rvalens2 | 1:48 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Unfortunately, I don't think Mitt is going to be able to turn around anyone's prejudices. Is that fair ... no. As much as I have liked Mitt, I don't see him overcoming overcoming the bias. Given that, I'm supporting Huckabee. The rest of the field leaves a lot to be desired and I have no interest in seeing Hillary become President. That would be the REAL disaster.
Just the Facts | 1:52 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Wow! And to think that 97.9% of all Americans don't care what religion Mitt Romney is and most Evangelical Conservatives won't vote for Mitt anyways because he was a liberal public official.

Keep religion out of this! Mitt's religion has nothing to do with the disdain of the voters.

Apathy does not equal "bias". Nobody cares about the Romney's religion... George, Lenore, or Mitt.
Willard Watcher | 1:58 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
The bias is against Willard, NOT mormons.
Comments continue below
Firestorm | 2:36 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Unfortunately not much has really changed in 160 years
Johnny Utah #9 | 2:55 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
That survey only polled 1200 people. Do you really think that it's accurate to say those opinions match that of the other 300 million people in this country? How many people in this state are voting for him just because he is mormon? Isn't that biased against the other candidates? I mean let's be fair here. The only people that care if he's mormon are mormons. It seems they constantly want to play the "we're being persecuted" card so they continue to make a big deal out of it. 50% of those surveyed didn't even know he was mormon. Give me a break.
Mitt Supporter | 2:56 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Clearly the bias against people of faith shows up in the media. The fact is many good people in public elective office are driven to do and say certain things by their handlers. My feeling is that Mitt's record as the Governor of Massachussets has not been truthfully and fully given to us by the media, nor have they given us the unvarnished truth on any of Mitt's republican competitors. We are left to judge the relative merits of each candidate for ourselves, and dig out the truth on our own. Let's wait to hear from Mitt as he speaks on Thursday. I for one am supporting Mitt based on the current knowledge available. He is principled and has republican core values.
Paperboy | 2:59 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Perhaps one should look at this as an excellent opportunity for Mormons and the LDS church to get beyond the longstanding persecution complex. Mormons are now in the big league and need to act like responsible leaders. They need to reach out and embrace diversity; reach out and understand and empathize with the position of the other side. They need to move beyond an "Us vs Them" mentality. Its a big step. I wonder if Mormons are ready?
Roger | 3:03 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
It seems that this research�or at least the reporting of it�doesn�t do enough to distinguish the biasness of the Evangelicals from the non-Evangelicals. I would think that among the non-Evangelicals, Romney�s Mormonism is a quaint thing that they might like to hear a pat answer to, and otherwise won't consider an issue.

But trying to explain to Evangelicals that it is perfectly ok to vote for a Mormon would be like explaining to them that it is perfectly ok to vote for a Muslim or an atheist or a gay. Their bigotry is deep, and barring a repudiation of his faith, I doubt there is much Romney could say, other than �vote for me because I�m the lesser of two evils.� He can�t tell them to leave religion out of it, because their desire to put religion into it is the reason they vote.

The irony of Mormons wanting to be political bedfellows with these characters is classic.
Chuck | 3:10 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Tricky situation.

When the Supreme Court came down with the decision of no prayer at football games, my LDS cousins had e-mails flying everywhere, saying they were taking God out of schools and how wrong it was.

I sent them all a copy of the case. It was filed by a Catholic mother and an LDS mother.

People don't realize how deep the Christian Right Wing's hatred of Mormons run.

My 4 year old daughter was not even considered for acceptance to a "Christian Academy" in So. Cal. because we were LDS, my Catholic buddy's daughter, same thing.

My other buddy doesn't go to any church, and his daughter, no problem.

It's a big hurdle, and bigot's don't privately care if you label them a bigot, they know they are.

Tricky.

