The Politics of Faith: A Complex Dance of Church and State

Strategic Insights -

In a striking parallel to President John F. Kennedy's historic 1960 presidential campaign, the 2000 Republican primary has witnessed a significant shift in how Protestant and Catholic voters perceive the role of faith in politics. The cascade of attacks on Governor George W. Bush's ties to Bob Jones University and the subsequent counterattacks by Senator John McCain have revealed deep-seated anxieties about the intersection of church and state.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator John McCain's charges of anti-Catholicism against Governor George W. Bush have sparked a backlash among Catholic voters, with some predicting a significant shift in their allegiance in the general election.
  • The Bob Jones University controversy has reignited a longstanding debate about the role of the religious right in politics, with some Democrats seeing an opportunity to capitalize on Republican disarray.
  • The incident has also raised questions about the limits of acceptable behavior in American politics, with Senator McCain's use of the word "evil" in a follow-up attack on evangelicals sparking criticism from some quarters.
  • The intensity of the attacks has led to a revival of the old post-immigration generation's concerns about Catholicism and has awakened concerns among some Protestants about the implications of these attacks.
  • Navigating the complex dynamics of faith and politics, Governor Bush is now working to reassure Catholic voters of his commitment to inclusivity, while Senator McCain's efforts to exploit these tensions have sparked controversy among some.
  • As the country grapples with questions of faith, morality, and civic responsibility, the impact of the 2000 primary season on public perception of these issues remains uncertain.

Statistics:

  • In Michigan, Senator McCain's campaign phone-blitzed Catholic voters with reminders of Governor Bush's Bob Jones appearance and the school's policy against interracial dating.
  • In South Carolina, a Catholic majority of voters had shifted to the Republican Party in the Houseline in 1994.
  • According to a study by Professor John C. Green, a significant number of voters in Ohio and New York consider themselves Catholic.
  • According to exit polls in Virginia, evangelical conservatives are mobilizing support for Governor Bush.

Sources:

  • Kate O'Beirne, the Washington editor for The National Review
  • Scott Appleby, a history professor at Notre Dame University
  • John C. Green, director of the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron
  • Mark Shields, a political columnist for the New York Times
  • Peter Quinn, a veteran New York political speechwriter and historical novelist
  • The New York Times, March 7, 2000.