Mormon Democrats announce new national, state organizations

Deseret News ^ | April 4, 2013 | Lisa Riley Roche

[Colofornian]

SALT LAKE CITY — Mormon Democrats announced a new national organization Thursday with chapters in eight states joining the Utah State Democratic Party's year-old LDS Dems Caucus.

The Florida-based head of LDS Democrats of America, Robert Taber, said the organization is intended to counter the perception that "there's only one way to be involved in political life as a good Mormon and that's as a Republican."

The LDS Church itself has a long-standing policy of political neutrality.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics,” church spokesman Scott Trotter said.

Taber, who also leads the organization's Florida chapter, said during a conference call to make the announcement that there is a "long and rich tradition" of Mormons participating in the Democratic Party.

But Taber, the former head of Mormons for Obama, the LDS group that backed President Barack Obama's re-election, said it's become harder over the past four decades for Mormons to be Democrats.

"Something we found is that among many Latter-day Saints, a Democrat is a four-letter word, and Republican is just the way things are," Taber said, describing LDS Democrats as suffering from "feelings of isolation."

He said the national organization, as well as the chapters in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C., is a place for their "coming out and saying, 'We're Latter-day Saints, and we're Democrats.'"

SNIP

State Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis said the caucus is a result of the party acknowledging it needs Mormons, who make up about 72 percent of voters in a state where most elected offices are held by Republicans.

SNIP

The caucus gained publicity outside Utah for hosting an event featuring the nation's best-known Mormon Democrat, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, at September's Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C...

[Colofornian]

From the article: SALT LAKE CITY — Mormon Democrats announced a new national organization Thursday with chapters in eight states joining the Utah State Democratic Party's year-old LDS Dems Caucus...He said the national organization, as well as the chapters in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C., is a place for their "coming out and saying, 'We're Latter-day Saints, and we're Democrats.'"...The caucus gained publicity outside Utah for hosting an event featuring the nation's best-known Mormon Democrat, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, at September's Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C...

Utah's very roots were Democrat.

Why? Because the Democrats in the 19th century opposed the anti-polygamy Congressional legislation in the 1860s, 1870s, and 1880s.

Utah statehood arrived in 1896. Per Website content no longer updated, www.media.utah.edu, William Jennings Bryan drew more than 80% of the vote; a variety of Democrats to state and local office were elected then as well. That same year, William H. King was elected to Congress and the Democratic legislature selected Joseph L. Rawlins to serve as U. S. Senator.

1898: Utah Democrats elected B. H. Roberts to Congress although he was denied his seat because of his practice of plural marriage...Roberts took a THIRD wife around 1893...almost three years AFTER the "manifesto" calling for brakes to be applied to polygamy. Roberts was eventually replaced by William H. King in a special April 1900 election.

Previous year (1897): In the Utah state Legislature assuming office 39 in the Utah House of Reps in 1897 were Democrats, only 3 were Republicans & 3 were Populists. In the state Senate, it was a 17-0 shutout for the Democrats (plus one populist).

By 1900, the parties became balanced, and then the Democrats dropped off for a while in Utah as Republican’s Teddy Roosevelt’s ways carried the national day...By the 1920s, Utah elected a three-term Democratic senator...

From: http://www.allaboutmormons.com/misconceptions_mormons_politics.php : “During most of the 19th century, Utah was polarized along local rather than national party lines. Two local parties dominated the political scene: the “Mormon People’s Party” and the “Gentile Liberal Party.” When Mormons did think in terms of national politics, they were almost universally Democrat, as the Republicans opposed Utah statehood. Brigham Young was a life-long Democrat. In order to gain the senate’s approval for statehood, Utah was required to “normalize its political allegiances.” The Church disbanded the Mormon People’s Party but feared that a mass Mormon migration to the Democratic Party would displease Republican senators. Church leaders sent Apostle John Henry Smith to visit LDS congregations. It was possible to be a faithful Mormon and a Republican, he explained to the amazement of many LDS faithful. In 1893, the Church even asked some specific families to become Republicans, a move that would be unimaginable today.

Automatons, eh?

[teppe]

Colorornian ... I swear you can turn a story about a dog crossing the road in Utah nto an anti-mormon rant!

So .... there’s actually Mormon Democrats? After 52 years in the LDS Church, I’ve actually met about a dozen.

I’m so glad there isn’t any Evangelical Democrats! How’d you manage that? And if there is, I’m sure that you wouldn’t hesitate to post about them ...

...since afterall, I’m sure that your hearts is freeeeee of any bigotry or bias.

[Viennacon]

IMO anyone who does not adhere to the doctrine of their faith is an ‘INO’. There are MINOS, and CINOS, and JINOS. Why do we even care about them? They’re morons. Their religion is liberalism, whatever they say their religion is.

[Zakeet]

I always thought the Reed Smoot hearing (beginning in 1903) was the event that doomed the Democrat standing with the Mormon Church.

You will recall that it concerned the seating of Mr. Smoot, a non-polygamous Mormon. Before it was over, the Rats had called President Joseph F. Smith (Joseph's nephew) as a witness (who frankly admitted that he had never received any personal revelations from Christ and never knew anybody who had), and had uncovered widespread practice of polygamy (despite solemn promises that it had been stopped) -- leading to the Second (this time we really mean it when we promise we're going to stop it) Manifesto.

The Saints have not forgiven the Rat Party for that debacle to this very day.

[Colofornian]

I swear you can turn a story about a dog crossing the road in Utah nto an anti-mormon rant!

