Romney's Religion Problem

The New Republic: Mormon Candidate Should Hope For More Attacks From Dems — Or Become One

(The New Republic)  This column was written by Michelle Cottle.

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Is it possible that Al Sharpton has finally said something so politically stupid that even he realizes the need to shut the hell up?

During a debate on religion this week with professional grump Christopher Hitchens, Sharpton remarked of GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, "As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation." Al being Al, the remark was seen by many as a slam on Romney's Mormonism, prompting the governor's campaign to denounce Sharpton for religious bigotry. The good reverend, in turn, has been backtracking furiously as he struggles to explain what he really meant, who he was really talking about, and what he really thinks of Mormons. No one should expect an apology from Sharpton any time soon. Big Al doesn't do apologies. But at least the reverend is making an effort to avoid a theological pissing contest as he attempts to extract his wingtip from his fat, flapping pie hole.

Which is a good thing. Because if there's one way to help Mitt Romney win the hearts of the Republican base — and allow him to emerge as a formidable contender in the general election — it's by helping him paint himself a victim of religious persecution by Democrats. While many in the GOP find Romney's Mormonism objectionable and creepy, it's safe to assume they find Sharpton even more so. Besides, if the reverend wants Romney's faith to sink his candidacy, his best bet is still to sit back and let religious conservatives do the work for him. The doctrinal distinctions between Mormonism and, say, Methodism may not mean much to secular types inside the Beltway. But the folks praising Jesus around the rest of the country remain torn.

In the wake of last week's Republican debate, in fact, I started calling around to chat with social conservatives about the field of presidential wannabes. One prominent activist graciously took time out from burning an effigy of Rudy What's-the-Big-Deal-About-Roe? Giuliani to share this tidbit: "I asked a friend of mine who's a pastor in Middle America, 'You have a choice between two candidates: Hillary Clinton versus someone who is good on social issues and who is a Mormon.' And my friend said, 'I don't think I could vote for a Mormon.' "

Think about that: A social conservative is given the choice between a Mormon and Hillary Clinton — the modern personification of Evil for GOP wingers — and he can't make up his mind? This does not bode well for Mitt's fortunes in the Heartland.

Not that one anecdote an election makes. But this is representative of the kind of story that the conservatives I've been talking to say they're hearing from the conservatives they've been talking to. It is also the sort of sentiment contributing to poll numbers indicating that between one-quarter and one-third of Americans would not vote for a Mormon — a number that grows much bigger when you include less definitive options, such as those who say that they wouldn't be comfortable voting for a Mormon or those who believe the country isn't ready for a Mormon (two-thirds of America, if last September's Gallup poll is on target.) Not insignificantly for Romney, a February 2007 Gallup poll showed that, the more religious a person is, the more likely he is to have a negative view of Mormonism.

As of now, the candidate is largely ignoring the issue and hoping that it will fade. But it's tough to imagine that the widespread, if utterly irrational, unease over Mormonism is likely to get much better on its own any time soon. For starters, the second season of HBO's Mormon-themed "Big Love" starts June 11, once again spotlighting that whole unseemly polygamy stereotype that continues to plague the church, official policy notwithstanding. Then there's the September Dawn movie coming to theaters in late June, recounting the 1857 episode in which a group of Mormons slaughtered some 120 Arkansas settlers bound for California. As Bob Novak, who saw an advanced screening, described it, the movie depicts then-church president Brigham Young, "as a 19th-century Osama bin Laden. Calling himself a 'second Muhammad,' he insists on the 'shedding of blood' of 'gentiles.'" In a nation where most folks know vanishingly little about Mormonism, Team Romney had better start praying that the movie tanks.

