American Catholic Voter

The author of a recently released book on the American Catholic voter believes practicing Catholics in key battleground states could help George W. Bush get reelected this November. George Marlin is the former executive officer of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In his book, The American Catholic Voter: 200 Years of Political Impact (St. Augustine's Press, 2004), the Brooklyn native says a recent study found that traditional practicing Catholics are becoming more Republican, especially in key battleground states. 'The concentration of practicing Catholics in the old 'Rust Belt' states,' Marlin says, 'those states happen to be the key battleground states this year. Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Missouri in particular -- in my judgment those four states will determine who the next president of the United States is. So practicing Catholics in the key battleground states can determine who the next President of the United States is, and right now it looks like they're going for George Bush.' For that reason, Marlin says if the Bush campaign is successful in getting practicing Catholics to the polls, the president should win a second term. [Chad Groening]