'Compromise' coming on mandate?
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Feb 10, 2012
Informed sources in Washington report that the Obama administration will issue a statement about the contraceptive mandate this morning. Presumably this will be a response to the outcry led by the American Catholic bishops.
Having staked out an extreme position, and prompted the Catholic hierarchy to draw a line in the sand, President Obama is now in a difficult position. If he backs down, his own most enthusiastic supporters will be outraged. If he doesn't back down, he has a major fight on his hands, risking an important bloc of voters during an election year.
What will he do? We don't know. Stay tuned for updates if/as the "compromise" is proposed.
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: -
Feb. 10, 2012 3:10 PM ET USA
There is already precedent set for allowing the Government to step on religious rights. Banning Mormon polygamy and blocking parental rights of Christian Scientists are a couple examples that come to mind. It's all a big slippery slope...
-
Posted by: ScottSenffner -
Feb. 10, 2012 11:04 AM ET USA
It does not matter what the administration does, they have to REPEAL the mandate, totally. This mandate is against Religious Freedom.
