Kmiec, The Poisoned Chalice

Kmiec didn't get his Vatican ambassador appointment, but he did get appointed to Catholic Malta. It seems he can't get any love in Malta either.

Valletta, Malta, Jul 8, 2009 / 12:14 am (CNA).- The editor of a Malta newspaper has commented on President Barack Obama’s choice of Prof. Doug Kmiec as ambassador to Malta, describing the appointment as “somewhat of a poisoned chalice” and noting the controversies concerning Kmiec and his campaign to elect Obama to the American presidency.

Noel Grima, editor of the Malta Independent Online, said that though Kmiec was a Catholic and a pro-life person he has “fallen foul” of some Catholic leaders for his public stances on abortion and other pro-life issues.

Noting Kmiec’s past as a law school dean, a law professor, and a member of the Reagan and George H.W. Bush presidential administrations, Grima then discussed Kmiec’s transformation into a supporter of President Barack Obama, an open proponent of abortion rights.

Kmiec had said he was convinced that then-Senator Obama wanted to alleviate social conditions that correlate with abortion. Though describing himself as a Republican and a Catholic who believes in traditional marriage and the beginning of life at conception, he said he believed as president Obama would respect and accommodate opposing points of view.

Somehow, it's hard to gen up much sympathy. Kmiec believes that "president Obama would respect and accommodate opposing points of view". Funny how Kmiec missed the part where Obama already said the opposing viewpoints have irreconcilable differences.

"Accomodation" has become the watch word for: hear and dismiss.