As a hard right Christian, Mormonism is *not* my problem with Romney. I would gladly vote for a Mormon who was a Conservative and had the record to prove it. Romney's problem is indeed that he is a RINO and cannot be trusted to uphold MAJOR planks of the Republican platform.
He is not trustworthy on Right to Life (Abortion).
He is not trustworthy regarding 2nd Amendment (Right to Keep and Bear Arms)
He is not trustworthy regarding Illegal Immigration and Border Security.
Look at his record rather than his electioneering and statements.
Without solid credentials in these (among others), he is not going to get the Conservative vote. In fact, He is nearly as un-electable as Giuliani, and almost as likely to cause Conservatives to bolt from the party en masse, IMHO.
Does Mormonism hurt him? Probably to some degree, but nowhere near the level you suppose. What hurts him the most is that he is too liberal, too corporate, a blue-blooded back-easterner, and Governor of very liberal Massachusetts.
What you just wrote is completely acceptable to me and an extremely valid opinion with regard to ol’ Mitt. I respect your opinion which is clearly well-considered and based on the facts as you see them.
That, however, is an exception (not at FR) among the masses.