Waldo | 3:11 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Mitt Supporter:

You misunderstand the situation. The huge bias that Romney needs to overcome is the biasness *of* people of faith. People without faith are rare and tend to be liberals anyway. The ones who are the most biased are the ones with the most faith: the evanglical christians. It isn't the media's fault they are that way; it is their religion's fault.
Counterproductive defense | 3:23 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
I believe that the Bible belt may be the only area that is biased enough against mormons to matter, because it is so religious. One speach isn't going to change that, any good it does there will be undone by making less religious people spiteful that religion is even raised as a key issue.
Mormon Against Romney | 3:50 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
If Mitt Romney was an Evangelical Christian, no Conservative Republican would vote for him either. The bias isn't against people of faith. The bias is against liberal politicians.
Steve | 4:09 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
These people aren't upset about Romney's religion (Christianity), it's the church he is a member of they don't like. So it's his church, not his religion he's defending/explaining tomorrow. Hopefully he includes many things this article suggests he should address and how. Focus on the common ground between the LDS Church and other Christian faiths only rather than delving into "we're Christian too".
Johnny Utah #9 | 4:17 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
You show your lack of education by disbelieving that sample size. Anyone with a statistical background will tell you that is a huge sample size with very good accuracy, it matters more how they did their sampling and other protocole. But it is is to debunk something you do not understand or are biased against(such as stats, mormons, romney, etc.)
Babe Ruth | 4:20 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Hillary's worst nightmare -- Mitt Romney hits a home run tomorrow and goes on to win the Republican nomination.
Amazed | 4:29 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Well Paperboy, it is easy to see that you don't even see what you are saying. "Mormons" and the LDS church are one in the same. You said Mormons "and" the LDS Church. I am not a member of that faith but at least I understand that they are the same. And it is brutally obvious that you have never even looked into what the LDS church does to promote diversity and acceptance of anyone no matter what their faith. You are merely quoting what you have heard others say or you could not make such irrational statements. Why don't you actually research their faith. Sheesh!!!!!
Cathy | 4:48 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Paperboy, I have to agree with Amazed. You have never researched their faith. Not being a member of the LDS church, we as true Christians accept that they are allowed to worship how they see fit. The confusion between the "LDS Church" and "Mormons is nothing new. There was mayor of a small town in the south that held a news conference after hurricane Katrina devastated his town. He said " I want to thank all of the volunteers, especially the LDS church and especially the Mormons for their help". And that churches persecution is a matter of historical fact. In the early history of the church it was sometimes them against everyone else, but it has not been that way for the past 130-140 years or so. Your ignorance of the true nature of their faith, whether you believe it or not. is showing.
Zed | 4:52 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Those that have commented that there is no Mormon bias are just wrong. Read the political blogs for any Romney column or topic and the religious intolerence is incredible.

I believe the survey is pretty accurate.
Opportunity | 4:56 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
I found the fact that only 50% of the survey knew he was Mormon. I would be interested in seeing the bias of the 50%, though. I do think that as has been said by many analysts that the biggest obstacle is misunderstanding. Of course there is a bias against Mormons. I am one. Then again, there are those who will vote for him just because he is (which also shows igorance on our part voting for him being Mormon, per se).
If you have lived anywhere outside of Utah you will know that just being different can create bias, but not a huge bias. Many didn't know what his faith was, many don't know what it is. Here's his chance to educate those who care. It can help alot. On the other hand... I hope we do the same (LDS Members) looking at all possible candidates to vote for even those who are Democrats.
Kelli A. | 5:11 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
This article is so poorly written than I have NO idea what information it's attempting to share with the readers.
$$$$ Smart! | 5:37 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Paperboy�s arrogant ignorance shows the lack of historical study. LDS members do not have an US vs. THEM mentality. Their many global charitable activities demonstrates this is a false analysis. Other groups themselves have acted under that mantra for years against Mormons. This is the reason that Romney has to give this speech. Recall people, it is the media that has been begging for this speech. Not Romney or the LDS church!

Onto Johnny Utah #9 - your lack of knowledge of Statistics, history, politics and your obvious bias against Mormons discounts your comments. To participate in a public discussion, do your homework.

