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 Mitt Romney announcing his presidential candidacy in New Hampshire on Thursday.
June 2nd, 2011
03:04 PM ET
Is America ready for a Mormon president?By Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor (CNN) - Mitt Romney’s campaign team knows that his Mormon faith scared off Republican voters the last time he ran for president. But they believe a lot has changed in the last four years. For starters, Romney is now much better known. The former Massachusetts governor campaigned hard in the 2008 primaries – even addressing his Mormonism head-on in a major speech — and has stayed in the public eye since, popping up on late-night talk shows and on cable news channels. Romney’s Mormonism, the thinking goes, is less exotic than it was four years ago because the candidate is more familiar. Plus, unlike in 2008, there’s a Democrat in the White House for Republican voters to unite against. The Romney camp hopes the Obama factor will boost support for a battle-tested candidate who’s shown he can raise the hundreds of millions of dollars White House bids require, regardless of the candidate’s religious affiliation. And unlike the 2008 Republican primaries, when George W. Bush was in the White House and debate over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan loomed large, next year’s elections are poised to hang on the economy. Not a bad time, maybe, for a guy with a Harvard MBA and a career spent turning around financially troubled companies and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. “The country’s really in a tough situation — the economy’s in a bad place and so people suddenly think that a guy with Mitt Romney’s capacity and experience looks a lot more attractive than he did four years ago,” says Mark DeMoss, a senior adviser to Romney’s campaign, which launched Thursday. “That makes his faith much less of an issue than it was four years ago,” says DeMoss, who is tasked with helping Romney woo evangelical voters, a huge chunk of the GOP base and a constituency that’s historically been wary of Mormonism. Whether DeMoss is right may make the difference in whether Romney, the current Republican frontrunner based on polls and fundraising, can actually win the Republican nomination and, ultimately, the White House. But Romney may not be the only Mormon running for president. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is seriously flirting with a presidential bid. Huntsman, Obama’s former ambassador to China, recently took a five-day swing through New Hampshire, site of the first-in-the-nation Republican primary, and has hired staff in South Carolina, another key primary state. The prospect of a Huntsman campaign means the nation could see an unprecedented test of whether the GOP — and, perhaps, the rest of the country — is ready for a Mormon president in an era when candidates’ religious beliefs have become weighty campaign issues. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormon Church is officially known, certainly seems eager for Mormonism to be less an issue in the presidential race than it was for Romney in 2008 “Recent media coverage seems to lean toward the conclusion that among many Americans, faith will be less of an issue in this election than it was in 2008,” church spokesman Michael Purdy said in a statement to CNN. “But it’s really for others to speculate on this.” Public opinion polls suggest a lingering bias against Mormon candidates. A survey released Thursday by the Pew Research Center found that a quarter of American adults admit to being less likely to vote for a Mormon candidate for president. The survey found that resistance to Mormon candidates was even higher among two groups: liberal Democrats and evangelicals, who overwhelmingly vote Republican. One in three white evangelicals said they were less likely to support a Mormon candidate. That creates a stiff headwind for Romney and Huntsman, given evangelicals’ primary power. In 2008, evangelicals accounted for 60 percent of Republican voters in Iowa, home to the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, and in South Carolina, whose primaries come hard on the heels of New Hampshire’s. In 2008, Romney’s Mormonism “was a real factor in Iowa and South Carolina that predisposed many potential voters to never to consider Romney or hear his message,” said Gary Marx, who directed conservative outreach for Romney the last time he ran. That year, Romney placed second in Iowa and fourth in South Carolina behind then-frontrunner Mike Huckabee – a Baptist preacher who won major evangelical support. Though Mormons consider themselves to be Christians, many evangelicals consider the Latter-day Saints to be a cult. Evangelicals object to the Mormon belief that the Book of Mormon is the revealed word of God and to such Mormon practices as proxy baptisms for the dead. Evangelicals and Mormons also compete for converts. Many evangelical leaders have discouraged their followers from translating such differences into opposition to Mormon candidates. But that message isn’t always heeded. “I don’t think it’s much of an issue among the leadership in evangelical circles,” Michael Farris, an influential evangelical activist, says of Mormon candidates. “But I don’t know if that is always true at the grassroots level.” Richard Land, who directs public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention, the country’s largest evangelical denomination, says evangelicals could coalesce around Romney but that the conditions would have to be just right. “If Southern Baptists have a choice between an evangelical candidate, a Catholic and a Mormon and all three appear to be equally conservative and equally likely to beat Barack Obama, they’ll vote for the evangelical,” says Land, who has informally advised Romney on how to deal with his faith on the campaign trail. “If there’s no such evangelical [in the] race, they’ll vote for the Catholic,” he says, “But if there’s no other candidate who’s likely to beat Obama, they’ll vote for the Mormon.” Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an evangelical, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Catholic, are running for the GOP nomination. Beyond theological challenges, conservative activists like Land and Farris say Romney faces skepticism among religious conservatives because he once supported abortion rights and signed a healthcare law in Massachusetts that critics say represented a dramatic government overreach. But those close to Romney argue that Huckabee’s decision not to enter the 2012 race creates an opportunity for Romney to pick up more evangelical support. Or, they say, it could wind up splitting evangelical voters among multiple primary candidates, making evangelicals a less potent force. DeMoss, a Christian public relations executive who also helped Romney with evangelical outreach in 2008, says one of the victories from the last campaign was that no big-name evangelical came out against Romney over his Mormonism. This time, DeMoss is working to get some evangelical leaders to go a step further and publicly support Romney. After Romney’s 2008 defeat, one nationally known evangelical leader privately told DeMoss that he’d voted for Romney in the primaries. “I remember thinking, it would have been nice if somebody else knew that,” says DeMoss, who believes such revelations would have made more evangelicals comfortable supporting a Mormon candidate. Huntsman’s entry into the presidential race could make Mormonism less of an issue if it has a mainstreaming effect. But the two candidates’ religious affiliations could play out quite differently. Romney has long been active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), having occupied Mormon leadership positions like bishop (the rough equivalent of a lay pastor) and stake president (someone who oversees groups of Mormon congregations). “I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it,” Romney said in a December 2007 speech in which he addressed his Mormonism. “My faith is the faith of my fathers — I will be true to them and to my beliefs.” Huntsman, like Romney, spent two years abroad as a Mormon missionary but has kept some distance from the LDS church. As governor of Utah, he loosened liquor laws that had been inspired by Mormon orthodoxy and broke with his church in signing a law allowing civil unions for gay couples. In a recent television interview, Huntsman affirmed his Mormon faith but added that Mormonism is “a very diverse and heterogeneous cross-section of people. ... I probably add to that diversity somewhat.” A Huntsman adviser who often deals with the media declined to respond to requests for comment. Matthew Bowman, an editor at a Mormon studies journal called Dialogue, says Huntsman hails from a slightly younger generation of Mormons who are less defensive about their Mormonism. “Huntsman is a Mormon who thinks of his faith not as something that separates him from American culture or as something he has to defend or explain away, which is what Romney did,” says Bowman. “Romney is always hyperaware of his Mormonism.” That means Huntsman may face fewer questions about his Mormonism should he run. The LDS church, for its part, says its policy is to steer clear of electoral politics. Some church observers say the controversy the church generated by supporting California’s 2008 gay marriage ban, Proposition 8, exacerbated its political reticence. At the same time, the church has capitalized on increased attention paid to Mormonism - provoked by everything from Romney’s 2008 campaign to the current hit Broadway musical, “Book of Mormon” - with a succession of public awareness campaigns. The church website Mormon.org, for example, was recently revamped with an eye toward educating non-Mormons about the religion. The site features video profiles of Mormons from different walks of life. “The message of these ads is that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are your friends and neighbors,” says Purdy, the church spokesman. “We are professionals and tradespeople, artists and teachers and everything in between.” Put another way, the message is that Mormons are normal, everyday Americans. With the Republican primary race finally starting in earnest, the nation is about get a major glimpse into whether GOP voters agree. soundoff (3,046 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Mr. Romney has little chance of getting the Republican vote. Gun control, higher taxes, poor education choices, energy ignorance, etc. simply put him out of the mainstream.