Compounding the problem, Romney's Mormonism threatens to turn some of his electoral pluses into question marks. Most notably, his fund-raising prowess should serve as a show of his political potency. But with a huge chunk of it raised from Mormon-dominated Utah, the storyline has been more ambivalent, with various political watchers noting that it complicates Romney's attempts to reassure voters of his independence from the church. Then there's the candidate's smooth, too-perfect demeanor, which raises all sorts of mouth-watering questions: What is he hiding? Did he cut a deal with Satan for that hair? Is he a charismatic cultist looking to amass political power and then impose his version of God's will on the American people? These are the sort of gut-level intangibles on which a U.S. presidential election can turn.

Richard Land, head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the public-policy arm of the Southern Baptists, believes Romney must tackle the Mormon issue head on and says he has counseled Romney to give a speech à la JFK on Catholicism in the 1960 race. Message: I am not a creature of my church. But while Romney has reportedly studied Kennedy's speech, he has thus far declined to attempt something similar, instead sticking with his Americans-are-above-that-sort-of-bigotry line. As he told Sean Hannity just this week, "That's a great thing about this country. We don't — we don't decide who's going to be in office based on what church they go to."

That may be the great thing about We the People in general, Mitt. But that's a risky position to take with the Republican base. (For a fuller accounting of why, see Amy Sullivan's piece in the September 2005 Washington Monthly.)

Indeed, if Romney is really serious about becoming president, I'd like to propose an even more radical course of action than Land's: The governor should switch teams altogether and run as a Democrat. Admittedly, the polling on Dems' views of Mormonism is no more promising (and in some cases less so) than on Republicans'. But my guess is that this has to do less with theology than ideology, with most Democrats assuming that a generic Mormon candidate would be far too conservative for their tastes.

But we're not talking about a generic Mormon. We're talking about Mitt Romney, who once upon a time supported abortion rights and vowed to fight for gay rights more vigorously than liberal lion Ted Kennedy. His past support of government funding for stem-cell research should sit well with Dems, as should his past support of gun control. Admittedly, the governor would need to shift left on a range of issues including taxes and Iraq. But come on! What's another conversion or two for a guy who has already shown himself to be so ideologically flexible? At the very least, as a Democrat, Romney wouldn't have to shoulder the burden of guilt that must come from concocting patently absurd stories about his life-long love affair with varmint hunting.

So why not take a walk on the dark side, Mitt? Forget about trying to convince all those nervous evangelicals of your doctrinal acceptability and start thinking about ways to cut greenhouse gases, woo immigrants, and get us the hell out of Iraq. If you don't like it, you can always flip-flop back to the GOP in 2012. In the meantime, just think of how much fun you and Sharpton could have hanging out at next summer's Democratic convention.

[guysdigdirt]

I HAVE checked out the Christian faith, and now that I'm done laughing I suggest YOU check it out.
Posted by bobgee_1999
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I checked our fruit and once I stopped laughing I read your article. What Christian religion did you check out? I did not know there was "The Christian Religion".

[guysdigdirt]

I don't agree with the Mormon's beliefs but I would fight to the finish to defend their right to have their religion. That's what America is all about. I am so tired of all the Bush hating, whiney, unhappy, complaining bunch of nobody's out there. We live in the greatest country in the world - we have plenty to eat, we are safe from terrorists, we don't have wars here, everyone is working (95%), we can go from coast to coast without anyone checking our ID - get a grip! Quit complaining! Maybe you should check out the Christian faith - we don't complain nearly as much as the athiests!!!
Posted by marsum42 at 07:30 PM : May 11, 2007

-AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!
Posted by singinrick at

Amen!!

[guysdigdirt]

And I must admit, I can't imagine anything more awful than polygamy."

How about the documented Mormon issues with racism? Don't you find that 'awful'? too, Mitt?
Posted by JasonMcJ
_______________________________

Do your homework Jason. Is there anything worse than polygamy? How about the killing of hundreds of men for simply being a mormon? Leaving their wives and children with no financial support or a man to do the "man's work"? Is that OK with you? So when men are then asked to marry those women and have multiple families to care for an support it is a terrible thing to you. That is why the Mormons started being polygamists. Were there those who had other motives, yes, were they human, yes, is the carnal side what it was about-NO!! But I am sure that is what you had in mind isn't it. where is your mind, can you only see it from one place?

