Romney Foes Mount Anti-Mormon Campaign

Campaign Prepared To Strongly Oppose Efforts To Paint Religion In Negative Light

(CBS)  By The Politico's Mike Allen.

---

The Monday morning blast e-mail to radio talk show hosts was headed, "Can Mitt Romney Serve Two Masters? The Mormon Church vs. the United States of America." It went on for eight pages, with color photos, about "secret names and many other bizarre proceedings" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A series of sensational "Mormons believe" bullet points concluded: "If Mitt Romney does not follow what the prophet of the Mormon Church dictates, he will be an apostate."

The e-mail was offering guest appearances by Tricia Erickson, who was described as heading a modeling agency when she represented Fawn Hall (of Iran-contra fame) and Donna Rice (who derailed Gary Hart's presidential campaign) but who now bills herself as a crisis-management expert.

She also claims to have been raised in the Mormon Church before deprogramming herself and tells bookers she can help their listeners "make an informed judgment about whether Mitt Romney should be the president."

Erickson is a fringe figure who is not likely to be embraced by Romney's GOP rivals or taken seriously by mainstream journalists. But that does not mean Erickson and her online pamphleteering are not serious concerns of the former Massachusetts governor in his 2008 presidential bid.

As Romney tries to capitalize on a polished performance in the Republican presidential debates, questions about his religion and its political implications remain a fundamental challenge for his campaign.
The campaign is emphasizing Romney's faith and downplaying his specific religion. Romney press secretary Kevin Madden said: "Governor Romney is running for commander in chief, not chief theologian."

But as Romney attracts increasing attention, agitators like Erickson exert influence, largely through e-mail, blogs, anonymous fliers and assorted other channels of below-the-radar political communication.

Polls continue to show skepticism about Romney's church, with a headline last Saturday in the Deseret Morning News of Salt Lake City declaring, "Anti-LDS Bias Running High."

It reported an unfavorable impression of Latter-day Saints in a two-year study of 1,269 social science and humanities faculty members by the Institute for Jewish & Community Research. In several polls, a third or more of registered voters have said they would not vote for a member of the church.

In Spartanburg, S.C., an hour from the debate site, the Herald-Journal reported last week in an article headlined "Critics Target Romney's Mormonism" that a wave of anti-Mormon literature had poured into South Carolina mailboxes ahead of the debate.

The paper said the "eight-page diatribe," which does not mention Romney but is a clear attack on him, is titled, "Mormons in Contemporary American Society: A Politically Dangerous Religion?" The Herald-Journal could not discover who had paid for or mailed the brochures, which had no return address and were postmarked Providence, R.I.

Romney hit back hard last week after provocateur and self-styled civil rights leader Al Sharpton questioned Romney's faith in God, which others also called a false depiction of church teaching.

Romney told MSNBC he considered it "an extraordinarily bigoted kind of statement" and added, "As I go around the country, the overwhelming majority of people I meet welcome a person of faith. They want a person of faith to lead the country." Later, campaigning in Ames, Iowa, Romney was even sharper, declaring Sharpton's comment "un-American."

The Romney campaign has been closely watching the other Republican candidates for any sign of anti-Mormon innuendo, and it plans to respond with similar overwhelming force if one of Romney's opponents is caught in a slur on his faith.

In a telephone interview, Erickson said she is Republican and supports one of the lesser-known candidates, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., but did not discuss her flier with his campaign. She said she sent her offer to a media list of hundreds of newspapers and radio and television stations. "I'm not biased — I'm knowledgeable," she said.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes the educational job it faces. The current lead item on the church's website provides links bolstering an affirmative answer to the question, "Are Mormons Christians?"

It sounds like a basic question, but some evangelical voters in South Carolina and other Southern states have been taught that the answer is "no."

Church officials are not backing Romney's candidacy, pointing to the church's policy against taking stands in political campaigns or allowing candidates to use church property or other resources.

