Catholic Vote Key to Election Outcome, Expert Says
According to JMU Assistant Professor Brian T. Kaylor, “In every [presidential] election since 1972, the white
Catholic vote has gone with the victor. It is the biggest swing religious group
in modern American politics.”
Brian T.
Kaylor
Assistant professor of communication studies,
James Madison University
kaylorbt@jmu.edu
http://www.briankaylor.com/
Kaylor is a one-time Baptist minister, the author
of two books on religion and politics, a blogger and a communication studies
assistant professor at JMU. At JMU Kaylor teaches courses in advocacy,
political communication, rhetorical methods and public speaking. In addition,
he occasionally teaches a special-topics course, “Communication, Religion and Politics.”
Quotes:
“Every [presidential] election
since 1972, the white Catholic vote has gone with the victor. It is the biggest
swing religious group in modern American politics.”
“[Romney’s VP pick Paul Ryan] was a very
interesting pick for this campaign. It definitely shows the focus on the Catholic
outreach this year.”
“The Catholic bishops … are for health care
reform in general but they are against the actual health care law that was
passed. They do not fit the conservative argument completely."
“Obama talks more about his own prayer life,
about his individual beliefs. Romney makes more references to God in general,
to religion and faith in general. That is an interesting split this year. One
is getting very personal whereas the other is making more religious
references.”
“Simply put, (political) candidates invoke God
to justify their positions and visions because it works.”
