Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: When Kirsten Gillibrand became the Empire State's senator in 2009, she shifted to the left pretty quickly. How does her explanation of that change hold up?

Distinctly Catholic: On abortion, the Catholic left has cared less about its own integrity and more about strengthening ties with Democrats on other issues.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Zagano discusses women deacons; federal workers urged to get the flu; a new pro-life narrative; "What did they do with Lindsey Graham?"

Distinctly Catholic: We welcome the criticism of spread eagle capitalism, no matter its source, but Tucker Carlson is still a commentator whose grasping at decency has a long way to go.  

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Examining the Pennsylvania grand jury report; deceptive language amid abortion debate; Defending AOC; Lin-Manuel Miranda is back on stage in Puerto Rico

Distinctly Catholic: If the first campaign swing through Iowa was any indication, Warren seems to generate an enthusiasm for herself and her message that is palpable.

Distinctly Catholic: The hyperventilating coming from the White House and Fox News about the need for a border wall is only the most recent example of the oldest political trick in the book: When in trouble, find a scapegoat.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Roman Missal translator beseeched; "the wall" and evangelicals; Sen. Elizabeth Warren as a prairie populist; recommended reading on labor issues; carbon emissions follow prosperity

Distinctly Catholic: Democrats, even the newest members of Congress, need to exercise great discipline in the days and weeks ahead; they need to avoid thinking they can beat the president at his game.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Excessive compensation for health care execs; challenges of women presidential candidates; Trump's tax-cut betrayal.

Distinctly Catholic: As Republicans start to position themselves as being independent of President Donald Trump, they need to make a public showing that they are sorry about being wrong to support him in the first place.

Distinctly Catholic: What will 2019 bring in the life of the church? Will the U.S. church in the begin to confront how some of its ministries have become a counterwitness to the Gospel and others a mere extension of the Republican Party?

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Grocery chain failure shorts workers; Arroyo names Viganò best person of 2018; Lin-Manuel Miranda returns to Puerto Rico.

As early as February, the Mueller investigation into Russian interference could take center stage. The campaign for a Democratic presidential nominee will be a chaotic struggle between the neo-liberal wing and the populists. And pro-life Democrats will need to find a place in the party.

Distinctly Catholic: U.S. Catholic life in 2018 was marked by two major stories, one a reprise and the other just beginning, and one story that did not happen, the ecclesial dog that did not bark.

Distinctly Catholic: The president dominated the news cycle this year, all year, as he has for three years, and that makes 2018 a bad one.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Anti-Semitism on the left; Archbishop Gregory updates on sex abuse crisis; man fundraising for Trump's wall exposed as fraud; Illinois attorney general called out for grandstanding with abuse dossier; the cult of RGB

Distinctly Catholic: Human nature is changed and uplifted precisely because our God chose to don it. Human nature, you might say, was the first "gay apparel" of Yuletide.

Distinctly Catholic: On Christmas Day, Salt + Light TV will debut its new documentary "Magisterium of the People: The Story of the People's Pastoral from the Catholic Committee of Appalachia." I encourage everyone to watch this splendid film.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: moral inadequacy of carbon tax; judge who condemned Flynn is a hero; U.S. bishops conference on death of girl at border; Bishop Barron appears on right-wing radio show