Republicans and Catholics

(Washington Prowler) - Some Republican political insiders were surprised by the full court press other GOP presidential candidates put on Sen. Sam Brownback for his endorsement last fall when he stepped out of the race.

But anyone who understands the importance of the Catholic vote in national Republican elections wasn't scratching his head. Brownback, more so than any other candidate, had built up a superior Catholic outreach program.

In the end, Brownback swung to John McCain, and, according to Republican National Committee staff, McCain saw his Catholic support in some states improve markedly within weeks.