Tant,
back to the thread topic for a moment...
Were you surprised to read the details of the
poll I linked to as to the percentages of
Americans who say they wouldn’t vote for
a mormon?
It went by demographic group, the lowest
number who said they wouldn’t vote for a
mormon were 31% and the highest 60%
Mitt will HAVE to give The Mormon Speech
eventually.
I was surprised most that across the board,
no matter what demographic you examine,
30% or more say they wouldn’t vote for a
mormon. Not just evangelicals. Every age
block. Male and female. Catholic. Protestant,
Candlestick makers. Butchers. Auto workers.
Every one. That is what surprised me. I knew
Evangelicals that recognize mormonism as a
cult would have a tough time, but there is
a solid core of 30% or greater in every
demographic group! Shazaam!
THAT is why Mitt may win the primary by
mouthing the right words and raising
money, but lose the general election by
a landslide.
best,
ampu
~”Mitt will HAVE to give The Mormon Speech
eventually.”~
I agree with that.
~”I knew
Evangelicals that recognize mormonism as a
cult would have a tough time, but there is
a solid core of 30% or greater in every
demographic group! Shazaam!”~
One point made in the original article is that the number goes way down when you move from the generic “Mormon” to the specific “Romney.” Same phenomenon happens when pollsters ask the “Hillary vs. Generic Republican” question. Hillary winds every time - until you start inserting an actual name into “Generic Republican.”
We’ll see if the poll bears out the truth. I can’t quite tell you why yet, but my gut tells me there’s reason to be more optimistic. I just don’t live in a society where 3 out of 10 of the people I know outside my faith consider Mormons political pariahs due to our religious beliefs. In my experience, it’s closer to one in fifty.
As has been pointed out on this thread, too, it cannot be denied that the greatest impact of the “Mormon” question will be in the South. I’d like to see Clinton capture any of those states. That factor greatly ameliorates the impact of the question.
Besides, I’d never vote for a “Morman” either. I have a tough time finding faith in the methodology of a pollster that makes such a basic error.
I will tell you, though, if Romney wins the nomination then loses in the general because too many southern states go blue with low turnout, I’m prepared to wash my hands of the Republican party. I cannot take part in a party that takes me for granted as a supporter then refuses to support a candidate for president simply because he professes the same faith as me. It would be a repudiation of every good principle upon which this country was founded, and the fact that it would come from so-called conservatives would alienate me, perhaps irreparably.