Catholic leader regrets ‘low-brow tactics’ of newspaper aimed at discrediting him

Washington D.C., Aug 18, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The publisher of a leading Catholic magazine regrets the “low-brow tactics” of a left-wing newspaper, which is planning on publishing an article aimed at discrediting him.

In an effort to give “truth a head start,” Crisis Magazine publisher Deal Hudson wrote a column on the National Review On-line Web site, providing the context and history for the soon-to-be-published article.

In his column, called “The Price of Politics: Getting ahead of a potential distraction,” Hudson says a newspaper reporter interviewed him after a USCCB employee resigned from his position, following an exposé by Hudson and his magazine of the employee’s involvement on the  "Catholics-for-Kerry" Web site.

Hudson eventually discovered that the reporter was also calling former employees and acquaintances and asking them for information about his personal life.

The longtime editor and Bush supporter believes his past was being dug up for political reasons — “in an attempt to undermine the causes I have fought for: the defense of Church teachings on life, the priesthood, the authority of the Pope, and the need for faithful Catholic participation in politics,” he wrote in his column.

“Like many people, I have done things in my life that I regret,” he continued, later adding: “In matters of this nature, exaggeration, half-truths, and rumor often tend to overtake the truth — and I wanted truth to get a head start.”

“When we entered the political fray in the 2000 campaign,” he said of his family – his wife of 17 years and two children – “we knew the risk of political involvement but considered the issues worth the potential cost. We still do.”

Hudson, who worked as an adviser in Bush’s last presidential campaign, said that while he remains “fervently committed to supporting President Bush's reelection,” he would not continue as an adviser in this year's campaign.

“While I have no intention of being dissuaded by personal attacks, I will not allow low-brow tactics to distract from the critically important issues in this election,” he explained.

For Deal Hudson’s full text, go to: http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/hudson200408181000.asp