Wow, you mentioned everything but HEALTHCARE! Just watch this all explode in the republicans' faces for throwing a bunch of unelectable candidates into the mess too early. Learn your lesson! Just like with Grandpa Pancakes and Caribou Barbie most conservative voters will just stay home when faced with a decision between the lesser of 2 evils. Romney is NOT a conservative! If we keep voting for people because they are more conservative than the other guy we eventually are voting for the OTHER guy. Look to the south for a strong conservative without all the baggage.
Ah, trying to make it a religious race...nice to use that when it suits you. Maybe the media can only run positive stories about him and get behind him 100% like Obama and you media types can get the first Morman into office!!! Wouldnt that be great!!! Just like you blitzed Obama into the highest office...how did that workout? The worst president ever.
if not THE worst, certainly top 3 worst
Worst president ever? Oh, please. You people have no perspective whatsoever. You do make me laugh, though. A lot!
Worst ever? Top-three worst? How about before you make such ridiculous statements, you go and read a few history books? Previous presidents have perjured themselves before congressional investigators, have used the office purely for personal business gains, have authorized illegal wire taps....these are things that border on treason, if not actually BEING treason. But, saddly, there are those among us who consider being black or being a democrat or being non-Christian to be a form of treason, so I suppose that we will have to agree to disagree on what qualifies someone to be the "worst."
Anyone who believes Obama is the worst president doesn't know the first thing about presidential history. James Buchanan (15th President – D-PA) is universally listed as the worst president for his actions leading up to the outbreak of the Civil War. Other notables are Franklin Pierce (D-NH) for actions that led to Bleeding Kansas, Andrew Johnson (D-TN) who was impeached, and Warren Harding (R-OH) for unbelievable amounts of scandal. Obama is no where near that catagory.
Gibby-Bush Jr ignored warnings about Osama and 3000 people died-thats pretty bad too, right?
Sorry, Bush gets the top spot for worse Pres. ever.
Oh, please. William Henry Harrison was certainly the worst. Obama can't even win that contest. He comes in second place.
Bill CLinton is the worst. Impeached, scandalized, White Water, numerous friends and enemies mysteriously murdered, and he had 8 years to react and respond to Osama Bin Laden's small attacks on Americans before GWB took office. Too busy sticking it where it shouldn't have been in that fat chick. Worst ever, ever, ever.
Worst president ever? Have you heard of John Quincy Adams? How about Ulysses S. Grant. Rutherford B. Hayes? Herbert Hoover? James Buchanan? How about, I dunno, RICHARD NIXON? Come on, man...go take a U.S. History class at your local community college–or from a fifth-grader you meet on the street–before making such moronic blanket statements.
Well said...the media helped that one get in office. Clinton was far better! I don't care about his personal life..he has our country in the best shape it has been in for years. The Bush screwed it up and Obama has really screwed up even more!
George W. Bush was the Worst President Ever.
Hopefully we dont n\ve to get used to the first American musilm prezident:
Will his other wives be called "First Sister Ladies?"
No, Second, Third and Fourth Lady, obviously!
Give me a break, again you lack education around the Mormon religion.
DP, they're just cracking on you. Better get used to it until Mitt quits.
Whats wrong with a mormon? We already have a Muslim president.
You're an idiot.
Religion shouldn't be the issue.
Bill, you are an uneducated person judging from your ignorant comment. President Obama a muslim? Not. He did order the assassination of a muslim by the name of Osama bin Laden. Seal Team Six did a magnificent job with the exception of missing bin Laden's left eye by 5cm (and blowing off the top of his head making a full face ID problematic.)
Great point Bill.
Yes this is coming from a the far-right religious, low-educated, member of the GOP. By the way I live in a trailer.
The fact that so many of the posters here think that Obama is a Muslim just shows how ignorant far too many Republicans and other right-wingers are. He is a Christian, and too religious for my taste - although I voted for him in 2008, and will do so again in 2012, as will the vast majority of my friends and family members. Personally, I hope to see the day when an agnostic or atheist can be president. But as a country, we are far less enlightened that that at this point.
Haha, I couldn't agree more. The more religion we see in the presidency the more problems we'll see relating to it. It has to be taken out of the equation for things to be ran correctly.
The Cult of Mormonism is only slightly less crazy than $cientology !
...and Scientology is only slightly less crazy than Dr. Mumbai.
