The 2012 Republican Primary thread, early edition

[Maximus]

I might be, depending on how you define conservative. Mitt's record is, after all, fairly moderate.

And newts record is conservative?

[Uncle Ted]

Texas? I'd expand that to most of the south.

Be careful. Banana boy doesn't consider Texas as part of the south. Hell, a lot of Texans still believe Texas is its own republic.

[calicoug]

I might be, depending on how you define conservative. Mitt's record is, after all, fairly moderate.

I honestly don't know that you can find a definition that casts Newt as more conservative than Mitt. At best- it's a wash.

For Ron Paul, you could come up with a definition, but it would mean all the other "conservatives" aren't all that conservative making it a fairly meaningless application of the term.

I'm honestly surprised at your and others' reluctance to see Mitt's bigger issue with the Republican electorate. It might be overcome (especially if people decide they might actually want to beat Obama), but it won't be easy. I suspect Santorum wins the Iowa primary tomorrow as the first clear shot against Romney's Mormonism.

[LA Ute]

I honestly don't know that you can find a definition that casts Newt as more conservative than Mitt. At best- it's a wash.

For Ron Paul, you could come up with a definition, but it would mean all the other "conservatives" aren't all that conservative making it a fairly meaningless application of the term.

I'm honestly surprised at your and others' reluctance to see Mitt's bigger issue with the Republican electorate. It might be overcome (especially if people decide they might actually want to beat Obama), but it won't be easy. I suspect Santorum wins the Iowa primary tomorrow as the first clear shot against Romney's Mormonism.

Polling data consistently show that Mitt's Mormonism is a bigger problem for Democrats than Republicans.

[Uncle Ted]

Polling data consistently show that Mitt's Mormonism is a bigger problem for Democrats than Republicans Democrats are bigger bigots than Republicans.

FIFY

[pellegrino]

I honestly don't know that you can find a definition that casts Newt as more conservative than Mitt. At best- it's a wash.

For Ron Paul, you could come up with a definition, but it would mean all the other "conservatives" aren't all that conservative making it a fairly meaningless application of the term.

I'm honestly surprised at your and others' reluctance to see Mitt's bigger issue with the Republican electorate. It might be overcome (especially if people decide they might actually want to beat Obama), but it won't be easy. I suspect Santorum wins the Iowa primary tomorrow as the first clear shot against Romney's Mormonism.

I think you're right. If Santorum comes out of nowhere and wins this on the endorsements of a few evangelical preachers and his message that America is looking for "inspirational" leaders then it's quite clear that being a Mormon is a greater liability to Mitt than anyone ever thought. Well, maybe not anyone.

[oxcoug]

Polling data consistently show that Mitt's Mormonism is a bigger problem for Democrats than Republicans.

The exact numbers are: 27% of Dems say they wld never vote for a Mormon, 18% of Republicans.

[pellegrino]

Polling data consistently show that Mitt's Mormonism is a bigger problem for Democrats than Republicans.

The exact numbers are: 27% of Dems say they wld never vote for a Mormon, 18% of Republicans.

Which tells us that America has a problem with Mormons, but then again, this is nothing new.

[LA Ute]

I think you're right. If Santorum comes out of nowhere and wins this on the endorsements of a few evangelical preachers and his message that America is looking for "inspirational" leaders then it's quite clear that being a Mormon is a greater liability to Mitt than anyone ever thought. Well, maybe not anyone.

The irony is that Santorum's a devout Catholic. The Evangelicals in Iowa must dislike Catholics (whose Christianity some of their pastors also question) less than Mormons.

[Jacob]

I think many, like me, believe the Massachusetts Romney is the closer to real life Romney, so count me as one of the stupid ones

I don't think you are stupid, just a bad judge of candidates. After all, you voted for Obama, right?

[Uncle Ted]

Which tells us that America has a problem with Mormons, but then again, this is nothing new.

No, it tells us that a good number of dumbass democrats and republicans have a problem with mormons and there seems to be more dumbasses in the democratic party. I wonder what the numbers are for Libertarians.

[myboynoah]

The irony is that Santorum's a devout Catholic. The Evangelicals in Iowa must dislike Catholics (whose Christianity some of their pastors also question) less than Mormons.

Yes, very ironic.

Even Rick Perry's pastor has said that while he wouldn't support Romney in the primary for religious reasons, he would vote for Romney in an election against Obama. I suspect other anti-Mormon Evangelicals would do the same. They just wouldn't come out in as strong of support as they have shown in past elections, in particular for "W" where they made a difference in places like Ohio.

The level of Romney's Mormon problem will depend greatly on timing and circumstance. Because of the large proportion of Iowa Republican Evangelicals, it's an issue there and nationally right now. I doubt it's an issue in New Hampshire. If Romney can manage to eek out a win in Iowa and then go on to win big in NH, it will probably be less of an issue in South Carolina because the stars will start to align behind him. Then on to Florida where the latest poll shows Romney ahead, so I don't think it will as much of an issue there. If the crazy happens and Romney can win all four, then I think the big Mo takes over, pragmatism sets in, and the issue goes away.

[calicoug]

Polling data consistently show that Mitt's Mormonism is a bigger problem for Democrats than Republicans.

Whether or not that is the case isn't particularly relevant for the Republican primary.

[SeattleUte]

Why would it surprise anybody that Democrats have a bigger problem with Mormons? Nor does this connote any bigotry or moral defect in greater proportion among Mormons.

For one thing, Mormon national politicians are usually Republicans. Democrats don't seem to have a problem with Harry Reid. Also, democrats tend to be on the other side of the divide on the social issues that these days essentially define Mormons. Democrats also have a greater proportion of the people of color disparaged by Mormon doctrines and teachings that have yet ot be repudiated or apologized for.

I'm no democrat. But this is a meaningless point.

[calicoug]

The exact numbers are: 27% of Dems say they wld never vote for a Mormon, 18% of Republicans.

That understates the issue. 37% of evangelicals are less likely to vote for a Mormon and they comprise 44% of primary voters historically.