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CNN Sunday Morning

Bush Courts Catholic Vote

Aired March 17, 2002 - 08:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Several Connecticut priests accused of sexual abuse reportedly were allowed to continue their duties in the church for years. The newspaper the "Hartford Courant" reports that New York Cardinal Edward Egin (ph) allowed those priests to keep their jobs and never reported them to authorities. Egin once headed the Bridgeport Diocese, which last year settled several sex abuse complaints against priests.

Even with its recent controversies, the Catholic Church is still an important ally to have in politics. Recently, President Bush has been courting that Catholic vote. CNN's Kelly Wallace has more now on the president's political strategy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Bush got a hero's welcome. The first sitting president ever to walk in Chicago's St. Patrick's Day parade. The trip was not about politics, but honoring Irish Americans (UNINTELLIGIBLE) said. Though analysts viewed it as another example of how the administration has made courting Catholics a huge priority.

STU ROTHENBERG, THE ROTHENBERG POLITICAL REPORT: This is a classic case of ethnic politics. The president telling Irish Catholics that he recognizes them, he appreciates them, he values them and subtly, he wants their votes.

WALLACE: And here's why. In the presidential election, George Bush narrowly lost the Catholic vote to Al Gore. That was a significant achievement, since Bill Clinton beat former Senator Bob Dole when it came to Catholics by 16 points in 1996. Catholics could be key for the president in 2004, Republicans say, especially since he did not win the popular vote.

SEN. CHUCK HAGEL (R), NEBRASKA: This president must obviously put down a wider, deeper base of support than what he had in 2000, or he may not be reelected. He certainly understands that.

WALLACE: And his recent travel schedule suggests he has not forgotten the closest election in modern history. This year alone, he has already been to Florida, the state which decided the presidential race three times. His trips have also focused on states he narrowly lost in 2000 and states he won by six points or less. The president is also going to places to boost Republican chances in the 2002 elections, raising money for Elizabeth Dole, a Senate candidate in North Carolina, and helping governors, including his brother, hold on to their jobs in November.

(on camera): Some Republican strategists have suggested this is the most political Republican White House in recent years, with the president and his team even actively recruiting candidates for the congressional election. That's because Mr. Bush's advisers know if Republicans lose control of the House and don't regain control of the Senate, the president will have an uphill battle getting his agenda passed and scoring achievements to tout in 2004.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, the White House.

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