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Dems Again Losing Catholics Over Abortion

Biden doing little good for Obama in Pa., other swing states

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 17, 2008 10:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – Though progressive Catholics have worked hard to convince churchgoers that the Democrats share the church's views on the Iraq war, immigration, and health care, abortion is again turning Catholic voters away from the party, the New York Times reports. As conservative bishops have scolded Catholics like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden for contradicting the church's teachings, liberals are facing a setback.

Catholics make up a third of the electorate in swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio, and appear evenly split. In white, working-class Scranton, Pa., where Biden grew up, abortion remains a key issue—and the opposition of the church often trumps a union endorsement. "People should straighten out their religious beliefs before they start making political decisions," said one churchgoer, who said he'd vote McCain.

Progressive Catholic groups are worried about Sen. Joe Biden and other Democrats arguing with the church over abortion, saying a focus on social-justice policies would attract more votes.
Progressive Catholic groups are worried about Sen. Joe Biden and other Democrats arguing with the church over abortion, saying a focus on social-justice policies would attract more votes.   (AP Photo)
Though Barack Obama has a broader grass-roots operation than John McCain in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, the Republican ticket's anti-abortion stance trumps much of that advantage.
Though Barack Obama has a broader grass-roots operation than John McCain in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, the Republican ticket's anti-abortion stance trumps much of that advantage.   (AP Photo)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. waves after a campaign event at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo., Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. waves after a campaign event at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo., Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Democratic vice presidential candidate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., talks to a group of locals, friends and family as he visits his childhood home in Scranton, Pa. on Monday, Sept. 1, 2008,
Democratic vice presidential candidate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., talks to a group of locals, friends and family as he visits his childhood home in Scranton, Pa. on Monday, Sept. 1, 2008,   (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
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It is a running debate between Catholics saying, ‘Abortion is the only issue’ and others saying, ‘You have to look at the whole teaching of the church.’ - Jean Harris, political scientist at the University of Scranton, a Jesuit college

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