Meet Mitt Romney’s cousin
This isn’t necessarily bad news for Mitt Romney. In most cases, family antics are more embarrassing than politically damaging. And the emergence of a “crazy cousin” might remind voters that Romney, a candidate who too often comes across as programmed, is just like the rest of us.
Some might argue that the best response to Park Romney’s anti-Mormonism is to ignore him. I have no sympathy for his message; I find his claim that Mitt Romney’s policy positions would be based on “obedience to the leadership of the Mormon church” to be preposterous.
But we don’t ignore the birther movement, anti-Semites on the left, Tea Party racists or people who encourage violence on the airwaves, and I don’t think Park Romney should be ignored either.
His sentiments, unfortunately, are not fringe views: As my Post colleague Charles Lane pointed out recently, more than one in five Americans, Democrats and Republicans alike, tell Gallup they wouldn’t vote for a Mormon presidential candidate from their own party. And now we have Newt Gingrich flirting with that segment of the population on the stump: He’s calling for a defense of “our religions” and accusing Mitt Romney of discriminating against Catholics and Jews.
For that reason, Park Romney’s use of the family name is part of something darker than Billy’s beer. The anti-Mormonism he represents should be examined in the light of day.
Some might argue that the best response to Park Romney’s anti-Mormonism is to ignore him. I have no sympathy for his message; I find his claim that Mitt Romney’s policy positions would be based on “obedience to the leadership of the Mormon church” to be preposterous.
But we don’t ignore the birther movement, anti-Semites on the left, Tea Party racists or people who encourage violence on the airwaves, and I don’t think Park Romney should be ignored either.
His sentiments, unfortunately, are not fringe views: As my Post colleague Charles Lane pointed out recently, more than one in five Americans, Democrats and Republicans alike, tell Gallup they wouldn’t vote for a Mormon presidential candidate from their own party. And now we have Newt Gingrich flirting with that segment of the population on the stump: He’s calling for a defense of “our religions” and accusing Mitt Romney of discriminating against Catholics and Jews.
For that reason, Park Romney’s use of the family name is part of something darker than Billy’s beer. The anti-Mormonism he represents should be examined in the light of day.
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