Posted on 12/17/2005 8:39:05 AM PST by Mr. Blonde
HE MADE millions as a businessman, saved the scandal-plagued 2002 Winter Olympics, appeals to social conservatives, is liked by moderates, boasts chiselled good looks and has been a successful Republican governor in one of America’s most liberal states. In Mitt Romney, the Massachusetts Governor who all but threw his hat into the 2008 presidential race yesterday, Republicans have the almost perfect candidate. Except for one potential problem: Mr Romney is a Mormon.
After announcing that he would not be seeking a second term as Massachusetts governor, a widely anticipated move that clears the way for a 2008 White House bid, Mr Romney implicitly posed a fascinating political question: can a Mormon win enough votes to become President of the United States?
Mr Romney, whom analysts on both sides of the political divide say will be a serious contender in 2008, was elected governor of Massachusetts — one of the bluest of Democrat blue states — as a social moderate. In the past year, however, he has changed his stance on social issues important to religious conservatives, the base of the Republican Party that wields enormous influence in the Republican primary race. Mr Romney once said that abortion should be “safe and legal”, but now opposes it. He denounced the decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Court to legalise gay marriage. Calling himself a “red speck in a blue state”, he has emphasised socially conservative positions on the death penalty, stem-cell research and birth control.
But Manuel Miranda, head of the Third Branch Conference, an alliance of conservative groups, said that many evangelicals view Mormonism — the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — as a cult. Mr Miranda said that in 2000 he worked for Orrin Hatch, the Utah senator and a Mormon, during his unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination. “Hatch had a poll done. He found that over 60 per cent of Americans would not vote for a Mormon.”
Richard Cizik, of the National Association of Evangelicals, said that Mormons were not Christians, and that profound doctrinal divisions would shape reactions to Mr Romney as a candidate for the White House. The view among evangelicals might change if Mr Romney’s main opponent is Rudy Giuliani, the former New York Mayor, who is socially moderate and supports abortion.
Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster, believes that Mr Romney’s religion will not be a significant issue. His biggest problem, Mr Luntz said, is that he comes from Massachusetts. Although he balanced the state’s budget, lowered taxes and improved education, “the last time Massachusetts produced a Republican candidate was never”.
Mr Romney may also face the charge of being a “flip-flopper” — an accusation that did so much damage to the last presidential candidate from Massachusetts with impossibly thick hair: John Kerry.
The last president to come from Massachusetts was John Kennedy, who successfully overcame concerns about being the first Roman Catholic in the White House.
Mr Romney can also take encouragement from the experience of his Mormon father, George Romney, who was Governor of Michigan. His 1968 presidential bid imploded after he said that he had been “brainwashed” into supporting the Vietnam War. “But until then,” Steve Hess, of the Brookings Institution, said, “there was no question he could have been elected.”
Answer: No. Won't elect a Scientologist or a Moonie either.
A few yrs ago, I thought he had a chance, but not anymore.
Not that Mormon.
Yeah, not that Mormon.
Ya, if you don't vote for him, you hate Mormons - that's the ticket!
Maybe if he were conservative...
Better a Mormon (Romney) than a Gorgon (Clinton).
Lets try: Is America ready to elect an Massachusetts elitist pussyboy with a blow dried hairdo who will fold like a cheap suit when the political going gets tough?
NO.
How much different is Mormonism from mainstream Christianity? Haven't they moved away from the questionable parts of their doctrine?
Would we have "First Ladies"?
Yep.
opps ... I'm sorry I misread the post...
and first names to come to mind were .....
Jimmyiii Car'@ter, or Jesse Jacksoon
The precise response that was warranted... I hate trash articles like this that set up false arguements. If he's has sound policies, who cares if he's a Morman.
In Texas evangelical circles, Mormonism is viewed as a cult and not Christian. I personally do not view their faith as Christian either - Jesus Christ is not the One and Only in their faith.
That's right -- I'm concerned with policies, too, and it makes me mad to think that if he lost, it could simply be chalked up to "he's a Mormon."
I like Romney where he is and was sorry to hear that he wasn't running for re-election. I'm sure that he would downplay his faith but he wouldn't have a chance to win the southern primaries. Yes, I'd vote for him over Hillary but no, it will not come to that.
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