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April 16, 2008

Behind the Scenes: Watch for political fallout from pope's visit

Posted: April 16th, 2008 02:24 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNN) - The official motto of Pope Benedict XVI's April 15-20 visit to the United States, the first of his papacy, is "Christ our Hope." Based on the frequency with which papal spokespersons have struck a different note, however, its unofficial motto might well be, "This is not a political event."

Here's a typical example from early April: "The pope is not coming to get mixed up in the local political process," said Italian Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the pope's ambassador to America, in an interview with the National Catholic Reporter. "His presence is about something more universal and, at the same time, more personal."

Fear that Benedict's visit might be read through the lens of party politics reflects a key fact of electoral life in America: The "Catholic vote" matters. To take the most obvious example, if a few heavily Catholic counties in Ohio had gone the other way in 2004, pundits would today be handicapping the re-election of President John Kerry.

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10 Comments | Permalink


Grif		April 16th, 2008 6:56 pm ET You couldn't know this, "RickyGriff". Because you have to live a bit longer...... Moreover, not Insult on Age alone.... Everybody gets Old. However, we don't all cheat the Young Folk.

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama		April 16th, 2008 6:49 pm ET I am a Catholic for Obama. Don't want another liar.

Juan, MA		April 16th, 2008 6:48 pm ET So this is just a sales/marketing trip for the Pope and the Vatican. I'm not buying what they're selling.

Bubba		April 16th, 2008 6:36 pm ET I'm waiting for the first lie Hillary will tell about the Pope. Bet it will be good !

bob		April 16th, 2008 6:26 pm ET Why? Is the Pope "bitter" too?

JW		April 16th, 2008 6:07 pm ET Polls released yesterday (Quinnipiac) and today (Daily News/Franklin & Marshall) show Clinton up 5 to 6 points here in Allegheny County but up 38 points (both polls) in southwestern counties surrounding Allegheny.

MD		April 16th, 2008 5:52 pm ET The Pope should not have come as long as Bush is in the White House. Validating a warmonger with a state visit is not good politics for the Pope.

AZM		April 16th, 2008 5:46 pm ET The "Catholic vote" matters. To take the most obvious example, if a few heavily Catholic counties in Ohio had gone the other way in 2004, pundits would today be handicapping the re-election of President John Kerry That might make sense if he had visited during the previous election...

Grif		April 16th, 2008 5:45 pm ET Excuse me. I do believe you're POPE Is/was German....

Veterans for Obama		April 16th, 2008 5:30 pm ET He does bring a message of "HOPE".
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