Posted on 06/25/2008 1:38:23 PM PDT by NYer
.- A new survey from Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) indicates that Catholics may lean towards voting for the Democratic candidate for president in the 2008 election.
The CARA polling shows that only 21 percent of all Catholics are either strongly or weakly affiliated with the Republican Party in 2008, compared to 31 percent in 2004. Fewer Catholics identify themselves as Republicans than in any year since 2000.
Among all adult Catholics, 38 percent identify as a weak or strong Democrat, while 22 percent lean Democratic.
Republicans are found to be more numerous among the general electorate Catholic population, with 28 percent identifying themselves as Republicans and 17 percent saying they lean Republican. However, Catholics who attend Mass weekly are still more likely to be Democrats, with 37 percent self-identifying with the party and another 18 percent saying they lean Democrat.
“Overall, these shifting Catholic attitude trends, less support for the use of U.S. military force, more support for higher taxes for wealthy Americans, and increasing acceptance of immigration, may favor the Democrats and Obama,” said Mark Gray, the director of CARA Catholic polls.
Gray said that Democrats still must mobilize well to take advantage of their edge among Catholic voters. “In the past two presidential elections the Republicans have been noted to be more effective at mobilizing voters using religion and religious organizations—often using the issue of abortion,” Gray said.
The CARA poll results suggest a shift in Catholics’ views on several major issues. In 2002, before the Iraq war, 63 percent of adult Catholics agreed “somewhat” or “strongly” with the statement that “The U.S. should be willing to use military force to overthrow governments that support terrorism against the U.S., even if it mean losing lives of U.S. service members.” In 2006, only 43 percent agreed.
Catholic support for a tax on the wealthiest Americans has increased from 52 percent in 2002 to 65 percent in 2006. Catholics are also less likely to agree that the number of immigrants permitted entry into the U.S. should be decreased, with agreement down from 65 percent in 2002 to 54 percent in 2006.
According to the study, pro-abortion sentiment has slightly increased among adult Catholics. In 2002, 55 percent somewhat or strongly agreed with the statement “A woman should have the right to choose to abort an unwanted pregnancy.” In 2006, the percentage in agreement increased to 58 percent.
Ping!
What a massive catastrophic failure of catechesis.
What hath VII wrought?
“Overall, these shifting Catholic attitude trends, less support for the use of U.S. military force, more support for higher taxes for wealthy Americans, and increasing acceptance of immigration, may favor the Democrats and Obama,” said Mark Gray, the director of CARA Catholic polls.”
The fruits of Jorge’s Open Border Policies with Mexico.
The Kennedy’s are all “good Catholics” so it is not surprising. When I was a kid we would chant “Rat, rat, Democrat” And we were Catholic. But times have changed.
What are the stats for us Catholics that take our faith seriously? CINOs are generally Democrats.
I don’t pretend to be a good Catholic but why would anyone of *any* Christian faith vote for a Democrat?
Totally disgusting that one who supports free-for-all sex and abortion on demand even during labor, should be supported by such a large group of Catholics in America is truly a sad slide into apostacy.
Seems the Catholic Church isn’t doing such a good job against the gates of hell after all...
This is absurd BS.
More Catholics leaning towards Democrats, poll reports?
Not this Catholic.
Which side are you rooting for?
Agenda driven polls are not accurate, not news, and not worth discussing.
I’m not surprised that 99% of Catholics In Name Only are Democrats.
It’s sickening, I know. My Catholic family members always voted Democrat and still do, but that was back when there were pro-life Dems.
Why blame Vatican II? This is what the Catholic Bishops wrought.
When will the Bishops control the Catholic leadership of the Democrat party? They are also THE leadership of the Democrat party.
Why are the two most heavily “Catholic” states the most sinful and disobedient to the Vatican? I am talking about California and Massachusetts.
Why did the Bishops confuse the issue of voting and abortion?
Who started the corrupt unions?
Who supports illegal Immigration?
Who allows gays in drag to take Communion?
Has the church supported ACORN?
I am not anti-Catholic, I am Catholic. I follow the Vatican, do the Bishop's?
Therefore --- any Catholic who might vote dimocrat is a Catholic in Name Only (CINO).
For their information -- Obama supports partial birth abortion. No Catholic can, in right conscience, vote for Obama.
I am borrowing a graphic from Antonius. Thanks.
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