Posted on 10/05/2011 8:05:15 AM PDT by Colofornian
After Rick Perry’s wobbly performance shifted some momentum back to Mitt Romney, conservatives began another round of speculation about his appeal in the early-primary states. It seems that his religious affiliation remains a serious problem for him.
USA Today reported on latest Gallup poll question:
Although three of four Americans say they would support a presidential candidate who is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Gallup Poll finds that 22% say they would not.
That figure has not changed much since Gallup started measuring opinion on this subject in 1967. One difference comes by party: While 27% of Democrats say they would not support a Mormon for president, that figure is 20% for Republicans.
Those rates may not sound like much, but they could tip a close election — and are likely to be somewhat understated because some poll respondents would be reluctant to admit to anti-Mormon bias. Another recent survey by pollster Gary Lawrence, himself a Mormon, confirmed the bias, but Lawrence offered a more positive spin:
Lawrence’s poll also asked voters to what extent they would consider voting for a person of a specific religion. Five times as many voters would never consider voting for a Mormon (20%) as compared to a Catholic or a Baptist (4%). As for support, 50% would definitely consider a Catholic and 47% a Baptist, but only 30% would definitely consider a Mormon.
However, while such results have been touted as an uphill battle for Mormons running for office, other questions demonstrate these generic measures may not be that important.
“If religion played a big role in the vote decision, more people could correctly identify candidates’ religions,” Lawrence said. “While 85% of voters have heard of Mitt Romney, only 41% know he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka Mormon, despite considerable publicity. Only 11% and 6% respectively know that Jon Huntsman, Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are also Mormons.”
Similarly, the survey found that 7% of voters correctly identify Michelle Bachman’s evangelical Lutheranism, and merely 1% know Rick Perry is a Methodist. Further confusion: 17% still think Barack Obama is a Muslim.
“Those aren’t numbers that suggest passionate interest,” Lawrence said.
Perhaps, but by Election Day a significant majority of voters will know Romney is a Mormon. I don’t think that should matter one bit. But it might.
I will never vote for Mittens for both reasons - He’s a RINO and he’s Mormon.
I know way too much about Mormonism to ever trust on in political office. I would never vote for a member of the LDS chruch because I know what they think, what they believe, and how hey feel about non-Mormons.
Add to that Mittens thinks he is fulfilling a prophecy of Joseph Smith and working towards godhood - no thanks.
Just listen to yourself. And then apply those same words to other aspects of what a candidate may push as his campaign promises.
"It seems to me that it's not really his problem [re: his beliefs about the economy], as much as it is those that can’t accept his beliefs."
"It seems to me that it's not really his problem [re: his beliefs about healthcare], as much as it is those that can’t accept his beliefs."
"It seems to me that it's not really his problem [re: his beliefs about social issues embraced by conservatives], as much as it is those that can’t accept his beliefs."
"It seems to me that it's not really his problem [re: his beliefs about border security and illegal aliens], as much as it is those that can’t accept his beliefs."
"It seems to me that it's not really his problem [re: his beliefs about fill-in-the-blank], as much as it is those that can’t accept his beliefs."
Joseph Smith, who slept with at least 11 women who were already married to other men and claimed them as his spiritual wives, tried to do the same thing with Romney's great-great grandmother, Sarah Pratt, wife of Lds "apostle" Orson Pratt:
From the article, Would you share your spouse with the Prophet?:
Orson Pratt's Wife, Sarah
"Sometime in late 1840 or early 1841, Joseph Smith confided to his friend that he was smitten by the "amiable and accomplished" Sarah Pratt and wanted her for "one of his spiritual wives, for the Lord had given her to him as a special favor for his faithfulness" (emphasis in original). Shortly afterward, the two men took some of Bennett's sewing to Sarah's house. During the visit, as Bennett describes it, Joseph said, "Sister Pratt, the Lord has given you to me as one of my spiritual wives. I have the blessings of Jacob granted me, as God granted holy men of old, and as I have long looked upon you with favor, and an earnest desire of connubial bliss, I hope you will not repulse or deny me." "And is that the great secret that I am not to utter," Sarah replied. "Am I called upon to break the marriage covenant, and prove recreant to my lawful husband! I never will." She added, "I care not for the blessings of Jacob. I have one good husband, and that is enough for me." But according to Bennett, the Prophet was persistent. Finally Sarah angrily told him on a subsequent visit, "Joseph, if you ever attempt any thing of the kind with me again, I will make a full disclosure to Mr. Pratt on his return home. Depend upon it, I will certainly do it." "Sister Pratt," the Prophet responded, "I hope you will not expose me, for if I suffer, all must suffer; so do not expose me. Will you promise me that you will not do it?" "If you will never insult me again," Sarah replied, "I will not expose you unless strong circumstances should require it." "If you should tell," the Prophet added, "I will ruin your reputation, remember that."
(Article "Sarah M. Pratt" by Richard A. Van Wagoner, Dialogue, Vol.19, No.2, p.72. Also see: http://www.xmission.com/~country/reason/spratt.htm)
The article recounts four other failures by Smith to recuit the wives of other men -- and five "successful" efforts.
Yes. It’s all relative to what one believes, isn’t it?
Byrd never ran for PREZ...
...with 24/7 coast-to-coast & intl media full-press coverage...
...in an internet era where media claims are easier to validate.
It wouldn't be a "knockout punch" only 'cause Romney wouldn't ever really even be in the ring. The whole floor would be pulled out under from him before the bell sounds!
The biggest potential loser? (The GOP!)
Epstein’s web
That tells me that Carter screwed it up more for Baptists than Kennedy did for Catholics.
You don't know that a double standard exists between rats and republicans? The media protected Byrd, often by their silence. It's only when democrats' misdeeds are egregious (Anthony Weiner) that they will toss the democrat under the bus.
If Romney becomes the nominee, all their ammo will be tossed against him, including the cult he is a member of.
It’s not “office,” Dilbert, it’s THE office, the Presidency.
Harry Reid isn’t running for President. His campaign stays in his home state.
We’re just pointing out that Romney’s religious beliefs will be used against him if he gets the nomination. That’s the truth, whether you like it or not.
He could, of course, claim that he spent decades listening to all those strange teachings but didn’t really hold to any of them. Sort of throw Brigham Young under the bus with Rev. Wright.
Add to that, the fact that having a Mormon president would give the cult of mormonism a validity all over the world, delivering souls to the pits of hell.
“You don’t know that a double standard exists between rats and republicans?”
I’m aware of the double standard, but the arguments of the rats are weakened when the double standards are too obvious. For instance, the democrats were constantly bludgeoning republicans for their supposedly neanderthal tendencies regarding sexual harassment, they really owned that issue. But when their boy Bill Clinton came under fire for it, suddenly most of the hysteria died down very quickly, and most of the corporate training and seminars on sexual harassment seemed to disappear almost overnight.
Yep and perhaps that is the most concerning thing relating to Mitt in the White House, at least for me. I was lied into Mormonism and fear for others who are as well.
As would I. I’m with JR on this, if Mittens is the nominee I’m out of the Republican party because they have already left me.
And Mitt is a lot more dangerous than most people realize or want to admit. Him as president just is not an option.
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