Man Of The Year

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/francis-dumps-u-s-cardinal-who-is-outspoken-critic-of-abortion-gay-marriage

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/pope-shares-his-birthday-breakfast-with-homeless

The two stories are linked.  Francis is committed to re-orienting the world's largest church towards service towards the poor.  That means getting out of people's bedrooms.

In the US this is a profoundly political act, as one party is dedicated to staying in people's bedrooms and one party is at least nominally interested in helping the poor.

The so-called "Reagan Democrats" of the Rust Belt were primarily ethnic Catholics.  They were attracted by the assaults on welfare and the anti-abortion stance of the Party of Reagan.  But they aren't quite as culturally conservative as Evangelicals.

Any defections from that group makes the Midwest effectively dead to the GOP.  Ohio and Wisconsin would drift away from battleground status.

Francis's message also resonates with Hispanic Catholics who have a greater connection to "Liberation Theology" than do American Catholics.  So while their Catholicism was a potential opportunity for the GOP among Hispanics, the fact is most Hispanics (especially Mexican Hispanics) are quite economically "liberal" and closer to Francis's view of the world.

So, go for it Rush.  Keep attacking Francis for being a Marxist.  Keep attacking the first Hispanic pope.  Keep f-ing that chicken.