As if the Mormons’ own statement that “Christianity fell into apostasy but was restored by the prophet Joseph Smith” (again, a statement from http://lds.org) does not separate them from Christianity.

“But Romney is a very effective campaigner, a very likable person, and he will win over the people. Even the evangelicals.”

The guy has been blanketing Iowa and New Hampshire with visits and TV commercials for HOW LONG and still hasn’t been able to pull away? And what is Romney now nationally? Like, third? Behind Rudy Giuliani of all people? If it weren’t for the “Romney is facing anti – Mormon bigotry from evangelicals” copout, people would be talking about how BADLY Romney is faring. Again, this is why Romney’s decision to court evangelicals was bad to begin with. Evangelicals are only in the GOP because of social conservatism to begin with, and evangelicals feel like they were lied to by not only George W. Bush, but the Republican Congress, who took their votes and gave them nothing in terms of a social agenda. Those guys are not going to go for a one term governor who was for abortion and gay rights before he was against it.

Mitt only had a shot when the race was between him and Giulani, forcing evangelicals to choose between a guy with a strong pro – abortion record and a pro – business guy with no real social conservative credentials. When a guy with legitimate social conservative credentials started making a push, what else were they supposed to do?

I keep telling you folks, Mitt needs to give up on the social conservative/evangelical crowd and start competing with Giuliani for the moderate/secular voters. Fred Thompson and John McCain dropping out after New Hampshire will give him an opening to go after their voters. The question is: will they take it?

I will tell you that I am an ardent Romney supporter, and yet I am a pragmatist. I think you should drop this argument. Has it convinced anyone? You’re saying, “Republicans should nominate a loser because it’s the right thing to do.” I have read all your moralizing and philosophizing on this issue, and it hasn’t impressed me one bit. I don’t believe in nominating losers. Do you? Really?

No, all along your argument should have been that Romney IS electable. And this speech he gave hopefully will inspire you to that more effective argument. Yes, there is religious bigotry out there. Yes, there are people who say they won’t vote for Romney because of his religion. But Romney is a very effective campaigner, a very likable person, and he will win over the people. Even the evangelicals.

In fact, while I think that several of the Republican candidates could win the general election, depending on how the campaign goes, I believe that Mitt has the only real chance of pulling off a landslide victory. Once he gets people’s ear, many of them love him.

So dump your philosophizing and moralizing, please, and come back to the real world of politics.
- Dave Hall
President, Mapletree Publishing Company
Denver, Colorado