In Tuesday’s key Democratic presidential primary election in Pennsylvania, New York Senator Hillary Clinton defeated Illinois Senator Barack Obama with a commanding lead among the Democrat Party’s Catholic voters, according to CNN exiting polling.
Among voting Pennsylvania Catholics who said they attend church weekly, Senator Clinton won 74 percent of the vote. Catholics who said they attend church less than weekly went for Clinton by 65 percent, according to CNN exit polls. Regular and irregular Catholic churchgoers each constituted 18 percent of the poll respondents.
Clinton’s victory among Catholic Democrats came despite Obama’s support from one of Pennsylvania’s most prominent Catholic politicians, Senator Bob Casey, Jr. read more CNA
More on the Religious vote in PA
The results also showed evidence of a “worship attendance gap” among Pennsylvania’s Democrats: Regardless of religious affiliation, people who attend worship services at least once a week supported Clinton over Obama 59% to 41%, while people who never attend worship services supported Obama over Clinton 55% to 45%. However, those who attend worship services at least once a week were twice as numerous at the polls as those who never attend worship services, so in the end Clinton benefited more from the effects of this gap.
So does Obama have a serious problem attracting Catholic voters nationally?
From the point of view of the primaries, it appears that he does. The Obama campaign has made a strong effort to deal with this problem but has had only limited success so far.
Could this problem persist in the general election if Obama is the Democratic nominee? It might, and, if so, it would pose a challenge for Obama in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan. We should keep in mind, however, that many of the Democratic Catholics who did not vote for Obama in the primaries might well support him in the fall against John McCain. But on the other hand, not all white Catholics are Democrats – many are independents or Republicans. If nothing else, this means that white Catholics are a key group to watch. (PewForum)
Other Presidential Race News
The Catholic Vote
For the last two years the ACLU and Planned Parenthood have been lobbying states to decline federal funding for abstinence-only programs. As a result, seventeen states have turned down this funding, opting for comprehensive sex education. On Wednesday, Congressman Henry Waxman, staged a long awaited lopsided hearing to make a case for comprehensive sex education.
Congressional abstinence hearing a one-sided 'circus'
Supporters of abstinence education were disappointed April 23 that Rep. Henry Waxman, who is pro-choice, apparently used his position as chairman of a House committee to organize a one-sided panel of experts to attack the effectiveness of abstinence programs ahead of important funding appropriations discussions.
"This was really a circus to try to move an ideological agenda, and that was to defund abstinence education," Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association in Washington, told Baptist Press. "If Congress truly cares about the health of America's youth, it will put ideology aside and recognize the positive momentum abstinence education is making," said Huber.
Waxman, D.-Calif., invited a panel of seven experts who spoke against abstinence education and one who spoke in favor of it. The only other person on the panel to support abstinence education was Sen. Sam Brownback, R.-Kan., who was one of two members of Congress called to testify. BaptistPress
Dr. Janice Crouse, senior fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute, said she is amazed some legislators want to cut abstinence education.
“Look at what happened when all that money was spent for all those years on ‘comprehensive’ sex education — teen sexual activity went up, teen pregnancies went up and abortions went up,” she said. “Now that we have more abstinence programs in more schools, all three trends are going down. That is what ought to happen, and the programs that make that happen are what we ought to support.” (CitizenLink)
Representative Bill Sali (R-Idaho) Decries CDC Approved Curiculum
Rep. Sali expressed shock about manuals labeled comprehensive sex education, saying he was “stunned” to see that Center for Disease Control-approved curriculum encouraged young people to shower together or cuddle naked, “along with other behaviors I would frankly be embarrassed to discuss before this Committee.”
These behaviors, he said, were considered abstinent behavior in the “most widely used ‘comprehensive’ sex education curricula.”
“I would wager that everyone on this committee understands where showering together and cuddling naked will lead,” Rep. Sali said. “No one in this room could honestly believe that those kinds of actions will promote abstinence. In fact, quite the opposite.”
He said no parent would want their children to perform such acts. Rep. Sali also argued such “graphic messages” cannot be equated with effective sex education and did not belong in schools, “especially at taxpayer expense.”
