WP, page one, major article: Mormon Base a Mixed Blessing for Romney

[DeepModem Mom]

Mormon Base a Mixed Blessing for Romney
By Alec MacGillis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 4, 2007; Page A01

....As he vies for a place in the top tier of contenders for the Republican nomination, Romney is reaping enormous benefits from being part of a growing religion that has traditionally emphasized civic engagement and mutual support. Mormons are fueling his strong fundraising operation, which this week reported raising $21 million, the most of any Republican candidate. And they are laying the foundation for a potent grass-roots network -- including a cadre of young church members experienced in door-to-door missions who say they are looking forward to hitting the streets for him.

"When Mormons get mobilized, they're like dry kindling. You drop a match and get impressive results quickly," said University of Notre Dame political scientist David Campbell, who is Mormon. "It's almost a unique group in the way in which it's organized at the local level and the channels through which mobilization can occur."

But the intensity of this support has a potential downside as Romney tries to establish an identity separate from a religion still regarded warily by many Americans -- a quarter of whom, polls suggest, do not want a Mormon president.

Romney's fellow Mormons also find themselves in a bind. In dozens of interviews, Mormons across the country said they are excited by Romney's candidacy and eager to do what they can for him, just like members of other religious or ethnic groups with favorite-son candidates. Yet they are also hesitant to state their support too strongly, to avoid provoking anti-Mormon bias or violating church rules against politicking inside church walls....

***

....based on the fundraising he conducted before this year, Romney's other sectors of support are likely to be dwarfed by the backing he is receiving from LDS members. Wealthy Mormons giving to Romney's PACs include the Marriotts, the Bethesda-based hotel family, who have given more than $390,000; the family of Jon Huntsman Sr., the owner of a major Utah chemical company, which has given more than $170,000; and the family of Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, which has given $100,000.

Also giving heavily have been thousands of rank-and-file church members....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/03/AR2007040301737.html?hpid=sec-religion?hpid=sec-religion

[Erika]

1. The Mormons will gladly buy Romney the presidency

to see one of their own in power. They pretend tolerance but that's all. Larry Miller refused to show Brokeback Mountain at his theaters, gays are excommunicated under church laws.

Mormons believe that their men will rule their own planets upon their death and become Gods in their own rights. It's the capitalist dream that rules beyond death. As far as women's rights go, Mormon men also must "call up" their wives to join them in heaven, or the woman is out of luck. You talk about Islamists as sexist...meet the Mormons.

[gaspee]

2. I don't get

the cognitive dissonance required to be a true believer in most religions, but I do have to admit that I find mormonism to be a worse offender than most. Come on now, golden tablets that can only be read with "special" glasses by one dude? A dude with a history of being a con man?

Though mainstream christianity isn't much better. (or islam for that matter, but muslims aren't the ones trying to impose their religion on me here in the US)

Noah's ark anyone? I just want to know where Noah got his hand on some Kangaroos. Or Koala bears. Or polar bears. And dude, cockaroaches? Skunks?

Stories as parables I have no problem with. Fundamentalism is a whole 'nother ball 'a wax.

[gaspee]

3. oops

forgot to say... I have a fem more issues with 'ol Mitt than his mormonism. Money is Mitt's god. He's a corporatist through and through.

[Erika]

4. Becoming Gods of their own planets is a bit much

and women will only be called up on a man's approval. You want this guy as your president?

[Skittles]

5. I don't want any religious freak as president

:puke:

[rpannier]

7. Would you not vote for Sen Reid?

He's Mormon.

[Erika]

9. Let him answer the questions also

But he's working class and not part of the aristocracy of the church as Romney is.

[rpannier]

12. Fair answer

I just wanted to make sure that there was more substance to your point.

There are many here who say, "I'll never vote for a Mormon." But somehow could find it in their heart to vote for a Democrat running who is Mormon.

Your insistance upon knowing his stance on issues, rather than party affiliation as the only criterion, shows depth to your position.

[gaspee]

14. Since I live in RI

I wouldn't have to make that choice. I have never voted for a fundy though, and never would. I spent ten years in SF before moving home to RI and I've never been faced with that choice.

I did not vote for Langevin, a dino godbag (of the catholic variety) in either of the past elections.

[FVZA_Colonel]

6. One of the people on Countdown today, I forget exactly who, had it just right:

sooner or later, Romney really will have to address his Mormon faith in a public forum, one way or another. Maybe he shouldn't have to, but in terms of pure political pragmatism, I think he'll have to.

[Erika]

8. Will they have the guts to talk about calling wives up

and the men ruling their own planets, or how about the baptism of the dead which the Jews constantly complain about. Mormonism is NOT mainstream.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. I can't remember who it was either, but I think he referenced JFK's addressing his Catholic faith...

before a group of Protestant ministers.

[bluestateguy]

11. Will the Southern Baptist fundamentalists vote for him if he's the nominee?

As they do not consider Mormons to be Christians, and the fundamentalist wing of the Southern Baptist church views all non-Christians as unfit for public office.

[beltanefauve]

13. Mitt scares me

Sorry, but he looks like a game show host. And the sheeple, as we've seen, vote for President the way they vote for an American Idol contestant.

[donco]

15. The Kennedys

are Catholic are they not?