DetNews: 'Catholics in bind in race for governor" (+ my initial comments)

Also via Amy, from the Detroit News:

Michigan Catholics are on their own in this year's race for governor.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, while supportive of many of the social policies the Roman Catholic Church favors, is for abortion rights, and she supports expanded embryonic stem cell research -- two positions the church can't abide.

Republican challenger Dick DeVos passes the litmus test on abortion and stem cells -- he opposes both -- but he doesn't have Granholm's record of protecting the social safety net or fighting for an increase in the minimum wage and an earned income tax credit that aids the working poor. The governor drew high praise from the church for those battles.

At stake in this contentious race is a massive group of longtime swing voters. There are 2.25 million Catholics in Michigan -- one-quarter of the state electorate. When motivated, they can influence the outcome of elections. [More...]

This is a very important topic to me and I'm going to address it at more length either later today or tomorrow. In the meantime, the Fumare blog (run by graduates of the Ave Maria School of Law) is a good place to have bookmarked for this issue. Particularly here, here, here and here.

Remember my fellow Catholics in Michigan, we can do this if we stick together. Let's get motivated.

Update: Diogenes adds his illuminative commentary: "Note that Granholm's position on abortion is not reluctantly held, no[r] does she apologize for it as the regrettable price to be paid for getting her party's nomination -- on the contrary, she singles out her opponent as unworthy to be elected precisely because of the Catholic stance he takes. " [More...]

Update 2: The blog of the Michigan Republican Party (not suprisingly) mentions the most recent survey by Voter Roll Call saying DeVos and Granholm are in a dead heat. I've heard that traditionally republicans in Michigan do better at getting out the vote and that a republican gubernatorial candidate less than 5 points behind has a good chance of winning the election. Time will tell...