No, I�m not a Mormon, but so far, my vote is for someone with proven fiscal experience. To date Romney is the only one to demonstrate he acts fiscally responsibly. The coffers only have so much. Many are tired of communities/groups/causes voting themselves a raise/handout at taxpayers� expense. If you can�t afford it, you can�t have it. My mom taught me that. Romney created Bain (Google that Johnny), and worked "successfully" with Massachusetts democrats to dig that state out of a mess. The US could use some of this kind of help.
Tim | 6:01 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
I am responding to Amazed and Cathy responses to Paperboy. I am from Chicago and have lived in St.Louis, Denver and Massapequa, New York as well as Peru, Mexico and Central America (Guatemala and Costa Rica). While attending graduate school at the University of Oregon in Eugene (a very liberal campus) I was converted to the LDS (Mormon) faith. I only mention all of this because I embraced this faith with exposure to many cultures and having lived in many parts of this country. The heart and soul of this man, Mitt Romney, which includes his deep and abiding Christian faith makes him an excellent candidate for President. He has impeccable credentials. You take just the humanitarian efforts of this church any place in the world and they are on the front edge every time. They have very high family values. They are also above the national average in: health and education. For a nation that was founded on religious freedom and to make religion an issue is an unfortunate. If you really look at what we do and what we stand for you may change your opinion. I kindly ask you to do so.
Quit; the whining! | 6:02 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
The Deseret News is inciting Mormon emotionalism one more time. Atheists and Muslims share the same quandary. American voters wont elect member of these two groups of our fellow Americans. The Deseret News loves to play the LDS Church card without seeing America is a nation of many bias.

Enjoy! This election, like a Christmas package, can still hold something miraculous.

Mitt, will speak with scores of flags as a back drop. Mitt will avoid LDS scriptural references for a global statement on liberals attacking on faith in public places. He will point his finger at the evils of secularism. His speak will use three or more biblical quotes.

Mitt is truly blessed. When Mitt looses he can blame hared of Mormonism. All the other candidates that loose will be forced to blame themselves and their platform.
To $$$ Smart! | 6:15 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
You're right. When it comes to our leaders acting as stewards of our $$$, they have done a pretty poor job and (based off his record) I think Romney would be the best steward of all, financially speaking. During the YouTube debate a week or so ago, he reprimanded Huckabee for giving scholarships to illegals and basically said, it was a good gesture and well intentioned, but it's not your (Huckabee's) money to do that type of thing. It's the taxpayers money and it should go to benefit them.

I still don't think that alone will get me to vote for him. But we'll see.
Robert | 6:23 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
50 years ago when I was raised LDS, Mormons were Mormons, the only true church and Christians were the abominable church. Somewhere along the way Mormons started calling themselves Christians that have the fulness of the gospel. Now they are Christians and are the only true church on earth.
If Mormons had stayed Mormons there wouldn't be much emphasis on Romney's religion but since our nation was founded on Christianity, a Mormon running for president that says he is Christian throws the emphasis on his faith.
Vernal roid | 6:37 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
It's crazy, Bill clinton had a bad reputation as a womanizer before he was in the white house, and no one seemed to care. Now we are worried about someones religion? Wow, where are our values? Messed up don't ya think
Robert | 6:49 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
It's the foundational deep rooted values of Mormonism is why the spotlight is on Romney's faith!
true blue | 6:50 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
The problem with Mitt is he is running in an election when the focus is off of the economy and on foreign affairs. He would make a great running mate though.

I'm not excited about this election. The only two viable
Shaun Williams - Phoenix,Az | 6:50 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
I am not going to cast my vote for Mitt even though he is a fellow Mormon, he has no chance of winning the election, speech or no speech he has NO chance of becoming the nations President. I along with many fellow Mormons will go to the polls and cast our votes for other candidates other than Mitt. I don't give a hoot that he is a Mormon, I am concerned that he just can't seem to give me a square answer to the vital issues of the day that are facing this country, he is all over the board with his answers. I want a solid and square candidate in the nations top political office and Mitt does not fir the bill for me, is he a fine man? you bet he is, just not presidental material.
Jon | 7:13 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Robert, your comments make no sense. How can you truly believe what you say when the foundation of the Mormon church is, was, and always will be Jesus Christ (aka Christian). You my friend are obviously a bias man who creates misconceptions about the church (as talked about in the article) based on some bad experience you probably had when you left the church. Just because you were once a member of the church does not mean you have any basis in your harsh words towards the church. I bet you can't even remember your best friend's name from 50 years ago let alone the true values of the Mormon church. I bet Paperboy has more knowledge about the church than you do. Please do your research and understand something before you talk bad about it.
Anonymous | 7:52 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
There's bias in a supposedly religiously tolerant society, the last line of the article claims.
No way. Really?
Buddy must be pretty new to Utah.
JT | 8:03 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
I agree about the persecution complex, but I tend to find biases most vehemently conveyed in comment sections and message boards, where road rage can fly freely on the information superhighway. In the GOP field, Romney's my third choice. McCain would be best, and I think Ron Paul has some fun, different ideas. I'm against Giuliani for his superhawk stance and constant womanizing, and Huckabee for raising taxes every chance he got in Arkansas and now he's coyly courting the anti-Mormon vote.
Mahonri | 8:21 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Sure there is a bias against Mormons. Just about everywhere they have been the people have finally have had enough of their attitude and have run them out. It wasn't because they were good neighbors. Almost any group in large numbers is difficult to take. A large group that insists God favors them above all others is even more problematical. Then you have their leaders telling the locals they will convert or be trampled underfoot and it is no wonder they were run out of Missouri and other places.
Hope Romney wises up and pulls out quickly before he is humiliated too badly.
JABianchi | 8:41 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
I'm disturbed by how the actual polling was done. If the respondents (very few, I might add) were not asked if they would vote for a Mormon president, what question exactly shows a political bias? Did the survey simply tell evangelicals that "mormons are so christian"? If an evangelicals religious beliefs contradict those of mormons, is that the definition of bias nowadays? Does everyone need to have a uniformity of belief in religious relativism in order to be tolerant?

