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Rudy Giuliani: The Perfect Imperfect Catholic (Part II)
“Unriddle the mysteries of human nature!” as Kafka liked to say. In last Friday’s post I asked how it was possible that Rudy Giuliani was receiving the support of White Evangelicals and Traditional Catholics. His Mario Cuomo-like refusal to transpose his private abhorrence for abortion into the register of his public policy initiatives should not sit well with these constituencies. As for “character,” his more or less standard Manhattan life style (e.g., divorce, gay friends, chicanery, recreational cross dressing) is rarely a selling point in the Red States.
Or so goes the logic. The polls, as I noted, tell a completely different story. How can this be explained? One popular approach--call it the “Hee Haw Theory of Evangelical Political Literacy”--suggests that Conservative Protestants are simply unaware of Giuliani’s record. Too busy cleaning out their guns, or chewin’ tobacco to bother learning about the candidate, they sure think they like the guy. Such ignorance is out of character for one of the most highly mobilized and politically passionate social movements in recent American history.
A more plausible, and intriguing, explanation is that Conservative Christians are prioritizing. National security, not abortion or a Federal Marriage Amendment, is what presently worries the rank and file (as opposed to the leadership). In this regard, they see Giuliani’s leadership in the aftermath of 9/11 as indicative of his ability to address their concerns. (Admittedly, his equivocation in the May 3rd Simi Valley Debate to the effect that he could live with or without the repeal of Roe may be construed by them as a knowing wink).
Whatever the case may be, the standard assumption is that so-called values voters will vote for him in spite of his allegedly imperfect morality. I want to raise the opposite possibility. What if Mr. Giuliani’s not-exactly-by-the-book Catholicism is actually part of his appeal? In a previous study I coined the term “the secularly religious” to describe believers who are at peace with modernity, respectful of Church/State boundaries and tolerant toward others all the while devoutly committed to their faith. Their motto: let’s not get too overwrought!
This description, I know, conjures up images of Reform Jews or Unitarians. But my guess is that we have underestimated the presence of these types in other groups as well. There probably aren’t many secularly religious Amish (though I bet there are a few). Southern Baptists, though, with their historical aversion to theocracy may have them in quantities that are significant for electoral politics.
The type of people I am speaking about do not require that their politicians be religious virtuosi, or decathletes of Christ. Herein lies the draw of Giuliani. His commitment to Catholicism is life- long and unquestioned. And while he may do and believe a few things that contradict Church teachings, so does every Catholic that we all know (and love). Secularly religious voters, I want to suggest, not only tolerate, but may even sympathize with his lack of saintliness because it so approximates their own.
By Jacques Berlinerblau |
July 23, 2007; 8:48 AM ET
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Posted by: Mandy Cat | November 20, 2007 12:49 PM
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Absent the World Trade Center tragedy, Giulani was seen as a one dimensional politician who ran rough shod over human rights. Do we need a another one dimensional president? Giuliani doesn't live Christian values which call for respect for other human beings. Anyone who could humiliate his wife and son so savagely, should steer clear of calling himself anything but morally compromised.
Posted by: Mo | July 25, 2007 1:44 PM
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Professor Berlinerblau said:
In a previous study I coined the term “the secularly religious” to describe believers who are at peace with modernity, respectful of Church/State boundaries and tolerant toward others all the while devoutly committed to their faith. Their motto: let’s not get too overwrought!
This description, I know, conjures up images of Reform Jews or Unitarians. But my guess is that we have underestimated the presence of these types in other groups as well. There probably aren’t many secularly religious Amish (though I bet there are a few).
From my Mennonite (i.e. Amish with electricity) perspective, the American Anabaptists (Amish, Brethren, Mennonite, once-upon-a-time Baptists, etc.) are not so much "secularly religious" as pragmatic about electoral choices. A third are inclined to vote with the Democrats because of "social justice values", a third are inclined to vote with Republicans because of "family values", and a third won't vote because there is "no king, but Jesus."
We are not "too overwrought" because we aren't relying on the political system -- we "wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with powers, principalities and other fallen angels."
We take advantage of the political system as part of being "in the world" while not depending on it because we are "not of the world."
Would any Anabaptists vote for an "imperfect Catholic"? They would to the extent that a weighing of values suggests that Rudy Giuliani (the featured candidate) would be the "lesser of evils" or would be capable of representing Mennonites on more issues of greater concern than would other candidates. As for me, I'm leaning toward another "imperfect Catholic" (Sam Brownback, mostly because of his concern for the people of Sudan).
