Peggy Noonan wrote an excellent analysis of the political damage that could stem from Obama's unprecedented birth control mandate. Noonan's argument is that the HHS mandate, so unpopular and so brazen, could be a major factor in Obama's defeat in November. Of course, a lot of this will hinge on the Church's leadership here in the states, and its ability to keep this issue front and center in the minds of their flock. So far, the forceful and united response from the bishops has been impressive. They must not relent.
From The Wall Street Journal:
The church is split on many things. But do Catholics in the pews want the government telling their church to contravene its beliefs? A president affronting the leadership of the church, and blithely threatening its great institutions? No, they don't want that. They will unite against that.
The smallest part of this story is political. There are 77.7 million Catholics in the United States. In 2008 they made up 27% of the electorate, about 35 million people. Mr. Obama carried the Catholic vote, 54% to 45%. They helped him win.
They won't this year. And guess where a lot of Catholics live? In the battleground states.
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