Twenty minutes into a phone conversation with a producer of the Fox News Channel's "Hannity and Colmes," I hung up abruptly.

"You're too wishy-washy for our show," he said to me. Fifteen minutes earlier, before he heard what I actually thought of the issue (should there be women priests?), he was arranging a limo to pick me up, instructing me on the details of my TV appearance. A fellow guest on "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," back when it aired on ABC, had passed on my name as a possibility for the "conservative" team. And we all know what conservatives think on every topic from gun control to prayer in schools to abortion. Don't we? Apparently not. Right now I am among the growing number of Catholics in our country who are politically homeless. I used to be a registered Independent until I went to vote in a primary election and was rejected. So, disgusted by Clinton's illicit affair with Monica Lewinsky, and the fact that nine-year-olds were coming home from school asking their parents what oral sex was, I signed up for the other team. But now, a year into a war that has devastated a country and has killed too many American soldiers and more Iraqis than we'll ever know, I'm starting to think that Bush might be more dangerous to our world than the guy who introduced oral sex into the elementary-school vocabulary. This is coming from someone who supported the war when the administration declared that Iraq held weapons of mass destruction. I informed myself on just war theory, and, despite the Catholic bishops' statement against war in Iraq, believed that if weapons of mass destruction were readily available and ready to be used, Operation Iraqi Freedom was a just war. I also feared 9/11 all over again if we didn't take action to stop terrorism. But the smoking gun never came, and the second premise of this war--that establishing democracy would be a cakewalk--also proved wrong. Even if the majority of Iraqis thirst for democracy, they can't seem to do democracy. I respect Bush for his consistency, for his resolve, which are apparent in everything from his international relations with North Korea to national faith-based initiatives. Characterized by his "God talk," Bush is a professed Christian in an increasingly secularized society. The president's religion is an example of his steadfastness; it doesn't fluctuate depending on the issues du jour. He is pro-life, despite the unpopularity of that position. And while I am not a single-issue voter (although I do consider myself pro-life), a politician's position on abortion, to me, is emblematic of his entire faith philosophy, and affords me a window into his conscience. Moreover, Bush sees with rare clarity a vision of America he wants, and he chases that dream with an impressive fierceness. However, G.W.'s unflagging consistency and resolve are also why he is dangerous. He is so focused on one tree--establishing democracy in the Middle East--that he fails to see the forest of humanitarian causes that are just as, maybe even more important. Like a good boy scout, he sets out to extinguish his little campfire, oblivious to the forest fire endangering hundreds of homes. In short, a little open-mindedness--that quality belonging to the "liberals"--would do him some good. So I consider my alternative, the liberal ticket. I like the Democrats' position on social justice, the death penalty, and other humanitarian causes. Kerry would alienate America less from the United Nations and secure better relationships with many former or so-called allies. I support his dedication to education and social programs, and his agenda on national security. I'm not disgusted by the fact that Kerry is pro-choice. I would seriously consider a candidate who is pro-choice, if I felt he was anchored by strong morals and values. But I'm appalled by a lack of consistency, and what I see as hypocrisy. Two of the wealthiest men in America preach a message of humility to the masses, hoping to connect with the working man and woman desperately trying to make ends meet. This "I'm one of you" talk doesn't jibe with me, because the real middle and lower class can't go back to a Heinz kingdom with private jets and mansions all over the country, or rely on the nice twenty-five-million nest egg our Southern boy tucked away in a few years as a prosecuting attorney. I want to believe Kerry and Edwards as they promise all kinds of social programs that could help America read and write and succeed. I like their attempts at a system of national security that might prevent another 9/11 without alienating us from the rest of the world. But, please, don't tell me you are on the side of the poor when you have used every possible tax incentive to acquire your wealth. As a practicing Catholic, I don't fault Kerry for not agreeing with every official church teaching, but I do raise an eyebrow at the sheer frequency with which he changes his tune. I would like him more if he sincerely wrestled with how to integrate church teachings and his own opinions, instead of aligning his positions with the latest public poll. Pro-choice Catholic politician Tom Daschle seems to dissect the abortion issue; Kerry appears to see it as a yes/no issue. I still don't know who this presidential candidate is, or what he believes, because his mantra changes every time I log on to the Internet. Maybe I am guilty of shopping for a particular personality versus an agenda in this year's election. But it is so difficult to decrypt the issues in the five-minute soundbites that are meant to sell personalities. This is what I'm looking for: a person who can protect America from another terrorist attack, and help our nation combat our own kind of poverty. Yeah, it's easier to be a naysayer and bash both parties for their weaknesses. Because once you place your official vote, you are somehow accountable for that politician's choices. Every time I learn of another grisly death in Iraq, I send a quick prayer to heaven, because in some weird way, I feel partially responsible.

It's easier to be like Bill Maher, who finds fault with anything and everything, and doesn't subscribe to any belief system or political party, but instead facilitates ferocious debates between adamant members of both teams. Maybe it's easier to be the producer or the host of one of those political shows than a guest. Especially if you're like me, politically homeless.