Martha Coakley: Catholics 'Probably shouldn't work in ERs

Martha Coakley: Devout Catholics 'Probably shouldn't work in the emergency room' [If they disagree with abortion...]

The Washington Times ^ | Jan. 14, 2010 | Kerry Picket


And, Muslims should not drive taxis--or fly planes.

I have a corollary

"Devout Catholics probably should not vote for Martha Coakley."

MA is loaded with Catholics, Mike!

Stephanie wrote:MA is loaded with Catholics, Mike!

Devout Catholics? Or, Kennedy-type Catholics?

Hhmmm..........I'd say some of each with most falling somewhere in the middle.

The trick will be how offended your average Catholic (granted she doesn't exist on an individual level, but you get the idea) is with Coakley. If the bulk of Catholics are upset enough to turn their votes away, Brown can win, but I don't think that will happen. A few traditional Catholics will likely think this the last straw and leave the Democratic fold, but I really believe that this will not be enough to give Brown the win.

I am not Roman Catholic although I do work for two Catholic universities. I also play one in the upcoming musical "Romans of Pensance." At one school, I hear very little on Catholic ethics as it pertains to abortion, but plenty on Catholic opposition to the war and the death penalty. On those I suppose Coakley is the 'winner' despite them not apparently being salient issues in the campaign.

My prediction is Coakley by 5 points. I'd LOVE to be wrong.

You know, Michael, I don't think that people like being told what they should and should not do. I think that statement will hurt her, even among "average" Catholics. I also know most Catholics, even the those not considered "devout" oppose abortion. They may favor birth control, but most oppose abortion.

I agree that people do not like being told what to do, but I think the same Catholics who have long supported pro-choice Dems will overlook this transgression as well.

I am shocked at how Catholics and African-Americans support Dems who believe in abortions, which occur on disproportionately poor and black populations. I don't understand why so many vote the way they do, but over history unfortunately New England Catholics have just not demonstrated the willingness to, en masse, unseat so-called Catholics with very un-Catholic policies.

What Brown needs right now is for someone who lost thier job (or would be threatened by it) due to Catholic ethics to grab a lot of the spotlight and show people just what is at stake with conscience clauses.