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

[swampthing]

Actually, Steele was right on the money. The GOP is the evangelical fanatics of the South, primarily the Baptist variety. And they are notoriously hateful toward Mormonism (and basically any religion that isn't just like them.)
I used to live in Utah, and how they continued to vote for people who hate them was always a study in dillusion.

[CaptainQueeg]

For instance how the LDS had them voting as a Bloc? 99% Republican?

[MysticMichael]

Well, we're not all Republicans. Here's one LDS guy who wouldn't touch the GOP with a 100-foot pole...

[vegasobserver]

The average Mormon is more conservative than Mitt Romney really is, but less conservative than he pretended to be, during the 2008 campaign.

[CAskeptic]

This is great. Mitt has to suck up to the two biggest creeps in the GOP. Fortunately, despite being in the news Palin is not influential at all.

[KatherineSF]

I don't see how Romney could take that comment as an insult. It wasn't directed at him, or Mormonisn. The right wing Evangelical base Steele refers to were quite vocal about their reticence to embrace Romney, due in large part BECAUSE he is LDS. Steele said nothing insulting OR inaccurate.

[MysticMichael]

It wasn't insulting or inaccurate. But it was impolitic. Because it acknowledges the religious bigotry that is so much a part of the GOP base...

[CJ1]

"Religious" and "bigotry" is kind of redundant...

[Montgriz]

By definition, Mormonism is bigotry...

[ramblin jack]

Anyone who thinks they should thank heaven for Palin and Limbaugh is a nitwit and should get no where near any real power.

[ObamacratInCA]

Or heaven.

[JayneeDoe]

Romney will never be a viable candidate BECAUSE he is a Mormon. I used to be a Mormon, and the evangelical hatred for the Mormon Church simply cannot be underestimated. They literally develop curriculums to teach its members about the evils of Mormonism, how it is a cult, and most importantly, how it is not a true Christian religion. Given the only base the party has left is the evangelicals, it's never going to happen.
Although . . . the Republican Party is so desperate for someone, anyone, to lead them, perhaps they'll ignore Romney's waffling next time, and waffle right back in supporting him.

[MysticMichael]

I wouldn't count on it. The religious bigotry of the Republican base is even more virulent than their lust for power and control...

[apduncan1]

Holy salamander!

Mormonism is under question. Is it a cult or a religion? