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Gubernatorial candidates differ on archbishop's letter

October 4, 2004
By: Laura McNamara
State Capital Bureau

Gubernatorial candidates differ on the Archbishop's recent letter spelling out guidelines for Catholic voters. Laura McNamara is at the Capitol.

Story:
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OutCue: SOC

Archbishop Raymond Burke urged St. Louis Catholics to vote against any politician supporting controversial issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

Republican gubernatorial spokesman John Hancock says much of Burke's stance on such issues are in line with Matt Blunt's campaign.

But Hancock says that does not mean the Catholic Church is making a political statement supporting the non-Catholic candidate.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue: environment as well
Contents: "I think that politics only enters in in that some of the same issues that the Church is wrestling with are issues that are in the political environment as well."

Democratic candidate Claire McCaskill who is Catholic supports abortion and same-sex marriage rights. Spokesman Glen Campbell says the differences between the Catholic Church and the candidate are not the real issues of this year's race for McCaskill.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue: engaging in it
Contents: "She has recognized for some time how important it is especially as an elected office holder of the state the division between church and state. And that's what we're really trying to honor that line. So as far as our campaign goes, we're really just not engaging in it."

But the archdiocese spokesman on this particular issue, Rev. Edward Richard (Ree-shard) says addressing moral principles is a part of a democratic society.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue: primarily by voting
Contents: "Individual candidates have a responsibility to exercise political prudence and the way that we do that in a democratic society is primarily by voting."

Burke's letter released October first defined what the Church believes a Catholic citizen's responsibility is during an election.

From Missouri's state Capitol, I'm Laura McNamara.

lcm

Spokesman for republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Blunt says the Archbishop's letter on voting issues is consistent with Blunt's platform. Laura McNamara is at the Capitol.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The Archbishop Raymond Burke urged St. Louis Catholics to vote against any politician supporting controversial issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

Blunt's spokesman John Hancock says Burke's stance on such issues are in line with Blunt's campaign.

But Hancock says that does not mean Burke is making a political statement supporting the non-Catholic candidate.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue: environment as well
Contents: "I think that politics only enters in in that some of the same issues that the Church is wresting with are issues that are in the political environment as well."

But democratic candidate Claire McCaskill's spokesman moral issues are not the real issues of this year's race.

From Missouri's state Capitol, I'm Laura McNamara.

lcm

Spokesman for democratic gubernatorial candidate Claire McCaskill says theirÿ20campaign won't focus on her differences with the Archbishop's recent letter to parishioners. Laura McNamara is at the Capitol.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Archbishop Raymond Burke said Catholics should vote against politicians supporting major issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

But McCaskill, a Catholic, says she supports abortion and same-sex marriage rights.

Democratic spokesman Glenn Campbell says McCaskill wants to keep moral issues out of this year's race.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue: versus unite us
Contents: "We're more concerned about how we make our schools better, what we do to improve our roads, than to spend any time challenging the Church or visiting those issues that tend to divide versus unite us."

But republican spokesman John Hancock says Burke's statement on how Catholics should vote characterizes the issues Republican candidate Matt Blunt stands for.

From Missouri's State Capitol, I'm Laura McNamara.