Why a Mormon Speech?
by Patrick Ruffini :: December 2nd, 2007 7:55 pm Mark Halperin’s The Page is reporting that Governor Romney is set to deliver “the Mormon speech” this Thursday at the Bush Library in College Station, Texas.
This is relatively unexpected. Romney’s Mormon faith, though ever-present, has not been as big an issue as could have been expected earlier in the year. Questions still linger as to whether the most recent Mormon “controversy” (the push polls) actually reflected any real concerted anti-Romney strategy.
On the surface of it, Romney shouldn’t have to give a Mormon speech any more than Obama should have to give a Muslim speech. Chatter about both candidates’ religions seem to linger just under the radar, amongst die-hards who are probably lost to both. If anything the false rumors about Obama being a Muslim who attended an Indonesian madrassa seem to attract a lot more attention than the truth about Romney’s religion, as this Google Trends chart shows: 
Not included in this screenshot is the geographic distribution of these searches, with a huge concentration of “Romney mormon” traffic in Utah and a high concentration in other surrounding Western states and in Romney’s home state of Massachusetts. On the face of it, these searches are coming from people who believe his religious faith is a plus.
Perhaps the Romney campaign knows something we don’t? That Mormonism is a bigger deal on the ground than we are given to believe from press reports? Could Romney supporters believe that his recent slip in the polls in Iowa is attributable to a backlash against his Mormonism?
If so, that would seem to be a highly dubious reading of the Iowa electorate. But Romney’s speech is likely to create its own new reality on this front.
UPDATE: In response to some comments: No, I’m not trafficking in the Obama Muslim rumors. Merely pointing out that these false rumors seem to have gotten more traction than the much-ballyhooed talk of Romney’s religion. Obama shouldn’t be forced to dignify these rumors with a substantive response. And neither should Romney with regards to anti-Mormon bigotry. The anti-Mormon bigots and the anti-Muslim rumormongers seem to exist on about the same level — and neither candidate should let these fringe elements define their campaign.
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Why would Obama need to give a Muslim speech? Mitt Romney isactually a Mormon. How are these at all comparable?
Pat,
Obama ISN’T muslim, so the connection isn’t even viable. Unlike Romney, who is Mormon.
Patrick,
The chatter is mostly benign. And, the media and blogs are very aggresive in pushing Romney and Mormonism. Type in mormon in google news and the results are some speculation of Romney and mormonism–since as far back as this spring or earlier.
Religion has become a huge issue in this campaign, and not all of it benign when it comes to Romney’s Mormonism. In the last Republican debate the candidates were asked whether they thought the Bible was the word of God. As I watched, I thought, “What on earth does that have to do with being president?” I recently read a good discussion of the Romney and religion issue in “Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values, and His Vision.” It’s written by two authors - an evangelical Christian and a Mormon - so it gives a unique perspective that is more balanced than most of what’s on the Internet.
Actually, Romney’s problem isn’t Mormonism. The problem is the “I was for it before I was against it” problem. Given his track record as governor of Massachusetts and his current campaign rhetoric (on the subjects of immigration, abortion, guns,etc.), he is making Bill Clinton look like a model of character and integrity.
In response to SteveVA’s reference to Romney being ambiguous in his values (ie. a flip-flopper) I understand and appreciate his concern (for it was once my own) but I now understand it completely. Based on Romney’s personal belief system (to say nothing of his religion) he does not believe in abortion. He is, at heart, a pro-life. However, being an elected representative it was his duty to vote for what his people wanted. If he’s in a state that is overwhelmingly pro-abortion, then it would be remiss of him to ignore that majority in favor of his own beliefs. He was doing what any good elected official SHOULD do: he was voting on behalf of the people he represented. But, now that it comes time to cast in his ballot for the presidency, Romney is being honest about his personal beliefs (because in this situation he has not yet been elected President and thus it is only fair to share his platforms). Were he elected President and a great majority (say 70% of Americans) suddenly wanted to legalize pot or Doctor Assisted suicide, I could understand him allowing that bill to pass…because he is giving the people what they want. Granted, when an issue is being debated and it is not clear what the majority of Americans want, Romney is going to go with his gut. That’s what I would do, and that’s what I hope and elected official would do (be it Obama, Giuliani, or Hillary).
Obama may not be a Muslim, but his middle name is “Hussein” and his religious backgroud is Muslim, so I think it is a valid point.
Re Romney, as Kennedy said in 1960 he was not “the Catholic candidate for president” but the “Democratic Party’s candidate for president who happens also to be a Catholic.” Romney will probably say that he is not the Mormon candidate for president, but a Republican candidate that happens to be Mormon.
If Romney is elected, does that mean Donnie and Marie will sing at the Inaugural Ball?
Clarification: The above post was *not* made by Patrick Ruffini!!
[…] Patrick Ruffini writes: On the surface of it, Romney shouldn’t have to give a Mormon speech any more than Obama should have to give a Muslim speech. Chatter about both candidates’ religions seem to linger just under the radar, amongst die-hards who are probably lost to both. If anything the false rumors about Obama being a Muslim who attended an Indonesian madrassa seem to attract a lot more attention than the truth about Romney’s religion… […]