Posted on 11/20/2006 8:24:45 AM PST by areafiftyone
Mitt Romney (R) begins the 2008 campaign season in fourth place among those seeking the GOP Presidential nomination, trailing Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and Condoleezza Rice. While many Republican insiders believe the Massachusetts Governor could become an attractive candidate to the party's social conservatives, a Rasmussen Reports survey finds that Romney's faith may initially be more of a hindrance than a help.
Forty-three percent (43%) of American voters say they would never even consider voting for a Mormon Presidential candidate. Only 38% say they would consider casting such a vote while 19% are not sure. Half (53%) of all Evangelical Christians say that they would not consider voting for a Mormon candidate.
Overall, 29% of Likely Voters have a favorable opinion of Romney while 30% hold an unfavorable view. Most of those opinions are less than firmly held. Ten percent (10%) hold a very favorable opinion while 11% have a very unfavorable assessment. Among the 41% with no opinion of Romney, just 27% say they would consider voting for a Mormon.
It is possible, of course, that these perceptions might change as Romney becomes better known and his faith is considered in the context of his campaign. Currently, just 19% of Likely Voters are able to identify Romney as the Mormon candidate from a list of six potential Presidential candidates.
The response to a theoretical Mormon candidate is far less negative than the response to a Muslim candidate or an atheist. Sixty-one percent (61%) of Likely Voters say they would never consider voting for a Muslim Presidential candidate. Sixty percent (60%) say the same about an atheist.
The Rasmussen Reports survey found that 35% say that a candidate's faith and religious beliefs are very important in their voting decision. Another 27% say faith and religious beliefs are somewhat important. Ninety-two percent (92%) of Evangelical Christian voters consider a candidate's faith and beliefs important.
On the partisan front, 78% of Republicans say that a candidate's faith is an important consideration, a view shared by 55% of Democrats. However, there is also a significant divide on this topic within the Democratic Party. Among minority Democrats, 71% consider faith and religious beliefs an important consideration for voting. Just 44% of white Democrats agree.
The national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports November 16-17, 2006. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
Dear MeanWestTexan,
It appears that you're right. I find that astounding; I didn't think so many folks so disliked Mormonism that they wouldn't even consider voting for a Mormon.
I don't have a problem voting for Mormons. Heck, I think I did in this last election. I think the Republican candidate for Lt. Gov. in Maryland was a Mormon. Maybe the ticket lost because of the anti-Mormon vote?? ;-)
sitetest
Interesting that you would say that since it's been all those MALE presidents and politicians who have screwed up so much.
Don't let your misogyny keep you from thinking that you are superior.
Please quote me the verse in any Mormon text that says the infidel should be converted at the sword, enslaved, or put to death. Please cite any example of Mormon jihad.
But yes, I have no problem and will defend moderate peace-loving Muslims who simply want to coexist with those of other religions. There are plenty here in the US, despite the rantings of the "Nuke every Muslim" simpletons.
Like, I said right-or-wrong, Romney's a non-starter (for Republicans, anyway --- a MINO could get elected by Dims, I suspect).
Just accept it as unchangeable for now and get us a conservative who can win.
How about coming up with PRACTICAL alternatives to the obvious ones (which are not created by the media)?
I'd be fine with Haley, except he has no chance. Camera's are not his friend and he's from Mississippi and according to the left, that makes him a (gasp)closet racist.
The GOP will carry Mississippi with or without Haley on the ticket.
Who else could we find...?
Fred Thompson
Mr. Law and Order? Talk about gravitas.
How old is he, though?
LOL!!!
>> While I would not vote for a Mormon Presidential candidate, I would vote for a Presidential candidate that happened to be Mormon.
Very Very well said!
So, the question in my mind is how conservative can Mitt be if he’s the Governor of Taxachusetts?
Yet women vote overwhelmingly Dem.
If you women had your way, you would screw it up worse than all those males combined.
Two problems. Fred would have to be willing to take a pay cut. He currently makes over $100,000 per episode of Law and Order.
Second problem: Fred has shown no inclination to run for public office again.
Can't we find one great candidate to rally behind????
Yes they do. It is done by total immersion under the water, with the prayer: "Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. "
64.
Exactly.. Except for Newt.. America is courting political Moonbatery..
How many Legal and Illegal Aliens will VOTE in 2008??..
Because Newt Gingrich is UNelectable..
Republicans have ONE VIABLE candidate that WILL BE REJECTED... Just ONE...
She.. whom should not be named.. is a shoe in.. such a Pity too..
let me put it this way - more than 50% of Massachusetts voted for him.
I agree that generally Mormons make great neighbors (for a variety of reasons). Could a Mormon be a good president? I think it's possible.
But I think larger issues are key than simply "could X be a good president?" I think timing is a prominent concern. (In an era where National Security is challenged more than ever, do we want someone who prays to a God distinct from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as our leader?).
I haven't thought this fully through yet, but we need to ask if having an LDS president will turn out the same public relations way as having Utah host the Olympics?
Functionally, did Utah do a great job of hosting the Olympics? (Yes) Was it used to further spread LDS good will and further its proselytizing efforts? (Yes)
Whether the above is a strong enough reason to vote against someone is another issue. At least, it's an issue to put on the table for discussion.
No, the relevant issue is not will we defend peace-loving Muslims. Of course we will! The relevant issue here is would a candidate being a Muslim keep you from voting for him?
I'm old enough to remember when 55% wouldn't have voted for a Catholic, (1960), but they did. I doubt sincerely if these 43% know what a Mormon is. They probably think he's a Moslem. The ignorance of some people is breath-taking. Never assume that they know what you are talking about.
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