Relating those two religions makes you sound like you're smart. You're a doctor right? You should fix this mess. Why are Mormons so crazy? Do they have magic wafers? Do they have magic books? Do they have magic beads or symbols? Do they believe in a magic man who is going to fall out of the sky and magically take away all the pain in the world? I believe in magic... and crazies in america.
I believe that hateful Christians – just like hateful Muslims – will ruin our world.
There were a few hundred years where Christians went crazy and killed all of the dissidents. Now the Muslims have caught up to where the Christians were... are.
Yes, Wicca, Islam, and various earth-worshipping religions are the only ones allowed in the new Orthodoxy preached by liberals and the ACLU
Will his hidden wives be called "First Sister Wives?"
K3Citizen, Polygamy in the Mormon church ended over 120 years ago. Though there are branches of the Church RLDS, FLDS etc. that still continue that practice. But they are not affiliated with the mainstream church. You should check out mormon.org, it's like a mormon facebook and you can check out different videos and profiles of members. There are so many misconceptions out there, we're people of all nationalities and we only believe in having one spouse. We even believe that those relationships can last not only until death, but beyond the grave. It's pretty cool!
The hate speech from liberals on this site is astounding. I bet you fools get a tingle up your leg everytime you hear the words "peace loving Muslim" used to describe murderous animals. Harry Reid is a mormon. maybe it's Ok if you're a brain dead Democrat.
You assume that all of the people here critical of mormonism are all liberals. You assume that all of those critical of mormonism are not critical of islam. Your assumptions are wrong in both cases.
Yeah, cause JohnR thinks his flavor of magic is better than the Muslim or Mormon version. I bet your conservative crap smells better too. Animals?
I'm currently a Republican, but man do I want to find another party today!
Wow, there's a typical rabid response from a radical right-wing, spewing zombie. Brains.....neeeed morrre braaainssss...
I would never vote for a Mormon for President. The Mormons that work in my organization are discriminatory and only look out for each other. Only cults recruit members...
Just like the Jews in NY and Hollywood and the Muslims everywhere. Obama is a Muslim BTW. Believe it.
Did you vote for Barak Hussein Obama?? THe muslim???
Hi Hector, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are people of many nationalities, cultures, and backgrounds. It's unfortunate that those members haven't been pleasant towards you. I promise you we all aren't like that! Too open your eyes a bit more you should check out this link right here http://mormon.org/me/3QV2 . Mormon.org is like a LDS facebook to show the world who we are! It's not necessarily to prostyle or gain members but to inform the world around us who we are and what we stand for. Check it out!
Hector...you are correct. I will NEVER vote for a mormon.
Mit is such a flip floper I wouldn't be surprised if he comes out and claims he is now a Christian and not a Morman.
Actually, he already claims to be Christian. And he'd be right...Isn't the definition of a Christian one who follows Christ? Mormons are known formally as members of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," after all, as it states in the article.
Dano – The dictionary definition of a Christian is as you say, but the Biblical definition is one who believes in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as ONE (The Holy Trinity). When Christ came to earth he was/is God in the form of Christ. I like to explain The Holy Trinity like water. Water (God) can take on the form of ice (Christ) or steam (The Holy Spirit). Unfortunately the LDS faith believes Christ was a normal man who did great things. Not quite the Christian belief which originated over a thousand years prior to Joseph Smith. Also, in the history of Christianity, it was never tought that one could become god of their own planet. LDS people are great but you guys have been a little misguided. Like Mitt Romney even said, most of you are LDS because your parents are LDS. Your parents didn't have technology (DNA evidence/research to disprove Book of Mormon) to make an educated, sound decision; but you do. It is time for the new/younger generation of LDS to wise-up, follow your instincts; study and live by the teachings of the Bible (only). You have to question yourself when your church has to repeat numerous times throughout their service that "Joseph Smith is true."
This is for Dano,
Sorry, but Mormons do not believe that Christ was just a mortal man who did stuff. Mormons believe Christ to be the Son of God and the Savior of All. And by no other name may anyone enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Mormons believe the nature of the "Holy Trinity" to be that the Godhead is "one in purpose" just like a man and a woman are commanded to "become one" or "become as one" in the bible.