In addition to not being "overwrought" because Jesus said to not be anxious, the discussion of choices between Republicans seems to be rather academic (and not worth a large expenditure of energy) since the public seems inclined to punch a Clinton-Obama ticket. (By the way, that prediction was more intuitive and prophetic than based on polls.)
The Anabaptists will roll with the punches, turn the other cheek, and continue with Kingdom Business.
[I hope that the cliches were helpful as shorthand.]
Posted by: Amish with Electricity | July 25, 2007 1:02 PM
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The "Hee Haw" syndrone is probably being used. Self promotion can do a little, but there must be a sponsor in the background to get Guiliani ink and media coverage to take advantage of the "Hee Haw" mind set and to raise a lot of money.
Posted by: Stan | July 24, 2007 4:34 PM
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Mary Cunningham,
"And he’s mean, really mean. The milk of human kindness in the veins of that man turned to cheese long ago."
For once, you and I are on the same wavelength!
Professor Berlinerblau,
I think that this essay is the best and most sensible, and most down to earth, that you've written in this series. I liked it.
Here's another thought about Rudy's popularity in southern Red States.
I recall a study that concluded that the demand for on-line and cable pornography was the highest per-capita in those states. And that the rates of teen pregnancy and divorce were also highest there.
Perhaps Southern voters recognize Rudy as a kindred spirit and regard his behavior and values as a kind of pie-in-the-face to their ever-vocal preachers.
Posted by: Norrie Hoyt | July 24, 2007 12:01 PM
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*Can a devout Catholic be a good politician? Is Rudy either?*
Somehow ‘devout Catholic’ is not a description I would apply to Rudy Giuliani. Does he go to Mass weekly, the minimum ‘proof’ of commitment to Catholicism? The three (living) wives are bad enough (lucky for them he is not Henry VIII!), even worse the absence of any reconciliation with his cast off wives and children. And he’s mean, really mean. The milk of human kindness in the veins of that man turned to cheese long ago.
*Bertie Ahern, a good-enough Catholic? A very good politician?*
IMO a ‘devoutly Catholic’ pol. is an oxymoron anyway. But we can have a ‘good-enough’ Catholic pol. And as examples I would point to Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair. Taoiseach Bertie, the prime minister of the Republic of Ireland, goes to Mass everyday, has separated from his wife, but not remarried, and is very close to both his daughters. OK, he’s not perfect, he is—after all—an Irish pol., that special mixture of amiability, compassion and opportunism. Still, more than anyone else, he is responsible for peace in Northern Ireland. And that’s a pretty good accomplishment. If someone asked me show me a good Catholic *and * a good pol, I’d say, well, look at Taoiseach Bertie.
http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=189&docID=-1
(Tony Blair is another story and I don’t have too much time here.)
Posted by: Mary Cunningham | July 24, 2007 4:58 AM
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"National security, not abortion or a Federal Marriage Amendment, is what presently worries the rank and file (as opposed to the leadership)."
Or in other words, they will allow unreasoning fear, and the misperception that Giuliani is a "tough guy" actually behaved heroically before and after 9/11 override there other irrational concerns.
Either way I see little light in religious right support for another Republican poser. Thankfully most of the rest of your countrymen seem to be wising up and rejecting the faith-based politics of fear.
Regards
A Hermit
Posted by: A Hermit | July 23, 2007 7:33 PM
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Berlinerblau says:
"His commitment to Catholicism is life- long and unquestioned. And while he may do and believe a few things that contradict Church teachings, so does every Catholic that we all know (and love). Secularly religious voters, I want to suggest, not only tolerate, but may even sympathize with his lack of saintliness because it so approximates their own."
Is this really so? I'm a life-long New Yorker and what I always liked about Rudy is his apparent LACK of commitment to Catholicism. Perhaps I missed something, but I don't recall Giuliani ever taking the "Catholic" position on ANY issue (abortion, gay rights, death penalty, aid for the poor, etc). I've always believed that Rudy was Republican In Name Only and Catholic In Name Only. Maybe Berlinerblau should re-think his position.
Posted by: s cohn | July 23, 2007 12:54 PM
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Where did you get the idea that Southern Baptists would object to a theocracy? I can't imaging anything they'd like better.
Small town Baptists spend major portions of their lives snooping and meddling in other people's business. (All that time and energy they're not allowed to expend drinking, dancing and gambling has to go somewhere.) What could be better than the opportunity to meddle with the full power of the state behind you?
Scratch a Baptist preacher, find a frustrated Taliban mullah.