Douglas W. Kmiec on Catholics and the Obama/Biden Run for the White House

The author of Can a Catholic Support Him?, legal scholar Douglas W. Kmiec, presents the Catholic case for Barack Obama in this newly released video. Kmiec's new book is also the subject of a thoughtful review by Michael Sean Winters in America Magazine: The National Catholic Weekly: "This book is a great help for those Catholics who are wrestling with their voting decision, not only in this election, but in all elections. While Kmiec focuses on Obama, the issues are perennial and will come up so long as Catholics are engaged in public life. His final chapter on "Catholic Officials and Catholic Voters – When Law and Morality Disagree" is a short, concise introduction to an enormously complicated topic. In short, this book is a must read for all serious Catholics. You may agree with Kmiec or not, but you cannot ignore his arguments."

CAN A CATHOLIC SUPPORT HIM? Douglas W. Kmiec Asks the Big Questions About Barack Obama

On April 18, 2008, Douglas W. Kmiec was denied Communion at a Catholic Mass in Westlake, California. Ironically, Kmiec had been invited by a Catholic business group to give a dinner address on the Bishop’s teaching of “Faithful Citizenship.” Kmiec had served as head of the Office of Legal Counsel for both Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. But now, he found himself rejected by his faith—simply for endorsing the presidential campaign of Senator Barack Obama. In a new book just released by Overlook, Can a Catholic Support Him?, Kmiec offers us a thoughtful explanation of his rationale. He addresses the difficult questions at the core of his decision: Can a Catholic support a Pro-Choice candidate? Can there be a reverence for life that embraces a larger set of values? How does a Catholic citizen balance his obligations to the Church and to community? In asking these questions, he challenges those whose partisan interests are provoking a false rift between the Catholic Church and the Democratic party. This inquiry could hardly be more timely. Catholics have been on the side of the top vote-getter in the last nine presidential elections, and make up roughly one fourth of the electorate. This provocative book—at once a legal and religious treatise and a sincere and personal journey of faith—will be an irreplaceable contribution to the conversation, in 2008 and beyond.

Catholics, Abortion and Barack Obama: Douglas W. Kmiec's CAN A CATHOLIC SUPPORT HIM? in the News

Today's front page article in The New York Times on the abortion issue and Catholic voters raises many of the questions addressed by Douglas W. Kmiec in his new book Can a Catholic Support Him? Asking the Big Question About Barack Obama. Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish blog also takes note of Kmiec's recent experience of being denied communion because of his support of Barack Obama and links to an excerpt from the book is available on Beliefnet. Over at Time.com, Amy Sullivan discusses Senator Joe Biden's Catholic faith and the impact it is having on the presidential race.

CAN A CATHOLIC SUPPORT HIM? Author Douglas W. Kmiec Interviewed in The New York Times

Douglas W. Kmiec, author of the forthcoming Can a Catholic Support Him? Asking the Big Questions About Barack Obama, is interviewed by Peter Steinfels of The New York Times. Kmiec, a constitutional scholar and conservative Republican who served under Ronald Reagan and George Bush, explains his support for Barack Obama and his positons on the abortion, Roe v. Wade, and Catholic values. Can a Catholic Support Him? includes an introduction by Martin Sheen, and will be available in bookstores on September 15.

HAPPY LABOR DAY from The Overlook Press

Happy Labor Day to all our friends and fans from The Overlook Press!

We'll be back in September will some exciting new releases, including Doug Kmiec's provocative book on Catholics and the presidental candidacy of Barack Obama, Can A Catholic Support Him? set for release on September 15.

Plus - Will, an acclaimed novel by Christopher Rush on the life of William Shakespeare; A Wild Ride Through the Night by Overlook favorite Walter Moers; and Jonathan Fast's fascinating examination of school shootings, Ceremonial Violence.

Have a great weekend!

Douglas W. Kmiec Presents the Catholic Case for Barack Obama

On September 15, The Overlook Press will published a groundbreaking new book: Can A Catholic Support Him? Asking the Big Question about Barack Obama, by Professor Douglas W. Kmiec. With the presidential election a mere two months away and the Catholic vote seemingly up for grabs, Kmiec - legal scholar, conservative Republican, and devout Catholic-offers his reasons for supporting the Obama/Biden campaign, a decision for which he was denied communion at his local parish last April.

A provocative look at abortion, Catholicism, and the 2008 presidential campaign, Can A Catholic Support Him? is also a sincere and personal journey of faith. With an introduction by Martin Sheen. On sale September 15!