Bush's Catholic Czar: Sebelius Pick Is 'Signal Moment' for Conservative Christians
By Dan Gilgoff, God & Country
Why aren't Republican leaders voicing their opposition to President Obama's pro-abortion rights pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services (well, Republicans other than Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim DeMint) even as the party's antiabortion rights base vents outrage? I called Deal Hudson, who directed Catholic outreach for George W. Bush's presidential campaigns, to get his take on the GOP's wall of silence over HHS Secretary-designate Kathleen Sebelius. Hudson has launched a website called Catholics Against Sebelius.
I'll post parts of our illuminating talk later, but in anticipation of our conversation, Hudson blogged on his disappointment over the buttoned-lip Republicans (I'm the reporter he refers to):
In an hour I will be getting a call from a reporter at a major weekly news magazine. He emailed me last night asking if he could ask some questions about why the GOP leadership had said so little against the nomination of a pro-abortion Catholic governor, Kathleen Sebelius, to head the Department of Health and Human Resources.
A very good question! After all, isn't it the Republican Party that has a right-to-life plank? Isn't it the Republican Party that sells itself under a "pro-life, pro-family" banner?
....I don't think the GOP yet realizes this is quickly becoming a signal moment in its relationship with conservative Christian voters. We will soon see if its leadership learned any lessons from the 2008 presidential campaign, and particularly its treatment of Gov. Sarah Palin.
Read Hudson's full post here.
- Read more by Dan Gilgoff.
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Tags: HHS | religion | Catholicism | Christianity | Kathleen Sebelius | Obama administration
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Reader Comments
catholicczar
I AM CATHOLIC I HAVE BEEN THINKING THE SAME THING. WHERE IS THE GOP? THE CONSERVATIVES OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SEEM TO BE KEEPING A LOW PROFILE ON ALL THINGS OBAMA. WHY ISN'T SOMEONE DOING OR AT LEAST SAYING SOMETHING. I DO NOT SLEEP WELL SINCE OBAMA HAS TAKEN OFFICE. HE HAS AN AGENDA AND COME HELL OR HIGH WATER HE PLANS ON DOING WHAT HE HAS ON THAT AGENDA, CITIZENS BE DAMNED. CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY SHOULD BE VERY NERVOUS. NEED TO HAVE A VERY VERY BIG TEA PARTY IN D.C.
The Post Title Refers to ...
Deal Hudson, who directed Catholic outreach for Pres. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns. (in response to the question in the first comment)
I'd agree with Mr. Hudson. While I acknowledge the difficulties that sheer numbers pose to Republicans in this session, it's hard to defend a party that refuses to confront -- and in the case of the KS senators, even supports -- the confirmation of cabinet members who so blatantly oppose both the family and life issues.
"Rebranding" is no more substantial a change than altering the shape of a shampoo bottle. If the Republicans are going to do no more than change their image and their marketing methods, then the pro-life plank won't hold any weight.
Is it possible that more pro-lifers will be voting Independent in 2010?
Post title??
Why do you say 'Bush's Catholic Czar'?
Isn't this about Obama's pick?
Am I missing something here?
Thanks!
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