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.”
EverOnward (and I love the name),
It isn't that I disagree that he may be a conservative. He
may. And no doubt we share some common political beliefs.
I simply can't pull the lever for someone who believes the absolute oposite of what I have pledged my life to - of WHOM I have pledged my life to.
I wouldn't object to floating down the Arkansas river on a float trip with Mitt - he's probably a fun guy. And I would enjoy the afternoon. In that regard, I have no ill will for him.
When it comes to helping exalt a mormon to the highest office in the land - in the world. That's another thing. It isn't going to happen. Millions feel the same.
best,
ampu
The concept you describe is actually untrue, nor is it what is described above in my other post.
You took what was said and twisted it into something else.
You are trying to say that I said that Mormons believe we are 'assisting' Christ. That is not true. We are not assisting Christ's atonement.
What I am saying is Christ metes out what He will mete out. What He requires of each of us is obedience.
It moreso goes like this, Christ saying, "You didn't believe in me. You didn't follow anything I said. You didn't follow the commandments I gave...so why should I help you?"
The idea of earning your way to heaven is a lie and is not a Mormon belief, yet it is often twisted and attributed to Mormons. The idea of being obedient to God though is required. He told us how He will judge, at thats that.
Our obedience is not for His good. It is for OURS. He uses that method to teach us all how to be good children.
You are the one that added in the notion that someone's obedience somehow 'assists' Christ, as though He is unable to accomplish things on His own.
Despite using terminology as you do, when you change the meaning of the words
Which words are those? Change relative to what? What your set of beliefs are? I didn't 'change' jack. I stated the way it is. I did not state 'how it is relative to XYZ other religion'. I don't know what every Amish, Catholic, Methodist, or Baptist means by certain words, however I stated my own.
Fact of the matter though it goes beyond words and into concepts.
Here is an honest question for you. Please answer directly and don't change the subject. Is Christ our Judge? If so, how?
Sadly, mormons do not believe Christ ALONE is enough for salvation. To a mormon, Christ's death was insufficient to grant salvation.
That is a blatant lie on your behalf.
As far as the East is from the West
Magical underware that only those who jump through church hoops can wear
Jesus is Satan's "spirit brother"
3 Heavens, guess who goes to the best one?
Baptism of dead people into one of the heavens on & on & on
Haven't they moved away from the questionable parts of their doctrine?
Only a little (blacks can now go into the Temple) and as a PR move to make them seem more mainstream
Ditto
No it isn't a lie
Mormons believe that Christ died ONLY for Adam's sin
Everyone else has to work out (as in works not grace) their salvation
If you can prove differently I would like to the the evidence
How about a lapsed Catholic? Or a once-a-year Protestant? A Muslim? A Buddist?
I could vote for a Mormon if he was the only one left against a liberal and he was a conservative. However, I do agree with basically everything else you've been saying.
Keep the Faith!
You got that wrong! Oh, and the name of the Church is The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. Jesus is the divine center for Mormons.
So you will never vote for anyone based on their privately held religious beliefs no matter if they are politically aligned with you on every position?
A practicing and principled Mormon? No.
A Mormon-in-name-only (MINO)? Maybe.
The former two could get elected. The latter two could not...at least not in the next 20 years.
I think it is abundantly clear by now that anyone with political aspirations is smart enough to go to church regardless of their actual beliefs. Kind of like they are willing to say anything regardless of their actual intentions.
Mormons believe that Christ died ONLY for Adam's sin
I don't know where you came up with that idea. That is completely untrue as well.
What kind of proof would be sufficient for you?
Average Margin per User
I am glad you are such a good Christian and a fine example to humankind that you take joy in offending your fellow man. Keep on smiling.
Mormon men grow horns when their in the temple!!! It's true I
till ya, they fly around like bats too! It's true I till ya
He will do poorly in the south, and we all know the south is the road to the Whitehouse.
You mean the part about where God gave Joseph Smith the tablets but then he lost them before anyone else saw them? That part?
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