Huntsman dismisses Mormon controversy as "ridiculous sideshow"

Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Sept. 23, 2011.

/ AP Photo

NEW LONDON, N.H. -- With all eyes on Mitt Romney as he fends off a recent wave of controversy over his Mormon faith, the other Mormon in the GOP presidential race -- Jon Huntsman -- says he's had enough.

Following a town hall on Sunday afternoon at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H., the former Utah governor told reporters that the focus on Mormonism which arose over the weekend after pastor Robert Jeffress called the religion "a cult" is "the most ridiculous sideshow in recent politics." Jeffress made the remark to journalists after introducing Romney's top-tier rival, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, at the Christian-based Values Voter Summit in Washington.

"Discussion of Mormonism," Huntsman said, "doesn't create additional jobs... doesn't expand our economic base; it doesn't secure our position in the world. I have no idea why people are wasting so much political-capital bandwidth on this issue. It's nonsense."

Huntsman, who was the only Republican presidential candidate not to attend the Summit (he was visiting his son at the Naval Academy), pointed out that his wife, Mary Kaye, was raised Episcopalian, and his kids went to Catholic school. "There are a lot of folks who believe different things, and that's the tradition that we respect in this country."

Though Huntsman's sentiment falls closely in line with Romney's speech this weekend, he was less friendly during the town hall.

Acknowledging that he, as former ambassador to China under President Obama, would inevitably face "a percentage of people in my party who will say, 'No way, no how are we gonna vote for Huntsman because he worked for a Democrat,'" Huntsman made digs at several of his Republican rivals without naming names.

"I am who I am," he said. "I ain't gonna pander; I'm not gonna sign silly pledges; I'm not gonna make a trek to New York to meet with Don Trump."

Regarding the Occupy Wall Street movement, Huntsman took the opposite view from businessman Herman Cain, who said last week that the protesters have no one to blame for unemployment but themselves; Huntsman spoke with admiration about their resolve.

"The same angst and anger that gave rise to the tea party movement, the same angst and anger that gave rise when I was much younger to an anti-war movement in the late 60s" is behind the protests, Huntsman said during the question-and-answer session. "I think every generation, you have issues that compel people to stand up and who want to try to find solutions."

Perry rejects supporter's disparagement of Romney's Mormon faith
Bill Bennett scolds over anti-Mormon "bigotry"
Special Section: Campaign 2012

[Leadfootedrabbit]

The issue is not whether a person of Mormon faith is fit for the White House or whether a Mormon is a Christian. Rather, the issue is that none of the candidates currently running (including Obama) say what they mean and mean what they say. Do they stand for anything, other than obtaining, maintaining, or increasing their power? For more analysis.please visit my blog:

http://www.leadfootedrabbit.com/2011/10/dear-friend-invited-me-to-see-book-of.html

[foxycntrymom]

I find it hard to believe that it has come to this. Are we actually listening to someone like this. I pray not.

[myth1958]

Lindsay Boerma does right by the topic at hand, giving us a clear understanding of Huntsman's disdain for the bubbling anti-Mormonism within the GOP party. After an insult is hurled at the ironically-named 'Values Voter Summit' by some hee haw preacher, the former ambassador sets down the line in the sand, telling his audience that our country is bigger than that and can tolerate different points of view - as he has in his own family religious practice. Huntsman is that rare, moderate Republican in the old style: willing to try to understand the diverse viewpoints of a potential constituency that any president, once elected, must serve. He could do it. It takes intelligence, courage and that ever-elusive element seemingly rare these days on the campaign circuit - common sense.

[Martha12345]

I guess the Pastor who made these remarks about the Mormons is just a bit bigoted and needs some diversity training.

[P0ST1ING_AWAY]

Could you not reasonably argue that most of the field
being offered by the Repug-Tea-Bagger-Bozo coalition
is a ridiculous sideshow ??????

[HuntinFishin]

Huntsman thinks religion is a sideshow but he always wants to emphasize that his wife "was raised Episcopalian, and his kids went to Catholic school."

Who is voting for this guy in the polls anyway?

Stick a fork in him, he's done.

[OnTheCrown]

Translation: "Hi Everyone, remember me?"

[Hutterite]

Ok Mr. Huntsman, you've thrown down the gauntlet. And I respond. First, demand the nation focus on what's important, which is not your religion. Or Mitt Romneys' religion. Or Bachmann's, or anybody elses'. In fact, decry anybodys' curiosity into your religion, tell us all it's private and none of our business. Period. Assure us there is NO religious test for office. It's not a mormon sideshow. It's a religious one.

[pohd1]

This is a media driven story to tar and feather Christians. This "pastor" is an idiot to make a statement at a political forum. Liberals and progressives make idiot statements and the media prints nothing. I have my problem with the beliefs of Mormons but their community and family relations among themselves is something that those Christians like the pastor can learn from greatly in their personal lives.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

by askagain

We had this same thing with John F. Kennedy where some people feared that he would be controlled by the Catholic Church.

------------

Spot on. I wonder if most of the people commenting are too young to remember, or too senile to remember...

.