Richard Bushman, a professor emeritus of history at Columbia University who is both a devout Mormon and a religious scholar respected in secular academia, says conservative Christians — one of the most important blocs of early Republican voters — should be natural allies for Romney.

Several evangelical leaders have said Romney's Mormonism should not be disqualifying, and his campaign has been doing personal visits to key pastors and denominational leaders.

Bushman said it's not yet clear whether Romney will be able to resolve doubts about the influence his faith would have on his government, as John F. Kennedy did with his Roman Catholicism.

Romney's campaign has indicated he's likely to give a major speech to serve as a counterpart to Kennedy's 1960 address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, in which he declared:

"I am not the Catholic candidate for president. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for president who happens also to be a Catholic." But Romney's advisers have not settled on the timing.

Can Romney overcome doubts about his faith? "I think it's going to depend heavily on his personality and character: Can he sell himself and his views?" Bushman said. "He's a very winning person. I think he's going to win over a lot of wavering middle people, including some evangelical friends who'll say, 'Look, this is a godly man. He's a faithful family man. He believes in good values. Why not?' Then there's going to be the suspicion factor from many others that will simply exclude him."

An indication of the tough questions ahead for Romney came this week at a conference for national religion and political reporters in Florida, where Bushman spent an afternoon answering pointed questions at a forum sponsored by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

One of them was whether Romney's candidacy could wind up being a public relations disaster for his church.

"If it compels people to think not just about these horror stories they hear about Mormons but compare it to Mormons they know, they will begin to realize Mormonism is something different than is depicted in those extreme examples," Bushman said.

"I don't think there's any other way to do it except to know a lot of Mormon people and how they live their lives.”

[jerr11]

Mitt Romney is a saint compared to that self righteous Falwell who died yesterday.

Falwell, the leader of the "Immoral Majority" advocated hate and division. Very appropriate he died in a city that celebrates the southern sport of lynching in its name.

My only problem with Romney is with that permanent tan of his. Vain, vain!

[cpaide]

I thought that Romney's father put an end to anti-Mormon attacks on presidential candidates when he ran for president. Or maybe it was Senator Hatch when he ran for president. Maybe it will never end.

JFK was able to charm his way into the presidency despite his religion; however, it didn't eliminate the negative perceptions that most Americans have of Catholic presidential candidates. We haven't had another Catholic president since then.

Of course, we haven't had a Jew, Seventh-day Adventist, Christian Scientist, Jehovah's Witness, woman, black, etc., etc. president either. The odd thing is that these "outsiders" are some of the most bigoted people around and that many of them are liberal Democrats!

[infidel_us]

Mitt should get the Osmond Brothers in on his campaign. Donny, where are you when we need you most?!?!?!? :)

[droppingby]

It may just be wishful thinking on my part, but I really think evangelicals shoot themselves in the foot when they do things like this. It just makes them seem so paranoid. If anyone has ever met a Mormon, been a classmate, neighbor, co-worker, or relative of a Mormon, these kinds of attacks fall utterly flat and -- I think, in the long-run -- quite help the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by making it seem like it's being unfairly maligned (which, of course, it is).

Christians (of every stripe) would be wiser, I think, to actually spend their time serving others, helping the poor, visiting the sick and elderly, seeking out the lonely -- rather than ignorantly bashing a faith they clearly do not understand.

Ken Kuykendall
MormonCentury.org

[jsweeney67]

In following the discussion of the Romney campaign, I%u2019ve had occasion to read the comments of many Mormons attempting to answer criticism of their faith. It is impressive how well Mormons have learned and integrated the teachings of their church into their discourse with others. However, I%u2019ve noticed a pattern of echoing boilerplate rhetoric that actually serves more to divert than to inform.

Most common and unfortunately specious is the %u201Cif you want to know about Mormonism ask a Mormon%u201D suggestion. It might sound logical; however it presupposes that Mormon believers are the only ones who can become conversant about Mormonism. In fact, anyone can read Mormon scripture and other Mormon writing, listen to their words, and form opinions about how well they match up with the doctrines and teachings of other faiths. If Mormonism were defending itself in a court of law, we certainly wouldn%u2019t determine guilt or innocence by asking the defendant. In a search for the truth, it would be non-Mormon experts who would offer the most unbiased perspective, and most people you talk to will have an innate sense of this.

