious freedom. The court made clear that they include the right of religious institutions to control their internal affairs.

IIRC, there are six Catholics on the SCOTUS, and the SCOTUS loathes to reverse precedent. It would be easier to reverse Wickard v. Filburn, IMHO.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

It’s Kennedy. I can’t see him resisting the opportunity to put his mark on history, by doing something “historic.”

Also, Sotomayor is more Democrat than Catholic.

[neverdem]

It’s Kennedy. I can’t see him resisting the opportunity to put his mark on history, by doing something “historic.”

I can. When Kennedy differs from the right on the SCOTUS, it's usually because of his libertarian bent. I don't think mandates sit very well with libertarians. We'll see.