One New York Mormon Who Won't Vote for Romney - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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Romney's Mormon Faith Proves Divisive

Submitted by Michael Huff, Jun 1, 2007 11:58

I suspect that Romney's what he appears to be: a decent, clean-cut, successful guy (who had a big headstart by having a successful father...) I'm an active member of the church--always have been--and an independent Democrat: labor-lefty, pro-Affirmative-Action, pro-universal-health-care, pro-choice, gay-griendly, anti-war, pro-gun, pro-death-penalty. A Jim Webb Democrat? Maybe so. Anyway, I'm not concerned with candidates' religion. I'm concerned with their politics. Period. And I believe there's a big difference between "character" in regards to things like marriage and family, on the one hand, and political "character." Too many examples to go into of politicians who were lousy spouses and parents but good politicians, and vice versa. I don't vote for a candidate because he or she is fidelitous or not in marriage, or whether they pledge their faith in God. I vote for a candidate because I believe he or she more or less matches up with my political beliefs. And Romney does not. I'd be happy to sit next to him in church, and discuss scripture with him in Sunday school, etc., and I might come to the conclusion that he's a good guy, but I wouldn't vote for him. For one thing, the country's in crisis at several levels, and for all his reputation as a problem-solver, Romney resembles no one (neither Ronald Reagan or Romney's hero Dwight Eisenhower) so much as Herbert Hoover. The magic of the market place will solve everything. Keep those tax cuts for the rich coming. That'll take care of everything. Plus, he's really disappointed me by saying whatever he thinks will please the power brokers of the Republican primary process (i.e., the evangelical totalitarians). Lifetime member of the NRA as of last August, etc., etc. It's embarrassing. As "character" goes, even political character, Romney's more about expediency than standing up for anything. I'll probably vote for Edwards. I may consider temporarily registering as a Republican to vote for Ron Paul, who's possibly the most honorable candidate in the race as well as the one with the best stand on most of the issues (although I disagree with him on a few, and generally believe the libertarian philosophy to be naiive). But Romney? No way. But if he became president, I wouldn't be ashamed, as I have been of the current president. At least Romney doesn't pretend to be a cowboy or jet-fighter pilot, and isn't thoroughly incompetent and corrupt, and hasn't been bought and paid for by any oil/energy or defense-contracting consortia.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
No one ever, anywhere in the history of the world has "proven" any religion to be true. This is in... [MORE]	Edward Bruce Williams	May 13, 2008 20:42
This anti-Mormonism raised now is nothing more than bigotry for political ends. Whoever raised an issue when Harry Ried, a... [MORE]	Noah Nunberg	Feb 5, 2008 16:33
Welcome to the post 9-11 world where people are more skeptical of Islam. More skeptical of a religion. Get it? [MORE]	Jim Bo	Dec 6, 2007 10:53
The Mormon Church was a racist organization until 1964 when the passage of the Civil Rights Act forced it to... [MORE]	Ed	Oct 6, 2007 14:40
All religions had racisim in them prior tro the civili rights act. Christian churches had "white" churches and "black" churches.... [MORE]	Chris	Dec 16, 2007 10:24
Ed, The Mormon Church has had Black members since its founding. That fact, in conjunction with it opposition to slavery,... [MORE]	Bot	Jan 16, 2008 12:17
If a radical Islamist ran for President, no one should ask him about his beliefs? I think asking someone who... [MORE]	benjamincarl	Feb 3, 2008 02:38
I think the article was well-written and unbiased. There are a lot of questions to be answered. The one question... [MORE]	Amando Alvarez	Jul 4, 2007 21:20
Excellent job done here. I think the facts are laid out well and it is not leaning for or against... [MORE]	Dane	Jun 3, 2007 17:06
Mormons believe Jesus and Lucifer (Satan's name before the fall) are brothers and they also believe that people can become... [MORE]	Robbie	Jun 2, 2007 21:57
Robbie wrote: "Mormons believe Jesus and Lucifer (Satan's name before the fall) are brothers and they also believe that people... [MORE]	Nick	Jun 3, 2007 22:00
Do you want a President that believes in the scam that is Mormonism? Would you elect a Scientologist President? A... [MORE]	Anon Guy	Jul 22, 2007 13:45
What people believe in matters. What if a candidate (D) doesn't believe in the Constitution? Or how about a Libertarian who... [MORE]	Jim bob	Dec 6, 2007 11:06
Well, I don't agree with the Mormon belief about Lucifer and the one who in human form became Jesus. I don't... [MORE]	Earle	Dec 12, 2007 22:28
Mormonism is a bizarre counterfeit of Christianity that perverts or denies the most essential elements of Judeo-Christian faith while masquerading... [MORE]	Carson Bevan	Dec 13, 2007 00:35
If you are indeed a christian, then you beleive that we havea a Father in Heaven. If this is true,... [MORE]	nate	Feb 1, 2008 18:34
If you are going to try to criticize the LDS (mormon) faith, then you need to get your facts strait.... [MORE]	Nate	Feb 1, 2008 19:45
Judy, I think your question is pretty nit-picky. At least the Romney boys did some kind of service for a... [MORE]	Jim	Jun 2, 2007 21:26
Looking at those professing a desire to be Prisident of this great nation, I wonder WHY anyone being a Morman... [MORE]	Charles Kidd	Jun 2, 2007 16:44
I am a member of the LDS church (Mormon)and sometimes vehemently disagree with many politicians who are active members of... [MORE]	Joe Hagan	Jun 2, 2007 14:31
By and large this was a balanced presentation of the political issue that has been made oout of Mitt Romney... [MORE]	Raymond Takashi Swenson	Jun 1, 2007 14:44
If you thought that your personal bias would be hidden if you attempted to keep the article "balanced", you have... [MORE]	Jan	Jun 1, 2007 13:31
I suspect that Romney's what he appears to be: a decent, clean-cut, successful guy (who had a big headstart by...	Michael Huff	Jun 1, 2007 11:58
There is one are in which I believe Romney's faith does come into play. Romney has stated that, if elected,... [MORE]	Judy Raddue	Jun 1, 2007 11:35
As was stated in this article. I beleive that it is a reprhensible act, to consider a person's faith when... [MORE]	Mark Cortner	Jun 1, 2007 10:53
Orrin Hatch was the most recent Mormon to make a serious bid for the Presidency...circa 2000. [MORE]	phil	Jun 1, 2007 10:48
"Proves Divisive" has certainly NOT been proven. Rather, it is wishful thinking by those who would divert attention from Romney's... [MORE]	Tracy Hall Jr	Jun 1, 2007 09:31
As a young man I served my country as a Vietnam era vet, USAF. And after my service to my country, as... [MORE]	Bob Henstra	Jun 3, 2007 00:31
I am a Mormon who served 20 years in the Air Force, retiring at the rank of Lt. Colonel. My... [MORE]	Raymond Takashi Swenson	Jan 9, 2008 20:13

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Romney's Mormon Faith Proves Divisive