Romney's biggest problem is that skeptics are simply weirded out

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070808/OPINION/708080311

Yes, Romney needs to answer questions

<snip>But today word is circulating that Romney will discuss his faith in an autumn speech — and seek to disarm the skeptics much the way John F. Kennedy in 1960 dampened fears that a Catholic president would take orders from Rome.

Romney is dealing with potential hostility, fair or not, on several fronts. Many Christian fundamentalists, particularly southern Baptists, dismiss Mormonism as a cult (thereby imperiling Romney in the GOP primaries, particularly in pivotal South Carolina). Many secular voters are uncomfortable with the church's passion for proselytizing and its superior attitude, particularly its scriptural insistence that all nonbelievers are worshiping "the church of the devil." Pollsters say that at least 30 percent of voters won't back a Mormon.

Romney's biggest problem is that skeptics are simply weirded out. They cannot quite envision having a president who believes that a man named Joseph Smith dug up a book of golden plates, long buried in a hillside, with the help of an angel named Moroni in 1827; that these plates, written in Egyptian hieroglyphics, spelled out the precepts of the true Christian faith; that Smith translated these hieroglyphics by wearing decoder glasses and burying his head in a hat; that Jesus visited North America after the resurrection; that the Garden of Eden was really in Missouri.

As Romney himself recently told conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt, "I believe in my faith. I love my faith, and I would in no way, shape, or form try to distance myself from my faith or the fundamental beliefs of my faith." He was a church leader in Massachusetts, as were his forebears out West. And his great-grandfather had five wives, after being personally instructed to practice polygamy by Smith's successor, Brigham Young. snip

Romney will undoubtedly try to "do a JFK" when he opts to confront these issues. Kennedy told an audience of Protestant ministers that his religion would not influence his job. Romney, in his sketchy remarks thus far, has similarly insisted that his oath to uphold the Constitution would take precedent.

But Romney has a more difficult task. Whereas Kennedy mollified skeptics by declaring that "I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute," Romney can ill afford to say that. Conservative Christian voters, who wield great influence in Republican primaries, do not believe in "absolute" separation. Romney would commit political suicide if he echoed JFK; nor would he want to, for personal reasons. He has repeatedly signaled that religion belongs in the public square, and that the tenets of his faith have infused his conservative politics.

[bryant69]

1. It's that last paragraph that is the most telling i think

He's screwed by the logic of the people he's chosen to get in bed with. He can't say that his religion won't affect him because, to the religious right, religion should influence and even control your actions.

He might be able to thread that needle, but I doubt it.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[last_texas_dem]

2. I agree

I don't care about Romney's religious beliefs myself, and don't think people should hold them against him when considering him as a candidate. But I can't make myself feel much sympathy for him, either. After all, he's chosen to align himself with a political party whose base is filled with intolerant fundamentalists, and he's flip-flopped all over the place to distance himself from his past stances and attempt to appeal to these wingnuts on the issues. I think he's soon likely to learn that all of his maneuvering has been in vain, as he realizes his "big tent" party is really just a bunch of bigots.

[havocmom]

3. Romney has a problem with blaming his problems on religion

Religion did not make him pull the dumb stunt where he put the dog on top of the car. There is reason to question his judgment. A man who pulls that sort of dumb move shouldn't be mayor of anything, let alone hold higher office.

Religion does not make him say what ever he things a particular audience wants to here (be expedient) and then try to deny he said it when some other audience questions it. Religion doesn't make him so dense and unaware that he fails to remember there are cameras and microphones hooked up to recording devices taking all his expedient pandering down. He looks a fool when he denies what is on film. Is he that much of a fool? Gotta wonder.

He just says what he thinks will play and THAT is the reason a lot of us don't like him. Has nada to do with his religion or any misunderstanding of it. Has much to do with understanding his pandering style. Revulsion at using his religion as an explanation for our failure to love the guy is another likely reason to dislike the man.

He is not presidential material. Religion is the least of his problems.

[screembloodymurder]

4. I'd sooner have a Muslim President than a Mormon.

Romney would be a disaster.

[triguy46]

5. Weird beliefs are not a problem for voters...

* sold them that aluminum irrigation tubes were uranium centrifuges and that Saddam could launch a WMD within 30 minutes. Fact - Fanstasy, the electorate has demonstrated they don't give a shit.

[ewoden]

6. No questions to answer at all in my opinion

Incapable of the straight goods. He's a draft dodging (how many deferments?) rat shooter (a "hunter" who never held a license yeah sure).

In my opinion the guy rumba's around the truth so much he's going to get a guest slot on "Dancing with the Stars"

[JeffR]

7. His faith is probably the least weird thing about him

Everything about this creep weirds me out, personally.

[jazzjunkysue]

8. True. He's disconnected. An atomaton. Stepford. Anamatronic.

That story about his dog on the roof of the car is easy to believe.

He's got no chance, and his supporters won't wake up and tell him that.

[jazzjunkysue]

9. Guliani is slimey, but, in a human, normal, typical way. Mit is just plain

wiggy.