Romney a Notorious Idiot?

[Conan71]

I don't have an article I can point to but the strong sense I've gotten from reportage now and from his prior primary run was that his Mormonism is an issue, specifically with evangelicals.  It's not hard to see.  He's the most morally upstanding guy -- no mistresses, no divorce, one marriage, family values all the way down -- but a significant number of politically powerful evangelists just threw their weight behind Santorum for the SC primary and for the foreseeable future. 

And what's funny is the evangelicals are the ones with multiple marriages, mistresses, toe-tapping incidents, money-laundering, and pandering to family values while having none of their own.

[Gaspar]

I don't have an article I can point to but the strong sense I've gotten from reportage now and from his prior primary run was that his Mormonism is an issue, specifically with evangelicals.  It's not hard to see.  He's the most morally upstanding guy -- no mistresses, no divorce, one marriage, family values all the way down -- but a significant number of politically powerful evangelists just threw their weight behind Santorum for the SC primary and for the foreseeable future. 

I've seen "reporting" about Santorum's evangelical draw, but besides a few fringe ministers and organizations, I've not seen much real momentum. In 08, it was expected that the evangelical support would go with Huckabee and the media widely reported it, however, in the primaries, most of those votes ultimatly went to McCain.  I see the media interpreting things the way they would like, or based on a direction that they are comfortable with, but as we've learned, the media typically breaks with reality.

We are also facing a very different choice in this election.  The strongest issues are not social issues, they are economic.  The group membership of a candidate is far less important than the skills he offers a stagnate economy.  Your various social/environmental/racial/religious goals are of little value if you do not have a job.  You can't save the planet without a dime in your pocket.

I think we have also come to a realization that Cult of Personality is not enough to lead, and advance a country dependent on economic growth.  

[Breadburner]

Mormons are fine. I sure hope we don't ever have to consider a Scientologist though. That's where I draw the line.

Do you think Tom Cruise is the best example of that faith....

[AquaMan]

Balderdash! Balderdash, Mr. G.! The choice is the same as always. Left leaning moderate vs right leaning moderate. Absolutely nothing, other than party talking points, says anything different.

Phrases like "cult of personality" and "death tax" are made up to easily tag a person or issue then villify them. Makes the user sound so sophisticated too. In reality, neither of these candidates or parties has a lock on a surefire way to re-invigorate a world economy decimated by risky business practices, outrageous credit levels and abuses, a diminishing middle class and the aging of a huge baby boom blip of population. Throw in some revolution, some religious fervor, some class warfare and you got a witches brew no one person or party solves easily.

[AquaMan]

Do you think Tom Cruise is the best example of that faith....

He's a good actor. That is all.

I draw my conclusions about the church from stories I've read about them for the last two decades. The most recent one dealt with the growing concentration of power in the church by one individual as relayed by yet two more former executives. That story was carried on Yahoo. When it broke, the response by readers was so negative to the church and so voluminous that Yahoo couldn't edit/censor them fast enough.

[Breadburner]

He's a good actor. That is all.

I draw my conclusions about the church from stories I've read about them for the last two decades. The most recent one dealt with the growing concentration of power in the church by one individual as relayed by yet two more former executives. That story was carried on Yahoo. When it broke, the response by readers was so negative to the church and so voluminous that Yahoo couldn't edit/censor them fast enough.

They seem to act like holier than thow trained robots......

[AquaMan]

They seem to act like holier than thow trained robots......

Let's just say, there are elements of cultism that they exhibit.

[Breadburner]

Let's just say, there are elements of cultism that they exhibit.

Yes...Very euphoric cultism.....

[nathanm]

What do you base this on?  Is someone on the right in the media or talk radio making a big deal about his religion?

Where do you think the anybody but Romney thing comes from?

[Gaspar]

Where do you think the anybody but Romney thing comes from?

This is the only place I've encountered that.  Right here, on this forum.  Actually, really only from your posts.  I guess that's were it comes from. 

[nathanm]

Phrases like "cult of personality" and "death tax" are made up to easily tag a person or issue then villify them. Makes the user sound so sophisticated too.

No, using the phrase "death tax" except in reference to other uses of it makes the user sound clueless.

Gaspar, my posts? One of us is misremembering.

[Gaspar]

No, using the phrase "death tax" except in reference to other uses of it makes the user sound clueless.

Gaspar, my posts? One of us is misremembering.

You are correct.  It seems that RM was the one to bring up "anyone-but-mitt."  Others, including yourself then picked up on it. 

It is not being discussed anywhere else.  The Anyone-but-mit theme came from an ultra conservative radio host, Michael Grahm, out of Boston in March of 2011.  He didn't really harp on it much, but he bought up all of the domain names and derivations. Probably thought he could make some money if the movement took off.  It did not.

I have not heard any conservatives promote the idea, then again, I watch too much liberal media. 

It would be nice for liberals if that theme could take off, because it would provide a nice balance to the bumper-stickers of 04-08' promoting "Anyone but Bush."

[AquaMan]

For heaven's sakes Gas. Ever watch Cup of Joe in the morning? Its talked about every day by the hosts and the guests. Try looking at Yahoo headlines and quotes on MSNBC.com. You can't be that dense. Of course there is a movement. It didn't just start here with Nathan.

[Gaspar]

For heaven's sakes Gas. Ever watch Cup of Joe in the morning? Its talked about every day by the hosts and the guests. Try looking at Yahoo headlines and quotes on MSNBC.com. You can't be that dense. Of course there is a movement. It didn't just start here with Nathan.

I'm not doubting there's a movement, I'm just doubting its popularity. 

I am sure that there is a "movement" for just about everything.

. . .And yes, I am quite dense.  Like a neutron star baby!

[AquaMan]

If dense is the worst thing you get called today, its a pretty good day eh?

One man's movement is another man's breaking wind....