Technically, since being Catholic means to have a Church centered around Apostalic tradition, and a life built first upon the Holy Eucharist, the only Christians who are comparable to Catholics are Orthodox. Both Lutheran and Anglicans attempted to be merely separate (they Anglicans attempted to be merely schismatic, like the East), but quickly developed more and more contrary theology. Luther was a former priest who loved the Mass, and that is why Lutheran services look so much like a Mass. He even is famous for developing his own unique doctrine on the Eucharist.
The Orthodox get away with not being "protestant," because the only Apostalic succession they deny is the Pope, and so their theology is exactly the same, and the Divine Liturgy is equal to the Mass. They have Eastern traditions, which is the only noticable difference to the eye.
But, yeah, your point is taken, and I was pretty much joking around when I made my comment. Most outsiders and non-Lutherans view them as essentially "Catholic-Lite," meaning they can't get no respect.