At a rally for Gov. Bush on Friday in Anderson, South Carolina, one of the speakers mocked congressman Lindsey Graham for supporting McCain. Hoots and hollers all around. As it turned out, the northwest portion of the state did indeed go heavily for Bush. The accusation that Republicans demonstrated anti-Catholic bigotry in passing over a Catholic priest for the post of House chaplain is mostly bogus, but it continues to be a p.r. disaster for House Republicans. Wrong on both counts.
Republican leaders have decided on no such thing, thank goodness.
The last thing Republicans should want is to let the Democrats say that they're so bigoted they would rather not have a new chaplain than appoint a Catholic. But even that may not be enough to deal with the perception of Republican anti-Catholicism, which is metastasizing thanks to George W. Bush's having spoken at Bob Jones University. The issue here, as with the chaplain controversy, may not seem all that important in the grand scheme of things. But it is precisely the kind of symbolic issue that could cost Republicans the House, and even make the difference in a tight presidential race. If this problem gets any worse, Republicans may find it necessary to nominate a Catholic for vice president.