Romney tells conservative voters that “poisonous language” doesn’t advance their cause

Boston Globe ^ | October 7, 2011 | Theo Emery

[Cincinatus' Wife]

WASHINGTON - Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney told conservative and evangelical voters today that “poisonous language doesn’t advance our cause,” the day after a surrogate for another GOP presidential candidate described Mormonism as a cult.

“It’s never softened a single heart or changed a single mind,” Romney said. “The blessings of faith carry the responsibility of civil and respectful debate.”

Romney’s comments at the Values Voter Summit in Washington were aimed at a conservative radio commentator who immediately followed him on the program, according to a spokeswoman.

But the backdrop was a controversy from the previous day when a Texas pastor, Robert Jeffress, gave an interview in which he said that Mormonism was not a Christian faith and was a cult. He had made similar comments in the 2008 presidential election. As before, the comments immediately caused a stir.

Yesterday’s comments were notable because the pastor delivered the comments shortly after introducing another GOP presidential contender, Texas Governor Rick Perry, raising questions over whether Perry knew that his surrogate was about to attack his competitor’s religion.

Perry told a reporter in Iowa that he did not agree with Jeffress.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I'm so glad Sarah isn't running.

Myth has a clear path now. Nothing can stand in his way to claiming the nomination.

Of course he will lose to Ubama, but since their policies are indistinguishable it really doesn't matter.

[NoRedTape]

Romney is completely wrong for America. So is Perry. Cain is the only viable Candidate right now.....

[Caipirabob]

Romney tells conservative voters that “poisonous language” doesn’t advance their cause

Neither does a YANKEE RINO HEALTHCARE NAZI!

Go home mittcare...

[NoRedTape]

"FUMR".

If Romney is the GOP Nom we are hosed for another 4 years with Obummer. Period. End of story. If Romney is the Nom, we just need to work on solidifying the Senate and working towards 2016. Period.

[Pilgrim's Progress]

Uh, I don’t think branding you as a Mormon is meant to ‘soften hearts’ . . . it is more of a warning to avoid you and your fellow proselyters as one would a medieval plague.

[struggle]

Mitt STFU

[RIghtwardHo]

I’m going to take instruction from Mitt on how to be a Conservative? Not in this lifetime.

[McGavin999]

It seems to be theme with those who are against anyone from Texas. Call them racists, remember the Dragging commercial?

They did it to Palin in a different way, but it was the same tactic. Smear and keep smearing hoping they'd get the best of you and if they didn't hope that everyone else believe their vile smears.

[freedumb2003]

Even his ads admit: you can’t say romney without saying GUMMIT (GOMITT)...

[Jack Deth]

Don’t like Mitt!
Don’t trust Perry!
Tired of holding my nose at the Ballot Box!

Cain is the only candidate that connects with me. When Sarah Palin endorses Cain. It’ll be all over but the screaming... Of the left!

Jack.

[DesertRhino]

“that Christ appeared in the western hemisphere after his death and resurrection,,,”

That is totally a wrong belief on their part,,,Jesus didn’t pop down with the Indians in New England,,,it was actally Mary,,who popped down with the Mexican Indians over by Mexico city! Just ask the Catholics,,

[Owen]

Regardless of Romney hatred or Perry hatred, Romney is right about one thing.

Poisonous language doesn’t soften a single heart or change a single mind.

It doesn’t attract the voters who win the elections: Independent moderates, and if you don’t win it doesn’t matter what you think. You’ll have no influence on policy.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Congratulations Mitt - youre going to be President just as long as McCain was.

You f’ing retard.

[Polybius]

Romney is completely wrong for America.

Conservatives can agree on that.

VIDEO clips of Romney/Kennedy Debates: Liberals For Romney - More Liberal than Ted Kennedy

So is Perry. Cain is the only viable Candidate right now.....

Cain? You mean Herman Cain?

The same Cain that endorsed Romney before Super Tuesday, 2008?

HERMAN CAIN'S ENDORSEMENT OF MITT ROMNEY PUBLISHED IN THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION TWO DAYS PRIOR TO SUPER TUESDAY, 2008

The same Cain that still supports Romney today?

Herman Cain said Wednesday that he would be unable to support Rick Perry for president if the Texas governor were to eventually win the party's nomination. .... The former businessman said, for instance, that he could support former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney....

The same Cain that was not taking winning the Iowa Caucuses very seriously?

Herman Cain's top Iowa staff resigns ..... Goff stated that she resigned because the Cain campaign refused to make a serious effort in Iowa, the home of the First-in-the-Nation caucuses.