If Mormons intend to make cogent arguments defending their faith, they will have to do so by addressing opposing arguments rather than directing the conversation toward comfortable talking points or complaining about semantics.

[ixoye_02]

I will have to disagree with DroppingBy on the point that there are informed Christians who do serve the poor and needy and who also know that fundamentally Mormonism isn't aligned with orthodox christianity. Catholics and most protestant denominations have the same fundamental understanding of Jesus Christ. The fact that mormonism teaches that righteous married men eventually become "gods" in the "celestial" places goes against fundamental christian faith and teaching. And their masonic-inspired rituals and practices have no basis in old or new testament. Certainly Mormons teach and preach "upright" living and are probably no different from conservative christians as far as lifestyle. But that doesn't mean that their theology is christian. I was proselytized by mormons for years and considered their message. But, I eventually decided that the message and the revelation of Joseph Smith was not christian. They are a church of Jesus Christ in name only but they really worship the words of Joseph Smith and his successors.

[conspiracygirl]

There's a great Republican candidate out there who has lived his life admirably and with integrity, and whose principles are in harmony with what most Republicans profess to believe.

Yet I read in blogs that voters prefer candidates who cheat on their wives
and otherwise behave abominably. Sometimes I get pretty discouraged at the direction people are willing to go in order to preserve their bigotry.

I just read a comment from someone who stated she wouldn't vote for Romney because Mormons think they have to earn their way to heaven -- and don't think they are instantly saved by Jesus.

Well, if Mormons have to earn their way to heaven, then what are the chances that Romney is going to do something shortsighted and wicked whilst in office...? Not terribly high.

When Clinton was messing around in the Oval Office, Republicans were united in affirming that a man who would lie to his wife would lie to the entire country. Now they are saying they'd prefer liars to an honest man because...?

Romney is something that the other guys are supposed to be, but aren't, because they don't have to be. And therefore it is WRONG to actually BE good, because that doesn't show enough faith in Jesus.

How is being a less honorable and less capable president a good thing for America? Is our world situation so rosy that Americans can afford to indulge their favorite prejudices for another decade?

[woman76]

Conservative voters care about conservative values. Yet the leading candidate in the conservative party, Rudy Giuliani, has had a least one affair, possibly more. Why is the media ignoring the adultery? The liberal media wants a liberal in office, so the obvious strategy is ignore the subject, slant everything in Giuliani's favor and then trash him after he wins the GOP nomination. Hilary looks like one of the innocent victims, and Giuliani a tyrant. Who else is going to make Hilary look so good?

Poor America, manipulated by the media.

Does America really care about the "Mormon issue" or is it the media's tactic to abolish the most formidable opponent?

[dannylw]

Its funny to hear people talk about how Mormons aren't Christians, etc. I would ask any "Christian" why he or she is a Christian. Is it because he/she believes in the Bible? Is it because of what a parent or minister has taught him/her? No one here was alive when Christ was on the earth. No one here watched the disciples write the books of the modern day Bible. Everyone that is actually Christian (Christ-like is actually a better way to say it) does so because of faith in something he/she can't prove. But no way can there be other scriptures that testify of God's interaction with mankind, no way can there be modern day revelation from our Heavenly Father. Tell me, does this make sense?

[randalds]

I love it when fundamentalist Christian evangelicals start throwing around charges that other Christians in other Christian churches or who have other Christian beliefs aren't really Christians because they're not the same kind of Christian or as Christian as they are! LOL!

To paraphrase the only creature who ever existed who is worth worshipping, the one, the only, the GREAT Bugs Bunny, "What a bunch of maroons!"

[dannylw]

RanalDS, you know that is not what I was saying. Does you care to respond to my reasoning? I am trying to be civil and reasonable. Thank you for any thoughts.

