Michael Sean Winters

Twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Republicans will do anything to keep power; Democrats need to watch out for the late-decision voters; look at gratitude; Viganò is back in the news; wealth tax stands up to facts

Distinctly Catholic: The age demographic Buttigieg does best with is those over 65. I confess I do not see the attraction. Indeed, it is worse. I think his campaign is all fluff and fraud.

Distinctly Catholic: Et tu, Gordon? Ambassador Sondland's testimony must be seen by Trump as a betrayal. And there is something delicious in the prospect of Trump being felled by one of his own.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Boston College students protest Koch money; "Latinx" loses poll; Catholic cafeteria at National Review; 2020 election battlegrounds.

Distinctly Catholic: We have already had several debates and even more town halls, so what is up with late entries — Deval Patrick and Michael Bloomberg — into the Democratic field for president? Follow the money.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Pro-life Democratic governor reelected; dissenters want Francis to "repent"; impeachment news from the "I told you so" file.

Distinctly Catholic: There are deeper problems with the "Faithful Citizenship" document, problems that demand the bishops start from scratch, and not just that the text does not reflect the papal magisterium.

Distinctly Catholic: With the hearings underway, the political calculus for both parties necessarily changes. The American people must be engaged; from here on, their will should prove itself increasingly manifest. 

Michael Sean Winters rounds political news and commentary: Synodality as a means to address "crisis of democracy"; "Remain in Mexico" policy needs attention; centrist wisdom afflicts Democratic Party; impeachment proceedings continue

Distinctly Catholic: To what degree have the U.S. bishops, and the staff they have assembled at the conference headquarters in Washington, embraced the magisterium of Pope Francis and to what degree are they resisting his lead?

Distinctly Catholic: I continue to regret Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron's insistence on the idea that an impediment to evangelization is the "dumbing down of the faith" he believes has plagued the post-conciliar church. 

Distinctly Catholic: The U.S. bishops are firm in their commitment to rhetorical mush, steadfast in the defense of compromise, decisive about their indecision, bold in their proclamation of the banal. 

Distinctly Catholic: It was the best of our church. It was the worst of our church. It was a time for evangelization and a time for churlish retrenchment. It was last Thursday.

All politics evidences original sin in varying degrees. But what we see with the president and his cast of sycophants and co-conspirators — some of them beginning to flee the sinking ship on advice of counsel — is a rare thing: All seven deadly sins on display at once.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Voters turn out in the Bluegrass State; detainee pulled off life support; Warren vs. Wall Street snowflakes; Atlantic City lessons for the GOP.

Distinctly Catholic: Pope Francis has offered the church a way to answer the question about change that, I believe, is so important and obvious that we sometimes overlook it, and that is his emphasis on synodality. 

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Warren's Medicare plan scares Wall Street, while Buttigieg gains up on Biden. The bishops' conference promotes civility; Obama calls out "woke" activists; the tender relationship between Monserrat Caballe and Freddie Mercury.

Distinctly Catholic: The social and ecological and ecclesial and political are all interrelated, not only in the Amazon to be sure, but interrelated there in such a way that if we do not root out the sin that has permeated these various realities, the region, and with it the whole planet, are endangered.

Distinctly Catholic: Nothing so exemplifies the culture warrior approach as the denial of the Eucharist to pro-choice politicians, and that approach has failed to persuade others to oppose abortion.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Denying Biden Communion convinces no one, and scandalizes many; how bad is climate change? Questioning patriotism is a bad call