Mormons believe there are 3 distinct personages (beings) 1. God the Father 2. Jesus Christ 3. The Holy Spirit. Again, all engaged in the same purposes "To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."
You really should check out http://www.mormon.org if you want to learn the basics. They are certainly not a cult and frankly are the best "Christians" I have every known.
God Bless,
Bill
To the person who commented on Dano – Since when science/technology supposed to prove faith? Faith is believing in something you cannot see or touch. You can feel it but not quantify or measure faith. BTW, some of us are educated and sound members, some of us have studied science and technology, we can still reconcile our faith with whatever we've studied.
Going back to the Biblical definition of Christian, as far as I can tell from the Bible where it's been used 3 times, the term is synonymous with "disciple or follower" of Christ. You should also review what The New Encyclopædia Britannica and The New Catholic Encyclopedia say about the word Trinity not being a requirement for being a Christian. I guess there will always be a debate on that subject.
AND, we do not believe that Christ was a normal man he was more than that.
As to becoming a God... why not? Aren't we all children of God? It only makes sense that become like our Heavenly Father.
That's like saying something is a fruit, not an orange
What difference does a person's religion make. His credentials for the position should be what is considered.
It illustrates the depth of their insanity, delusion and mental illness.
So good Dr., if you know the depth of his delusion I'm sure you know that Catholic and Protestant 'magic' makes them unfit for the presidency too. For that matter anyone who has faith in science (athiests I'm talking to you) should never be allowed in our country!
The words mental illness and delusion sound like a convenient way to bash someone who has different beliefs than you and yours.
ndrew: you don't need "faith" to believe science. That's exactly what sets it apart.
Why don't we just replace the magical religious word 'faith' with the science word theorize. I know science is supposed to sound much smarter than religion, but science proves itself wrong more often than religion. Science has killed just as many people as the great religions of the world too. No, I don't see science as a great replacement for religion either. Seems one in the same to me. Just with a different set of terminology.
@drew
You have just demonstrated that you know nothing about science, theories or the scientific method. The continual refinement of scientific theories and expansion of knowledge utilizing a very open and critical process is the expected behaviour and desired result. Religion on the other hand is pretty much the opposite – dogmatic clinging to 2,000+ year old mythology with charlatans adding inane explanations of the unproven, and unprovable. Thanks, but I'll take "self correcting science" over the bullish!t of religion every time.
Wow...From what I can see there haven't been any comments regarding intelligent disagreement of any of Romney's positions on the issues we face, only bigoted remarks aimed at his religion. Go educate yourselves before you attack someone on a wedge issue of limiited importance.
But the question was "Is America ready for a Mormon president" ... it wasn't about his political beliefs...
Son of God? How many men claimed to be that back then? Jesus rose from the dead; walked on water, healed the sick, turned water into wine... Is their anything else Jesus supposedly did? All I am saying is, before you laugh at Mormon beliefs, look at what you believe. At least Mormons practice their beliefs in their daily lives; unlike 99.9% of all Christians I meet.
You don't get around much, do you!
I have nothing against religion. And I would be fine with voting for a Christian, Jew, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Rastafarian, Pagan, Wiccan.... But I draw a line at Mormon, Scientologist, or FamilyRadio types. Sorry, it is too out there.
would you vote for an atheist?
Wiccan isn't out there??? And the Mormon faith isn't any more strict or or exotic than the Muslim faith, so why would you vote for a Muslim and not a Mormon?
@ give your head a shake –
you are a bigot.
Jason,
Would you say that magic books, and magic beads, and magic hat, and magic headdresses, and magic food is normal and healthy? Would you say that saying a magic name that saves you is mental?
What beliefs in the mormon religion are crazier than your christian beliefs?
This forum is so fraught with irony.
Well... I draw a line at people who draw lines. Because you're not better than any Mormon I've ever met. You're not better than any Buddhist I've met. You're no better than any homeless man that I've met. Do the Christians on these boards actually live what they preach?
Rupaul for president!!!
Bobinator, you are obviously an uneducated and naive person. Please stop commenting unless you know what you are talking about. The founder of the LDS church is Joseph Smith, not John. And, he did NOT say he has done more for humanity than (not then) Jesus Christ. One of his predecessors stated that Joseph has done more SAVE Jesus Christ. That means Joseph did alot for humanity, but not as much, certainly, as Christ.
