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Described background to attacks on Communists
The great majority of Catholics were anti-Communist, but they were also loyal Democrats, so to enlarge his base McCarthy, a Republican, needed an alliance with anti-Communist Catholics.<ref> Martin E. Marty, ''Modern American Religion: 1941-1960'' (1996) 3:358</ref> The Catholic bishops and the Catholic press was "among McCarthy's most fervid supporters." <ref> Charles R. Morris, ''American Catholic'' (1997) p. 248-50, quote on p. 248; James Waldron Arnold, ''Objectivity in Selected Catholic Diocesan Newspapers'' (1954) p. 49.</ref>A major connection was with the powerful Kennedy family, which had very high visibility among all Catholics in the Northeast.<ref>Kevin Kenny, ''The American Irish'' (2000), 242-43.</ref> Well before he became famous McCarthy became closely associated with [[Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.]]. He was a frequent guest at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, and at one point dated Joe's daughter Patricia. After McCarthy became nationally prominent Kennedy was a vocal supporter, and helped build McCarthy's popularity among Catholics. Kennedy contributed cash and encouraged his friends to give money. Some historians have argued that in the Senate race of 1952, Joe Kennedy and McCarthy made a deal that McCarthy would not make campaign speeches for the Republican ticket in Massachusetts, and in return, Congressman [[John F. Kennedy]] would not give anti-McCarthy speeches. In 1953 McCarthy hired [[Robert Kennedy]] as a senior staff member. When the Senate voted to censure McCarthy in 1954, Senator Kennedy was in the hospital and never indicated then or later how he would vote; he told associates he could not vote against McCarthy because of the family ties.<ref> Michael O'Brien, ''John F. Kennedy: A Biography'' (2005); Crosby, ''God, Church, and Flag'' </ref>
The great majority of Catholics were anti-Communist, but they were also loyal Democrats, so to enlarge his base McCarthy, a Republican, needed an alliance with anti-Communist Catholics.<ref> Martin E. Marty, ''Modern American Religion: 1941-1960'' (1996) 3:358</ref> The Catholic bishops and the Catholic press was "among McCarthy's most fervid supporters." <ref> Charles R. Morris, ''American Catholic'' (1997) p. 248-50, quote on p. 248; James Waldron Arnold, ''Objectivity in Selected Catholic Diocesan Newspapers'' (1954) p. 49.</ref>A major connection was with the powerful Kennedy family, which had very high visibility among all Catholics in the Northeast.<ref>Kevin Kenny, ''The American Irish'' (2000), 242-43.</ref> Well before he became famous McCarthy became closely associated with [[Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.]]. He was a frequent guest at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, and at one point dated Joe's daughter Patricia. After McCarthy became nationally prominent Kennedy was a vocal supporter, and helped build McCarthy's popularity among Catholics. Kennedy contributed cash and encouraged his friends to give money. Some historians have argued that in the Senate race of 1952, Joe Kennedy and McCarthy made a deal that McCarthy would not make campaign speeches for the Republican ticket in Massachusetts, and in return, Congressman [[John F. Kennedy]] would not give anti-McCarthy speeches. In 1953 McCarthy hired [[Robert Kennedy]] as a senior staff member. When the Senate voted to censure McCarthy in 1954, Senator Kennedy was in the hospital and never indicated then or later how he would vote; he told associates he could not vote against McCarthy because of the family ties.<ref> Michael O'Brien, ''John F. Kennedy: A Biography'' (2005); Crosby, ''God, Church, and Flag'' </ref>
==Political dominance==
==Political dominance==
In 1950, McCarthy discussed his upcoming 1952 campaign with three fellow Catholics (Father Edmund A. Walsh and Charles H. Kraus of Georgetown University and Washington attorney Wiliam A. Roberts). Kraus had recommended Father Walsh's recent books dealing with Communism to McCarthy, and was hoping to interest McCarthy in the problems of Communism in the world. McCarthy's reputation among the voters was not good at that time, due to various ethical and tax violation problems, and he needed an issue that would help improve his chances of re-election. He latched enthusiastically onto the idea of attacking Communists in the government.<ref>Richard H. Rovere, Senator Joe McCarthy, (Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich), 1959.</ref>
Subsequently, McCarthy called Willard Edwards of the Chicago Tribune asking for assistance with a speech on Communism. Edwards sent some materials, including a copy of a letter written on July 26, 1946, by James F. Byrnes, Secretary of State under Truman. This letter was the central support for McCarthy's subsequent claims to have a list of Communists in the government.
"Pursuant to Executive Order, approximately 4,000 employees have been transferred... Of those 4,000 employees, the case histories of approximately 3,000 have been subjected to a preliminary examination, as a result of which a recommendation against permanent employment has been made in 284 cases by the screening committee... Of the 79 actually separated from the service, 26 were aliens and therefore under "political disability" with respect to employment in the peacetime operations of the Department. I assume that factor alone could be considered the principal basis for their separation."
This document was repeatedly cited by McCarthy as the basis for his accusations; unfortunately, there was no list at that time.
McCarthy now became one of the dominant leaders in American politics, with strong support among both Republicans and Catholic Democrats, as he alleged that Truman’s top people had betrayed America. He singled out Secretary of State [[Dean Acheson]] and Secretary of Defense [[George Marshall]]. Liberals were aghast; Truman had picked General Marshall to head the State and Defense departments precisely because he thought the elderly statesman would always be above criticism, no matter that China turned from a staunch ally to a bitter enemy on his watch. McCarthy’s blistering attacks on Marshall as “part of a conspiracy so immense, an infamy so black, as to dwarf any in the history of man” fueled the belief he was a wild-man, a pathological liar who overstepped the bounds of political discourse.
McCarthy now became one of the dominant leaders in American politics, with strong support among both Republicans and Catholic Democrats, as he alleged that Truman’s top people had betrayed America. He singled out Secretary of State [[Dean Acheson]] and Secretary of Defense [[George Marshall]]. Liberals were aghast; Truman had picked General Marshall to head the State and Defense departments precisely because he thought the elderly statesman would always be above criticism, no matter that China turned from a staunch ally to a bitter enemy on his watch. McCarthy’s blistering attacks on Marshall as “part of a conspiracy so immense, an infamy so black, as to dwarf any in the history of man” fueled the belief he was a wild-man, a pathological liar who overstepped the bounds of political discourse.