Drip, drip, drip…and before you know it, you’ve got a meme
A few weeks ago Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz responded to the idea that in the presidential campaign Democrats will use religion against Mitt Romney:
“That suggestion is utter nonsense. Let’s remember that President Obama has had so many things hurled at him – birth certificate questions, whether he is or is not a Christian,” Wasserman Schultz continued. “For them to suggest that religion will be injected [into the election] by President Obama and the Democratic Party, I mean, I think they need to take a look inward at the accusations that their party and their supporters have hurled before they take that step.”
Well, when it comes to injecting religion into the campaign, there is more than one way to skin a Mormon– I mean, a cat. In today’s digital world it’s pretty easy to do, without dirtying the Obama campaign’s hands at all. Here are some examples.
“Whoops, I Did It Again”
At Governors Journal, Dean Pagani offers an interesting analysis and summation of the Brian Schweitzer story, which John wrote about last week here. Readers will recall that Schweitzer, the Democratic Governor of Montana, said Mitt Romney’s family roots were in “a polygamy commune in Mexico.” Pagani:
Politicians subtlety tossing out ideas with or without making a direct charge is nothing new. It happens every day in big and small campaigns across the country. What is slightly new is how it impacts the flow of information on the Internet. If there wasn’t before; as a result of Schweitzer’s comments there’s now a link you can be led to if you search for the words “Romney and polygamy” together. A link that suggests polygamy is just one generation removed from Romney himself.
It has been reliably reported that one of the strategies of the Obama campaign is to create a narrative that Romney is just plain weird. A charge has been made that his wife has “never worked a day in her life” and now a suggestion has been made that his family lived in a “polygamy commune.”
In each case the response from the Obama campaign has been the same; repeat the charge while renouncing it. In the face of a growing pattern, it’s becoming more difficult to give Democrats the benefit of the doubt when they mis-speak about their probable opponent.
(Emphasis added.) Pagani does seem to be on to something. So far we’ve seen the same pattern at least three times:
- On MSNBC, Lawrence O’Donnell makes a blistering attack on Romney and his Mormon faith. The digital communications world (blogosphere, Twitterverse, Facebook) explodes over O’Donnell’s remarks; the MSM dutifully reports on the story (except Meet the Press’s David Gregory, who wanted to pretend the story didn’t exist); Debbie Wasserman Schultz tells a national TV audience that such attacks are unacceptable and the Democrats won’t use religion against Romney.
- Hilary Rosen, a Democratic operative with close ties to the White House (visiting there over 30 times during the Obama Administration, including 5 meetings in which the president himself was present), says Ann Romney has “never worked a day in her life.” The same pattern unfolds, except David Axelrod and eventually President Obama himself both come out and says the candidate’s families are out of bounds.
- Brian Schweitzer runs his “polygamy commune” schtick.
Do you see how this works? Let someone else make the outrageous statement, then distance yourself from it. No denunciation, mind you; a mere disavowal will do. Meanwhile, the meme develops. How many people who heard about the above three statements actually took the time to investigate whether O’Donnell’s anti-Mormon screed was accurate (it wasn’t); or that Hilary Rosen’s attack on Mrs. Romney was not a fair representation of Ann’s life or of Mormon family life generally; or that one has to go back to Mitt Romney’s great-great grandfather to find a polygamist?
Meanwhile, some Democrats are worried about their own Anti-Mormon Problem
So far only Peter Beinart has raised that daring (for a left-liberal) idea, but that’s a good start. Beinart, who has shown a willingness to engage with conservatives, thinks that “Democrats Have Bigger Anti-Mormon Problem in Election Than GOP Has.” The whole thing is well worth reading; Key excerpts:
Despite the media’s obsession with the alleged anti-Mormonism of evangelical Christians, the party with the larger anti-Mormon problem is the Democrats. According to Gallup, while only 18 percent of Republicans said they would oppose a Mormon candidate, among Democrats the figure was 27 percent. As if on cue, Montana’s Democratic governor, Brian Schweitzer, last week volunteered that women would not back Romney because his father was “born on a polygamy commune in Mexico.”
To its credit, the Obama campaign repudiated Schweitzer’s statement. But between now and Election Day, anti-Mormonism is going to be the Democratic Party’s constant temptation for one simple reason: there are votes in it….
One reason Democrats may be more anti-Mormon than Republicans is that Democrats, on average, are more secular. Devout Protestants, Catholics, and Jews may be more tolerant of Mormonism because they understand from firsthand experience the comfort and strength that religious commitment brings. Many secular Democrats, by contrast, may start with the assumption that religious orthodoxy produces irrationality and intolerance…. Democrats may exhibit greater suspicion of Mormonism, in other words, because they exhibit greater suspicion of all organized religion. It’s just that anti-Mormonism is still socially acceptable enough to confess to a pollster.