“Abstinence education offers a real alternative – one that is tested, practical and respects the beliefs and concerns of Moms and Dads across the country. Let’s give it a fair hearing and a healthy dose of support,” Rep. Sali concluded. CatholicNewsAgency
At the end of the hearing, Waxman suggested that the federal government create a block grant for sex education funding that allows states flexibility on which type of programs to implement (Washington Times).
Abstinence Education: Assessing the Evidence
The Heritage Foundation analyzed 21 studies of abstinence education. Fifteen studies examined abstinence programs that were primarily intended to teach abstinence. Of these 15 studies, 11 reported positive findings. The other six studies analyzed virginity pledges, and of these six studies, five reported positive findings. Overall, 16 of the 21 studies reported statistically significant positive results, such as delayed sexual initiation and reduced levels of early sexual activity, among youths who have received abstinence education. Five studies did not report any significant positive results. read entire report
STATE POLICY NEWS
Is This What You Mean?
"We in the pro-life community have been fed up for a long time with public servants who can't seem to tell the difference between serving the public and killing the public." Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests For Life
Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries are announcing a special project called “Is This What You Mean?” It aims to educate the public about the nature of abortion and to challenge public officials and candidates who support the legality of abortion to admit what it is. More from Fr. Pavone
Pope Benedict Asks US Bishops to Protect Marriage
"It is your task to proclaim boldly the arguments from faith and reason in favor of the institution of marriage, understood as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman, open to the transmission of life. This message should resonate with people today, because it is essentially an unconditional and unreserved 'yes' to life, a 'yes' to love, and a 'yes' to the aspirations at the heart of our common humanity, as we strive to fulfill our deep yearning for intimacy with others and with the Lord." Address to US Bishops
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This Week's "Not So Catholic" PoliticianGovernor Sebelius (D-KS)
Kansas Gov. Sebelius vetoed a bill on Monday that would regulate abortion procedures in the state that is infamous for its high number of late-term abortions.
Senate Bill 389 would have offered women the optino of viewing ultrasound images of their preborn child, tightened up the requirements for obtaining a late-term abortion, and would have allowed a patient, spouse, or family to sue an abortion provider over a suspected unlawful late-term abortion. LifeSite
This Weeks Headlines
Bill to Ban Human-Animal Hybrid Creation Introduced in CongressBush urges vouchers for Catholic schools CourierPost
Pelosi: Clinton, Obama sharing the ticket not a good idea Townhall
Three More Judicial Nominees Headed to the Floor Roll Call
Reid May Intervene in Democratic Presidential Contest Roll Call
5 U.S. bills seek 'fair share' of war costs WashTimes
Justice Antonin Scalia Says Constitution Neither Allows Nor Bans Abortion LifeNews
Neglected diseases Senator Sam Brownback, WashTimes
Ban on Genetic-Test Bias May Pass Senate WashPost
Sweeping Changes Debated for Landmark Family and Medical Leave Act WashPost
Pelosi takes Communion at papal Mass She worries about human rights and climate change, but loses no sleep over abortion or human embryos used as spare parts CalCatholic
Pope's Pro-Immigrant Message Draws Fire from Tancredo Cronline
From Our Shepherds
Bishops
The time for saying “no” to Planned Parenthood is now. Archbishop John Vlazny, Catholic Sentinel
USCCB Official Praises Senate Passage Of ‘Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act’ USCCB
Is the Social Teaching of the Church the “Forgotten Teaching?” CatholicOnline
CA bishops pledged to endorse abortion notification and marriage protection initiatives CalCatholic
Pope Benedict's U.S. Visit
How the Pope won over the US with a soft voice and apology BelfastTel
Benedict and the Scandal InsideCatholic
Why America Needs the Pope NCRegister
The Shadow of Peter Fell on America Last Week Zenit
The Pope's Challenge to Conservatives AmericanThinker
The Pope and the President William McGurn, Wall Street Journal
Commentary
A Bush Success (not that he gets credit)
The Medicare drug benefit is working better than predicted.
Child rapists and the death penalty WashTimes
Global Food Riots Congress immediately should abolish federal ethanol subsidies, mandates, and the 54-cent-per-gallon tariff on imports. NRO
Health Care Reform: Design Principles for a Patient-Centered, Consumer-Based Market Heritage Foundation
Save the Catholic schools. William Bennett, NRO
Abortion as art sport WorldNetDaily
