Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Evangelicals and the Coming Romney Victory
First Things ^ | May 9, 2012 | Gerald R. McDermott

Posted on 05/09/2012 2:17:13 PM PDT by NYer

A new poll from Virginia, a key swing state, suggests that Evangelicals will help put Mitt Romney in the White House this November.

It has become a truism in recent years that Evangelicals are critical to our national elections. As New York Times reporter Erik Eckholm pointed out on April 14, Evangelicals accounted for nearly one-fourth of all ballots cast in recent presidential elections. Their lukewarm support for John McCain in 2008—with many staying home on Election Day and upwards of 30 percent of their 18-29 year-olds casting votes for Obama (Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research)—helped give the White House to the Democrats.

Republicans have feared that Romney’s Mormonism will mean even fewer Evangelical votes for their candidate in November. They cite a November 2011 Pew Forum poll that found 15 percent of Evangelicals saying they would refuse to vote for Romney simply because he is a Mormon.

Of course, McCain in 2008 won 74 percent of the white Evangelical vote, and still lost. But several things are different this time around. Even a slight increase in the percentage of Evangelicals at the polls will have significant consequences. The Baylor Religion Survey estimates that Evangelicals are now one-third of the population, or 100 million people. An increase of only 1 percent at the polls—a million voters—most likely means a two-to-one advantage for Romney among those million votes, which could tip several key states against Obama.

Now there is fresh evidence that Evangelicals in swing states are more numerous than ever, and prefer Romney to Obama by a wide margin. A March 26-April 9 poll of Virginia residents conducted by the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College found that 58 percent of the Virginia population is Evangelical, and white Evangelicals prefer Romney by a 36-point spread (65 percent to 29 percent).

Not surprisingly, Virginia Evangelicals are ambivalent about Romney’s religion. More than twice as many Evangelicals as non-Evangelicals in Virginia (37 percent to 16 percent) think Mormons are not Christians, and 74 percent of the Evangelicals (vs. 61 percent of non-Evangelicals) say Mormonism is “very different” from their own faith. Sixty-one per cent of Evangelicals think the Mormon religion is not Christian or are unsure if it is Christian, compared to only 39 percent of non-Evangelicals.

Evangelicals have always considered Mormon religion very different from their own, but sometimes for the wrong reasons. For example, they typically protest that Mormons believe in salvation by good works. Some Mormons do indeed believe this, just as many Catholics and some Protestants believe they will be saved by being good Christians. Yet the Book of Mormon teaches salvation by Christ’s work of grace: “There is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8).

Yet Evangelicals have legitimate reasons to believe that Mormon beliefs are different from those of historic Christian orthodoxy. For while Mormons believe Jesus is now fully God, they do not believe he was always God. Nor do they believe in the Trinity and the traditional Christian doctrine that God created the world from nothing.

Despite these religious differences, a large majority of Virginia Evangelicals—who themselves represent a majority of Virginia voters—say they will vote for Mitt Romney, a Mormon.

But why? Why do an overwhelming majority of Virginia Evangelicals (79 percent) say that Romney’s religion “makes no difference” in their voting for him? The answer seems to be that they have seen Obama’s policies and dislike them. Sixty-six percent of Evangelicals (vs. only 50 percent of non-Evangelicals) disapprove of Obamacare. Evangelicals are just as worried about the economy and the deficit as non-Evangelicals. In fact, a majority of Evangelicals support the Tea Party (53 percent) while only a quarter (29 percent) of non-Evangelicals do. Seventy-nine percent of Evangelicals think the country is on the wrong track (vs. 66 percent of non-Evangelicals).

Evangelicals, then, will vote against Obama because of the economy and their suspicion that policies such as the recent HHS mandate requiring insurance to pay for abortions will threaten their religious freedom. They will vote for Romney because they think his policies will grow the economy without jeopardizing their deepest convictions—such as their belief in traditional marriage as the bedrock of society.

(Contrary to the current opinion that Romney is losing the women’s vote, 63 percent of Virginia’s Evangelicals are women, and they support him over Obama by a broad margin. This means that Romney will win the women’s vote in Virginia, and probably other states with Evangelical majorities.)

