Romney's Mormon Faith Not Relevant to GOP

by John M. Curtis
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Copyright October 10, 2011
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           When New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie decided Oct. 4 to say no to a presidential bid, the Republican Party was faced with some stark choice but some real opportunities.  Whatever happened in 2008, the country faces a reversal of fortunes for the GOP:  Obama has traded places with former President George W. Bush.  Bush’s approval ratings sank like a rock to under 30% due to the nation’s recession and financial meltdown.  While there’s a lot of time before the next election, if the economy goes sideways or remains stuck in neutral, the GOP has a real chance of turning President Barack Obama into a one-term president.  Of all the GOP candidates, none is more polished and sellable than former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney.  No one in the GOP field, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry, looks more suited for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue than Romney.

            Prevailing wisdom holds that Romney couldn’t get beyond the Mormon issue, a sore point for Christian evangelicals.  Former Bush strategist Karl Rove captured religious conservative as a powerful voting block, landing Bush two terms in office.  Without religious conservatives backing Romney, some GOP strategists fear that the Party could implode again in 2012.  When you look at what really happened in 2008, Romney’s problems stemmed less from his faith and more his closest rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).  More senior to the GOP than Romney, the center of the Party backed a tried-and-true moderate.  Had McCain picked Romney over former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the race would have been much closer.  Because of Bush-fatigue and sluggish economy, it’s still doubtful McCain would have won.  Independents and GOP moderates crossed over to Obama.in 2008.

            After the 2008 election, McCain never admitted that picking Palin sank his presidential hopes.  McCain’s strategist concluded wrongly that he needed to capture social and religious conservative to win the election.  In reality, McCain needed independents and cross over Democrats that would have voted for the Arizona senator had he picked someone moderate.  Dredging up the same divisive politics, Perry’s Texas supporters hit below the belt.  First Baptist Church of Christ Pastor Dr. Robert Jeffries started throwing mud, calling Romney a “cultist” because of his Mormon faith.  “I really think the decision for conservative evangelical right now is going to be, do we prefer somebody who is truly a believer in Jesus Christ, or somebody who is a good moral person but he’s part of a cult,” said Jeffries, demonstrating the kind of intolerance that has no place in the Republican Party.

            Whatever one thinks of Mormonism, it’s one of the world’s established faiths.  When you look at the history of established Christian churches treatment of Mormons, there’s nothing to be proud of.  As we all know as Americans, there’s nothing relevant about his faith for loyal public servant.  Romney has made it plain that his loyalty lies with the Constitution not Salt Lake City.  Raising Romney’s faith is counterproductive for the GOP.  Whether Christian evangelicals back Romney or not, most responsible voters won’t vote for Mitt or against Mitt for his Mormon faith.  McCain found out the hard way what happens when you pander to the Christian right with candidates like Palin.  While Mitt still faces an uphill climb, it’s not insurmountable.  More than any other GOP candidate, Romney presents the kind of presidential demeanor that could compete well against Obama.

            Despite the right-leaning GOP primary, Romney has the capacity to bring the Party back to the ideological center.  McCain’s pick of Palin last time around was exactly the opposite direction to win a general election.  Picking on Romney’s Mormonism shows ordinary voters that the GOP is sadly out of touch with mainstream values.  “None of us should sit in judgment of another person’s religion,” said former House Speaker and GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.  Newt knows more than most the skeletons in his closet that keeps him from criticizing others.  Even Christian conservative Rep. Michele Bachmann called the Mormon issue “inconsequential.”  Romney would be well-advised to settle the Mormon issue again sooner-rather-later in the 2012 campaign.  Religious intolerance has no place inside the GOP as they line up behind a marketable candidate.

            Let there be no mistake about what sank Romney in the 2008 nominating race:  McCain had more seniority.  McCain’s fall in the general election was more related to with a bad economy and Bush-fatigue than Obama’s charisma or magical oratory.  This time around, the GOP has a golden opportunity to line up behind Romney who’s more than established himself as the mainstream choice.  Evangelicals aside, Romney’s moderate positions appeal to mainstream voters, giving him the best shot at a wide coalition of crossover Democrats, independents and moderate Republicans.  If he gets the nomination, he should learn from McCain that the electorate craves moderates, not extremists.  “I am not going to get into an analysis of Mormonism versus Christianity,” said GOP candidate Herman Cain.  “I’m not getting into that,” summing up how things are different in 2012.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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