Why does Kamala Harris seem to have little room for the Catholic faithful in her campaign?
Vice President Kamala Harris was in her usual form of poor character this past week. The Democratic nominee and her “apologists” displayed what could only be described as utter antipathy toward devout Catholics on several occasions. Regrettably, her seemingly jaundiced attitude toward Catholics and reputation with regard to the latter are not without precedent.
As the junior Senator from California in 2018, Harris called into question the qualifications of Brian Buescher, nominee for a U.S. District Court judgeship in Nebraska. Harris asserted that Buescher was not qualified to serve on the federal bench. Her justification for such a claim? He is a member of the Knights of Columbus – a Catholic organization. Harris attacked the organization for holding what she described as “extremist positions.” Primary among the questionable positions held by Buescher and this “extremist” organization was their opposition to “a woman’s right to choose.”
There is, of course, nothing “extremist” about supporting the “right-to-life” for the unborn. Both state and federal courts would have dealt with any issue of “extremism” long ago had that been any concern at all. Tens of millions of Americans from virtually all religious orientations hold this position in common. Moreover, when it comes to “extremist” organizations, there are any number of groups who would qualify under that rubric. The Knights of Columbus do not have the “credentials of contempt” for humanity necessary for inclusion in a group labeled “extremist.” The latter were founded in 1882 on principles of “charity, unity and fraternity” the purpose of which was, and remains today, to “bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy” parishioners of the faith.
Today, the Knights of Columbus boasts 1.9 million members throughout the world, who have contributed $1.55 billion and 691 million volunteer hours “to charitable projects over the past decade.”
Why would Vice President Harris hold in low esteem and express such contemptible views about a charitable Catholic organization doing such valuable work for humanity? Moreover, why did the Democratic candidate refuse to attend a major Catholic fundraising event last Thursday night – the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York City?
It should be noted that since the 1960s, Republican and Democratic presidential candidates have attended the event. The only exception occurred in 1984, when Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale did not attend. If history is our guide, missing this event does not bode well for one in the next presidential election – Mondale lost 49 states.
In lieu of her attendance, the vice president offered instead a pre-recorded video message which was less than well received by those present at the affair – some were actually chagrined.
On the other hand, former President Donald Trump attended the event to a standing ovation. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, admitted he was “disappointed” that Harris had skipped the dinner and claimed she apparently had received “bad advice.”
President Trump, in somewhat of an understatement, said her absence was “disrespectful to Catholics.”
Eventually, of course, the former president had more to say about the vice president and her running mate. During his remarks at the dinner, Trump frequently directed his satire at Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. He spoke “tongue-in-cheek” of Harris remarking, “she would have been here guaranteed” if “the funds were going to bail out the looters and rioters in Minneapolis.”
But Trump also included in his comments reference to a bizarre video that was posted on the Internet by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Referring to the contents of the video, he said Harris did not attend because she was “out receiving communion from Gretchen Whitmer.”
In the video, Whitmer, wearing a Harris-Walz hat, is seen feeding a Dorito chip to a liberal podcaster who is on her knees. It shockingly mocked Holy Mass – the most important part of any Catholic liturgy (Novus Ordo, Tridentine, Byzantine Rite etc.) the veritable source and summit of Christian life.
Why would Whitmer, an unabashed apologist for Harris, insult millions of Catholic Americans with such a despicable video? Is this not one more question that must be asked of the Harris campaign in the final days of this close election?
Devout Christian voters are a key constituency in the November election. A 2024 Gallup poll identified 68% of Americans as Christian and 45% claimed that religion was a “very important” part of their life.
With regret, the vice president’s behavior gets worse. Incredible as it may seem, last Thursday at a rally in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Harris sent Christian voters a clear and distinct message that they are not welcome in her campaign.
At the event, the vice president criticized Trump for “hand-selecting” Supreme Court judges who overturned Roe v. Wade. Harris contended that abortions should be available to women nationwide and vowed, “When Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as President of the United States, I will proudly, proudly sign it into law.”
As she was talking, two pro-life protesters yelled, “Christ is King!” and “Jesus is Lord!” In response, instead of understanding what she was dealing with and handling it in a more “presidential” manner, Harris sarcastically retorted, “Oh, you guys are at the wrong rally” and told them to “go to the smaller one down the street.”
The young protesters, Luke Polaske and Grant Beth, are students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Beth told Fox News that they received “backlash” for their comments. He said, “I was pushed by an elderly woman. We were heckled…We were cursed…we were mocked, and that’s the biggest thing for me personally. In reflection of the event, Jesus was mocked. You know, his disciples were mocked, and that’s okay…we did God’s work, and we were there for the right reasons, and God is watching us (at) this moment.”
Polaske said Harris was “waving” to him as they were “asked to leave” and escorted off the premises. In response, he said “I took this cross off my neck that I wear” and “held it up in the air and waved at her and pointed at her.” As they were leaving, Polaske said Harris “looked” at him “directly in the eye,” and “kind of gave me an evil smirk.”
If elected, Beth told Fox News, he believes Harris will be the type of leader who “alienates over 50% of the U.S. population that is Christian.”
It seems to this writer that these two young men had more courage to confront Harris than 99% of the news reporters who refuse to hold her accountable in any of her very few interviews.
One media outlet that would ask her tough questions is Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). The latter invited both Trump and Harris to participate in interviews. Not surprisingly, Trump accepted their invitation, while Harris did not respond to the network despite “multiple requests” for an interview.
But her actions are having an impact, especially amongst Catholic voters. In a recent Pew Research poll, Trump leads Harris 52%-47% among Catholics. While this is not the large lead we would hope for Trump, it is a turnaround from 2020 when Washington Post exit polls showed Biden leading Trump among Catholic voters by the same margin.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s demeanor in this election can only be viewed as displaying little respect for the Catholic faithful. But there is some “saving grace” – unless her rhetoric and behavior changes, Trump’s margin amongst this crucial bloc of voters is surely to burgeon.
Perhaps a thank you note to Ms. Harris would be in order – for sending a clear message to the Catholic faithful – there is little room for you in the Democratic candidate’s campaign for President of the United States this November 5.