Tep, the source for this article is the DesNews, owned by the Mormon church. If you don't want them publishing stuff like this 'cause you interpret it as an "anti-Mormon rant" put out by the Mormon church itself, then just complain DI-rect to the source...or, better yet, stop giving $ to them!

[sagar]

“Utah’s very roots were Democrat.”

So was the Deep South’s. How is that working out for ya?

[Colofornian]

“Utah’s very roots were Democrat.” So was the Deep South’s. How is that working out for ya?

And the Deep South's roots was racism. How is that workin' out for ya?

[Point: We all know the transformation that has occurred in the South; and we know the political changes that have taken place in Utah; the point I'm making about Utah Territory & early Utah statehood is that Utah is starting to creep back to those days...now if you want to point out that the Deep South is starting to creep back to its 19th century days as some sort of "parallel," be my guest...but it'll be up to you to supply some facts on that estimation]

[vette6387]

Hey, I just wrote to Harry Reid and thanked him. For years ( since High School actually) I wondered just who the Son’s of Perdition were, because none were ever identified to me. But since I was taught what they did to earn this lofty distinction, it was easy to see that Harry was one of them! Why he hasn’t been excommunicated is beyond most Mormons in California that I know. I just don’t understand how a man who got his financial stake from the Nevada whore houses is still a member!

[cloudmountain]

Colorornian ... I swear you can turn a story about a dog crossing the road in Utah nto an anti-mormon rant!
So .... there’s actually Mormon Democrats? After 52 years in the LDS Church, I’ve actually met about a dozen.
I’m so glad there isn’t any Evangelical Democrats! How’d you manage that? And if there is, I’m sure that you wouldn’t hesitate to post about them ...
...since afterall, I’m sure that your hearts is freeeeee of any bigotry or bias

Moron democrat: the mother of all contradictions.

[vette6387]

“After 52 years in the LDS Church, I’ve actually met about a dozen.”

FWIW, When David O. McKay was president of the LDS Church, he openly endorsed Richard Nixon over JFK, I heard him say it.
Mormons are overwhelmingly conservative. Utah is the most reliable Republican state in the union. Only Salt Lake City has succumbed to the RATs, and I guess like other places that infestation has it’s genesis in the Northeastern States by way of California.

[Colofornian]

Hey, I just wrote to Harry Reid and thanked him. For years ( since High School actually) I wondered just who the Son’s of Perdition were, because none were ever identified to me. But since I was taught what they did to earn this lofty distinction, it was easy to see that Harry was one of them! Why he hasn’t been excommunicated is beyond most Mormons in California that I know. I just don’t understand how a man who got his financial stake from the Nevada whore houses is still a member!

Hey, the BYU elite gave Harry a special platform to tell ALL BYU students & faculty the following:

October 2007: Here’s the FReeper story on that Reid Gets Warm Reception at BYU: Sen. Reid told BYU students: "I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon, not in spite of it."

(Perhaps one of the BYU freshmen in the audience then was Kelsey Jorgenson: “I respect him. I think that he basically does do a good job of representing Mormons in general,” said Kelsey Jorgenson, a BYU student from Las Vegas. “He is a political leader after all, and I think he puts on a good public face. I think it’s a good thing that he is a Democrat and a Mormon.” (BYU Daily Universe, Jan. 13, 2010)

[cloudmountain]

Sons of Perdition--forever in exile, unwanted. They ARE the Mormons.
Book of Moroni--please. All I can think of is the book of baloney, PHONY Moroni or, of course, phony baloney maroni.

[pennyfarmer]

I don’t get the Republican Mormons. I am with Harry on this. If you are Mormon you should be supporting Democrats at least nationally. Democrats are going to bring back polygamy and democrats are going to make more programs to support those polygamous families. The rest of the political games doesn’t really matter to Mormons. The sons don’t go to war after school they go on missions. Abortions are also fine in Mormonism, after all the spirit just goes back to the pre-existance to return again. What is there left?

[pennyfarmer]

Without being snarky I don’t believe that you only know of 12 democrat Mormons. I have more than that in my family between inlaws and cousins.

[zerosix]

So the religion that resisted giving up polygamy historically has embraced the liberal, "tell everyone what's good for them and make sure they do it', including abortion on demand up to the delivery of the baby and now gay unions trying to call themselves a marriage!

Who'd a thunk it!

[vette6387]

Ding, ding, ding we have a winner! You’ve started the Mormon bashing all by yourself. I’m not happy with Mormonism, but you take the cake pal! Must be one of those Born Again Christians who hate everything and everyone who doesn’t share their belief system. Because you just know “you are so right.” Loved your candidates for US Senate last election. (Mourdock and Akin) Why, let’s bring back snake handling, it will be real hit with the voters!!

[NoLibZone]

You should be banned for your hatred.

Your a Christian like Nancy Pelosi is a Christian.

All your posts do is validate what the morons in Fresno said of FR

[Tennessee Nana]

‘We’re Latter-day Saints, and we’re Democrats.’”
____________________________________________

“I’m a Mormon and I’m a Democrat”

[Myrddin]

Reid showed up to support the Mormon Democrat candidate for mayor of Pocatello a few years ago. The ward building closest to city hall was decked out with banners and balloons welcoming Reid. That would not have been permitted at my ward building in San Diego. The LDS community in the Pocatello area is very old and closely knit. They certainly operate differently from my experience in San Diego.

[Myrddin]

My son went to Kuwait and Iraq with the Marines. Where did your son serve?