If Evangelicals vote for Romney in greater numbers than for McCain in 2008—and it appears that they might—it won’t be the first time that Christians voted for an American president who was less than orthodox. After all, George Washington was a deist who usually referred to the deity in vague and impersonal terms. Thomas Jefferson believed the doctrines of the Trinity, atonement and original sin were essentially pagan, and rejected the possibility of miracles or resurrection. John Adams also denied the Trinity, along with most orthodox Christian doctrine, while holding to a Stoic-like resignation to fate. Lincoln and his wife attended séances, and William Howard Taft was a Unitarian who rejected the deity of Christ.

Christians who voted for these presidents showed they were looking for a Commander-in-Chief, not a theologian-in-chief. In this approach they echoed Martin Luther, who reputedly said, “I would rather be governed by a wise Turk than by a foolish Christian.”


TOPICS: Current Events; Evangelical Christian; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: election; obama; romney
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-87 next last
To: reaganaut; Deb

Hey ... don’t go bustin’ on her.

If that’s the way she really feels about me (or about what I have to say), I’m glad to know.


41 posted on 05/09/2012 6:35:36 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: SVTCobra03; Deb

That post you were quoting was clearly written by a true Romney devotee, the gutter language was astounding.


42 posted on 05/09/2012 6:54:31 PM PDT by ansel12
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: IllumiNaughtyByNature

Exactly. It is scary how many people DO NOT GET IT about the MATH and the need to choke back any feelings of distaste and VOTE FOR ROMNEY. A vote for anybody BUT Romney is a vote for the BIG 0.

This is going to be a very close election and there are stories (still not sure they’re true or not) that a company in SPAIN is going to be the one who tallies our election results (what’s up with that?); therefore, people, we cannot afford to screw this up! Romney may not satisfy everyone’s demands for THE PERFECT CHOICE, but the Alternative (i.e., the Current Guy who WILL WIN if Romney does not) is a sure road to HELL with no detours.


43 posted on 05/09/2012 7:00:30 PM PDT by Memoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Exactly. Glad to see some folks do GET IT.


44 posted on 05/09/2012 7:01:48 PM PDT by Memoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: IllumiNaughtyByNature

Yep.


45 posted on 05/09/2012 7:02:50 PM PDT by Memoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek

Then why bother going out and voting? You will only be wasting your time—and some people’s in SPAIN who will be counting our votes. Not to mention risking letting the Big O “win” again (by hook or crook) and letting our country go to HELL...

If you think it is bad now, just give that Arrogant Pontificator/”Messiah” currently in the Oval Office four more years!


46 posted on 05/09/2012 7:06:58 PM PDT by Memoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: NYer
If Evangelicals vote for Romney in greater numbers than for McCain in 2008—and it appears that they might—it won’t be the first time that Christians voted for an American president who was less than orthodox. After all, George Washington was a deist who usually referred to the deity in vague and impersonal terms. Thomas Jefferson believed the doctrines of the Trinity, atonement and original sin were essentially pagan, and rejected the possibility of miracles or resurrection. John Adams also denied the Trinity, along with most orthodox Christian doctrine, while holding to a Stoic-like resignation to fate. Lincoln and his wife attended séances, and William Howard Taft was a Unitarian who rejected the deity of Christ. Christians who voted for these presidents showed they were looking for a Commander-in-Chief, not a theologian-in-chief. In this approach they echoed Martin Luther, who reputedly said, “I would rather be governed by a wise Turk than by a foolish Christian.”

what a load of crap.....all easily refuted.and btw...until 1836 Presidents were decided by electors appointed by state legislators...not a popular vote

my kin did not vote for Lincoln...I can tell ya that

who writes such crap

47 posted on 05/09/2012 7:07:35 PM PDT by wardaddy (I am a social conservative. My political party left me(again). They can go to hell in a bucket.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Deb

We can only pray you are right about that.


48 posted on 05/09/2012 7:07:50 PM PDT by Memoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Today’s “history-making announcement” may spur many who had planned to stay home to go to the polls to make their JUST SAY NO! heard.


49 posted on 05/09/2012 7:09:15 PM PDT by Memoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Memoria
Then why bother going out and voting?

You're kind of simple aren't you?
50 posted on 05/09/2012 7:11:42 PM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut

DO THE MATH. We need to get ABO into our Oval Office—the sooner the better.

