Catholics, vets go right; Bush, Kerry tie

What is causing the erosion of suport among Catholics? Swift Boat Vets? The senator's choice to ignore Catholic teachings on abortion?

An erosion of support among U.S. Catholics and veterans for John Kerry has left him in a tie with President Bush, a CBS poll indicated Friday.

White Catholics, too, once gave Kerry, a Catholic, a double-digit lead over Bush, a Protestant, now their vote is split evenly.

From the CBSNews.com article on the poll:

Another closely watched voting group is white Catholics, who share John Kerry’s religion. This poll shows that white Catholics are closely divided, with Kerry’s lead within the margin of error. Kerry receives 48 percent of their vote, while Bush receives 44 percent. Just after the convention, Kerry had a double-digit lead among this group.

PRESIDENTIAL CHOICE AMONG WHITE CATHOLICS
(Registered voters)

Now:
Kerry-Edwards
48%
Bush-Cheney
44%
Nader-Camejo
1%

Post-Democratic convention
Kerry-Edwards
51%
Bush-Cheney
40%
Nader-Camejo
4%