Catholic Voters Role In American Politics

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Catholic voters have played an interesting role in the American political system over the past 50 years. Despite making up about a quarter of the U.S. population (Penning 1986), Catholics have had few presidential candidates of their own during this time and therefore, have had to vote for those with somewhat different beliefs and views. The main question that researchers have dealt with over the years is whether or not the majority of Catholics have continued to support the Democratic Party since Kennedy won in 1960, or have swayed more toward conservatism and voting Republican. Also, if Catholics have swayed toward the Republican Party, then why? A Catholic shift toward the Republican Party could greatly improve its base while greatly …show more content…
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Kellstedt, Lyman A., and John C. Green. 1993. “Knowing God’s Many People: Denominational Preference and Political Behavior.” Rediscovering the Religious Factor in American Politics. Armonk, NY.: M. E. Sharpe.

Kenski, Henry C., and William Lockwood. “The Catholic Vote from 1980 to 1986: Continuity or Change?” in Religion and Political Behavior in the United States, ed. Ted G. Jelen, 109-137. New York: Praeger.

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