I don't dispute that at all. I've commented on a couple of those threads, and the Mormon-bashers are scary.
I just don't think Romney's going to be able to rise above that issue, because it's the ONLY thing people are going to be talking about. At this point, it's the only thing that distinguishes him from the pack. I know people don't want to hear this, but just another white guy talking about being pro-life and for gun rights ain't gonna do it after 8 years of a Republican president.
The reason I think Thompson CAN win (not the same as why I think he SHOULD win) is that his personality can cut through a lot of the bull the MSM and DNC (but I repeat myself...) will toss at him. Romney just never impressed me during his tenure as my governor.
And yet Thompson was hardly noticed during his senate career. Now with Goldwater, he had a distinguished senate career and people were aware of his stands way before he ran for president. With Thompson, all the excitement is of a rather recent nature. When he was actually in office he was low profile. And with all the folks nit-picking about Romney's stands, WHO was a co-architect of one of the worst pieces of legislation ever (McCain-Feingold)?