As far as racism goes, do you even know what you are talking about? Blacks were never banned from the church as you likely believe. They were not allowed to hold certain offices, but that is little different than not allowing women to hold certain religios offices in many religions. Are you screaming about that?

[guysdigdirt]

I am not comfortable around mormons and never have. I will not change my mind.
Posted by MichelleM99
__________________________________________

So tell us what it is about the Mormon people that makes you so uncomfortable.

[jasonmcj]

And I must admit, I can't imagine anything more awful than polygamy."

How about the documented Mormon issues with racism? Don't you find that 'awful'? too, Mitt?

[katg21]

NEWS FLASH Katg...Kennedy was NO wonder boy of a president. he was just a good looking *** symbol...he fu(ked a LOT of stuff up.
Posted by nigrAPES at 10:25 AM : May 13, 2007

NEWS FLASH, racist ******, no one cares what you think.

[katg21]

NEWS FLASH Katg...Kennedy was NO wonder boy of a president. he was just a good looking *** symbol...he fu(ked a LOT of stuff up.
Posted by nigrAPES at 10:25 AM : May 13, 2007

NEWS FLASH, racist ******, no one cares what you think.

[sparks224]

I'm glad we don't have any ignorant racist conservatives posting here.

[katg21]

Okay, what the hell does it matter what religion Romney is? Come on already!!! This same *** happened to Kennedy when he was running for president; he was catholic remember? Well look how that turned out, he was one of our most beloved presidents. I'm so sick of the double standards here! Sharpton is quick to stand up to anyone who even thinks anything racially offensive yet he thinks nothing of offending Mr. Romney...Sharpton is a bully and a hypocrite.

[sparks224]

What's up with the CBS blogging program?

Almost everyone is repeat-posting at least twice.


Posted by soldat44 at 12:31 PM : May 12, 2007

They've been having "problems".
Maybe the Corporate Media is not too thrilled about all this free speech.

[soldat44]

What's up with the CBS blogging program?

Almost everyone is repeat-posting at least twice.

[joenc-2009]

Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition, was on Anderson Cooper this past Wednesday or Thursday night.

Cooper asked Reed the direct question "Are Mormons Christians?" It was a simple Yes or No question.

Reed would not answer the question. He stuttered and stammered, and would simply not answer it.

James Carville, liberal Democratic strategicist, was also on the show. Anderson asked him the same question.

Carville's answer was "Yes. The full name of the Mormon church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons say they are Christians and who am I do disagree with how they practice their religion. Sure they are Christians."

The fact here is that the right-wing of the GOP has a fairly NARROW view of Christianity. But they are happy to let folks like the Mormons and other "Non-Christians" think they are "Christians", as long as they'll vote with them.

That's why Reed can't answer the question. The right-wing will be fine with Mitt as long has they don't have to publicly recognize him as a real Christian.

[freethetruth]

Al Sharpton :, %u201CAs for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don%u2019t worry about that, that%u2019s a temporary situation.%u201D

The interesting thing here is that he said %u201Cdon%u2019t worry about that%u201D This just proves that as a democrat, the candidate he is most worried about from the Republican side is Mitt Romney. The democrats are scared if he gets the nomination, because he will easily beat any democrat nominee. They fear Mitt the most.
GO MITT! Republicans better nominate him if they want to win in 2008, he is the best candidate and even the Democrats know it! Also they are already planning on using the woman card or the race card against the other candidate, so Republicans having a religious card scares them.

[freethetruth]

Al Sharpton :, %u201CAs for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don%u2019t worry about that, that%u2019s a temporary situation.%u201D

The interesting thing here is that he said %u201Cdon%u2019t worry about that%u201D This just proves that as a democrat, the candidate he is most worried about from the Republican side is Mitt Romney. The democrats are scared if he gets the nomination, because he will easily beat any democrat nominee. They fear Mitt the most.
GO MITT! Republicans better nominate him if they want to win in 2008, he is the best candidate and even the Democrats know it! Also they are already planning on using the woman card or the race card against the other candidate, so Republicans having a religious card scares them.

