The right kind of college debate at (Catholic) Boston College

“Let’s cut to the meat of the coconut,” responded Carville to Russert’s questioning whether a politician can be a Catholic and a Democrat. “We’re talking about abortion.” Carville claimed, “The majority of Catholics think abortion should be legal.”
(Democratic strategist James Carville)

“You can’t live in this country and not be shaped (by religion),” said Carville, who many credit with helping Bill Clinton win the presidency in 1992 and again in 1996.

“The Catholic Church is against abortion for real reasons,” said Noonan, who currently writes for The Wall Street Journal. “It’s not just a dance,” she said, countering arguments that it’s not a politician’s role to decide on the issue. “Abortion is either okay or it’s not.”
(former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan)

Liberal columnist Dionne said ending abortions is much more difficult than making them illegal. “It’s about respecting motherhood and fatherhood,” said Dionne. He insisted that for women to stop wanting abortions, society must first put them in a better economic position.
“How do you choose to preserve life?” he asked, explaining that economic stability is at the core of the issue.
(Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne)

Other issues of the night involved gay marriage, particularly in Massachusetts. Boston College president, Jesuit Father William P. Leahy, said there is still much work to be done in restoring the American Catholic Church. He believes that much of this will materialize from Catholic universities like BC.

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