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 nominees faith doesnt 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 Romneys 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 Romneys 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 nominees faith.
But nearly one in four white evangelicals say they are uncomfortable with Romneys 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 Romneys 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 ...
Well, here's how that breaks down -- IF Evangelicals were to turn out in 2012 with the same force they did in 2010...which, actually, I happen to doubt exactly because of the reason cited in this article...lack of enthusiasm for Romney...But...IF they were to turn out with the same piece of the voter pie as 2010...that would mean that 34% of the vote...not just 34% of the conservative vote...but 34% of the overall vote would come from Evangelicals...
That means that about 8.5% of the entire voting pool -- constituting ONLY Evangelicals (never mind who else is uncomfortable with either Romney ONLY or his Mormonism) ... are indeed uncomfortable with Mormonism.
Those are huge numbers that normally readily fall to a GoP candidate.
The RINOs in charge elected to ignore that Evangelicals were THE base of the party...and now they risk not only alienating them in 2012...but forever...
I'm an Evangelical. Once Romney is officially nominated, I'm out of the GoP...either to independent status or the Constitution Party.
The GoP already only has 29% of all registered voters...and that's eroding away...fast.
Not really. (See post #21)...Were Evangelicals to turn out with the same force as they did in 2010...1 out of 4 Evangelicals = almost one out of 9 voters...
(People forget -- or neglect -- that Evangelicals were 34% of the voting pool in 2010...Now...exactly because of the lack of enthusiasm among Evangelicals in 2012 I don't think Evangelicals will vote in '12 anywhere close to 34% of the voting pool)
Not really. (See post #21)...Were Evangelicals to turn out with the same force as they did in 2010...1 out of 4 Evangelicals = almost one out of 11 voters...
(People forget -- or neglect -- that Evangelicals were 34% of the voting pool in 2010...Now...exactly because of the lack of enthusiasm among Evangelicals in 2012 I don't think Evangelicals will vote in '12 anywhere close to 34% of the voting pool)
(The WaPo published this...this article originated with a Religion News Service journalist)
Some will...Some won't. Some of those -- like me -- will go vote 3rd party on POTUS -- and GoP most everywhere else.
I can tell you this...Evangelicals won't even be close to representing the 34% of the entire voter pool that they did in 2010.
Out of the 12 people in our small group at church, only 12 are going to vote for Romney.
Of the others I know through our church and others from other evangelical churches, it's still 100% for Romney.
I'm guessing it has something to do with the alternative........
Based on my experience, I'm thinking this article is pure BS and wishful thinking at best.
Don’t worry. The evangelicals who don’t show up to vote for Mitt will show up to vote against Obama. The CFA experience helps guarantee that.
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