Playing the Religion Card
Posted by Adam Graham in : PoliticsWe’re in the midst of a campaign to mischaracterize the true issue with the presidential candidacy of Governor Mitt Romney. The issue has been raised time and time again. Is America ready to elect a well-qualified Mormon President with conservative views?
Many people are drawing comparisons to John F. Kennedy’s run in 1960 and arguing that this is a test of how tolerant Traditionalist Christian conservatives will be of someone from a different faith tradition.
Myself, I voted for a Jewish Candidate for Governor in 2000, and helped re-elect an LDS Senator in 2004. I live in an area that’s got a very strong LDS population and work with LDS people every day. In general, they’re decent folks. There are many Mormons, I’d consider for national office, but not Mitt Romney.
All the focus on Romney’s LDS faith has been designed to do three things primarily. First, to attack Christian Conservatives. Second, to get LDS church members solidly into the Romney camp. Third, is to avoid discussing the real problems with Romney’s record.
Today, Mitt Romney claims to be pro-life. In 1994, running for the US Senate, Mitt Romney said he was pro-choice. Stating that the death of a relative had formed strong pro-choice opinions, Romney declared, “regardless of one’s beliefs about choice, you would hope it would be safe and legal.” As late as 2002, Romney was endorsing RU-486. Now, it’s a changed story.
In 2002, Mitt Romney’s campaign participated in Gay Pride marches. After the state Supreme Court ordered the legislature to write up gay marriage laws, Romney backed Civil Unions. Now, he opposes them.
Romney has been an opportunist, running to the Center to get elected Governor, than moving right to prepare for a Presidential run, while vacating the governor’s chair which he has no prayer of winning re-election to with his recent shift. Those who think electing Romney would be a winning proposition for Republicans should think again. Despite massive efforts by Romney, Republicans lost seats in the Massachusetts legislature in the 2004 election.
As Governor, Romney signed off on a big government health care initiative which requires businesses with more than ten employees to help pay for worker’s health coverage, subsidizes health insurance, and requires all individuals to carry it.
This is the Romney record, it’s defined by a lack of core values. He changes positions like some folks change clothes. Does anyone claim to know what this man believes at his core? Its indiscernible, only that he seems to have strong preference for whatever can get him power.
Such men, whether Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, Jewish, or Hindu are not the type who will turn around a country headed into bankruptcy and unable to make hard decisions. If there’s no core and all that’s visible is a pursuit for power, you’ve got an empty suit who will exceed to whatever’s the most politically expedient at the moment, regardless of long-term consequences.
Lay aside the religion and what I see in Mitt Romney is a man that has won one election his entire life and in that job has changed his positions on basic issues to match his national ambition. As much as Romney sympathizers may want to turn his campaign into a referendum on whether the GOP will be tolerant of an LDS nominee, the real issue is competence, philosophy, and trust. Anyone who moves the focus elsewhere should be ashamed of themselves.
UPDATE: Apparently my article sparked an idea from Stephen Stone, the editor of Renew America, whose made this issue the discussion topic. Click here to join the fray.
Comment by steltek [Member]
I think you might be too hard on Romney on the abortion issue. I heard Romney talk about the issue, and he basically explained it this way: He was once pro-choice, and he was that way because while he didn’t approve of abortion, he figured there was no way to know if the fetus was really an individual life yet and so you had to err on the side of choice from that perspective. Well, he held that position for many years, until the stem cell debate arose.
And so, lacking any real knowledge of stem cell technology himself, he got to talking with some scientists and doctors on the issue, and under their instruction learned about just when a new human individual is formed, and how the fetus and mother are genuinely distinct from the moment of conception, and so the science of it changed his mind. Now, he could be lying, but if he’s not I find that to be a perfectly plausible explanation for how a man of conviction and faith could change his mind on the issue.
Comment by michael [Member]
Adam said :
All the focus on Romney’s LDS faith has been designed to do three things primarily. First, to attack Christian Conservatives.
How the hell do you figure that? Mitt won’t be elected without them. This statement stands out from what was a legitimate argument otherwise. Although I don’t agree with it.
Comment by Adam Graham [Member]
First, Michael, I think those who are bringing up (including some who wouldn’t back Romney in the General) have a variety of motives, I don’t think Mitt was attacking the religious conservatives.
Steltek, I don’t find Romney’s story plausible because he explained in 1994 that he was opposed to abortion, not because a doctor hadn’t sat down with him and told him the facts of life, but rather because a family member died from an abortion. That’s a direct quote and I think if you balance that with his flip flops on the gay issue and the curious timing of it all, I’m really suspicious.
