Romney, VP and the \"Mormon thing\"

As pundits look at John

McCain's choices for his vice presidential running mate, most point to Mitt

Romney as the frontrunner for the GOP veep slot. In fact, some are already predicting the announcement this week. But, again for most

commentators, they can't help but bring up what one called Romney's "Mormon

thing." For some, Romney's faith is an attraction, but for many it remains a

negative.David Gregory quoted Hugh Hewitt on MSNBC's "Race for the

President":"Romney's 'Ms'," as he says, "the message on

the economy, his and his supporters' money, the Mormons, and the enthusiasm they would

bring to the campaign, especially in Mormon-heavy states like Colorado and

Nevada, and, of course, Romney's ties to his home state Michigan, make the case

for choosing Romney very strong. An early selection would give the campaign a

huge lift throughout the summer, one that could keep the already lower-

than-expected Obama lead in the single digits."Ken Herman, with the Cox Washington Bureau, cites Romney's experience as

Massachusetts governor, his leadership of the 2002 Winter Olympics and the fact

he drew more than four million primary votes as strengths. In the weaknesses

column, he said McCain and Romney will have some explaining to do about their

acrimony during the primary."In addition,

Romney's Mormon faith was

an issue for some evangelical Christians in the primaries," Herman

wrote.In a recent column by Seth

Gitell in the New York Sun, Gitell said McCain should choose Romney as his running

mate."Moreover,

Mr. Romney brings succor to Mr. McCain geographically as well. The son of a

former governor of Michigan, Mr. Romney could aid Mr. McCain in the industrial