Vice President Harris is facing criticism from Catholic voters due to her past actions of hostility towards their faith. GOP strategist Ryan Girdusky stated that Harris is polling worse than President Biden among Catholic voters, who are a crucial demographic that could help decide the presidency. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center revealed that Harris has only 47% support from Catholic voters compared to Trump’s 52%. This marks a significant shift from the 2020 election when Biden, a Catholic, beat Trump among Catholic voters.
Catholic voters make up a significant portion of the electorate in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, and Arizona. These states have a substantial Catholic population ranging from 18% to 25%. Harris drew further criticism when she decided to skip the Archdiocese of New York’s annual Al Smith Dinner, a prominent event attended by presidential candidates from both parties regardless of their faith. The decision was heavily criticized by Cardinal Dolan, who expressed disappointment and noted that the last major candidate to skip the event was Democrat Walter Mondale in 1984.
Harris’ strained relationship with Catholics dates back to her time serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In 2018, she grilled a judicial nominee about his membership in the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization, raising questions about their views on controversial issues. During the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett in 2020, her Catholic faith was again targeted by Democratic senators, leading to criticism from Republican Senator Josh Hawley. The Biden-Harris administration has also faced criticism for targeting traditional Catholics through the use of federal law enforcement, according to a report from the House Judiciary Committee.
The report highlighted the FBI’s actions in targeting Americans who are pro-life, pro-family, and support traditional views on gender identity as potential domestic terrorists. The administration’s attempts to turn Catholic clergy and church leadership into informants have raised concerns about religious freedom and political interference in religious matters. Professor Chad C. Pecknold from The Catholic University of America stated that Democrats seem to support Catholics who align with the party’s teachings while suppressing those who adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church. He noted that when a political party takes on a pseudo-religious role, it can affect governance and religious freedom.
Overall, Vice President Harris has faced backlash from Catholic voters due to her previous actions and decisions that have been perceived as hostile towards the Catholic faith. This has resulted in a decline in support from Catholic voters, a crucial demographic in presidential elections. The Biden-Harris administration’s targeting of traditional Catholics through federal law enforcement has further exacerbated tensions, leading to concerns about religious freedom and political interference in matters of faith. The administration’s actions have sparked a debate about the role of religion in politics and the protection of religious freedoms.
