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The campaign's religious bigotry
There are certainly valid arguments against picking Mitt Romney as vice presidential candidate to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain. We can list several here. His opposition to abortion is suspect; after all, he once supported abortion rights. Another reason: In an environment hostile to business, Romney was once a venture capitalist who eagerly slashed jobs from companies he restructured. Another reason: He now opposes gay marriage, while once he seemed to support the practice.
There are, conversely, many reasons to support Romney. He is the choice of most conservatives, so he may rally the base for McCain. Another reason: His business acumen and 2002 Winter Games executive experience may prove a national and international advantage in these weak economic times. Another reason: McCain needs campaign cash, and the well-connected Romney can raise it.
All of these are valid reasons, depending on your political perspective.
There is, however, one clearly bad reason for not supporting Romney. That is religious bigotry against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Unfortunately, opposition to Romney as vice president has coalesced under that sour rationale. In a rather un-Christian manner, so-called evangelical leaders are working overtime to try to poison the atmosphere against the former Massachusetts governor.
Witness this quote published last week in the national newspaper The Washington Times: The Rev. Rob McCoy, pastor of the Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and a national evangelical figure, said, "I will vote for McCain unless he does one thing. You know what that is? If he puts Romney on the ticket as veep. It will alienate the entire evangelical community -- 62 million self-professing evangelicals in this country, half of them registered to vote, are going to be deeply saddened," he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by another famous evangelical, Tim LaHaye, the co-author of the popular "Left Behind" series. LaHaye, perhaps more politically astute than McCoy, was quick to add "we aren't against Mormonism."
Yeah, right. It is the canard of bigots to add the phrase, "we aren't against (blacks, gays, Hispanics, Jews, Mormons ...").
The Washington Times' article says that many of Gov. Mike Huckabee's supporters are "rabid" in their dislike of Romney and that his Mormon religion is their paramount objection. It should be noted that Huckabee stoked this type of bigotry in an Iowa campaign ad last December in which he claimed to be the "Christian" in the nomination race. Saying that Mormons -- who do believe in Jesus Christ -- are not Christians is a common theme of anti-Mormons. Perhaps Huckabee could be encouraged to give a speech urging some of his supporters to put aside their prejudices against the Mormon faith.
As we have stated, there are legitimate reasons that Romney may not be McCain's running mate. His Mormon faith, however, should not be allowed to play a negative role in his chances.
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If this religious bigotry were against Jews or Muslims it would be completely unacceptable to the Main Stream media and nearly anyone else. But because its against Mormons its OK! These Evangelicals say it because Mormons don't follow Christ's teachings, well neither do Jews Or Muslims, but no one dares attack them out in the Open like this. Shame on them for being so bigoted! If you don't pray the way they do your wrong???
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