Deal W. Hudson
Encyclopedia
Deal Wyatt Hudson is an American
conservative
political activist
. He is currently president of Catholic Advocate. His most recent book is Onward, Christian Soldiers: The Growing Political Power of Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States (2008). Since 2000, Hudson's chief political activity has been to help organize the Catholic vote in support of conservative and Republican candidates.
and for Slate
.
Hudson first taught philosophy at Mercer University Atlanta (1980–89) and at Fordham University (1989–1995). In 1995 he became publisher of the conservative Roman Catholic magazine, Crisis. He served as director of Catholic Outreach for George W. Bush
's 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns. In 2004, Hudson resigned from the campaign, and shortly thereafter from Crisis, when accusations of sexual misconduct leading to his surrender of tenure at Fordham came to light; a female freshman student accused him of plying her with drinks and then having sex with her in his office. Hudson wrote an essay at the time, published at National Review Online, acknowledging and explaining the situation, saying, "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
."
The scandal resurfaced in 2008, when Hudson was a prominent Catholic supporter of John McCain
's presidential campaign. He was retained, despite the urging of three separate religious groups to have him removed from the McCain campaign. Catholic League
president Bill Donohue
described efforts to remove Hudson as "vindictive campaigns of personal destruction under the guise of promoting the Catholic cause." Hudson was quoted at the time (though he had made the statement much earlier) saying, "My past continues to be a source of shame to me and, unfortunately, my family. I'm not blaming anyone for this. It was my own fault. And while the revelation of my failing was deeply humiliating, it was also an important wake-up call for me. Over the past four years, I've tried to make amends with family, friends and supporters."
He remains influential among conservative Catholic voters, an important demographic electoral bloc.
Among Hudson's activities outside politics is his sponsorship of an annual poetry luncheon at the beginning of Advent
each Christmas season.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
political activist
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
. He is currently president of Catholic Advocate. His most recent book is Onward, Christian Soldiers: The Growing Political Power of Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States (2008). Since 2000, Hudson's chief political activity has been to help organize the Catholic vote in support of conservative and Republican candidates.
Life
Hudson was born in Denver. Raised as a Protestant, Hudson became a Southern Baptist in college at the University of Texas-Austin before converting to Catholicism in 1984, as detailed in his memoir An American Conversion. He has written, edited or contributed to several other books, and in 2004 he wrote the online guide "How to Vote Catholic". Hudson has written as well for the Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
and for Slate
Slate (magazine)
Slate is a US-based English language online current affairs and culture magazine created in 1996 by former New Republic editor Michael Kinsley, initially under the ownership of Microsoft as part of MSN. On 21 December 2004 it was purchased by the Washington Post Company...
.
Hudson first taught philosophy at Mercer University Atlanta (1980–89) and at Fordham University (1989–1995). In 1995 he became publisher of the conservative Roman Catholic magazine, Crisis. He served as director of Catholic Outreach for George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns. In 2004, Hudson resigned from the campaign, and shortly thereafter from Crisis, when accusations of sexual misconduct leading to his surrender of tenure at Fordham came to light; a female freshman student accused him of plying her with drinks and then having sex with her in his office. Hudson wrote an essay at the time, published at National Review Online, acknowledging and explaining the situation, saying, "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
Head start (positioning)
In positioning, a head start is a start in advance of the starting position of others in competition, or simply toward the finish line or desired outcome...
."
The scandal resurfaced in 2008, when Hudson was a prominent Catholic supporter of John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
's presidential campaign. He was retained, despite the urging of three separate religious groups to have him removed from the McCain campaign. Catholic League
Catholic League (U.S.)
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, often shortened to the Catholic League, is an American Catholic anti-defamation and civil rights organization...
president Bill Donohue
William A. Donohue
William Anthony "Bill" Donohue is the president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights in the United States, a position he has held since 1993.-Life and career:...
described efforts to remove Hudson as "vindictive campaigns of personal destruction under the guise of promoting the Catholic cause." Hudson was quoted at the time (though he had made the statement much earlier) saying, "My past continues to be a source of shame to me and, unfortunately, my family. I'm not blaming anyone for this. It was my own fault. And while the revelation of my failing was deeply humiliating, it was also an important wake-up call for me. Over the past four years, I've tried to make amends with family, friends and supporters."
He remains influential among conservative Catholic voters, an important demographic electoral bloc.
Among Hudson's activities outside politics is his sponsorship of an annual poetry luncheon at the beginning of Advent
Advent
Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...
each Christmas season.
Publications
- Understanding Maritain (ed. with Matthew J. Mancini). Mercer University Press, 1987 ISBN 0866542791
- The Future of Thomism: The Maritain Sequence (ed. with Dennis William Moran). University of Notre Dame Press, 1992 ISBN 0268009864
- Sigrid Undset: On Saints and Sinners (ed.) Ignatius Press, 1994 ISBN 0898704839
- Happiness and the Limits of Satisfaction. Rowan & Littlefield, 1995 ISBN 0847681394; PB ISBN 0847681405
- Public Catholicism: The Challenge of Living the Faith in a Secular American Culture (contributor). Our Sunday Visitor, 1996 ISBN 0879737549
- An American Conversion: One Man's Discovery of Beauty and Truth in Times of Crisis. Crossroad, 2003 ISBN 0824521269
- Onward, Christian Soldiers: The Growing Political Power of Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States. Simon & Schuster, 2008 ISBN 1416524428; PB, 2010 ISBN 1416524460