Catholic League's Surprise Endorsement

By Jacqueline L. Salmon

Maybe Catholic League president Bill Donohue is mellowing. The acerbic conservative Catholic, who hasn't hesitated to chomp on the leg of the Obama administration, has endorsed an Obama pick for the second time.

First it was Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Now it is Obama's nomination for surgeon general, Regina Benjamin. Donohue calls the choice of Benjamin, who is Catholic, "excellent."

Benjamin would become the top U.S. health official.

Donohue doesn't seen any contradiction between lambasting the administration for allegedly covering up religious symbols for a Georgetown University speech by Obama, and lauding Benjamin and Sotomayor.

"If our side--social conservative Catholics--does not offer kudos when they deserve it, we come across as whiners," he said.

Donohue said he doesn't know where Benjamin stands on abortion, but takes heart from the honors she has received in the Catholic church. Pope Benedict has awarded her the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal for distinguished service. There's a profound difference, he said, between someone who is wrestling with the question and those who are "aggressive" abortion supporters.

He guesses, however, that Benjamin is "probably on our side."

By Jacqueline L. Salmon  |  July 13, 2009; 4:54 PM ET  | Category:  God in Government
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