[randalds]

Posted by dannylw at 05:56 PM : May 16, 2007

I wasn't relying to anyone. Just putting my thoughts out there.

[dannylw]

I apologize, Rand.

[randalds]

No problem.

[jongarrido]

Mormons all believe Jesus Christ is the son of God. This they profess to the world thus making them similar to all religions who believe in Jesus Christ.

This expression of believing in Jesus on the surface does not expose what lies beneath the surface. From the beginning, Mormons have used half truths to evangelize the world. Mormons claim they believe Jesus is the son of God but what they fail to add %u2014 Mormons believe God has many sons. In fact, any Mormon who leads a life on earth adhering to the teachings of Mormonism can achieve becoming a son of God just exactly as Jesus did on planet Earth. Mormons believe when they die, they too can be elevated to Celestial Heaven and become a son of God on another planet. In essence they become Tom Christ, Frank Christ, James Christ exactly as Jesus Christ became the son of God on Earth. This belief in Jesus is a half truth that on examination reveals Mormons can become God just like Jesus Christ.

Mormons further believe their birth, as other births on planet Earth, are of a man and woman but herein is the crux of deceiving the truth by using a lie.

Christians such as Catholics, Baptists, Evangelicals, Episcopalians and other religions believe Jesus is the only son of God that was given life by the Holy Spirit using Mary in a virgin birth that brought about the birth of Jesus as the only son of God.

Mormons believe their natural process of being born was brought about a man and woman just like yours and mine.

[jongarrido]

Mormons all believe Jesus Christ is the son of God. This they profess to the world thus making them similar to all religions who believe in Jesus Christ. This expression of believing in Jesus on the surface does not expose what lies beneath the surface. From the beginning, Mormons have used half truths to evangelize the world. Mormons claim they believe Jesus is the son of God but what they fail to add %u2014 Mormons believe God has many sons. In fact, any Mormon who leads a life on earth adhering to the teachings of Mormonism can achieve becoming a son of God just exactly as Jesus did on planet Earth. Mormons believe when they die, they too can be elevated to Celestial Heaven and become a son of God on another planet. In essence they become Tom Christ, Frank Christ, James Christ exactly as Jesus Christ became the son of God on Earth. This belief in Jesus is a half truth that on examination reveals Mormons can become God just like Jesus Christ.Mormons further believe their birth, as other births on planet Earth, are of a man and woman but herein is the crux of deceiving the truth by using a lie. Christians such as Catholics, Baptists, Evangelicals, Episcopalians and other religions believe Jesus is the only son of God that was given life by the Holy Spirit using Mary in a virgin birth that brought about the birth of Jesus as the only son of God. Mormons believe their natural process of Jesus Christ being born was brought about a man and woman just like yours and mine.

[realpatriot1]

As someone who has had their Christianity called into question on this board I have to join mdance1 in asking, who has the right to call someone else a Christian or not?

Faith is not a popularity contest and conformity is not what is required. Honest committment is what matters and coming to terms with one's own spiritual journey will never be the same process for all people.

I respect the right of Mormons to follow the path set forth by Joseph Smith. I even respect the right of RandalDS to follow the path set forth by Bugs Bunny(not as much though).

In judging a candidate it's not so important what faith they are but what character they possess. We've had 6 plus years of a President who claims to be guided by faith but who has not demonstrated the character that such faith would imply. In the Kennedys, we have a family that professes a faith in Catholicism yet divorces and commits adultery and commits manslaughter and expects to be absolved(and is by the Church).
Would a Mormon necessarily be any worse?

I'm proud to be a liberal Democrat but I have to agree with cpaide that some of the most bigoted people are liberal Dems. We all have a ways to go in learning to tolerate differences.

That said, I think Romney is a phony and will lose.

[mikealford3]

The man has the right to believe what he wishes to believe, that's part of the freedom we share. I am more concerned with what in believes the job of President is and how he should do that job. Who or what he worships on Saturday or Sunday is his business.

