Knowing where a candidate really stands can sometimes be very tough. In elections, all candidates “spin” things one way or another. It’s very hard for the average person to get adequate information. This is especially important for Catholics since we must make an informed vote in accord with Church teaching. To help with that, the US Council of Bishops has released: Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility. All American Catholics should first consult this guide. Secondly, all Catholics must learn where a particular candidate stands on those foundational issues. I’ve found a good site that provides excellent information on making an informed vote: Project VoteSmart. This site has information on candidates from the President on down and includes for each candidate (where possible): a questionaire on important issues, his or her voting record, public statements, endorsements, and the person’s rating by special interest groups. This information should help anyone to make an informed choice amidst the spin from all the candidates. For example, in spite of John Kerry’s efforts to appear more “moderate” on the abortion issue, from 1996-2004 he has received a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood and NARAL and a 0% rating from National Right to Life. As Catholics, we should check the facts, make an informed decision, and above all PRAY!