Posted on 08/02/2012 6:05:29 AM PDT by Colofornian
Most Americans who know that Mitt Romney is Mormon say the presumptive GOP nominee’s faith doesn’t concern them. But a new poll indicates there may be an “enthusiasm gap” for Romney among white evangelicals, a crucial GOP constituency.
Sixty percent of Americans know that Romney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to a survey released Thursday (July 26) by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. That number has barely budged since March, despite intense media focus on Romney’s faith.
Interestingly, more Americans know that Romney is Mormon than can correctly identify President Obama as Christian (49 percent).
Although most Americans say it is important for a president to have strong religious beliefs, party affiliation — rather than religion — drives voter preferences, Pew found.
Among Americans who know Romney’s religion, six in 10 say they are comfortable with it. Republicans (68 percent) are more likely than Independents (62 percent) and Democrats (51 percent) to express comfort with the likely GOP nominee’s faith.
But nearly one in four white evangelicals say they are uncomfortable with Romney’s Mormonism, higher than any other religious group except atheists/agnostics (30 percent).
Many social conservatives warned during the GOP primary that Romney would struggle to spark evangelical enthusiasm. Fewer conservative Christians would volunteer to canvass neighborhoods, donate money or plan rallies, they said.
The Pew poll indicates such fears may be warranted. Among the nearly 23 percent of evangelicals who are uncomfortable with Romney’s Mormonism, just 16 percent back him strongly.
“There is definitely an enthusiasm gap there,” said Greg Smith, a senior researcher at Pew. Smith noted, however, that 93 percent of conservatives still say they will vote for Romney.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Just more support for the Obama team by the WaPo. No surprise. What a rag this once great newspaper has become.
So they’re not ok with a Mormon but good with a Muslim? Staying home in November is a vote for Obama.
I'm not nearly as uncomfortable with Romney's Mormonism as I am uncomfortable with Romney's socialism!
Typical WAPO Jornalist. What he misses is the Enthusiasm is over the top to “GET RID OF OBAMA”!
What? No WashCompost editorial breathlessly reporting the obvious divide in the Democrat Party among Black evangelical pastors and their congregations and Obama over his endorsement of homosexual marriage? That division is right out in the open, thanks to the faithful Christian pastors who are speaking out against this travesty.
What a bunch of lousy Lefties our press has become. No wonder their credibility is near zero.
“But nearly one in four white evangelicals say they are uncomfortable with Romney’s Mormonism, higher than any other religious group except atheists/agnostics (30 percent).”
So, in other words, 75% ARE comfortable with his ‘Mormonism’, as opposed to 25% who aren’t.
Nothing like spinning a positive into a negative..
Wait a minute. I remember reading in the Washington Post that these Evangelicals are stupid and easy to command. All Romney has to do is tell them to go to the polls and they will, isn’t that right Dan?
Keep right on whistling past the graveyard, Comrade!
Wow 3 out of 4 dont have an issue with this, that is really good
Interestingly, more Americans know that Romney is Mormon than can correctly identify President Obama as Christian (49 percent).
See, now it's correct the Obama is Christian. The Washington Post and Daniel Burke say so.
Forget his father was Muslim... Forget he was raised in Indonesia, a Muslim country, by a Muslim stepfather, Soreto. Forget that Muslims consider sons of Muslim fathers to be themselves Muslim. Forget that apostasy, that is changing your (Muslim) religion to another, such as Christian, is a crime punishable by death under Sharia law, and the actual legal code of most Muslim countries. Forget the both Barack and Hussein are very traditional Muslim names, just as James, Peter and John are considered Christian names. Forget all that.
Forget all the coincidences, obvious points, and other facts.
For if you believe that Obama is a Muslim, or might be one, then you are a stupid racist idiot. Ipso facto.
Second, the abortion/contraception controversy is pushing traditional but left-leaning Catholics toward the Republicans. It's been a very long time since I've heard any evangelicals criticize Romney (except here on FR). So this is WaPo wishful thinking. Just the opposite may be happening, and a wide network of conservative issues is coalescing to the point that Romney will be the beneficiary of all---and, if he is the crass pol that some here claim, he will gladly move right to take advantage of them.
Unenthusiastic evangelicals will quietly go to the polls and vote Romney.
This comment has to be made: The Pew Research Center is as non-partisan as Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.
Oh I think there is a clear evangelical enthusiasm gap with romney. I know it is with me. It has nothing to do with his mormonsim but his center political leanings. I will hold my nose and hope he is smart about who his base is.
“There is definitely an enthusiasm gap there,” said Greg Smith, a senior researcher at Pew. Smith noted, however, that 93 percent of conservatives still say they will vote for Romney.
ya think? Mitt's main virtue is not being Barak.
Beyond that, Mitt's an East Coast gun grabbing, socialized medicine, welfare state RINO.
Mitt -- ix-nay on the staged duck hunting thing. We gunnies tend to view it as hypocrisy, and a sign of likely betrayal.
The journalist actually wrote this via Religion News Service -- picked up and published by Washington Post. (Burke isn't on staff with the Post)
But it is interesting to see some of the more typical responses now being used on FR...don't wrestle with the exact content itself published...just try to dismiss it by an in-error wave of the hand.
(Hey, I myself posted -- in April -- 11 past FR threads running from 2008-2012 linking Obama to catering in some way re: Islam...still...I've yet to see hardly anything other than empty rhetoric that Obama is a CURRENT Muslim...assumptions galore...no proof...and it makes FR look bad)
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