[chrispynic]

Freedom of speech affords us the opportunity to share ideas, say what we think, and even to spread misinformation if it is our prerogative. One should be cautious in basing their knowledge of Mormons on random internet postings like these. Furthermore, one should be careful about believing everything in the media, etc...

As a member of the LDS religion myself, it is easy for me to recognize the falsities that are being published on this thread about Mormon doctrine. No doubt those who have posted them have received their education of Mormons from a secondary source, or have misunderstood the information that has been presented to them. My advice, find a Mormon and get your information directly from a believer in the religion (watch for the nerdy-looking guys on bikes with the little black name tags riding around your town).

[packham33]

The problem with Romney's religious beliefs is that the crucial ones are secret. He's not talking about them. Mormons believe that God intends Mormons to run the U.S., as preparation for Christ's Second Coming. Adult Mormons (including Romney)have taken a secret oath as part of the "endowment" in the temple to "consecrate" all their time, money, and talents to bringing this about.
I was Mormon for 25 years, and was taught this, and was required to take the same oath.
Most non-Mormons are completely ignorant of this dark side of Romney's religion. And Romney isn't about to reveal it volunarily.

[packham33]

The problem with Romney's religious beliefs is that the crucial ones are secret. He's not talking about them. Mormons believe that God intends Mormons to run the U.S., as preparation for Christ's Second Coming. Adult Mormons (including Romney)have taken a secret oath as part of the "endowment" in the temple to "consecrate" all their time, money, and talents to bringing this about.
I was Mormon for 25 years, and was taught this, and was required to take the same oath.
Most non-Mormons are completely ignorant of this dark side of Romney's religion. And Romney isn't about to reveal it volunarily.

[packham33]

The problem with Romney's religious beliefs is that the crucial ones are secret. He's not talking about them. Mormons believe that God intends Mormons to run the U.S., as preparation for Christ's Second Coming. Adult Mormons (including Romney)have taken a secret oath as part of the "endowment" in the temple to "consecrate" all their time, money, and talents to bringing this about.
I was Mormon for 25 years, and was taught this, and was required to take the same oath.
Most non-Mormons are completely ignorant of this dark side of Romney's religion. And Romney isn't about to reveal it volunarily.

[packham33]

The problem with Romney's religious beliefs is that the crucial ones are secret. He's not talking about them. Mormons believe that God intends Mormons to run the U.S., as preparation for Christ's Second Coming. Adult Mormons (including Romney)have taken a secret oath as part of the "endowment" in the temple to "consecrate" all their time, money, and talents to bringing this about.
I was Mormon for 25 years, and was taught this, and was required to take the same oath.
Most non-Mormons are completely ignorant of this dark side of Romney's religion. And Romney isn't about to reveal it volunarily.

[mvonnied]

I think the last comments shows just how prejedice america still is even in our modern age of supposed tolerance. Essentially the requirement in america to run for president is that you must be white and protestant. Don't even think about running if your budist, jewish, catholic, muslim or practice any other relegion besides the mainstream.

[packham33]

The problem with Romney's religious beliefs is that the crucial ones are secret. He's not talking about them. Mormons believe that God intends Mormons to run the U.S., as preparation for Christ's Second Coming. Adult Mormons (including Romney)have taken a secret oath as part of the "endowment" in the temple to "consecrate" all their time, money, and talents to bringing this about.
I was Mormon for 25 years, and was taught this, and was required to take the same oath.
Most non-Mormons are completely ignorant of this dark side of Romney's religion. And Romney isn't about to reveal it volunarily.

[spudwilkins]

To jsweeney67:

Thank you for your cogent comment. I couldn't agree more, and in fact, I would apply your logic to all religions.

For example, if one wants to know if Christianity is true, one should naturally ask a Muslim, atheist or other non-Christian. The opinions of Christians would have to be dismissed as too biased, and the Bible of course could not be used as evidence, since it was written by believers.

Likewise, if one would like to know whether or not the biblical account of creation is accurate, they should naturally ask a scientist who is an atheist.

