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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2008 > February > 27 > Entry
Kennedys court Catholic support for Clinton
Two members of the Kennedy family supporting Hillary Clinton for president are urging Ohio Catholics to back the New York senator in her race for the Democratic presidential nomination against Barack Obama, the Illinois senator.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. made their pitch in an “Open Letter to Ohio Catholics” being distributed by e-mail, said Eric McFadden, Ohio Faith Outreach Director for the Clinton campaign. Their father was the late Robert F. Kennedy. Their uncle, Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, supports Obama.
The letter says that Clinton, a Methodist, has drawn Catholic support in “record numbers” and stresses her “commitment to and work on behalf of others.”
Here’s the text of the letter:
Catholics across America have turned out in record numbers to cast their votes for Hillary Clinton. In primary after primary, we have witnessed support for Hillary from thousands of lay Catholics, clergy and our beloved women religious. Political pundits have offered various explanations for this phenomenon, but we believe the answer lies with the recognition by Catholic voters of her long commitment to and work on behalf of others.
Hillary’s commitment to the common good parallels Catholic social teaching and work on behalf of women, children, the ill and the destitute has been a life long pursuit. Her Methodist faith, like our Catholic faith has not only sustained her throughout her life, it has also compelled her to find solutions to everyday problems. Hillary is a person of action. Throughout her adult life she has used her time and talents to advocate for others.
Hillary Clinton understands the issues facing working families all across the country. Whether it is the nation-wide mortgage crisis that has resulted in more than 150,000 foreclosures in Ohio , the ever rising cost of fuel, or the fact that more than one million people in Ohio have no health insurance, Hillary has offered concrete proposals to overcome these problems. Never afraid of hard work, she is someone who listens, learns and then acts to improve conditions and solve problems.
Catholics have a partner in Hillary Clinton, one who will work to advance the common good of all Ohioans and all Americans. Her record and experience promoting peace and social justice, respecting the dignity of the individual, family life, human rights, concern for the poor and the dignity of work is well documented. With Hillary Clinton Catholics know they will have a President who understands that the well being of the working family is a cornerstone of American values.
Yours,
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Comments
By Frank Guthrie
February 28, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
Melanie - do you know them personally? How can you claim they do not practice their faith? Also - why can’t people of faith express who they are in the political arena? If it is part of who they are, why is it any different than a Union member supporting a candidate based on their union beliefs?By k lee
February 28, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
This country was founded & built on the belief of the Christian religion, whether it is Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, and the others. I did say CHRISTIAN religion, so the correct Kennedys have the right to send letters to whomever they want. Our forefathers are probably turning in their graves over this election !! This is our country & should be guided by the Christian ways of life !!!By melanie simpson
February 27, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
I guess thisis supposed to be from one catholic to another catholic sort of thing. Kind of sad that these Kennedy’s are targeting people on religion. I am very surprised since neither of them are actually strictly practicing catholics. I think it is manipulative and just using name leverage. Oh well politics as usual.