The second way in which Democrats justify their anti-Mormonism is via the LDS Church’s own flirtation with bigotry…. It wouldn’t be surprising, therefore, if one reason Democrats are more anti-Mormon than Republicans is because African-Americans, gays, and lesbians are more anti-Mormon. But using the church’s historic (and even present-day) intolerance to justify intolerance toward its members is idiotic. LDS is hardly the only faith with a history of antiblack racism, and individual Mormons should be held no more responsible for the LDS Church’s antigay views than individual Catholics should be held responsible for the Vatican’s….
It’s important that Barack Obama wins this election, but for the country’s sake, it’s important that Mormonism not lose.
Joanna Brooks, a left-of-center Mormon writer, disagrees in Why Peter Beinart is Wrong on Democrats and Anti-Mormonism. We’ll leave it to you to decide who’s right. I think Brooks is too willing to give liberals a pass for insisting that Romney’s religion be explored for hints as to how his church’s teachings might influence his policy positions. I’ll go along with that analysis as soon as someone can show me any historical precedent for a U.S. presidential candidate being required to address the connection between his religious faith and his policy positions.
The Dog-Whistle Problem
Jonah Goldberg notes yet another way in which the drip-drip-drip of the “Mormon meme” development can be accomplished. On Special Report last night (video and story here), a “Democrat strategist” named Ryan Clayton said:
I don’t think people should be attacking Mitt Romney for his faith, just like they shouldn’t be attacking President Obama for his Christianity. You know, faith and politics, if you mix it together, becomes kind of a tinder box and can explode in your face.
Jonah notes:
I’m not saying that was Clayton’s intent [to comment on whether or not Mormonism is Christian] or that he doesn’t have the right to say it if it was, but you can see in the outlines of this formulation a way for Democrats to dogwhistle Romney’s Mormonism relentlessly. “I for one will not attack anyone’s religion, be they devout Christian or whatever the Hell Mitt Romney is.” I expect to hear more of it, a lot more of it.
So do we. Everyone needs to watch this. We must avoid crying “bigotry” where there is none, but people of good will need to speak up when the anti-Mormon game is being played, however subtly. We want Mitt Romney to win the presidency, but to paraphrase Beinart, when it comes to the spirit of Article VI of the Constitution, it’s even more important that the country not lose.
Posted in News Media Bias, Political Strategy, Religious Bigotry | 4 Comments » | 
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JLF9999 on 25 Apr 2012 at 8:18 am #
What worked among Republicans in the primaries will not work with independents in the general election. The difference seems to be Evangelicals. Romney’s opponents played on the uniqueness and differences of his religious beliefs in the several states that he lost but he won in the other states where Evangelicals did not have as large a presence. He even won among Catholics against two Catholics.
The only common themes Newt and Rick used against him were RomneyCare and a couple other things but I can’t recall what they were now. That is issue isn’t it? If I can’t recall off hand – and I am a political junkie – how much weight will these other issues have with people who are not glued to political happenings? I am sure Obama and company will try everything. It is what dieing campagns do. But among moderatley savvy independant voters, the only things that seem to matter are jobs and the economy. All the other stuff like Mormonism are side shows.
In a side note, I actually kind of feel bad about Barack Obama. As a teenager I watched the civil rights movement take shape on TV and read about heros and villians and engaged in the discussions like others did. I feel like a bit of a kindred spirit with black folks because I too felt the sting of discrimnation at the hands of my firends. In a way, defeating Barack Obama is almost a sad thing. The first black president being so bad at the job is really disappointing. But we have a greater challenge ahead and that requires new blood. I am happy to say that the next American president will probably be a Mormon. That is comforting.
What “Distance”? | Article VI Blog | John Schroeder on 25 Apr 2012 at 1:07 pm #
[...] CommentsJLF9999 on Drip, drip, drip…and before you know it, you’ve got a memecoltakashi on When Subtlety Left The Building (and Grace, and Good Humor, and Wit)Drip, drip, [...]
Rockgod28 on 25 Apr 2012 at 1:17 pm #
Since MSNBC got in trouble with O’Donnell and Bashir attacking Mormonism there is a new media outlet carrying out Team Obama’s campaign message that might be a trap.
CNN.
CNN ran the story on Liberty University when the comments on the college’s facebook page was not even by students and those students who did comment (2 by the way) are not even close to graduation. It was a fabrication, a made up news story.
Now CNN is attempting to be fair in their coverage of Mitt Romney as a Mormon Bishop doing background since the Romney campaign does not satisfy their questions or inquires.
Is it genuine journalism or is it a trap?
We will see.
