John Kerry
Comments About Kerry
By Daniel G. Jennings
John Kerry hasn't made a big deal of his Catholicism because doing so would hurt him politically.
If Kerry were to make numerous public displays of his faith, he would open himself up for all manner of criticism. Devout Roman Catholics who would most likely to swayed by such displays would be put off by the candidates' stands on the issues of abortion, war, gay rights and the death penalty which run counter to church teachings. Liberals many of whom view the Catholic Church as old fashioned and reactionary would be upset to see their candidate kowtowing to such an institution.
Kerry runs the risk of loosing working and middle class Catholic voters if he makes his faith an issue because many of them would be offended by his snubbing of church leaders. Kerry runs the risk of driving away gays, the women's movement and other important constituencies if he were to be too closely associated with the church.
Running as the Catholic candidate wouldn't help Kerry because devout Catholics are likely to be social conservatives and Republicans while liberals whose support Kerry needs don't like the idea of Catholic teaching influencing the political process. So don't expect Kerry's faith to be a big deal in this election.
Nor will Bush make a big deal of Kerry's faith, the President needs the support of Catholic voters particularly working class Catholics. He knows that any attacks on Kerry's faith will cost him those votes. Bush not wanting to offend Catholics won't make Kerry's faith an issue of contention.
The other big question dogging this summer's campaign is that of Bill Clinton. Clinton is out hocking his book and promoting his place in history. Many observers think this will help Kerry I'm not so sure.
Kerry will certainly get a boost if he hitches his car to the Clinton train. The problem is Clinton probably won't let him. Kerry is in a different wing of the party that is to the left of Clinton. More importantly, Clinton doesn't want to be associated with a loosing Democratic effort like Kerry. Nor does Clinton want any part of the dirty mudslinging presidential campaign we're likely to see this year. Slick Willy wants his place in history, not a reputation as just another politician shilling for an lackluster candidate. He also wants to see all the dirty laundry from his past buried.
Most likely Clinton will stay away from the election and let Kerry sink or swim on his own. Clinton will only come out and publicly campaign for Kerry if it looks like Kerry is heading for a landslide victory and has a victory whose light Clinton can bask in. Then of course, Kerry won't need Clinton's support.
John Kerry is going to have to win this election on his own without the help of Bill Clinton.