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Chris Stirewalt, Fred Barnes and Matt Smith discuss the conflict between catholic institutions and the Obama Administration.
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And that is health secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Speaking at the public policy school at Georgetown university at their commencement ceremony last week.
Not.
Pictured there of course for the protesters outside.
Who say that the woman who as promulgate at the -- rules that require Catholic institutions that object.
Two cover contraception.
For their employees.
And this power play welcome back and Fred Barnes praise be -- with this still and he is joined now by Matt Smith -- -- -- by Matt Smith was president of Catholic advocate.
And what's going on today is that the archdiocese of new York and other Catholic organizations the the the bishop -- is swinging into action they're going to court and and that's days that they are -- -- In various federal courts around the country.
That the Obama administration to block this mandate on the health insurance.
Is that.
We put in perspective for us Matt.
How unusual step is this.
-- bishops it's unprecedented.
Vicious by nature.
Try to be conciliatory build a coalition.
Work all sides but this is we were new territory we've never seen this before where the federal government's comment.
And told -- -- institution to violate their beliefs.
And even the accommodation that the president announced that there were attempts.
Didn't do anything for Catholic institutions -- yourself -- which is what today's lawsuit.
Probably take steps to alleviate the aggression.
Fred -- this.
As as as Matt points out.
The bishops do like that whole christianity thing they try to be nice to each other your I've noticed that -- One of the complaints has been no good over the years particularly by Republicans and conservatives is that will be on our side on one issue and it and certainly this is one.
There on the side Republicans and community conservatives would -- -- -- this lawsuit and then they'll come out attacking Republicans just to be bipartisan in the way they attacked the Paul Ryan budget.
This is what we call we've been in politics in Washington this is what we thought we bat umpires seriously political balance and -- blow calls but I'm gonna blow them on both sides.
Actually wind up when he got even ended in my unfair you know what Ohio rules of politics is unsure -- -- -- Chris is that.
When running for an election bid had been reelection and especially for president.
Don't get a fight with the Catholic Church that's not gonna help you this the big it is that it happens to -- largest denomination in the country.
So Matt.
They're now we have I'm seeing here is just crossing now American University -- joined this lawsuit.
-- just a burden on and around don't know the kept the giver -- Perez.
Not American.
They want their program is.
I think anything about that a but Franciscan university and -- -- and as I said about Franciscan university which is across the river from where I grew up.
The the Franciscans.
At the university student filmmaker.
-- you couldn't Jesuits look like Presbyterians these guys are hard core.
Other series about their stuff.
Is this something that can be made to go away is is there and it -- short of the president coming -- reversing himself.
Is there an additional accommodation is there something here does do these lawsuits signify that it's you know it's a two track it's as colonel -- -- repeatedly.
It's either going to be in the courts -- legislatively.
And obviously that's legislatively.
-- the president's going to sign that going to law.
So you're seeing that in the unprecedented step of going to the courts are -- Fred in when we talk about schools like Franciscan university.
That's what -- -- swing counties in swing states -- and it so happens that this for the president the two most important places to defend.
But will this translate really well I understand you know that the bishops are upset -- -- these institutions are upset but does that really carry over to persuade people rant about -- and accuse.
Well that's a good question and it usually and I think it does a little if the issue lingers it's one -- -- A one a one off issue that then goes away but as Matt says it's not gonna go away.
And the cardinal Dolan says look it's either going to be done.
Yeah usually legislatively or in the courts and it will stay in the news.
It in this is the troubled you can get into -- mean obviously one of the reasons why.
Plenty -- -- and administrative.
Administration wanted to do this before the election was because they have looked up -- and and liberals and so on like that you were serving don't want -- the interest groups in your party.
It turns out there's a downside to.
And the other thing to think about is it every State's.
The Catholic population.
And they are higher number of the electorate didn't Catholics turn out to vote and a higher number than they represented in the population even in Vermont yes.
All right okay even -- -- -- we we we we've got you here under false pretense as we ask you to come because you have an initiative.
That's dealing with.
Online gambling which we -- the Internet would be interest it and so go ahead and as will run out of time tell.
This is another -- this is you are you know right before on December 23.
The Obama administration the holder Justice Department gave gambling -- Christmas present by.
Saying the fifty year old wire act.
Didn't apply anymore.
This is offshore online games and so it's just another example goes back to the incidence.
Came out of HHS we got to edicts out of the Justice Department where.
You have the Obama administration that writes a memo and thinks that clause of the constitution don't apply anymore so we're guess we're seeing states.
You know two dozen states now with an explosion of Internet gambling is just another example of unelected bureaucrats in the executive branch.
-- -- I can't resist saying this it's no gamble on having a great show -- -- -- like -- we thank you very much for being with us.
And I believe you will let all for jury have the last line they can't.
Do this campaign issue with the Catholic Church is -- is just as bad as politicians trying to get all the independent voters in one basket.
Gonna backfire for both parties that's usually say that all -- jury -- just put that out there is bad for both parties generally.
You will be right most of the time.
Gentlemen we thank you very much for being with us.
