Iowa primary smackdown: Mitt miffed by 'personal' attacks on Mormon faith

The Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 12/31/2007 | Thomas Burr

[Baladas]

BETTENDORF, Iowa - Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, facing some hints of an anti-Mormon whisper campaign, said Sunday he's irritated but not overly concerned about such "personal" attacks as he makes his final pitch to voters in the early states.

Such attacks, especially those focused on his faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, could hamper his ability to win the GOP nomination.

Romney, however, said Sunday that dirty politics such as an anti-Mormon Christmas card mailed to South Carolina voters are "part of the political process" by some groups or individuals who want to muddy the water.

"It's a very unfortunate and disappointing part of reality," Romney told reporters outside a stop in Columbia Junction, Iowa. "And I'm not going to spend my time trying to change those kind of features. It's just part of what happens."

Some voters in South Carolina last week received a Christmas card in the mail purportedly from "The Romney Family," though the candidate and his campaign deny any involvement.

[Baladas]

Seems that any attack on one's faith would be considered "personal", and Romney seens to like playing the misunderstood Mormon victim a little too often.

But to the MSM, being a Mormon is a validation of sincere faith if you happen to be Harry Reid.

[Darkwolf377]

He’s not my candidate, though he was my governor, but I kinda liked the guy, some of his ideas notwithstanding. But he is trashing his campaign with the constant playing the victim every time someone criticizes his religion.

[ellery]

Unfortunately, after the Romney campaign subterfuge related to those so-called push-poll calls, I now always wonder if Romney himself is trying to drum up some sympathy (whatever happened to that investigation, anyway?). It doesn’t help that he’s been running a somewhat dirty campaign.

However, if these cards aren’t just another excuse for Romney to play the victim card, then they’re reprehensible.

[peyton randolph]

It is a question of judgment.

We make fun of Dennis Kucinich for his UFO beliefs. Why should Romney get a free pass?

If he announced conversion to Scientology, even the Mittwits would question his mental fitness to be president. Cult membership is an issue.

If Mitt wants to be in a cult, that’s fine. I just won’t drink the Kool-Aid and vote for him to be the GOP nominee.

[Blogger]

The criticisms of the Mormon faith are not “personal” nor are they attacks. Anyone who subscribes to the idea that Jesus is Lucifer’s brother, was the result of celestial sex between god (who was once a man) and one of his many wives near the star called Kolob, and that he atoned for our sin but we have to work and be good mormons (or in the case of our ancestors be baptized by proxy in a Mormon temple)in order to enter the kingdom of God(and maybe become a god ourselves some day)... is bound to raise some eyebrows. Mitt’s protests are silly. Rather than whine that it’s so unfair that he is being “attacked” like a democrat would, say, yes, this is what I believe and this is why it won’t affect my governing as President. Unless, it will affect his governing as President or he doesn’t really believe that stuff - in which case, his affirmation or denial of the key tenets of Mormonism would have a certain import to his fitness for office.

[PizzaDriver]

When we have a caring neighbor, we forget to ask about their Faith.We talk about other things.

I’m a life-long Unitarian. Yet, I’m delighted when a Mormon moves onto my block.

[donna]

If Mitt gets elected, will the Secret Service be allowed inside the Temple during the secret ceremonies?

[Greysard]

Yes, but the Secret Service agents would have to be Mormons too. That’s my uneducated guess.

[restornu]

There are LDS who are in
the Secret Services LOL

[restornu]

You know you should feel very special for in the Bible there is mention which you and those like you are given a name!

[Domandred]

Yet, I’m delighted when a Mormon moves onto my block.

Well chances are they aren't going to have loud drunken parties, break into your cars, and pee on your bushes...unlike the neighbors I used to have living across the street.

[peyton randolph]

Yes, but the Secret Service agents would have to be Mormons too.

---

Would a Mormon, Scientologist, Hare Krishna, or Wiccan pass the psychological tests to qualify for the President's Secret Service detail?

[Diogenesis]

Was not aware the endless paranoia, playing of the religion card,
while attacking opponents with endless dirty tricks, was an LDS characteristic.

Perhaps it is just a Romney characteristic?

[BlueMoose]

If Mitt gets elected, will the Secret Service be allowed inside the Temple during the sacred ceremonies?

[Neu Pragmatist]

Mitt seems to be the only bringing his religion up .
He keeps using it to play the victim card and people are catching on to his little charade .

When the going gets tough , Mitt pulls out the victim card ....

[Redcloak]

You’d think that he’d be more bothered by “personal” attacks on his RINO liberalism.

[Caramelgal]

…his affirmation or denial of the key tenets of Mormonism would have a certain import to his fitness for office.

And when Huckabee was asked if he believed that the Earth was only 6,000 years old, he said, “I don’t know”. For me that has a certain import as to Huckabee’s fitness for office.

[donna]

Yes, but the Secret Service agents would have to be Mormons too. That’s my uneducated guess.

But, it's unconstitutional to have a religious test for a government job!

[donna]

All churches have sacred ceremonies but only the Mormons have secret ceremonies.

[Caipirabob]

I have no problem with Mitt's Mormon faith. I dont' condemn him any more for the radicals amongst Mormons any more that I condemn my own faith for Jim and Tammy Faye or other "Hucksters" who defraud the faithful or corrupt the faith. People use religion as an excuse to commit evil, however the vast majority use faith as a tool to advance the condition of mankind in the name of God. I will not toss out the baby with the bathwater in any case.

However, I do despise Mitt's socialist, big government, meddlesome policies.

I've posted a huge series of threads on Mitt's healthcare law problems just this morning. It's turning into a disaster for MA residents.

I can't understand why Mitt Romney is even considered a Republican. Let the man enjoy a peaceful retirement with his beautiful family or return to his business.

Whatever that business is, it should not consist of representing the American people as President.

No, I don't hate Mitt because he's a Mormon (we have some wonderful Mormons in our family.) I despise Mitt's policies and propensity to forward corrupted "big government in your pocket" programs that will leech the very soul of our nation if he gains power as POTUS.

The man needs to be sent home.