And if one wants to know whether or not donkeys can talk (see Numbers 22:28-30), one should naturally ask a non-Christian zoologist.

Yes, I think we have finally discovered the method by which we can discern the veracity of all religions. Now we can save all that time asking people what their religion means to them and go straight to the unbiased opinion of its detractors. Simple, isn't it?

[dkaw1]

Packham, I have a question. What sin do you love too much to repent of so that you can continue as a member of Christ's church?

[savagesteve13]

I have first hand experience at living under the thumb of a mormon. For two terms my district suffered under a Mormon who spent most of his time trying to insert his religion into state government and pushed the boundaries of separation of church and state. He finally lost and interestingly, picked up a job as an advisor to the rightwing controlled state senate majority leader. We can't get rid of this guy!

Earth to Republicans, if you put a mormon in the white house, we ALL will regret it.

[savagesteve13]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7v_V8qSIIo

What Mormons Believe.

[jacksteen1]

Mutt Romney's 'religion' is as bogus as John Travolta's 'scientology' scam; both dreamed up by rural bumpkin losers and adhered to by the same type of desperate, clinging rubes.

Pie in the sky - but with a sinister, secret twist. White salamander led Joe Smith to the Golden Plates. Yeah - right.

[spudwilkins]

Mormons are "desperate, clinging rubes"? I believe this statement says a lot more about its utterer than Mormons. Numerous studies show that Mormons tend to have significantly higher educational attainment than the U.S. population as a whole. Having religious beliefs that differ from someone else's does not make one a "rube". Ignorantly labeling six million Americans "rubes" because of their religion does.

[duwaynea]

As a devout Mormon, the voting public should be looking at Romney%u2019s religious beliefs for the simple reason that they *will* affect his judgment and policy if elected. It%u2019s time for the press to stop being kowtowed by the LDS PR machine into withholding tough questions because they are afraid of being labeled %u201Canti-Mormon.%u201D

For example, as a faithful LDS member, Romney votes %u2013 twice each year %u2013 to sustain the Doctrine and Covenants, even though the Doctrine and Covenants has a revelation saying that a man can essentially own ten virgins with God%u2019s approval.

See http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/132 and read verses 61 and 62.

The media should be asking Romney if he really believes this stuff, and if not, why he continues to sustain it.

Mitt Romney also sustains the Book of Mormon as scripture, yet the Book of Mormon says that God uses black skin as a curse.

See http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/5/21#21 and read verses 19-22.

Romney%u2019s campaign, and the LDS Church, would rather nobody know about these verses, and they certainly don%u2019t want their candidate to be put on the spot, having to explain how he can be the president of all Americans if he really, truly believes that (for example) God uses black skin as a curse.

Duwayne Anderson
Author of %u201CFarewell to Eden: Coming to terms with Mormonism and science%u201D

[spudwilkins]

Dwayne, have you read the Bible? If you are going to argue that Romney is unfit for office because of a few verses in Mormon scripture, at least try to put forth the appearance of being unbiased and apply the argument to all of the candidates.

According to your argument, shouldn't belief in the Bible also disqualify someone from seeking elected office? Or are you OK with David killing 200 Philistines to obtain their foreskins as a dowry so he could marry Saul's daughter?

How about 1 Samuel 15? Should someone who believes it's OK to wipe out an entire community, including women, children and animals, be allowed to command the military of the most powerful nation on earth?

My point is not to attack the Bible. Rather, it is to show how silly your argument is. There's some wacky stuff in all books of scripture. Your argument narrows the field of qualified candidates to atheists only.

[conspiracygirl]

I'm sure evangelical pastors everywhere are cringing and wondering what they have done.... The finest candidate on the scene may not get the nomination due to their own careful programming of their flocks, "Mormons are evil, Mormons are evil." Now what are they going to say...? "Uh... you'd all better vote for the adulterous womanizer rather than the honest, incredibly capable guy because, you know, Romney thinks he has to do good deeds to go to heaven, and we can't have this country led by someone trying to be good. I mean, how evil is that?"