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.
Sorry, but Newt is a confessed adulterer. That is common knowledge hardly a deciet. I have only listed facts!
I am a Born Again Christian, Reformed Baptist. Christ is my Savior thru Faith only and the only way to heaven given as a gift by God to fallen humanity.
Romney is clearly a polytheist, I believe mormanism is false and a cult. I dont believe he is trying to install a morman theocracy.
Newt is a recent Catholic convert who is as “liberal” as Romney but with LOTS more baggage.
Is Newt trying to install a Catholic theocracy? Certainly, that was the fear with JFK? There is plenty of historical Papal baggage to concoct a Roman Theocracy plot if you tried hard enough. Is that the reality with Newt? off course not.
I would vote for either Newt or Romney over Obama.
Who is accusing the brethren? Look, i want Obummer out as bad as you do, i just dont think Newt is the guy.
I would vote Ron Paul over either in a heart beat if he had a chance and modified his foriegn policy.
BKC is desperate ... disgusting liars and self-righteous dead souls.
I am a tea party member as well. Why demonize those who do not think Newt can win.
Are all those who hold their nose and vote Romney desperate, disgusting liars and self-righteous dead souls?
Give us a break. later
I am an ordained Southern Baptist minister and active pastor of a church. I am not thrilled about Romney being the nominee; however, I will vote for Romney over the socialistic, humanistic, antichrist Barack Obama without a second thought. It is my civic and biblical responsibility to vote in an effort to preserve a free society. If voting for the lesser of two evils is my only choice, I shall choose the lesser. I will also not hesitate to let other Christians know how I feel as a pastor. The policies of Romney will be by far closer to my conservative values than Barack Obama’s marxist, facist, socialistic agenda.
??what??
I am not holding it against him. If God has forgiven him, he is forgiven.
I am just saying His baggage is HUGE! Again you are confusing voting for president and voting for a theocracy.
Tell me what you think being born again means. I already told you what i think it means.
I would also advise you that you are asking for a miracle, if you expect the remaining States to vote for anyone other than Romney.
After Santorum quits?
After Newt's company goes bankrupt?
You are wasting resources by continuing this crusade of yours.
Since when is it a conservative position that the White House is the only race that matters?
You are obsessed!
Say the Serenity Prayer several times.
Last time the Southern Baptist Convention endorsed a candidate I was told to vote for was Jimmy Carter...never listened to them again.
I support Newt 100%. Best conservative running. I suggest you back way off with the insults or leave FR!
That's only because you don't know Romney well enough...yet.
You've already been shown that Romney's pick of judges will hardly be any better than Obama's pick of judges. Just remember throughout this election season, the more you know about Romney, the less you will like.
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