Look around you! Get off your high horse long enough to see the HORRORS being perpetrated by the Current Mess. We cannot risk four more years of this nightmare.


51 posted on 05/09/2012 7:13:08 PM PDT by Memoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek

Oh, THAT was an intelligent response! (NOT!!)

Anybody who votes for one of the “OTHERs” on the ballot instead of making da*ned sure the Big 0 is DEFEATED is a da*ned fool. Our country is on the edge of a precipice from which there is no return; wake up!

P.S. Yes, am “SIMPLY” ASTOUNDED at how rigid and foolhardy a lot of so-called right-wing Christian fundamentalists apparently are on this whole issue. Ever hear of CUTTING OFF YOUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE? THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING—only it is not just YOUR NOSE you’re injuring.


52 posted on 05/09/2012 7:19:50 PM PDT by Memoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: ArrogantBustard

You forgot to add RACIST and RACE-BAITER to the list. OH, wait a minute. You didn’t forget that, did you? You deliberately overlooked that LACK OF SIMILARITY between the Big 0 and Gov. Romney.

Let’s see... You also forgot to add RADICAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZER. Ooops, that doesn’t work either, does it?

You also forgot to add PROBABLE UNDOCUMENTED ALIEN... Ooops.

And you forgot to add SUPPORTS GAY MARRIAGE... Ooops...

Hmm... On second thought, those two guys are not so alike after all...


53 posted on 05/09/2012 7:24:55 PM PDT by Memoria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Memoria

You’re the moron telling people to stay home, idiot.

Maybe you should just mind your own business and git back to pickin your master’s cotton, boy.

BTW you know people can see your posting history? You’re obviously one of these clowns who shows up for elections because you think you’re some kind of self appointed authority.


54 posted on 05/09/2012 7:29:44 PM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: IllumiNaughtyByNature

“Get a clue, see the bigger picture.”

We do. That is why we will not vote for the Republican culture of death candidate, should he in fact be nominated. It is not complicated. We are not assisting an evil man’s ascent to power. Period.


55 posted on 05/09/2012 7:30:19 PM PDT by Psalm 144 (Obama's record is an open charnel pit. Romney's too, but under a whitened sepulchre.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: NYer

So will the evangelicals be the ones to blame if Romney gets elected? LOL!


56 posted on 05/09/2012 7:31:37 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Memoria

Open your EYES, Romney is no different than Obama. The DEMS will DESTROY Romney in the general because he has so much baggage. If Romney DOES win (which I doubt anyway), then look forward to a Dem win in 2016 AND 2020.

I will not compromise my faith and vote for Romney, nor will I compromise my principles and vote for Romney.

This was our election to lose and who do the idiots in the GOP give us? A ‘white and delightsome’ (look it up) Obama.

I will stand on my principles and trust God to see us through this mess. I am a Christian and a Conservative, I am no longer a Republican -they have screwed us over too many times.

Virgil Goode 2012


57 posted on 05/09/2012 7:33:44 PM PDT by reaganaut (VAB! Voting against both Romney and Obama. Constitution party, here I come!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Tramonto

“I was demoralized last time but I voted for McCain anyway.”

So did I. McCain, who is probably mentally unbalanced from his wartime traumas, still deserves credit for several things. He was and is pro-life. His father was an admiral, and not a submissive to Saul Alinsky. He could and did wear his nation’s uniform. Bishop Willard Mitt Romney cannot make those claims.

Bishop Willard Mitt Romney is culture of death. McCain, whatever other faults he has, is not. McCain is a better man.


58 posted on 05/09/2012 7:40:13 PM PDT by Psalm 144 (Obama's record is an open charnel pit. Romney's too, but under a whitened sepulchre.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Memoria

“Get off your high horse”

Get off your belly.


59 posted on 05/09/2012 7:44:57 PM PDT by Psalm 144 (Obama's record is an open charnel pit. Romney's too, but under a whitened sepulchre.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Psalm 144
We are not assisting an evil man’s ascent to power.

Oh, the irony in that post is too much, if you read my post, then yours.

Talk about NOT seeing the bigger picture? Come back when you get that clue I talked about.

60 posted on 05/09/2012 7:49:20 PM PDT by IllumiNaughtyByNature ($1.84 - The price of a gallon of gas on Jan. 20th, 2009.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-87 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson