Spoken like a true Folgers executive. Heh heh heh...
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.”
Mitt Romney is completely unacceptable as a GOP nominee for President...no matter what his religion.
Mitt Romney is completely unacceptable as a GOP nominee for President...no matter what his religion.
Should be is America ready to elect a Muslim president, ask congress.
/tee-hee
The problem I'm guessing he was referring to would be the one of re-inforcing international perception that the U.S. is a pawn of Israel, not one of predjudice towards jews.
Not according to my wife, who was a Mormon until about ten years ago.
As far as I'm concerned, if I had to suffer through a Democratic administration, I would much prefer Joseph Lieberman over any other potential Democratic candidate.
Does that make him a MoRINO?
Think of Scientology with a Jesus figure thrown in who is "just like you and I".
The answer - lots.
Perhaps Orrin Hatch in a dress.
Norman who?
I believe the Bible says in the Old Testament that "He was smitten of God." Maybe Isaish?
LOL!!
I would not vote for him. Not because of him being a Mormon, but because of his policies. What religious Mormon supports abortion anyway?
Also, Massachusetts just passed some stupid law (which Romney says he will support) that basically demands that Catholic Hospitals administer the "morning after pill" to all rape victims. Massachusetts liberal wackos are trying to tell the Catholic Church to compromise their religious and spiritual values. IMHO, big, big problem, which could become national.
It is heinous because it is not true and they claim it is Holy Scripture.
It does not matter if something helps people "lead better lives" if it takes them from true salvation in Christ while claiming to lead them there.
However, I agree that everyone has the choice to go to Hell.
Sure we are... but not that Mormon.
Spoken like a true Folgers executive. Heh heh heh...
I have never been able to come up with an objective definition of "cult" other than a religion that a given person doesn't like.
Hell? I was married for two f***ing years. Hell would be like Club Med. - Rev. Sam Kinison (R.I.P.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.