The sides have already been drawn. President Barak Obama is a failed president and as time gets closer to the election other revelations like the GSA, CIA or that Obama “ate dog away from the dinner table” (his own words from his book and voice is available to hear for yourself) will come to the American people’s attention.
Team Obama’s game plan has been exposed. There is nothing the President can do to win the election.
The momentum is all on the Republican side.
Team Obama attacks Mitt Romney on race: Marc Rubio or Allen West could become the VP.
Team Obama attacks Mitt Romney on religion: Give personal stories of service and practices Mormons are know for.
Team Obama attacks Mitt Romney on class: Oops already tried that and it failed.
There is no where to go for Obama. Everything else is a reminder of his failure.
CNN might be reading the way the political winds are blowing that is my hope, however that might be too much to hope for as the election gets closer.
Phil T. on 25 Apr 2012 at 9:37 pm #
I know Mr. O’Donnell apologized but his shallow fact checking is still up on youtube. I finally faxed this letter to MSNBC after explaining my plight as follows. “I mailed the letter which follows certified, return receipt requested to NBC and it was refused 3/17/12. I sent the same letter to NBC’s parent company, General Electric and they accepted it. Need I say more about a “news” firm that refuses to gather the facts so its viewers continue to remain strangers to the truth?”
April 10, 2012
CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
File No. 2012Relig.Intol.001
NBC News
Attn: Mr. Phil Griffin, President
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112
Subject: Mr. Larry O’Donnell
Dear Mr. Griffin:
Mormons – members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – have fought and died defending America’s religious freedom along side Jews and other Christian and Non-Christian denominations.
Besides their sacrifice to help protect America’s “first freedom” (i.e. religious), freedoms of speech, the press, etc. were also preserved.
I’m writing to inform you about my displeasure with remarks made by Mr. Larry O’Donnell about members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLDS).
False Accusations
“[Larry] O’Donnell has a well demonstrated hostility to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons)[26]. It is typically exhibited along with the use of demonstrably incorrect facts. In a December of [2007] edition of the Mclaughlin Group, O’Donnell became loudly hostile while repeating provably incorrect assertions about the doctrines of the church related to people of African ancestry[27]. [Please click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aWjIpkxcak. In April of 2012 a more calm O'Donnell again deployed unsubstantiated opinion and demonstrably historical errors to criticize the church - this time related to the chain of events that led to the establishment of the religion - during his own MSNBC show[28] .” (Wikipedia 04/04/2012).
I printed the entire article from which the above quote was pulled. The next day (04/05/12) it was deleted from the Controversy section of the article.
On his 03APR2012 “The Last Word” show on MSNBC, Larry O’Donnell says Mormonism is a religion “invented” by Joseph Smith to excuse his infidelity. These anti-Mormon comments made by an employee of MSNBC were inappropriate, offensive and bigoted. (Please click below)
http://www.mrctv.org/videos/larry-odonnell-again-attacks-romneys-religion-mormonism-invented-excuse-infidelity
On the other hand I find MSNBC’s and Mr. O’Donnell’s philanthropy very kind hearted and generous. It reminded me of the scripture, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:16)
Philanthropy – MSNBC & UNICEF
“In late 2010 O’Donnell made a trip to Malawi with the intent of providing desks for students who had never seen desks. MSNBC and UNICEF partnered to create the K.I.N.D. fund – Kids in Need of Desks – with the mission to deliver desks to African schools. During its first year, the program raised $2,413,999 and delivered 39,949 desks with over 5,000 more in the pipeline on their way to classrooms.”
Latter-day Saints also have charitable causes in which they are involved, a few of which are listed below.
Philanthropy – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons)
Food for Famine Relief
“Humanitarian volunteers gathered at Welfare Square in Salt Lake City on 29 and 30 May to pack nearly 7,000 boxes of emergency food supplies for the suffering people of drought-stricken Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar. The worst drought in 50 years is affecting some 20 million Africans in Malawi alone. More than 300 Church members took part in preparing the emergency food boxes. The Church also sent four large containers of clothing and purchased 250 tons of grain from surrounding countries to help people in the drought areas [in 2002].” Ensign 2002, News of the Church, In the Spotlight
Wheelchairs
Since 2001, the Church has given more than 300,000 wheelchairs to individuals in 90 countries, as you will see here. http://www.lds.org/haiti-relief/relief/dr-new-wheels.htm
Disaster Relief
Latter-day Saint Charities has helped Japan, Haiti, Africa, the Dominican Republic and Chile, as you will see by clicking here. http://www.lds.org/haiti-relief/relief/japan-landing.htm
Both MSNBC and the LDS Church do nice things for the less fortunate. Unfortunately Mr. O’Donnell “[repeats] provably incorrect assertions” about the Mormons. One question to ask yourself is could the good done in the world by the Mormon Church have as its catalyst the evil person Mr. O’Donnell portrays Joseph Smith Jr. to be?
