Posted on 04/11/2012 6:54:38 PM PDT by svxdave
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will have little trouble courting the evangelical vote, Southern Baptist Convention leader Richard Land told The Daily Caller during a Wednesday interview.
“I don’t think Romney will have any kind of a problem — unless he picks a non-social conservative running mate — he should be okay,” Land, president of Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Committee, said about concerns that Romney’s Mormon faith could turn off evangelicals.
According to Land, evangelicals are extremely concerned about the possibility of a second Obama term and are energized to vote against him.
Land cited Obama’s hot mic moment with outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in which Obama said he would have “more flexibility” after the election to discuss issues like missile defense, as one reason for evangelical anti-Obama sentiment.
“I cannot tell you how important that Russia comment was because it feeds into the fears that evangelicals have that there is a radical inside Obama that is straining to get out and once he doesn’t have to ever face the voters again — the day after the election they are going to be confronted with a Jekyll and Hyde situation,” he said. “Whatever concerns they have about Romney pale in comparison to their worries about a second Obama term.”
While evangelicals might be okay with voting for a Mormon, Land said that the media will likely make a big deal out of Romney’s faith to draw independents away from the former governor.
“[The Media] are going to trot out every exotic belief of Mormonism you can find. Baptism of the dead, etc., in the hopes that the strangeness of it will drive independents away from Romney,” he said.
Ads by Google In Defense of Mormons Connect With Other Mormons Online. Photos, Testimonials, Email & More! www.LDSsingles.com Land explained that most evangelicals are already well aware of Mormon teachings — pastors often teach about the Book of Mormon as an inoculation against door-to-door Mormon missionaries. Independents, he said, are likely not as aware of certain unorthodox beliefs.
When asked if he believes evangelicals will have a problem voting for Romney, Land responded, “I don’t.” He added, however, that if Romney picks a pro-choice, non-social conservative running mate he will face more difficulties courting that vote.
The potential vice presidential candidate that would give Romney the biggest boost, according to Land, would be noted pro-life Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
Land also mentioned Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as acceptable running mate options.
Land asserted that a person’s faith does play a role in their decision-making process and that he anticipates Romney’s Mormon faith will inform his decisions if elected. To Land that’s not a problem.
“Most the Mormons I know are decent, God-fearing, honest people,” he said. “I think that Romney, as a serious Mormon is far less likely to have any sexual scandals than a person who wasn’t a person of faith. He is far more likely to keep his word. Far more likely to be a role model than were he a person of no faith. I think most Americans like having a president who is aware and acknowledges he is accountable to a higher authority than himself.”
“If his Mormonism informs his policies he will be pro-life, he’s going to be pro-family, pro-traditional marriage, so far what’s the problem?” Land said.
Land does not endorse political candidates.
Like I said, I don’t like him but I recognize that he was the governor of Massachusetts, probably the most liberal state in the country and the fact remains, I would rather have Romney picking judges than Obama and I would rather have a republican VP in case the senate ends in a tie. You justify your choice however you want but I have been committed to defeating Obama since his primary battle with Hillary Clinton and I remain 100% committed to seeing him defeated. That’s my bottom line- beat Obama. Nothing else matters to me. nothing.
When Jesus is on the ballot you will have a point. Until then, nobody is perfect.
So your not voting? Have you ever voted?
not voting for the lesser of two evils is more evil.
(yeah & you or your legacy of kids/grandkids will eventually vote for somebody to the left of Obama 'cause they are committed to defeating somebody worse...relativism is straight from hell...and it's sad to see conservatives become hell's pawns)
Translation: It'd be more evil to avoid voting for a reincarnated Hitler if he ran vs. THE anti-Christ than to not vote for either.
(You'd been a handy PR guy for many an evil man)
Who are you voting for? Newt? Ron Paul?
Translation: "I can vote for any politician -- no matter their track record -- because ALL of them happen to be less perfect than Jesus!"
(How'd ya like Kansas58's latest justification!)
Likewise, when the United States faced down Hitler, we made an alliance with Stalin that was uncomfortable and hurt us later on, in many ways, but was STILL absolutely necessary at the time.
Likewise, when we were in a Cold War with the USSR, we supported the Taliban in Afghanistan.
STRATEGY trumps ego.
STRATEGY trumps pride.
SURVIVAL is the most important strategy, the will to live on so that we can FIGHT on another day!
Obama is ruthless.
Obama knows that he must destroy our ability to fight.
Obama wants to destroy the profit motive, and make it impossible to raise money to fight Socialism.
Obama wants to destroy our Religious Liberty.
I do not “pimp” Romney, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Our nation might not survive much longer.
Our nation has a better chance at survival, with Romney, than it does with Obama as President.
I am not thrilled at the idea of Romney as the nominee, but he will win Kansas no matter what I do.
I will work on House and Senate and LEGISLATIVE races, where I can help.
I see no positive gain in the Conservative movement by bashing Romney.
However, you are being dishonest when you claim that I have promoted or “pimped” Romney.
I have not done so here, at all.
I simply bash Obama.
Obama is worse, on EVERY issue, than Romney.
and you would make a handy PR guy for a group of fifth column traitors.
“No, I am not happy, but Romney does not hate my country.
Obama DOES hate my country. It is not a hard choice. Our backs are against the wall and our country can not survive another 4 years of Obama!”
That’s the God’s truth, Kansas. The Left’s been winning because, whether they’re pleased with BHO or not, they keep their eye on the prize with the unified goal of throttling us and keeping the Kenyan in power to dismantle our country.
If we put SAVING it ahead of our personal differences, we may have a real shot at ridding America of the evil that is BHO - an extreme radical and Islamist who hates America and is on an obvious mission to destroy us and our allies.
Ridiculous distortions and you know it.
The fact is, EVERY election is a choice between the lessor of evils.
EVERY election since the first ballot was ever cast!
Another Obama supporter exposed.
There are other options available to Born-Again Christians unwilling to sacrifice their obediance to God's commands, mainly voting for an actual conservative or writing in someone.God cammands us to vote for an actual conservative or a write candidate? Really?? Where is that in the Bible? I am here to help defeat Obama. You?
Milt believes he’s a High Priest int he order which Jesus alone holds. So, no, this Christian is not voting for the LDS inc dead soul lying mormon Rominy. Take your LDS inc kneepads somewhere else.
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