Bradley in DC
08-03-2007, 12:30 AM
http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/article.php?id=LJS2007080201
PRIDE, PREJUDICE, AND PRESIDENTS
Larry J. Sabato
Director, U.Va. Center for Politics
One unusual function of presidential elections is to allow us to confront our own prejudices. The 2008 contest already guarantees us more opportunities to do that than any other in American history.
The nation's performance in this regard is both ugly and inspiring. New York Governor Al Smith, the first Roman Catholic nominated by a major party for the White House, endured withering volleys of pure hate in 1928, losing even solidly Democratic states in the heavily Protestant South to Republican Herbert Hoover. But by 1960, Americans were able (barely) to get beyond their fears of "papist rule from the Vatican" to elect John F. Kennedy. Still, 80 percent of Catholics voted for JFK while 69 percent of Protestants cast a ballot for Richard M. Nixon. Religious affiliation was the single greatest predictor of an individual's vote in that remarkable year. No other Catholic has since won the Presidency, but several candidates in both parties are affiliated with this religion--and it is highly doubtful that it will be much of an issue. . .
PRIDE, PREJUDICE, AND PRESIDENTS
Larry J. Sabato
Director, U.Va. Center for Politics
One unusual function of presidential elections is to allow us to confront our own prejudices. The 2008 contest already guarantees us more opportunities to do that than any other in American history.
The nation's performance in this regard is both ugly and inspiring. New York Governor Al Smith, the first Roman Catholic nominated by a major party for the White House, endured withering volleys of pure hate in 1928, losing even solidly Democratic states in the heavily Protestant South to Republican Herbert Hoover. But by 1960, Americans were able (barely) to get beyond their fears of "papist rule from the Vatican" to elect John F. Kennedy. Still, 80 percent of Catholics voted for JFK while 69 percent of Protestants cast a ballot for Richard M. Nixon. Religious affiliation was the single greatest predictor of an individual's vote in that remarkable year. No other Catholic has since won the Presidency, but several candidates in both parties are affiliated with this religion--and it is highly doubtful that it will be much of an issue. . .