Catholic vote now seen evenly split in US presidential race
May 03, 2012
American Catholics are evenly split in their preferences for the 2012 presidential race, according to a new Gallup poll. Catholics are seen by both major political parties as a key voting constituency.
The Gallup survey found overwhelmingly support for President Barack Obama among Hispanic Catholics, who comprise nearly one-fifth of the Catholic population. Among non-Hispanic Catholics, a solid majority said that they are leaning toward Republican candidate Mitt Romney.
Like most opinion survey, the Gallup poll did not distinguish between practicing and lapsed Catholics. However when respondents were asked to characterize their own religious beliefs, the results were revealing. Among those Catholics who described themselves as “very religious,” Romney outpolled Obama by 62- 39%. Those who said they were “moderately religious” still chose Romney by a solid 56- 34% margin. Only those Catholics who described themselves as “non-religious” swung toward Obama, by 54- 40%.
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Further information:
- Catholics' Presidential Pick Differs by Ethnicity, Religiosity (Gallup)
- The Catholic vote is the 2012 bellwether (Washington Post)
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
May. 04, 2012 8:50 AM ET USA
How can one be 'non-religious' and Catholic at the same time?
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Posted by: -
May. 03, 2012 9:32 PM ET USA
Before I comment, I should tell you that I am a convert! I sometimes envy "Cradle Catholics," especially those who attended authentic Catholic schools. Since I started my faith journey about 12 years ago, I have been a diligent student of the Holy Scriptures, the writings of the Saints, the doctors of the Church and the writings of Bl. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. What most saddens me is that someone raised in our beautiful faith can support a man who tries to smother and quiet Catholics
