Posted on 08/07/2011 11:35:29 AM PDT by Kaslin
How bad would it be to have a Mormon President in the White House?
"The Marxism that exists in the White House right now is waaay more disturbing to me" noted Phil, a recent caller to one of my daily talk shows. "If we could replace that with Mormonism, I think that’d be a huge improvement..."
I completely agree with Phil. But if a recent Gallup poll is any indication, lots of Americans think differently than us – and this should be a wake-up call for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and the entire Republican Party.
I’m not assuming that Mr. Romney will necessarily end up being the Republican presidential nominee. He's the current frontrunner in fundraising, ground game support, and popularity among likely voters, but as other candidates drop out – Newt Gingrich, for example – will Romney pick up those supporters? Time will tell.
For now, Republican strategists have to think seriously about how to hold together the divided coalitions on the right, and how to get over the "religious hurdles" that nobody wants to talk about. And those of us rank-and-file voters are going to have to wrestle with my question – "how bad would it be - really?"
Before I go further, let me be clear on where I stand. I was honored to vote for Mr. Romney during the 2008 Republican primary races, even though at the time I was a resident and registered voter in "McCain Country" (Arizona).
I also grew up in a theologically conservative, Protestant Evangelical, church-going family, and was taught that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a "cult." As an adult, I earned a graduate degree in Philosophy at a fairly reputable Evangelical divinity school, where, among other things, I learned about the theological differences between Evangelical Protestants and Mormons.
I disclose these things simply to make this point: I understand the theological tensions between Mormonism and other faith traditions, and my choice to be friends with and supportive of Mormons is by no means an uninformed choice.
I also know that, generally speaking, Mormons love America; they regard the U.S. Constitution as something that is to be respected; and Mormons generally have a profound understanding of the importance of individual liberty. These are all essential and necessary ingredients for American statesmanship, and if it takes a Mormon to return these ideals back to the White House, well, then, so be it.
But back to the polling data. According to the Gallup organization, roughly 22% of Americans simply will not vote for a Mormon to be President. Period. It doesn't matter who the incumbent is, or the party affiliation of the respective candidates. If a presidential candidate is identified with the L.D.S. Church, these voters simply will not cast their ballot for that candidate. Among Republicans and Independents that number drops down to 20%, and among Democrats, specifically, the number skyrockets up to 27%.
So, can Mr. Romney win against these odds? We'll see how things shape-up once the Republican Primary process unfolds. But one thing is for sure: Team Romney most avoid the mistakes of the previous campaign.
Early in his last presidential bid, Mr. Romney claimed that he didn't want to talk about his church, but instead, wanted to talk about being President. But the "Mormon thing" proved to be unavoidable then, and will be that way again this time.
Thus, Mr. Romney should stop trying to prove to "them" - theologically conservative Evangelicals, and Catholics - that he is one of "them." The more he insists that we are all "on the same page," religiously speaking, the more that theologically conservative Catholics and Protestants will say "oh, no we’re not..."
Instead, Mr. Romney should explain why his Mormonism matters to the cause of American civic leadership; that his faith enables him to understand the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of life, the profundity of marriage, the necessity of human liberty, and so forth. He needs to honestly admit that, while the theological divide is real, our American values are universal.
On this point, Romney could borrow from the immediate past Commander-in-Chief. In a little-known speech from March of 2001, President George W. Bush spoke at the opening of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington. Bush, of course, is a Methodist (with strong ties to non-denominational Evangelicalism), yet he managed to do a remarkable job of stating to the Catholic hierarchy, "I may not be a parishioner…but I'm a sojourner with you..." and then brilliantly went on to say that we are "one" with our values.
Romney must avoid appearing as though he's denying the existence of theological tensions. At the same time, he needs to stay out of theological debates, and steer the "religious questions" in to a discussion about values.
It is a difficult task at hand for Mr. Romney, yet his Mormonism nurtures our American values. He needs to say as much.
About 105 % better than the current Muslim president!
And if you believe that, I have a fine bridge to sell you.
Its a non issue with me as well but it will come up only after he is nominated. He will be slamed about it.
Well said. Anyone who can be drawn into religious deception, cannot be expected to keep a clear head about world leaders, war, and the important things a President has to deal with.
Zactly.
If they are not the restored church and “The One True Religion” then there is no foundation for their existence.
Hence they say “We are Christian”. Never “We are Christians too”.
When they say “We are Christian” it is exclusionary, elitist and objectified.
They railed against Christianity for 150 years and now they want to be Christian?
LOL
Frickin Hobbit...
/s
“Worthy and well Qualified”.
Gee, sounds familiar.
Thank you, Senator! ;-)
You’re the twisted one, becuase I was raised in the same Mormon cult as tarotsailor.
Mormons teach “lyin’ fer the lard,” and we see it here on FR all the time....
LOL
Contrast Romney with Palin. For example, she declares her support openly, and early, for other candidates, whereas the Mitt sits around waiting for the wind to blow. She declares her positions quickly, cleverly, and decisively with great one-liners that cut to the heart of our opponents' misguided issues.
Romney is nowhere as smart, or as quick as Sarah. Let's face it, he's a plodding, stunned slug of the old school thinking. Aren't we trying to rid the world of these geezer-elites?
I hear you (and thank you for the overview).
Insofar as Romney is concerned, if he was a Reaganesque conservative, I’d support him to the “n”-th degree; Mormon or not.
The fact that he’s a liberal is why I don’t like him.
They need to give it a rest. I don’t care!
A gay buddhist vegetarian with a crooked smile and a bad haircut(*) would get my vote over Obama, so long as he’s not a marxist big spender.
(*) but my money’s on Gov Goodhair aka Perry
This sums it up for me after doing my own research on Romney. I do think he is a smart businessman with some good ideas but he DOES NOT seem to be absolutely committed to conservatism based on his record.”
You are correct.
He’s smart, a great executive, and would make a damned sight better President than Obama. All the harping on Romney, both fair and unfair, simply boils down to him not being a conservative at his core.
Still, his positions and agenda are mainstream Republican and he’s running against a marxist disaster. America cannot afford another 4 years of Obama, and it would be a grave mistake to throw the election should he be the nominee. IMHO, he wont be; he’s a dead frontrunner walking, cant crack 20% support even without any big name in field. Perry will win the nomination should he run. Let’s nominate a real conservative this time - whoever we nominate can win if they run on jobs, economy, and fiscal sanity.
+1 (and about 300,000 other Freepers)
“Joseph Smith’s life was threatened dozens of times by evil men long before he was actually killed.”
Joseph Smith was an evil man of the highest magnitude - he was a horrible liar that has deceived so many. If his life was threatened it goes with the territory; evil begets evil. He is currently burning in Hell, something he has deceived so many to follow him there. Forsake Mormonism and seek out real Christianity while you can. Please don’t be a fool and put you trust in falsehoods.
If Cain, DeMint, Palin, or Bachmann were Mormon, I’d be praying for a Mormon president. With Romney and Reid, two liberals, as the most prominent Mormons, an LDS president would be pretty bad. No, thank you. I’ll take patriotic instead.
“How Bad Could A Mormon President Be?”
We will never find out....if that Mormon is Romney.
He is a man without convictions, without courage and without conscience.
He is a baby killer-—like Obama. Any other questions?
Would everyone have to wear magic underwear?
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