Pope Francis goes to Washington: Why congressional GOPers are about to get a papal smackdown

[DonViejo]

When the pontiff addresses Congress later this month, Republicans should be prepared for the worst

PATRICIA MILLER

When John Boehner announced in March of 2014 that he had invited Pope Francis to address a joint meeting of Congress, it seemed like a great idea. The popular pontiff had been in office for just one year and his doctrinal persona was still somewhat of a tabula rasa. Sure, he had condemned “trickle-down” economics as an unproven theory that “expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power.” But he had also spoken out strongly against abortion and signaled that he had no intention of changing the Catholic Church’s signature conservative teachings on issues like gay marriage. And his very popularity seemed to auger well for the insistence of many in the GOP that religion should be at the center of public life.

And when the pontiff accepted the invitation in early 2015, it seemed like a coup for the GOP. Boehner clearly saw an opportunity to marry some of Francis’ rhetoric about caring for the poor and less fortunate with Republican economic doctrine, to reframe it as “compassionate conservatism” much the way that George W. Bush did to appeal to Catholics and moderates worried that the party’s policies toward the poor were too harsh.

“His tireless call for the protection of the most vulnerable among us—the ailing, the disadvantaged, the unemployed, the impoverished, the unborn—has awakened hearts on every continent,” said Boehner. “Many in the United States believe these principles are undermined by ‘crony capitalism’ and the ongoing centralization of political power in the institutions of our federal government, which threaten to disrupt the delicate balance between the twin virtues of subsidiarity and solidarity. They have embraced Pope Francis’ reminder that we cannot meet our responsibility to the poor with a welfare mentality based on business calculations.”

But now, as the date of the pope’s historic speech approaches, more and more members of the party are bracing for what some are predicting could be a very bumpy ride on Sept. 24.

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http://www.salon.com/2015/08/13/pope_francis_is_coming_to_washington_why_congressional_gopers_are_about_to_get_a_papal_smackdown/

[BillZBubb]

1. Maybe a repug congresscretin will yell out "You Lie!".

You know they'll want to.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Except of course Republicans invited him because they agree with him in opposing LGBT equality and

reproductive choice, Francis has give strong support to their efforts to keep ACA from functioning, he's supported the March For Life, met with the Hobby Lobby family, the Heritage Foundation, NOM and Family Research Council. So they have plenty of common ground, mutual allies, friends and shared agenda.
If they did not want Francis there, Boehner would not have invited him. But Boehner did invite him. That obviously is a challenge to the DUers who want to support this anti gay, anti choice activist, but it is just the fact of the day.

[trotsky]

4. "But Boehner did invite him."

Exactly. Democrats are just as likely to be chastised by Wonderpope Frank for their support of LGBT equality and reproductive rights. If we don't take him seriously on those items, why should Republicans care what he says about economic issues?

[ladjf]

3. Go Pope! This is the first Pope in my lifetime that is willing

to face and address the realities of human life. I'm not religious, but, anytime leaders speaks out for the realistic needs of the people, he/she will have my support.

[NYC Liberal]

5. Republicans may disagree with him on some things, but Francis is right up there

with the worst of them when it comes to equal rights.

He is a misogynist and a bigot, I'm sorry to say.