Poll: Catholic Republicans no more likely to support Catholic candidates
January 04, 2012
A new Gallup poll has found that Catholic Republicans are no more likely than other Republicans to support the two Catholic presidential candidates, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum.
In December 2011, 26% of Catholics said they supported Gingrich and 4% said they supported Santorum, while 24% backed Mitt Romney, 10% backed Ron Paul. In addition, 7% supported Rick Perry, 5% backed Michele Bachmann, and 3% supported John Huntsman.
All of these percentages were almost identical to the national polling average for each of the candidates.
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Posted by: -
Jan. 04, 2012 10:24 PM ET USA
In short, Catholics are indistinguishable from non-Catholics. This applies to other areas beyond their voting preferences. Thus, there is no such thing as "the Catholic vote." Moreover, Catholics do not apply their Catholicity or even bother to learn what's in the verbose emanations from the USCCB. Who's responsible for this failure?
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Posted by: Louise01 -
Jan. 04, 2012 10:19 PM ET USA
Hurrah for Santorum. He's a great leader. I have been sending as often as possible. I look forward to calling him Mr. President!!!!
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Jan. 04, 2012 7:21 PM ET USA
I have to agree with 'theeCassandra' on Rick Santorum. As for Newt, I'm old enough to remember him the first time around and the old behaviors just came pouring out when he did poorly in Iowa. Calling oneself Catholic doesn't always ensure Catholic behaviors. Neither of these men are likely to attract Catholic voters due to what they do as opposed to what they say.
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Posted by: -
Jan. 04, 2012 7:04 PM ET USA
I have one question for people who wish to hassle our politicians over their fidelity to Catholic faith: Have you offered any time, talent, or treasure to the Church to aid with catechizing anyone? Our political system will not give us competent politicians with Catholic guts if we merely critique them from the sidelines. Santorum seems more usefully Catholic to me than anyone I've come across to date. I intend to support him for President.
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Posted by: -
Jan. 04, 2012 3:14 PM ET USA
Well, when we get a Catholic Republican candidate, I'll take a look. When Santorum campaigned for Arlen Specter, he demonstrated that his soul belongs to the Party, not the Church. As for Newt, well, I've seen no evidence of Catholic theology influencing his convictions.
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Jan. 04, 2012 12:18 PM ET USA
In keeping with my newly made resolution to be charitable in my remarks, I find the Republican candidate field to be rich in ideas this year, and the Catholic candidates are not the only ones who have good ones. I am keeping my options open for now.