I am an evangelical who is very impressed with Romney's political record, and am seriously considering voting for him. But I don't appreciate being patronized, and assumed to have a blind political bias against Mitt, just because I disagree with his religious beliefs.
Robbie | 8:49 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Mitt will do well tommorrow. His faith and Our Father in Heaven will be with him. How more prepared or justified can he be.

CTR,
Robbie J.
CougerKeith | 9:34 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
AMEN BROTHER ROBBIE!! I have a great feeling about this and it will help the perception of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and bring those oppose us into enlightenment. Win or lose Brother Romney appears to have the the calling of bringing us into the spotlight. No matter the outcome of the election this is a good thing as Romney can do in a few hours what 60,000 missionaries could not do in a year. Good luck Brother Romney and if our father does not deam the presidency in your favor at least we have had the opportunity to spread the good intention of the LDS religion among those out of the fold.
Another Shawn in AZ | 9:39 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
I agree with "Shaun Williams - Phoenix,Az" As a fellow member of the LDS faith I really believe that Mitt is pulling the wool over all your eyes. You follow him because he is a "Mormon". Look at his liberal (Socialist) record in Massachusetts. Ron Paul is the one who can save the Constitution which is very close to hanging by a thread. Duncan Hunter is a close second. I'll vote for Ron Paul.
Awake & Grounded | 9:40 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
On 8:49 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007 Robbie wrote:

Mitt will do well tommorrow. His faith and Our Father in Heaven will be with him. How more prepared or justified can he be.

Robbie, you seem to forget that all the faith in the world and God's will will in no wise impinge itself upon the will or choosing of rhe people. Remember, it's freedom of choice that stands at the core of everything Mormons are supposed to hold dear to their hears. Mitt Romney understood this when he took the stance that Choice {Right to Choose) was more sacred than Life (Pro-Life) itself, especially since this issue of 'Choice' is what the War in Heaven was fought over, and sadly, Romney put political expediency ahead of his real convictions and principles for the sake of high office.

I'd say all of this makes him more of a flip-floper than John Kerry was accused of being in the 2004 prez election, and as we now know, Flip-Floppers don't win elections!
Dany | 9:57 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Too bad more people can not be more rational and even handed like JABianchi and less like Mahonri possibly then we could simply look at the candidates based an individal political merits and vote without bias instead of celebrating the masacaring and torturing of a people, any people, while being driven from their homes. Possibly a history lesson on the Mormons extermination order that lead to their being driven from their homes in Missouri would assist Mahonri to see that no one regardless of his evident bias should have the fear for the saftey of their family in support of their religious beliefs
Mel Kizedek | 10:14 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
If Mitt can be utterly deceived to believe in an American-bred religion containing zero historical fact, what else as president will he be deceived in?

