From Deseret News archives:

Romney's off-air defense of faith gets lots of Internet attention

Published: Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 2:18 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
A videotape of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney defending his Mormon faith during an interview with a conservative radio talk-show host in Iowa last week is getting a lot of attention on the Internet.

The video features the sometimes-heated exchange that occurred off the air between Romney and host Jan Mickelson at WHO 1040 and had been viewed more than 136,000 times as of Monday on YouTube.

The interview has also been the subject of several blogs and other columns, with The Politico's Jonathan Martin calling the video "Mitt Unplugged," because "a visibly annoyed Romney spoke in much greater detail about his church's doctrines than he is comfortable doing in public."

Taped during the Aug. 2 in-studio interview, the video was made by the radio station without Romney's knowledge, said Gail Gitcho, a spokeswoman for his campaign. But, she said, "it's the media that cares more about the religious question," not voters.

Mickelson told the Deseret Morning News that the station's usual practice is to videotape all interviews with presidential candidates, and the camera doesn't stop rolling for breaks, although sometimes the videos are edited before being posted online.

Story continues below
This one apparently wasn't. It shows that during a commercial break, Mickelson told Romney, "You're making a big mistake when you distance yourself from your religion" to attract conservative voters, some of whom don't consider Mormons to be Christians.

Mickelson and Romney had gone back and forth on the air about Romney's former pro-choice position and how that squared with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' stance that is generally against abortion, with some exceptions.

"I'm proud of my faith," Romney responded to Mickelson's suggestion. "There is nothing I distance myself from. There are Mormons in the leadership of my church who are pro-choice, and they do not violate that."

The former Massachusetts governor went on to tell Mickelson there is a difference between religious prohibitions and law. Romney used having sex outside of marriage and drinking alcohol as examples. Neither is allowed in the LDS Church.

"Should I say that as governor of Massachusetts, we are stopping alcohol sales? ... No," Romney said, adding that Mormons say, "With the same vehemence that we have our own beliefs, we also vehemently believe other people should be able to make their own choices."

Recent comments

I would love to hear more about what his position is on more of our...

Kathryn | Aug. 21, 2007 at 11:02 a.m.

Mickelson was like an annoying little dog ...I really hope people see...

Linda | Aug. 17, 2007 at 6:38 p.m.

As a lifelong Democrat and former elected official I will vote for...

Jay | Aug. 15, 2007 at 10:32 p.m.

Image
Kathy Moore, Associated Press

Alan Freeman, right, asks candidate Mitt Romney to autograph Freeman's copy of "A Mormon in the White House?" in Tampa, Fla.

previousnext

Latest comments

True. It's not terribly funny and if it has any effect on society, it won't...

Letters: Christian founders

What else would you expect to find in a book called "The Founders on Religion"?

5A: Davis runs over Hunter

Ok not to be rude here, but check the stats, Hinds isnt first in yards and...

t-hinds = best player in utah

Anonymous: Was that English? I though conservatives believed if you are in...

Attack meant to kill apostle

Wow! Glad the Lord kept you safe. Separate comment: That was a horrible...

5A: Bingham rolls to title game

I have never been to a Utah high school game before as I am not from the...

Sponsor for gay-rights bills found

It would behoove the above commenters to recall that religion, including our...

Vandals take advantage of young Utes

Only 8000 attendance? BYU had 16,000+ tonight. What is wrong with Ute fans?...

ian you are the 3A MVP If you win next week so just do it that would be nice....

Advertisements
Advertisement