Posted on 09/26/2006 6:36:05 AM PDT by areafiftyone
The quarterly meeting of the S.C. Republican executive committee Sept. 16 ended on a sour note when one of its more prominent members cornered Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and grilled him about his Mormon faith.
It was not a pretty sight, according to witnesses.
Romney, a possible Republican candidate for president in 2008, was in town to address the state executive committee.
Cyndi Mosteller, chairwoman of the Charleston County Republican Party, one of the largest GOP organizations in the state, came armed with a bunch of material — and questions — about the Mormon church.
The incident only underlines what could become an uncomfortable debate over Romney’s faith if he runs for the White House. The issue will be on the table in South Carolina’s early primary contest, where roughly 35 percent of GOP voters are evangelical Christians, many of whom view Mormonism with skepticism.
Mosteller, an evangelical, said she especially was concerned about the church’s attitude toward African-Americans and its stand on polygamy.
The Mormon religion was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing faith groups in the United States. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, it is known formally as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormonism’s short history has been tumultuous, with an early embrace of polygamy, which it later renounced. Still, Mormons grapple with their polygamous past.
It has been almost 30 years since the Mormon Church lifted a ban that kept black males from the church’s priesthood.
Brigham Young, who succeeded Smith as church leader, wrote that God put a curse on Cain — a “flat nose and black skin” — for killing his brother Abel.
Mosteller said the issues of race and marriage concern her. She fears they could become campaign issues and hurt Republican chances.
She had planned to ask the questions in an open committee session, but Romney nixed that idea by ending his short address with a final “thank you.”
The governor then proceeded to meet with the media for about 15 minutes.
Enter Mosteller.
Sensing trouble, Romney aides hurriedly ushered reporters out the door.
Afterward, Mosteller said the governor did not answer any of her questions. She described the meeting as “very tense.”
Cindi Costa, a conservative Christian from Charleston and member of the Republican National Committee, waited outside the room. She earlier pleaded with Mosteller not to confront Romney.
“This makes me sick,” Costa said. “Your personal faith is not game in politics. It’s a private matter.”
The Romney campaign said the governor is focused on seeing that S.C. Republicans get elected to office this year.
He has found Palmetto State voters “warm and open-minded.” He shares their conservative values, said Julie Teer, political director for Romney’s Commonwealth PAC.
On previous visits here, Romney has appealed to voters not to rush to judgment.
“They don’t know what I believe necessarily — yet. But they will,” he said in July.
For any evangelical who had doubts, Romney offered what amounted to a personal testimony. “From a religious standpoint, Jesus Christ is my personal savior.”
Costa said Mosteller’s questioning “besmirches her character. It makes her look hateful. This is not what we’re about. The party does not give religious tests,”
“This is awful,” said Spartanburg GOP chairman Rick Beltram. “I’m unhappy with Cyndi.”
State GOP chairman Katon Dawson isn’t pleased either. “She acted in bad taste.”
1. That's what you do when you run for President. (Just a hint, those states hold key primaries)
2.How should he "fix" the Sodomite marriage problem?
Religion isn't a private matter for candidates seeking office because religion or the lack thereof informs their decisions if they are elected.
. . . yet your tagline comes from John Adams . . .
Its a shame because in 2008 the Republicans look like they are going to split in two.
Please cite your sources. And could you make it quick, I've got to get to my homosexual indoctrination class.
It is important that we ALL realize this and not allow differences over individual candidates tospill over into the vitriol that I saw here in 2000, when disgruntled supporters of those who lost to Bush spent more time trasing Bush than thinking about defeating Gore.
I think Romney is probably the best candidate as far as appealing to the middle while avoiding alienating the right, but the time is early, yet. Vindictive attacks against any of the current candidates only serve to insult and alienate their supporters and make it more difficult for the 2008 campaign, whoever wins.
Rats attempting this divisional strategy show up here and post stuff about candidates, and then clueless Freepers happily join in, trashing whichever candidate is the target of moment. This is why the Guiliani theads draw people who attack his private life, and position on certain social issues, the Romney threads are full of his "liberalism" and talk about how he can't get elected because of the evangelicals, and why Senator Allen has detractors who spend too much time dissecting his every word.
My suggestion is that everyone pay attention to the 2006 election, and wait until after November to spend a lot of time on potential presidential candidates. It is possible that groans and complaints about Senator Allen are further damaging his campaign, and I want him to get re-elected!!! We need him in the Senate!
At any rate, I hope people will be more discerning about who says what on these threads. There are lots of pot-stirrers starting to show up.
I wonder when he was named the arbiter of who is a troll on FR?
We are two different people, posting from two different computers, posting I would suspect, from two different states.
Now Answer the question.
You don't tell me what to do pal. You and your sockpuppet have been outed.
"outed" is a common term in your world isn't it?
WHat is Romney's position on the Department of Education?
What is Romney's position on the Medicare entitlement?
What is Romney's position on funding for NEA?
or the Legal Services corporation? or PBS?
Where will Romney cut spending?
Romney has fought aganist teacher's unions, standardized testing and is for school choice.
What is Romney's position on the Medicare entitlement?
I'm guessing that he feels it needs to be fixed, just like every Republican politician.
What is Romney's position on funding for NEA?
Complete non-issue. The NEA will always get funding.
or the Legal Services corporation? or PBS?
Another non issue. For good or bad, PBS is here to stay and no one cares.
Where will Romney cut spending?
I'm sure he will take a look at the budget and make the necessary cuts when needed. He has done the same as Governor of Massachusetts, quite well I may add.
you are assuming right? you really don't know cause he has never said.
"What is Romney's position on funding for NEA?
Complete non-issue. The NEA will always get funding.
or the Legal Services corporation? or PBS?
Another non issue. For good or bad, PBS is here to stay and no one cares."
Not true.Millions of us care and a hundred house conservatives have been fighting to abolish funding.
I look on religion with skepticism but I don't let that color my voting a candidate. Anyone doing that would be labeled a bigot on FR and the label would be accurate.
Tell Spence that the Presidential race is about big ideas, not petty fighting about funding.
Better yet don't tell him. I can't wait to see his platform.
Their non-issues, no one cares.
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.