Friday, August 08, 2008

Backlash possible should Obama choose pro-abortion Catholic VP

The head of a Catholic pro-life group says it would be a "major insult" to Catholics if Barack Obama were to select a pro-abortion Catholic as a vice-presidential running mate.

The Democratic presidential nominee's short list for vice president reportedly includes four pro-abortion Catholics: Delaware Senator Joe Biden, Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.

Brian Burch, president of Fidelis, says by selecting one of the four as his VP, Obama would effectively be telling Catholics he does not care about their church's outspoken opposition to policies that promote abortion.

"[T]he choice of a pro-abortion Catholic running mate would amount to scratching at a deep and festering wound in the American Catholic Church," he states in a press release, alluding to the fact that the Catholic Church continues to wrestle with the issue of prominent Catholic politicians who support abortion.

According to Burch, since John Kerry was defeated in 2004, liberal candidates and left-wing groups have made a concerted effort to "reach back" to faith-based voters, whether Catholic or evangelical.

"I do think there has been some success in reaching those people," the pro-life activist admits.

"At the same time, I don't think many voters are fooled. When push comes to shove, the reality is there has been effectively no change of position on the issues that I think many of these voters care most about -- and that is protecting life, protecting marriage, and promoting religion in our public life."

Burch says former Democratic Congressman Tim Roemer, a pro-life Catholic, would be a better VP pick for Obama, but notes Obama cannot afford to choose anyone who is truly pro-life because his base is staunchly in support of abortion.
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