Mitt is a morale, law abiding, family centered, covenant keeping (with his wife when they were married), smart, successful, people person. He is BY FAR the best person we have had running for president in decades. Religious or not, you would be a very foolish person to not support him. Remember, if you have children, you are going to want a strong country for them to live in. We won't have it is we continue on the course we are on.
He's the best REPUBLICAN you've had in decades.He's closer to the middle which is what Republicans were at one time. Now they support Corporate America, not Americans.
I have children. One is a gay 23 year old male. And Mitt Romney's religion makes it one of their sacred duties to do their best to ensure that my son is forever kept as a second class citizen. Another republican who claims to want government out of our lives, except when it come to our bedrooms.
What a Mormon response to say...
I'd vote for a Black, gay, mormon because that is the ultimate contridiction
You're thinking of John Taylor, who gave the "No man has done more save Jesus only" quote.
But the truth is, Joseph Smith took his bragging to the next level and DID SAY he was more successful than Jesus. He bragged about himself all the time. You just are never told the truth. Sorry to burst your bubble.
I have no allegiance to any of these parties. I'm not a fan of Obama...but really...faith values play a huge role and I wouldn't want a mormon as president...simply for what they stand for. Seriously, no drinks with caffeine, "secret" private wedding ceremonies (if you aren't mormon or married, you aren't allowed in their temple), seminary classes held on school campuses, anti-gay (Prop 8....), and encouraging their kids to marry early and have tons of kids (not all...but it's pretty stereotypical...just look at BYU. Most of them are married by 21!). I don't really like it.
Living in Arizona, and knowing many mormons...I can easily say the faith factor would be a huge turn off for me to not vote for him.
the magical underwear thing would be a deal-breaker for me. but I'm not American so I don't have a vote.
You don't have to be married to go in their temple...
BRMT04 – I agree completely. You took the words right out of my mouth.
you're just a bigot.
I agree the only good thing about Mormons in Arizona is my property value going up because of there shiny temples
No, Dave, brmt04 is not a bigot. He or she did not say that there was a hatred for Mormons, merely such a huge philosophical difference (which as described as brmt04 is actually bigotry on the part of Mormons, and this Mormon in particular) that it would not be possible for brmt04 to vote for a Mormon. That's not bigotry, that is exercising good judgment.
There's a difference between "secret" and "sacred" but I guess nothing is sacred to anyone these days... Get more educated about our principles and values, there's more than just caffeine-free drinks to life after all. Oh, and my husband and I have decided on having only 2 kids, do we have your approval now?
San, I think BRMT04's statements are arguably bigoted because many of the "philosophical differences" are simply false. It would be akin to someone saying, "I'd never vote for a Muslim because they're all terrorist" or "I'd never vote for a woman, because they're all bad at math and bad drivers." If you blindly accept stereotypes or falsehoods handed to you by others driven by ignorance or hate, and allow that to drive your views, that's bigotry and ignorance.
I wanna go witg yiz......
we were ready for a muslim, Mormon shouldnt be a problem
So, who's the Muslim?
Don't mind Shades. The facility he was living in until 2005 was closed due to budget cuts and he's been unmedicated and homeless since then
“My faith is the faith of my fathers — I will be true to them and to my beliefs.”
Just another whacked out thing here. He was born into Mormonism and thinks it's a virtue to stay "true" to the faith of his ancestors. But mormonism is a very late arrival, so he has a bunch of ancestors who obviously decided to cast off the faith of THEIR ancestors. Go back a bunch of centuries earlier and he has who knows how many ancestors who converted, willingly or not, to Christianity. Every new religion starts out all about change and most end up being all about stasis. Followers are supposed to believe as they are told in a way that the founders did not,.
There is not a single Repuke out there who can beat Obama. Hurray! Obama/Biden 2012.
we shall see miss Dvorpuke
I voted for Obama. First non-3rd-party candidate I ever voted for. But I didn't vote for Biden. That just a bit of "colllateral damage", if you know what I mean.
Barack/Hillary 2012
They are trying to recruit Scott Peterson off death row; they like the fact that he's well known and good-looking. They think it works in their favor
How about Obama and anyone but Biden?