Kerry DoughertyWHAT AN exciting time to be a Virginian. Pundits are calling Virginia a 2008 presidential swing state. Not only that, but we have three - count 'em, three - Democrats who've been mentioned as running mates for Sen. Barack Obama.
Former Gov. Mark Warner, who's running for the U.S. Senate, took himself out of the veep stakes over the weekend when he said, somewhat obliquely, "I have not sought and will not accept any other opportunity, because I want to serve in the U.S. Senate."
There's Sen. Jim Webb, a Senate newbie who's lots of things, but never oblique.
Finally, there's Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.
Not only is he the Democratic governor of a reliably Republican state - in presidential balloting - but he was chosen to deliver the 2006 response to the president's State of the Union address. Plus, he's Roman Catholic, a voting bloc Obama has to crack to win.
Kaine's no ordinary, Mass-every-Sunday-and-holy-day Catholic, either. Our governor's a "devout Catholic."
Don't take my word for it: Google "Tim Kaine," "devout " and "Catholic" and see how many hits you get. (Hint: more than a thousand.)
The media are curiously fond of this hackneyed expression, especially to explain Kaine's opposition to the death penalty.
And just last week, the Boston Globe's online site described Kaine as "a devout Catholic" who "speaks fluent Spanish" in a story about his potential candidacy.
Don't blame Kaine for all this devoutness. A spokesman for the governor, Gordon Hickey, told me he couldn't remember Kaine ever describing himself as "devout."
"He's certainly a man of faith, though," Hickey said.
According to my tattered Webster's, "devout" is an adjective meaning "very religious, pious..."
It's unclear how the media manages to peer into a public official's soul to measure piety. One look at the legions of disgraced evangelists ought to discourage us from this fools' errand.
This isn't the first time the word "devout" has been casually tossed about.
I was a kid when the country was titillated by the talk of an affair between Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. It often was said they didn't marry because Tracy was a "devout Catholic" who wouldn't divorce his wife.
"Ridiculous," my Protestant mother would fume. "Devout Catholics don't cheat on their wives."
Thank you, Pope Norma.
Kaine, a former missionary, is undeniably Catholic. Then again, so is Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, a product of Catholic schools and a graduate of Notre Dame.
Odd. Members of the media seldom refer to McDonnell as a "devout Catholic," choosing instead to focus on his ties to conservative Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson's Regent University, where McDonnell attended law school.
Could it be our bias is showing?
The only thing we know for sure is that Virginia's governor and attorney general are members of the Catholic church.
Anything else, the pontificators should leave to a higher authority.
Kerry Dougherty, (757) 446-2306, kerry.dougherty@cox.net
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dudleysharp
..."devout Catholics are not even called to be opposed to the death penalty." Where the heck did you ever here this? It certainly couldn't have been from the mouth of a Catholic! I was raised Catholic, attended their schools through high school (passed on the Catholic Univ.)and have always been told the death penalty was against God's law. Pope Benedict XVI recently congratulated the President of the Philippines for abolishing it.
Orion
"George, please get over it. How many times and how many ways are you going to ask the same inane question about a weak governor?"
As many times as I want to.
Please, let's forget!
George, please get over it. How many times and how many ways are you going to ask the same inane question about a weak governor?
Wrong, Kerry
Through the Traditions of The Church, canon law, and Scripture, proper use of the word "devout" can be determined. After all, if man couldn't discern the holiness of a person, we wouldn't canonize saints.
I don't know enough about Kaine personally to determine whether use of the word "devout" is correct or not. However, unless Kerry has some knowledge that isn't in the public sphere, she doesn't have the ability to honestly challenge it's use. If I was a former missionary, I'd be livid over some columnist writing such a ridiculous piece.
The epitome of how ludicrous this column is: she confers the title of "Pope" on a Protestant. ARGH!
Kerry Dougherty should leave religious pieces to Steven Vegh and stick to propoganda for the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA).
Let's not forget
Gilmore commuted a death sentence for a mentally ill person. Kaine commuted one also, but it was because of the States law not his own law or religion.
anti death penalty equals "devout" for media
Overwhemingly, the media is anti death penalty, therefore their bias shows with the "devout" moniker, likely for that very reason.
However, devout Catholics are not even called to be opposed to the death penalty, which is a matter of personal, prudential judgement for each Catholic to decide up[on, individually.
I'm a pro death penalty expert, btw
Right on
Thank you, Pope Norma.
Funniest line I've read in days. Norma sounds a lot like Eileen.
Regardless of his religion......
Isn't there a "commandment" in several religions saying "Thou Shalt Not Lie"? In at least three separate occasions Governor Kaine lied to the citizens of Virginia in town hall meetings across Virginia. Even when he was caught at it he continued. I voted for him and I am very disappointed. I think we have had enough of our politicians lying to us for the last eight years; we don't need another one in our federal government.
As they say in Iran: Ulululululululul
I would like to know to what extent are their religious beliefs? Are they ones that view going to church as more of a social club? Or, do they align themselves all the way with the same church hierarchy who only about 15 years ago apologized and said that maybe Copernicus was right about the Earth circling the Sun? Would they sacrifice all freedoms so that abortion could be illegal just as some “devout Catholics” I have spoken to would? We need to know these things about our leaders, especially when such a subject has been responsible for most of the wars, pain and suffering throughout time. You said “Anything else, the pontificators should leave to a higher authority.” Which religion’s imaginary friend would this be?
C.B.
"Obama has received more media attention than any other candidate and mostly, according to the media, he must be Jesus for no reason."
That part of your post I totally agree with. Keep in mind I'm a Democrat for the post part, but I have a problem with Obama as president. Obama's face was all over the news every day, and it was a huge mistake by the media. I guess sublimimal messages do infact work. I've said before when Obama starts to walk on water, he may get my vote.
The point I presume...
The point, I presume, is to bring to light the in your face heavily liberal slanted media campaign coverage of "do-gooder" democrats (VP heavily included). Obama has received more media attention than any other candidate and mostly, according to the media, he must be Jesus for no reason. Kaine can't seem to do anything wrong, according to the media, and to cover up his tax tax liberalness he is falsely identified as a "devout" Catholic to give liberals an argument of "See, he is iconically relgious too for all you rightwingers". It is just so tiring to hear one person being exalted (Kaine) over something (Catholicism) that is no different from another person who is vilified (McDonnell).
Bias? What Bias?
I know this has nothing to do with the subject at hand, but here goes anyway.
Yesterday this paper included a direct link to Barack Obama's 08 presidential campaign website, but didn't do the same for John McCain.
This paper ran an AP article by Nedra Pickler entitled, "Gore endorses Obama and promises to help him." At the end of that article they included Obama's campaign web address, www.barackobama.com.
Fine. If The Pilot wants to promote this election years presidential candidates on the pages of their paper I see no problem with that. That was until I read another AP article by David Espo entitled, "McCain urges end to ban on offshore drilling" without a link to McCain's campaign website.
Whether this was a simple oversight or a form of cheer leading for Obama's presidential run remains a mystery. But the least The Pilot could do is play an even handed role. If you link to Obama's link to McCain'. Is too much for ask? Apparently.
The audacity is impertinent. Am I missing something here?
OK Kerry,
I read the article twice. Was their a point to the rambling?