Low blow

Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence on Rudy Giuliani’s abortion position:

I can just hear Pilate saying, “You know, I’m personally opposed to crucifixion but I don’t want to impose my belief on others.”

I had assumed it was only Democratic politicians who had to put up with this sort of poisonous, intellectually dishonest crap. But if it spreads to other bishops, and in particular if they start saying that Giuliani can’t take Communion, it’s going to hurt him, just as it hurt Kerry last time. (If Kerry had gotten the same share among Catholics Gore got, he’d be President today.)

If the Catholic hierarchy really wants to make sure that John F. Kennedy will be not just the first Catholic President but the last as well, they’re going about it in just the right way. In the meantime, those of us who think that Giuliani is both the Republican most likely to get elected and the single most dangerous person seeking the Presidency can sit back and chortle.