Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: The moral and anthropological lessons the Holy Father draws in this reflection could scarcely be more relevant to the unique circumstances of the Catholic Church in the United States.

Distinctly Catholic: If one of the only things Democrats have to say to white working-class voters is that they suffer from white privilege, no one should be surprised if Pennsylvania and Wisconsin stay in the red column this year.

A round-up of political news and commentary: The best post-debate commentary? Americans wrote the book on confronting a pandemic, and then ignored it; Analyzing Coney Barrett's record

Distinctly Catholic: Debate No. 1 goes to former Vice President Joe Biden, as even moderator Chris Wallace was exasperated by President Donald Trump's constant interruptions.

A round-up of political news and commentary (and sometimes music): All about Judge Amy Coney Barrett; what the Democrats should not do; two bishops join up to write about systemic racism; Mayflower II; feast of the archangels

Distinctly Catholic: Amy Coney Barrett is a kind of cafeteria Catholic that continues to damage the U.S. church, content to let it become an upper-middle-class club for people with conservative sexual ethics.

Distinctly Catholic: Analyses of U.S. "Latino electorates" take into consideration varied nations of origin, the age of voters, issues of concern beyond immigration and race — but religious identification gets ignored.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: KGB-quality disinformation; National Catholic Register buries the lede; culture warrior Cordileone; pitfalls of "naked ballots"; GOP somersaults.

Distinctly Catholic: The short answer is that the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg helps President Donald Trump in the election. But it is not clear if that help will be significant or not.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Webinar today on Republican efforts to motivate Catholics; Biden is underperforming Clinton among Latino voters; Democrats for Life and common sense.

Distinctly Catholic: Why is it that poll after poll demonstrates that Catholics and other Christians who attend church more frequently are more likely to be conservative and Republican?

Distinctly Catholic: CatholicVote.org is willing to spend $9.7 million to test the proposition that Catholic voters are Trump's best chance at a second term. But the president may be in for a surprise.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Chastising news coverage of President Trump; Barr and Trump — who is using who?; Complaint alleges high amount of detainee hysterectomies.

Distinctly Catholic: Can Catholics qua Catholics become politically involved in a way that does not contribute to sectarianism? We can identify ways of witnessing to the faith in the public square that contradict the faith.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Ambivalence about democracy at National Catholic Register; Trump speaks to anxieties; extreme rumors; white women voters; another brilliant sandwich.

Distinctly Catholic: Bishops are not expected to be experts in every nook and cranny of civic life, but you have only to read a newspaper to recognize we are witnessing an unprecedented challenge to participation in political life by President Donald Trump.

Distinctly Catholic column: I have worried for five years now about the effectiveness of Trump's "fake news" mantra. Now, for the first time, I think he may have said something from which he will have a tough time escaping. 

Roundup of political news and commentary: Polling in Florida providing unexpected trends; Democrats need to get a handle on neoliberal economic failures; it's not apathy, it's antipathy; reforming police; the jibarito

Distinctly Catholic: Jesuit Fr. Antonio Spadaro published an essay Sept. 5 examining the question: "What kind of government does Francis exercise, and how do we interpret it in the light of these seven years?"

A roundup of political news and commentary: Louis DeJoy and political contributions; fearmongering may prove effective strategy; Massimo Faggioli on the U.S. church (must read); Jesuit Fr. Antonio Spadaro on what drives Pope Francis