The Perils of Arguing About Religion During Election Season

[rug]

Oct 30 2012, 9:00 AM ET
Conor Friedersdorf

During the GOP primary, Andrew Sullivan criticized a subset of religious voters, people he dubs "Christianists," for their anti-Mormon bigotry. He mocked religious voters who found Newt Gingrich an acceptable candidate, but wouldn't vote for a Mormon. A WorldNetDaily item that warned against putting a Mormon in the White House struck him as particularly loathsome. "If this really is the flavor out there in the wingnut fever swamps," Sullivan wrote, "it's going to get much uglier."

It didn't get any uglier.

Mitt Romney won the Republican primary, his Mormonism was never a major factor in the campaign, and whether he wins or loses his bid for the White House, it won't be due to his religion.

So why is Sullivan still upset with "Christianists" on this subject?

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/10/the-perils-of-arguing-about-religion-during-election-season/264274/

[dimbear]

1. Hard to disagree more. After the election, Republicans will blame the Romney loss on

religious bigotry. Not theirs, ours.

Our cross to bear. Be brave, my friends.

[rug]

2. Oh but they will have so much to blame his loss on.

Kenya, gays, socialists, hurricanes. Religious bigotry will slip in there somewhere.