Comment by michael [Member]
That response leaves me confused as to it’s meaning
You made this statment :
Adam said
All the focus on Romney’s LDS faith has been designed to do three things primarily. First, to attack Christian Conservatives.
Who is generating this focus you claim is designed to attack Christians?
Also, how is it attacking Christians?
Comment by Adam Graham [Member]
Well, there are two forces that are at play. The mainstream media and establishment Republicans, both of which like Romney. The mainstream media wants to use it to attack Christian Conservatism. (Look how bigoted they are, they won’t support a candidate because they happen to be Mormon.)
The mainstream Republicans have a different agenda and this and its more along the lines of, “Don’t be a bigot, vote for Romney.”
Comment by michael [Member]
You are out of touch on this one. The mainstream media is no friend to Romney.In Massachusetts the media constantly attacks him. This is one of the most Liberal states in the country with a state legislature that is known for it’s corruption. When you consider the stranglehold unions have on so many voters it is astonishing that Romney was able to get elected.
Consider these numbers. Democrats hold 174 seats in the house and senate while republicans have a scant 26 . Politicians and union own the state with the jobs they dole out. In Massachusetts a toll taker earns more than does a teacher in Idaho. Think about the power of a union when you consider that and you will then have an idea of why Romney sticks out. This would be like you being elected to represent Pam’s House Blend.
No, Adam. Neither the mainstream media nor the establishment Republicans favor a Senator from Massachusetts because he is a Mormon. Most of those who support him do despite it.
Your a good guy but on this one I suspect you need to come to grips with your own prejudice, not against Mormons but in favor of your brand of Christianity. I have no doubt that in time we will get you in the Romney camp.
Comment by Adam Graham [Member]
First of all, its no miracle when you consider Republicans have won every gubenatorial election in Massachusetts since 1990.
Secondly, I voted for Mike Crapo, I’ve voted for Mike Simpson. I’ve voted for Mormons. I’ve voted for Catholics. I’ve voted for a Jew. Don’t pretend that I’ve got a prejudice for a particular brand of Christianity. I’m looking for core values, a soul that goes beyond the idea of saying what it takes win the next election. Mitt Romney has no principles, he has no core values I can discern and for that I don’t trust the man.
Third point, I didn’t say Mainstream Republicans or the Media were promoting Romney because he was Mormon. They’re promoting him and using the Mormonism as a weapon against those who dare to oppose him or to make religious conservatives look back.
Comment by michael [Member]
It’s more impressive if you realize the climate at the time he was elected. The Dems pulled out all stops with Kennedy and others pitching in more than is normal. The unions spent all they could to get one of the biggest hacks in Massachusetts, State Treasurer Shannon O’Brien . She was in control of one of the biggest patronage job scams in the state. The Dems had landslide victories to widen their margins as I detailed. Also , the previous Governor was Jane Swift who became Governor when Cellucci took the position as US Ambassador to Canada. She was very unpopular and had a myriad of scandals which hurt the office. In that environment it relatively impressive to have Mitt succeed.
We will have to agree to disagree on this one. I just don’t see anyone using his Mormon religion as a shield against anything. As for his lack of core values, I would disagree. Watching him more closely for a number of years I have seen him alter a position and give very well crafted reasons as to why.
My own core values were formed at a very early age and I have changed far less than most people. I was a Libertarian at 8 and I would bet I will die one. But my beliefs have changed a bit on some issues including abortion. I’m still conflicted on some aspects of my position. But rather than assume it is a lessening of core values. I believe it is the opposite. I stand by my core values even when I recognize there are some values are not universal.
Without rehashing the post yu are at times difficult to understand . For instance :
Adam said :
All the focus on Romney’s LDS faith has been designed to do three things primarily. First, to attack Christian Conservatives.
Later you say :
The mainstream media wants to use it to attack Christian Conservatism. (Look how bigoted they are, they won’t support a candidate because they happen to be Mormon.)
And :
The mainstream Republicans have a different agenda and this and its more along the lines of, “Don’t be a bigot, vote for Romney.”
And :
Third point, I didn’t say Mainstream Republicans or the Media were promoting Romney because he was Mormon. They’re promoting him and using the Mormonism as a weapon against those who dare to oppose him or to make religious conservatives look back.
Adam. Using his Mormonism as a weapon would be a pretty weak tactic. There is plenty to debate him on and none of it would be shielded by his religion. I just don’t see it. In time I suspect you will see the folly of this opinion as well.
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