"Catholic" is only an ethnic identity in New York State

"Catholic" may mean several things in New York State:

My genetic background is a combination of Irish, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, etc.

My ancestors were Catholic.

My parents were Catholic.

I think I was baptized Catholic.

If I were forced to declare some closest religious affiliation, it would be Catholic.

(and finally) I believe and profess all that the Holy Catholic Church teaches, believes and proclaims to be revealed by God.

Yes, there are many CINOS -- Catholics in name only. In politics here, it is simply the litmus test to getting any funding to run for office.

There's an absurd cynicism where it comes to party politics in New York -- the "Catholic" label applies not to real public policy positions which align with the teachings of the Catholic Church (i.e. abortion, same sex marriage, death penalty) but with the voters ethnic identity.

The New York Times since it is discussing Republicans and Catholics gives it the crude name of tribalism.

New York Times: What if Paterson Defies Conventional Wisdom?

“That’s a white Catholic ticket,” said one person who has ties to the governor’s political team, and who requested anonymity for fear of losing those ties. “And it’s white Catholics upstate they are going to lose.”

According to the tribal logic of New York politics, Mr. Paterson can expect strong support in New York City, among black voters and from staunch Democrats. Ms. Kennedy, a white Catholic, could help in the battleground suburbs of Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. But the Democratic ticket already includes Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, who is Catholic and already broadly popular in those places.

I think Rudy can run and win the governor's office in 2010. I pray for his conversion.