Ted Kennedy, the Alito Hearings and the Catholic vote

I was struck by the bluster of Senator Kennedy at the recent hearings on Sam Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court. I am sure he was sending a message to voters, senators always do. However, I think he sent a message that will undo the Democratic Party in the end. His treatment of an obviously decent man was shocking. He and his fellow Democrats seemed to be grasping at straws, both in regard to the Judge's Vangaurd recusal and in the Concerned Alumni of Princeton issues. The way they conducted themselves spoke volumes, especially to Catholics. The message he sent was a loud and clear "GET OUT."

I am not personally committed to ending reproductive choice, mainly because prohibition of any private action is a bad idea. However, even I was deeply offended at the brusque way this obviously quiet and judicious man was treated. The irony is, given his recent vote in a death penalty stay, he is likely to vote with Justice Kennedy rather than Justice Scalia.

It will be extremely hard for the Democratic Party to regain the House or Senate without the Catholic vote. Senator Kennedy's performance made it that much harder.

If you are a Catholic in the "mushy middle" on abortion, meaning that you don't want it banned but you don't believe it is some sacred right, like freedom of speech, and especially if you think it is time to both end Republican congressional dominance - and especially if you want to impeach Cheaney and Bush, then you can find a home in the Christian Libertarian Party.