The true Jesus has historical validation. It's not a blind faith such as what the General Assembly, Prophets, and Apostles require. Repent and believe in the true Christ.
welch | 10:22 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Mitt has no principles will say what he needs to say to try and get elected, this guy sold his soul years ago.
Tom | 10:31 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
Anyone that calls Mitt Romney Brother Romney is voting for him because he is a mormon. I am not voting for him because he is a mormon. I guess we are both religious bigots. We are friends after all!
chasetherapist | 10:37 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
If many people knew Mitt, they could trace down his feelings that he would eventually run for president way back to his 30's or way into his childhood. The Holy Ghost helps prepare people to do what they were put on earth to do and running for President is one of those things for him. Hillary also thought when she was a young child that she wanted to run for president. These are all life-long ambitions and divine directions for some of these candidates to run. I hope he does a marvelous thing tomorrow and as time has progressed, even though I was at first for Guilliani, I'm being persuaded to vote for Mitt. He has the credentials
My goodness, to Mel kizedek! If Peter, James, and John appeared to you and said Jesus Christ had sent them to give the true authority to you to act in God's name that they had--and was once named from none other than Melchizedek, a high priest-- wouldn't you listen and obey? The fact that there are prophets and apostles today has the greatest historical validation--and our present ones didn't give the name to themselves by running for the office. Think!
Sara | 10:52 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
For us in Utah Mitt will represent well. He has some liberal tendencies but fits into our voting pattern of republican and Latter-Day Saints. This has served our state well and I perceive this will serve the nation well. It is just common sense of the LDS dictation of moral values and running of government will improve our central governmant. It is all a good thing and Godspeed Brother Romney, you are in need of turning around this country. Good luck tomorrow.
Line in the Sand | 11:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007
I've had substantial interaction with Evangelical Christians. Many have drawn a line in the sand, and that line doesn't allow the LDS contingent to be considered as part of the Christian family. There is no wiggle room on this issue. The LDS may be wonderful people with tremendous family values, and the desire and capacity to assist others throughout the world, but at the end of the day, they are going to hell because of their doctrinal stance.

For this reason, I see many Evangelicals voting for Huckabee, and against Mitt Romney.
Dustin Van Orman | 12:42 a.m. Dec. 6, 2007
People aren't afraid of Romney's Mormon faith, but some of the things associated with a man of faith (I.E. Bush's compassionate conservative).

This election will not prevent Romney from getting office because he is Mormon, but rather because he is a bad candidate with a view on issues people don't agree with.

People though, I agree, need to stop voting for people of the same faith and begin voting for people who will begin to change America and help the 20-25% of Americans in the lowest class, or the economy in which 80% of people are declining from the position their parents were. I am voting for Obama (yes a liberal) because he is consistent in the view of America that promotes these changes.
South Africa Cape Town | 2:27 a.m. Dec. 6, 2007
By the way as we all know it�s not the president running the country, but the big multi national companies so it really doesn�t matter if Mit Romney is elected or not he would only be a Puppet. Politics is terrible I�m from South Africa and the next President in Line has been acquitted on a rape charge try to remove the HIV virus by taking a shower and are standing trial on a corruption charge so consider yourselves very very lucky.
Machiavellian | 6:49 p.m. Dec. 6, 2007
The Mormon church is a very aggressive growth centered institution. It is built like a company bent on achieving dominance. They have acquired a number of important companies like American Express. They are involved in the media and own radio stations, most notable Conservative radio stations.

They are controlling content. They are showing favoritism in their lineup. They have LDS ads running on the channel every day. While Mitt Romney is a individual of excellence, I don't think any American wants to see a strong Mormon church it would errode our very liberty. We're talking about a people that water down their beer.

Wear special underwear. Give up so much of their independance to their church. Behave in cultish ways where leaders within the Mormon gamut like Warren Jeffs do unspeakable things. Where did this legacy of control come from? It's undeniable that it does exist, and it is a problem. The Mormons are also very exclusive and natural nepotists.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

Related content
Advertisement
previousnext

Latest comments

Are students safe from predators?

Under current Utah law and funding, background checks for guns receive...

Are students safe from predators?

For an adult male educator to take advantage of a young teen girl, is wrong,...

Lawyers earn fees from own laws

By minorities I assume they are talking about illegal alien representatives...

If there is concern about misconceptions, the LDS Church as a body should...

Sometimes I think that all the fast-food, junk food, and marginally poisonous...

GET READY FOR UTAH! GO UTES! BEAT THE COUGS!

Interesting to read how many Democrats here in the comments want him to...

Wounded Utes limp home

Hey BYU fans, we may not have beat TCU, but that team down south is still yet...

TCU won't move up into the top 2... it's the system that is rigged for the...

What makes the most since is that Utah joins the PAC 10, at that point things...

Advertisements
Advertisement