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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Cardinal Dolan does the right thing by inviting President Obama to Al Smith dinner

Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2012 at 07:58 AM

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President Obama and Cardinal Dolan

The decision by Cardinal Timothy Dolan to invite President Obama to the Al Smith dinner in New York is a very good political move.

Contrast that with his predecessor, Cardinal Edward Egan, who refused to invite Senator John Kerry when he was opposing President Bush.

Dolan was never going to allow himself to be caught in the meat grinder that Egan did on that occasion.

Though he is suing Obama over health care legislation Dolan knew that snubbing Obama on this occasion would cause a huge backlash.

The Al Smith dinner called after the first major Irish Catholic candidate for president, is a presidential year tradition, a night when the impact of the Catholic vote is recognized.

Cardinal Dolan does the right thing by inviting President Obama to Al Smith dinner -- Avoids the massive mistake of his predecessor Cardinal Egan who snubbed John Kerry

Dolan knew what happened his predecessor. Egan came under immense pressure and eventually kicked for touch and invited Hugh Carey as the Obama surrogate and President Bush senior as his son’s spokesman.

It all came crashing down on Egan who suffered a massive loss of prestige as a result.

With a Catholic Democratic governor in Andrew Cuomo with whom he has cordial relations, Dolan knew well that not inviting Obama would cause a huge rift.

Obama’s presence on the night will be significant. The Catholic vote is absolutely critical in this election, especially in key states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Ironically the tenets of Mormonism are far more hostile to Catholicism and potentially cause problems for Romney than anything Obama might have to say.

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion, speaking of the vision he had to start his church noted that he asked his angel what about other religions.

"I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. He again forbade me to join with any of them;..."

Romney will obviously not be highlighting that aspect of the relationship between his religion and that of Catholicism.

Apart from the debates the men will not be seen in the same company other than at the Al Smith dinner.

Cardinal Dolan has done the right thing here and deserves credit. There is more than enough divisiveness in American politics already.

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handsome68 | Aug 09, 2012, 12:23 PM EDT

As someone who currently goes to Sunday Mass and tries to observe the 10 commandments, I find Cardinal Dolan's invitation to President Obama absolutely the WRONG thing to do. This cardinal and his immediate predecessor are far too political when the Church needs apolitical and clear spiritual guidance. I follow Jesus, not the pope or the other fellows in the conical hat brigade.

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PhlutiePhan | Aug 09, 2012, 12:17 PM EDT

"You tube" has video of Mr. Obama speaking at the 2008 "Al Smith Dinner". Mr. McCain spoke also. Since, there is a history of not inviting either to this benefit for Catholic Charities. This is what Cardinal Dolan should have done. The problem is that in 2008, Cardinal Egen "fell into a trap". Mr. Obama used the opportunity to pose with Cardinal Egen. He was smiling and there was plenty of "back slapping". This connoted to Catholics that Mr. Obama was acceptable to the Catholic hierarchy. The following vote showed as such among surveys for Catholics. Mr. Obama is the inveterate charmer. As soon as Cardinal Dolan shakes hands with the smiling president, the message will be sent that Mr. Obama is acceptable even to those who are against his religious agenda. Cardinal Dolan is a charmer himself. He believes confidently that he will be able to use his "Lucky Charms" personality to outcharm the overgrown leprechaun. He isn't even in the same league with the devil himself. Romney is no "barrell of chuckles" and his capitalist views of which the strong "social justice wing" of the Church considers him to be anathema. The correct answer should have been to invite neither.

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mikehoulihan | Aug 09, 2012, 11:46 AM EDT

Do you think Obama will talk about how many babies have been murdered by his friends at Planned Parenthood, Niall?

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eiriamach | Aug 09, 2012, 10:51 AM EDT

Niall writes, "Romney will obviously not be highlighting that aspect of the relationship between his religion and Catholicism." Right, but he can tell the orthodox Catholic audience that he believes marriage is between one man and one woman. That's one commitment he can make without flip-flopping or offending anyone-- as long as his polygamous grandfather won't be there.

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hermitTalker | Aug 09, 2012, 10:38 AM EDT

No one gives a Moroni angel's backside about Mormon theology in and of itself but more so when we see how Mr Obama understands the Bible and Christianity's basic teachings in the social order. Cdl Dolan did not need the Cdl Egan precedent the reality is different. As president of the USCCB he was lied to and insulted by Mr Obama, and St Paul taught us to heap coals on the enemy's head by showing love. The example of character and class are startling,the charm associated with Obama broke down dealing with the HSE reforms,and his lies to Cdl. Dolan. He dug a huge hole for himself with Ms Sibelius' help- Timothy Cardinal Dolan left it wide and deep and did it masterfully. Never fool with a clever Irishman's political-religious agenda!

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skellmeyer | Aug 09, 2012, 10:37 AM EDT

Oddly enough, no one points out the enormous backlash Obama has generated by attacking Catholics and their Faith. Cardinal Dolan has made an enormous mistake by entertaining the modern equivalent of the Emperor Diocletian. Barack Obama is despised in the United States - he is seen as in incompetent bully that only fools and socialists (but I repeat myself) could love. We look forward to his ouster in November.

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eiriamach | Aug 09, 2012, 10:35 AM EDT

Recalling Al Smith's famous gaff as he began the speech he made as Governor-elect at Sing-Sing Prison, "I'm so glad to see so many of you here," I wonder what Romney will say in his speech at the Al Smith dinner. "I'm so glad to see so many of the one percent here"?

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OldMariner | Aug 09, 2012, 10:00 AM EDT

Kudos to His Eminence. As the article states, he is smart enough to avoid any backlash for not inviting the President that the late Cardinal Egan had suffered. This is important now due to the lawsuits pending and for public perceptions. But, Mr O'Dowd, why add in the non-relevant, non-sequitor part about Mormonism. Is it supposed to discredit Romney?

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Irish by birth | Aug 09, 2012, 09:43 AM EDT

why invite the enemies of the Holy Catholic Church to anything ?

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Dublinborn | Aug 09, 2012, 09:42 AM EDT

everyone needs to see the movie 2016. The truth about this Obama fella

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