Collateral damage could result from his reckless regard for the truth. There are hate crimes that Mr. O’Donnell could possibly incite because fact checking has become a lost art at the network of the proud peacock. Why isn’t more care given to checking a story for accuracy with LDS Church headquarters in Salt Lake City before running it?
There are also a few Mormon members of Congress that might push back if expulsion or censure proceedings began over whether their religion makes them unfit for office – Senator Harry Reid comes to mind.
Finding the truth
Knowing where to find the truth would help Mr. O’Donnell avoid collateral damage. One place to look into the origins of the LDS Church is the Joseph Smith History in the “Pearl of Great Price” (JS-H).
When I hear of another earthquake or other natural disaster I thank heaven for Mormon helping hands. When I hear someone bash Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith Jr. I think of the heavenly messenger who appeared to him and prophesied his name would have “both good and evil spoken of” (JS-H 1:33). Almost 200 years later Mr. O’Donnell fulfills that prediction again and makes his entry through the backdoor into the History of Joseph Smith. Just one more “gossip columnist” joining the chorus of anti-LDS criticism that’s been repeated for almost 2 centuries by analysts analyzing the analysts who preceded them. They fanned the flames of anti-Mormon prejudice enough that the Mormons had to move west. Mormon apostle Neal A. Maxwell said, “From 1820 on, Joseph Smith was steadily attacked in a pattern of accusations—followed by eventual vindications. The pattern continues.” (“How Choice a Seer!”, Ensign NOV, 2003)
Evangelical Pastor Robert Jeffress’ less than convincing claim that “Mormonism is a cult” is here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAk-2oTxnVw
Evangelical seminary president Richard Mouw says Mormonism is not a cult here.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/09/my-take-this-evangelical-says-mormonism-isnt-a-cult/
It’s interesting how the so-called non-Christian LDS church is totally obsessed with making nice videos about Jesus Christ here. http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/jesus-easter-bible-videos-resurrection
If Mr. O’Donnell wants to know where to look to learn more he can click here http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormonism-101 or here http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/
Even better would be to send someone from a NBC affiliate to tour the new Kansas City, Missouri temple and file a report. A public open house is underway until April 28, 2012.
The truth shall make you free
I’m sure Mr. O’Donnell could avoid a lot of embarrassment if he had a Mormon willing to brave a hostile work environment to help him with his continuing research. Getting the beliefs right about a religion that’s not your own can be tricky. Going to original sources to get to the truth is superior to using analysts that analyze other analysts. Mr. O’Donnell might end up hearing some things he likes and gain an appreciation for what Mormons stand for. By far the best way to do original research is to become like a test subject in a clinical trial of a new diabetes medicine who does not receive the placebo. Mr. O’Donnell could experiment on himself to see if the Lord blesses him with more peace, joy and happiness. After a person practices LDS doctrine in their own life, the truth of it becomes self evident – it really works.
Other collateral damage
Are you considering any disciplinary action against Mr. O’Donnell? A NASCAR commentator on our local TV station (Ross Shimabuku) was suspended for a week without pay for comments made to disparage Danica Patrick. (see link; http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/word-describes-danica-patrick-starts-b-134532444.html).
Perhaps an apology will be drafted or maybe he can be guided to some recovery group therapy for help with his mean spiritedness.
Before it happens again you may want to note the following.
According to New York law, “An employer is liable for the conduct of co-workers, supervisors and low level managers which create a hostile work environment if the employer acquiesced in the harassment, or condoned the harassment after the fact.” Ref. Joshua Freidman, Esq.
Your firm’s lawyers might want to read about the intricacies of hostile-environment law in the city and state of New York and at the federal level at http://www.joshuafreidmanesq.com.
If the facts of a case warrant it I will happily contribute to the legal fund needed to prosecute the perpetrator accused of violating our “first freedom”.
I’m sure a deep pocket firm like GE/Comcast has the funds to pay for a series of hostile-environment settlements stemming from the inflammatory comments of one of your Division’s employees. Don’t worry about shareholders that might express concerns about your firm dabbling in religious bigotry. Nobody reads those annual reports anyway.
In this age of enlightenment and open dialogue it would really be sad for a court case to end up proving any firm condoned bigotry.
Perhaps in future your employees will treat another’s religious beliefs with respect.
Sincerely,
Phil T.
cc: FCC, GE/Comcast, Salt Lake City NBC affiliate KSL,
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah,
Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico, Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nevada, Rep. Wally Herger, R-Calif., Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, D-American Samoa
General Electric
Attn: Mr. Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO
3135 Easton Turnpike
Fairfield, CT 06828