Bruce Feiler - Where God Was Born, Abraham, Walking The Bible

The Mormon Attacks Begin
Friday, June 22, 2007

So far, the questions about Romney's Mormonism have come from the press. Now, his rivals begin.

In a presidential race in which Romney's candidacy is testing the country's attitudes toward Mormonism, the comments by a McCain representative in Iowa are the latest of several instances of rival campaign operatives trying to bring Romney's faith onto the campaign playing field. Over the past year, staff or volunteers from at least three opposing campaigns have, at times subtly and at times not, spread negative information about Mormons in an apparent effort to damage Romney's bid for the presidency.

McCain , of Arizona, and his campaign disavow attempts by supporters to highlight Romney's faith, and other campaigns have also resolutely rejected using religion as a weapon. But while the impact of the anti-Mormon messages is difficult to measure, the number of incidents suggests that Romney's religion will remain a tempting target for political opponents seeking a competitive edge.

The most recent example came to light earlier this week when the Washington Post reported that Emma Nemecek, an Iowa field operative for Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas, had recently forwarded an e-mail to Iowa Republicans containing a number of criticisms of Mormonism, including a charge that it is not a Christian faith. The e-mail closed with a quote from a Founding Father, John Jay: "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

Labels: God in Politics

Posted by B Feiler at 10:30 AM
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