Romney Camp Balks At Steele's Mormonism Comments

When guest-hosting Bill Bennett's radio show last Friday, Republican National Committee chair stumbled into another embarrassing public statement. Overshadowed by his comments on empathy was a harsh critique of potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

"Remember, it was the base that rejected Mitt because of his switch on pro-life, from pro-choice to pro-life," Steele told a caller. "It was the base that rejected Mitt because it had issues with Mormonism. It was the base that rejected Mitt because they thought he was back and forth and waffling on those very economic issues you're talking about."

Romney's people, understandably, objected. "Sometimes when you shoot from the hip, you miss the target," said Romney spokesman Eric Ferhnstrom. "This is one of those times."

Gail Gitcho, the Republican National Committee's new spokesperson, sent out a statement, her first (but probably not her last) clarifying the chairman's remarks.

"Chairman Steele regrets the way his comments have been interpreted. Chairman Steele believes Mitt Romney is a respected and influential voice in the Republican Party and looks to his leadership and ideas to help move our party and our nation in the right direction."

In an amusing coincidence, Gitcho worked for Romney during the presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, Romney himself made a rather bold statement on Laura Ingraham's radio show last week. Asked about his perceived swipe at Sarah Palin, the former governor said. "Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh are two of the most influential voices in our party and thank heavens for that."

Comments

[murphy20]

So the brightest, and probably the best candidate to emerge from the Rethug ranks, one who is well spoken and who is an expert on economic issues, was given thumbs down by the religious right, aka American Taliban, because he is Mormon? No wonder these people keep losing. Idiots all.

[Collielady]

Michael Steele, you don't have to take that from Romney. Come on, it's your turn to hit back. Let's keep this circular firing squad going.

[doctorkeys]

Not a chance of winning the evangeliKal vote who, by and large, consider LD$ a daemonick heretiKal Kult. Since bible thumper$ ARE the ReuplicanParty, no chance of winning the primary.

[Aranxa]

" the former governor said. "Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh are two of the most influential voices in our party and thank heavens for that."

And so says every Democrat I know.

[yellowdoggie]

LOL You are so right.

[ute]

And so say we all!

[elcerritan]

Maybe Mitt is signaling that he's going to be the next Republican to turn Democrat. (Not that we want him.)

[Grant Morrison]

..

HERETIC.

.

[Manx]

I'm no defender of Steele, but during the presidential primaries, a national poll showed that 40 per cent of Americans would not vote for a Mormon for the top office.

[yellowdoggie]

You are right. The whole "Mormon issue" was one of the major talking points people used to explain why Romney would not get the nomination. I don't particularly like Michael Steele either, but like a clock, he's right about two times for every 118 other times he opens his mouth. He's right about this.

[Montgriz]

Those are the people who can think...and read....

[cominginsecond]

No, those are bigots, like you.

[ladyearth]

The Republicans are pallin' around with themselves!

[indy girl]

Wow--we have finally located one human being on the planet who is actually taking Michael Steele seriously! :::fainting:::::

[CaptainQueeg]

He'll stay in the 'Heezie! Wass upppp!

[LMKay66]

Does anyone here think Romney has a prayer if he runs in 2012?

[MysticMichael]

Sure. He has a prayer... ; )

[CaptainQueeg]

He'll win in Utah , because even though the Evangelicals beat the cr-p out of them they will do what the LDS tells them to do and that is to Voted Republican!!

[uglicoyote]

The Mormon voting block in Utah and Idaho s the most reliably bovine in the nation. They do what their leaders tell them to do.

[vegasobserver]

If he does have a prayer, it's buried deep in the ground somewhere.

[CaptainQueeg]

Next to where the Gold Tablets were buried , found? the ones that no one ever saw !

[Collielady]

Not a chance. I think they should run him.

[CaptD]

Gail, $teele's "new mouth piece" is poised to become (no pun intended) the Monica of the Rep's!

Go Girl, get down and stay there...

[Deja Peterson]

i can't stand steele but he was right. that radical base they call "true america" rejected romney because of his being a mormon. what's so untrue about that?

[Deaninphilly]

I read it three times myself trying to figure out where what he said was wrong.

[MysticMichael]

I love it when Republicans fight! : )

[dadw5boys]

Republicans really do eat their own.

.

[HesDanTheMan]

Oh man! I wish I had thought of that comment! That's the Party of NO in one statement!

[yellowdoggie]

Hang around. You will see a lot of opportunities to use that comment here. Republicans' favorite dish seems to be other Republicans.

[LeftLeanWing]

Taste like chicken

fried in sweat.

[GrowBag]

Mittens- the typical Republican coward, has taken hits from Palin, Boss Limbaugh and now Steele ...

crickets..........

Fiscal Conservatives are watching 2010 and 2012 go down in flames -- thanks to Evangelical fundies.

[ElPerro]

What in Steele's statement about the base was untrue or unfair?

[Deja Peterson]

right.

[MysticMichael]

Nothing about it was untrue or unfair. But it was impolitic. Because it publicly acknowledges the deep religious bigotry of the Republican base. It seems that even some Republicans are capable of being embarrassed by that...

[yellowdoggie]

I find it refreshing that Republicans can be embarrassed by anything. Maybe there's hope for them? Nah......