I work with a lot of Mormons and none of them are too pleased with how Reid portrays their faith.
I'm Catholic, but I feel their pain.
Posted on 11/21/2006 7:00:12 AM PST by presidio9
When Nevada's Democratic Sen. Harry Reid assumes his role as Senate majority leader in January, he'll hold a small, but important political distinction -- he's the highest-ranking Mormon elected to office in U.S. history.
It's a sign that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is becoming mainstream, observers say.
"It's an important symbol," says John Green, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. "That has always been a mark of religious groups in American society, that in some important sense the group has become part of the mainstream."
Not that Mormons don't already hold key positions in Washington. Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt is secretary of Health and Human Services. Five senators and roughly a dozen representatives are members of the church, and two federal departments have Mormon chiefs of staff.
But Reid, who grew up in a small Nevada mining town, has gone farther than them all.
When in Washington, D.C., Reid attends services at a Mormon ward house one block outside the District of Columbia. He has served the congregation as home teacher, checking on the well-being of other members. And he keeps a copy of the Book of Mormon, his faith's central text, on his office bookshelf.
"He's always looking after other people," says his bishop, Michael Seay, the leader of the congregation. "He's very much loved by the members."
And while he doesn't push issues simply because of his faith, friends say Reid's religion and his positions on issues as a senator are inseparable. The father of five boys, Reid is anti-abortion, pro-death penalty. He opposes same-sex marriage and gun control. But he's also known for taking liberal-to-moderate stands on issues such as education.
"His faith clearly affects who he is," says Kai Anderson, Reid's former deputy chief of staff. "It's a big part of what makes him a decent, kind, loving man. But he doesn't legislate it."
Unlike other Mormons in politics, Reid isn't often identified by his faith.
"It's a historical milestone that I'm sure LDS scholars will note," says Sen. Bob Bennett, a Mormon Republican from Utah. "Interestingly, in the Senate no one seems to care."
More important to Democrats are Reid's abilities as a negotiator and his propensity for compromise.
"One thing about him is he is balanced, prudent and very easy to work with," says William Nixon, a Washington lobbyist, former Hill staffer and a local Mormon church elder. "He is the example that the Democratic Party is not going to allow itself to be co-opted by the far left."
The fact that Democrats would elect Reid as their Senate leader speaks volumes about his integrity, Nixon said.
Overall, the Pew Forum's Green says the United States is making progress on religious tolerance. Minnesotan Keith Ellison just became the first Muslim elected to Congress; he'll serve in the U.S. House.
He's only the third-highest ranking moron.
That's Moron, minus the middle 'm'.
somehow 'democrat' and 'Mormon' doesn't go together in my mind.
Yet, if Romney becomes the GOP nominee in 2008, I am sure the AP and its ilk will find new ways to demonize Mormons.
I have been wondering lately whether Mitt Romney could be a viable national candidate for this very same reason.
Real Mormons don't lie, cheat, and steal, or launch personal attacks on other people to suit their political views.
I work with a lot of Mormons and none of them are too pleased with how Reid portrays their faith.
That's true, but probably not the way he meant it.
But anytime you have a guy named Nixon vouching for your integrity, you are in trouble.
They are running on both sides now. He has something common with the two that ran here (both lost) that I know -- not ethical. Better check how he spends his campaign contributions because if he does what the two here did, they use it for an ATM machine for their personal items. One of ours is under FEC investigation and a huge fine is expected any day. State Ethics Commission is looking into both as well for state races.
Reid is one of many macacas in the Senate. Obama is another macaca.
I work with a lot of Mormons and none of them are too pleased with how Reid portrays their faith.
I'm Catholic, but I feel their pain.
What's the big deal about Mormons?????????
They have some odd ideas, but they are still Christians.
As long as the guy isn't a MUSLIM, I don't care if he worships apples.
Nixon was a QUAKER!
Who cares? The leftist press is just trying to knock out Romney so one of their "boys" - RUDEY or McPain can get the Republican nomination.
Wasn't there an article on FR yesterday about how Americans are not ready for a Mormon in the White House?
Dang good zinger. LOL.
Too bad because Reid gives Mormons a bad name.
'More important to Democrats are Reid's abilities as a negotiator and his propensity for compromise...' This changes nothing Reid is still a dirty politician. One cannot take crap and make ice cream. Yet, it seems the democrats like Crap Ice Cream.
Our Mormon is better than their Mormon.
"I work with a lot of Mormons and none of them are too pleased with how Reid portrays their faith."
My initial thought.
I find it strange that the highest ranking Mormon ever, which is a faith that highly respects the family, belongs to the antifamily party.
Answer: If you bring em ... Brigham Young!
wrong...Mormons are not Christians...despite what they would tell you.
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