Romney is trying to inoculate himself against any effort to use his faith against him. At the same time, he's trying to maneuver Perry into offending evangelical voters by making some sort of statement indicating approval of Mormonism. Perry is trying to avoid the trap and use the occlusion to put a spotlight on Mitt's faith.
I think Romney has overplayed a weak hand here. He's just highlighting his vulnerability and he may even offend some evangelicals by being so prickly. Perry should point out that every faith teaches that their own beliefs are true and observe that nobody should be offended by anyone else’s beliefs.
It will be interesting to see how Mitt fares in the South.
Good call. He knows if he can't get the broader media on his side now -- in standing together with him vs. Perry (the MSM would rather have Romney than Perry), then he would be sunk in the long haul anyway.
So if he can and his minions...evangelical lawyers like David French and dupester prof Richard Mouw & now even talk show host Catholic - addictive gambler Bill Bennett...all now in collusion to make it a "social crime" to mention Mormonism as a "cult" -- or even say anything negative at all about Mormonism, they gain in the PR battle.
So already this week, both D.C. papers and the Christian Science Monitor among others, have jumped all aboard Romney's new tolerance campaign. Of course, it's no surprise about either the Washington Times or the Christian Science Monitor.
Christians have long been calling Sun Myung Moon, who owns the Times, a cultist; and the Christian Science religion is one, too.
I think Romney has overplayed a weak hand here. He's just highlighting his vulnerability...
On the $.
and he may even offend some evangelicals by being so prickly
Well, he's not only being defensively prickly...but by now going on the offense and claiming that Christian candidates have to repudiate the religious beliefs of any and all people who endorse them, he's way over the edge of unveiling a mind that's based in reality! It, in fact, shows what a true cultist he is!
Cultists are all about controlling others. I posted this thread this a.m...
-- Former Mormon Agrees With Baptist Minister That 'Mormonism Is a 'Cult'
-- and if you look specifically @ post #13, criteria #3 (thought control) & #4 (emotional control) as to what constitutes a "cult," you'll see why Romney has this overreach.