[lastdance2]

Christian Hate
Simple - Thats what Jesus taught - "Right"

Hate this - Hate That - Hate This - Hate That

Too bad - US Treasury agents.
Haven't got the balls to, start jerking
"Tax exempt statis"

Christian Hate - Thats what its all about ! ! ! !

Excelent example of - Morals and Ethics

"Christian Hate" -
The very foundation of : Christian Faith and Ideology


Lastdance

[freethetruth]

MCVet: How do I know what? Part of honoring another's view is letting them speak them. I was refering to the article just below quoting a study done by a University of WA professor, That the LDS religion is the fastest growing Christian religion.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/001113/archive_009841.htm

There have been 2 studys coming to this conclusion one in 2000 and one in 1984. My point is, that is why there are pastors and some others spreading lies, calling the LDS non-Christian or infering that they don't really believe in God, so that they won't lose their congregation to the LDS church. That is the problem with paid clergy, sometimes they can't look past their greed and get to pure religion. They have to protect their money by putting down another faith. There is nothing wrong with sharing your personal views and beliefs, but putting down someone else for their belief is wrong.

And what is the reason why we should reject Mitt? Is it his great record as a governor and head of the Olympics and in business at Bain Capital? or is it because he's just too perfect?

Come on, the Democrats wish he was their candidate, because he is a great candidate and they don't have very good options right now. Michelle Cottle obviously is a democrat and she obviously wishes he was their candidate.

[mcvet]

Article VI of the Constitution of the United States say's:

"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned and the members of the several State Legislatures, and ALL EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL Officers, both of the United States and the several states, shall be bound by oath or AFFIRMATION, to support this Constitution; but NO RELIGIOUS TEST SHALL EVER BE REQUIRED AS A QUALIFICATION OF ANY OFFICE OR PUBLIC TRUST UNDER THE UNITED STATES."

Isn't it time you clowns in the Religious Reich become party of the country? Isn't it time we started LIVING by the document so many of so many different beliefs have died for. We very nearly did not elect the Great John Kennedy because of Religious Bigotry. We should reject Rommey but not because of his PERSONAL Religious Beliefs!! Sieg Heil and Amen.

[michellem99-2009]

I will not vote for any mormons. I will never be a mormon. Never. I am grateful I can worship Jesus as I see fit. That is my constitutional right. I love my cup of tea. I will dress my person as I see fit to. I will not tell you to/not worship Him as thats your right.
I am not comfortable around mormons and never have. I will not change my mind.

[mcvet]

Are these millions of people joining the LDS church because it is a radical or wacko religion? NO. They are joining because they study and pray about it, and get an answer that it is true, as I did. As simple as that! If you really want to know about the LDS faith study it yourself and pray about it. You have nothing to lose except for maybe the truth setting you free from your bias and prejudice.

Posted by Freethetruth at 04:31 AM : May 12, 2007

You know this how? How do you pathetic Losers in the Religious Reich KNOW what is in a person's heart? When YOU learn to be American, when you learn to LIVE by the document called the Constitution and allow EVERY American to have what you have, the right to your PERSONAL Beliefs without imposing them on others, this will not matter. In my opinion there isn't a lot of difference between our Religious Reich and Bin Ladens Bunch... Our's have only been FORCED by Real American's to clean up a little, take off the hoods and sheets and at least pretend to honor other peoples views. If NOT for those American's I have no doubt that Witch Trials would still be going on... Sieg Heil and Amen.

[freethetruth]

Are these millions of people joining the LDS church because it is a radical or wacko religion? NO. They are joining because they study and pray about it, and get an answer that it is true, as I did. As simple as that! If you really want to know about the LDS faith study it yourself and pray about it. You have nothing to lose except for maybe the truth setting you free from your bias and prejudice.