The same Cain that is not taking the campaign very seriously now as he hawks his book instead?

Cain Campaign: Selling a Candidate or Selling Books? ..... But even as he enjoys the fickle embrace of the party’s social conservatives, doubts are being raised about the straight-talking businessman’s legitimacy, and even his motives. Instead of capitalizing on his newfound momentum by hitting the campaign trail hard, Cain this week opted to spend most of his time promoting his book, This is Herman Cain! My Journey to the White House, which just arrived in retail stores this week. Rather than visit diners in early voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire, he’s signing books at Barnes & Noble outlets in Texas and Washington D.C., although his tour does also include several stops in South Carolina and Florida, two key primary states. .... Steve Deace, an Iowa-based talk show host, posed the question on the minds of many people aligned with the Republican Party: “Is that guy running for president or just lining up a book tour?” .... But, as Block also said, the campaign has just 30 staff members spread across five states, fewer perhaps than one of Cain’s former pizzerias. The candidate this week was scheduled for six book signings and just three traditional campaign events. .... An e-mail that went out to Cain supporters the day before his upset victory in the Florida straw poll wasn’t about one of Cain’s policy positions but instead offered them a chance to buy a collector’s edition box set of the book, complete with a red case and gold trim. “Consider giving a loved one a copy of This is Herman Cain,” it said. “You wouldn’t be giving them just a book. You’d give them a gift to open again and again.” ..... One GOP strategist said he didn’t think Cain’s book tour was bad strategy – business strategy, at least. Cain knows he isn’t going to win the nomination, despite his recent rise in the polls, said Rich Galen, a Republican consultant and former aide to House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is also vying for the nomination. “It’s very smart to leverage his political surge to sell more books,” Galen said. “He’s a smart businessman.”

The same Cain that has left his old pal, Romney, to lock up key donors while he locks up his book sales at Barnes & Nobles?

Romney Rounds Up Backing Among Key G.O.P. Donors

[DesertRhino]

But all kidding aside,,, that theology leaves me shaking my head.

My big problem with Mitt is than neither he, his sons, and no member of his family served in the US Military,,,, all the way back to 1840. During Vietnam, Mitt was a missionary in France. That is no accident. They avoided every draft,, and never volunteered,,, the whole damned lot of em. After I think Mass and RI, Utah has the lowest per capita level of military elistment in the nation. Mitt said his sons serve their country by working to get him elected.

I need no other reason.

[Nik Naym]

Agree 100%

If the Republican party bigshots and the media get their way and Romney is the candidate, I will show up on election day to vote for any conservative leaning candidates for each office on the ballot. If the choice for President is Romney, Obama or somebody else then I vote “somebody else” or just don’t cast a vote for president.

No way in hell under any circumstance will I vote for Romney. I despise the bastard just as much as I despise Obama.

[ngat]

I saw on Hannity last week, a Perry campaign guy on with a Romney guy, and the Perry guy was visibly angry and accused the Romney campaign of “coming very close to crossing the line” with Romney demagogueing the in-state tuition/immigration issue, by staking out conservative ground to the right of Perry on the question, a position everybody knows Romney does not hold.

So, that is a third issue Perry feels he is being unfairly hammered on by Romney. This thing has already deteriorated to the point I don’t think either one will emerge as the nominee.

[Irenic]

These people pole vault over mouse turds. If people are not willing to look honestly at everything—what does it matter?

Romney wants a poor pitiful me. Cain would stand by abortion supporting Romney over Perry.

People think that is fine and dandy, because they just love their candidate and that is above all else.

To change might make somebody wrong— can’t have that!!!

Perry is dumb and he called people heartless—but pay no attention to the other chit happening. *eye-roll*

BTW, all the Texas critics... we would like compensation for our tax dollars going to protect a border for all of the United States.

Our dumb -azz schools would have more money if you guys kicked in your share. No—scream about fairness and squash the 10th because it offends your sensibilities.

In-state tuition for all states! Why not? They never paid a state tax one, or paid to control the border.Nope, they only point an ugly bony finger.

[marty60]

I really don’t like discussing a religion I know very little about.

[Erik Latranyi]

This is an attempt by the media to paint the GOP as a “Christians-Only” club.

It is also an attempt to innoculate Romney against any attacks that will be directed at him by the other GOP candidates.

If Santorum attacks Romneycare, it is because Romney is a Mormon and Santorum is a Christian.

Of course, once Romney gets the nomination, unnamed sources will question Mormonism as a cult, not a religion.

Make no mistake, this is just another attempt to assure Romney gets the nomination.