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What’s Religion Got To Do With It?
I have watched the political world with interest and eager anticipation as we head toward elections this Fall. The prospect is captivating. For the first time in a national race, we have a woman, an African-American, and a Mormon running for office. Any one of the three, if elected, would be the first of their kind to achieve the office of Commander-In-Chief of the United States.
But I have been disappointed.
About a year ago, it seemed hardly anyone knew anything about Mormons, and even fewer had heard of Mitt Romney. Sure, he was a veritable “hero” (at risk of over-using, and thus diluting that title) in the state of Utah. His sweeping reforms and reorganization saved the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake. They came off without a hitch, and were praised for their organization, budget-cutting and security in the months immediately following 11 September 2001. But who, apart from Mormons, is likely to vote for a Mormon?
As a resident of Massachusetts, Romney saw a unique opportunity to propel himself into the political spotlight. As a successful businessman, and now as the hero of the Olympics, Romney capitalized on his “go-to-it” attitude and his past ventures. His vast personal fortune afforded him the unique opportunity of running as a social conservative in a state that is overwhelmingly liberal.
But Massachusetts has done this before.
Why does a state that is so decidedly “blue” seem to consistently elect “red” officials as its governor? Maybe it is because Massachusetts was suffering under the strain of one of the largest budget deficits ever seen in the United States? The so-called “Big Dig” project, to put many of the highways and major roads around Boston UNDER Boston, was the largest and most expensive construction project in the history of the United States. Massachusetts was reeling, and Romney stepped in to once again “save the day” as he had done in the business world, and the realm of the Olympics.
Romney was elected, and under his leadership, Massachusetts climbed out of their budget deficit, reformed health care, and instituted a number of local and state-wide social rehabilitation programs—all without raising taxes. His success in a state that seems to produce a number of political “would-bes” (does the name “John Kerry” ring a bell?) convinced Romney that he might have a chance at something bigger.
Romney for President?
Romney is not the first Mormon to run for office. Even Joseph Smith tested the political waters in the mid 1800s. Romney’s own father led a short-lived campaign just a few decades before. But what was different this time? Why did it seem that the media was out to get him?
I watched, disappointed, as Romney struggled against the tide calling for him to make a “Kennedy Speech.” He reaffirmed again and again that religion should not be a determining factor in politics. But public opinion polls showed otherwise, and Romney conceded. But that has not stopped the media from discounting him, in my eyes. In the vital Iowa primaries, News outlets, both national and local “called” the Republican outcome hours before all the votes were counted, but claimed the Democratic race was too close to call, at just 5 or 6 percentage points. But as I watched, and numbers kept coming in, Romney eventually pulled within 5 percentage points of then-Republican Front-Runner Mike Huckabee. So why was Romney discounted, if Hillary Clinton was not? Because the media plays favorites, and they don’t want to see a Mormon in office.
In his speech, Kennedy proclaimed that he was not a Catholic running for President, but a man running for President who happened to be Catholic, but would not be influenced by Catholic Church leadership in his Presidency. It worked just fine for him, and he went on to become arguably one of the greatest Presidents this country has ever known.
The question is, can Romney win over the hearts of voters and convince them that religion should have no bearing on how they vote? It of course remains to be seen, but after last Tuesday’s victory in Michigan, and Saturday's victory in Nevada, it seems Romney has another chance at proving he’s electable.
I just wish religion wasn’t so much of an issue.
