Democrats & Religious Authenticity
The Virginian-Pilot explores whether the recent election of Tim Kaine as governor of Virginia is significant for Democrats beyond the Commonwealth. The article notes the attention that Kaine’s victory is receiving among national party leaders who hope to fare better among religious voters.
For a few years now, Republicans have been more effective in using religion,” said John Green, a senior fellow at the Pew Forum. “One reason they’ve been successful is the Democrats were not talking about it. ... The Kaine campaign is worth paying attention to because he’s unusual among contemporary Democrats. He’s talking about his faith.
Kaine, whose dedication to the Catholic Church was highlighted by his service as a missionary in Honduras, made the conscious decision to emphasize his faith up front in this election despite reservations from some in his own party.
“I was very discouraged with Democratic campaigns where either a candidate would not talk about their values or it’s been a feature of some Democratic campaigns to attack the 'religious right,’” he said. “There’s a whole lot of people who feel like we’re attacking them.” Kaine said the reaction to his use of religion in his campaign was mixed among Virginia Democrats. “Some people in the party who were very uncomfortable with what I did said it to my face,” he said, “but I had others who said to me 'Thank goodness.’”
Despite his victory, some observers express skepticism about the role that Kaine’s faith played in winning this election, particularly with Virginia’s small Catholic population.
“I don’t think there is a Catholic vote in Virginia,” (UVA professor Gerald) Fogarty said. “My general suspicion is that religion didn’t have much to do with the election, but Kaine put a more pleasant face on his values.”
Kaine will become Virginia’s first Catholic governor when he is inaugurated in January. Regardless of the current consensus, or lack thereof, on the role that his religion played in gaining the confidence of the notably-conservative voters of the Commonwealth, progressives would be wise to search for any lessons that Kaine’s electoral successes hold for Democrats throughout the South who wish to reach out to the faith community.
For a few years now, Republicans have been more effective in using religion,” said John Green, a senior fellow at the Pew Forum. “One reason they’ve been successful is the Democrats were not talking about it. ... The Kaine campaign is worth paying attention to because he’s unusual among contemporary Democrats. He’s talking about his faith.
Kaine, whose dedication to the Catholic Church was highlighted by his service as a missionary in Honduras, made the conscious decision to emphasize his faith up front in this election despite reservations from some in his own party.
“I was very discouraged with Democratic campaigns where either a candidate would not talk about their values or it’s been a feature of some Democratic campaigns to attack the 'religious right,’” he said. “There’s a whole lot of people who feel like we’re attacking them.” Kaine said the reaction to his use of religion in his campaign was mixed among Virginia Democrats. “Some people in the party who were very uncomfortable with what I did said it to my face,” he said, “but I had others who said to me 'Thank goodness.’”
Despite his victory, some observers express skepticism about the role that Kaine’s faith played in winning this election, particularly with Virginia’s small Catholic population.
“I don’t think there is a Catholic vote in Virginia,” (UVA professor Gerald) Fogarty said. “My general suspicion is that religion didn’t have much to do with the election, but Kaine put a more pleasant face on his values.”
Kaine will become Virginia’s first Catholic governor when he is inaugurated in January. Regardless of the current consensus, or lack thereof, on the role that his religion played in gaining the confidence of the notably-conservative voters of the Commonwealth, progressives would be wise to search for any lessons that Kaine’s electoral successes hold for Democrats throughout the South who wish to reach out to the faith community.
posted by southofthejames @ 12:01 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Democrats need to do more to reach out to people and avoid the secular fundamentalism that has plagued the party. Many Southerners do not buy into the entire Christian right agenda, but recognize that some valid points have been raised by these social traditionalists. Concerns about the breakdown of the family and sex and violence in the media are mainstream issues that Democrats will ignore at their peril.
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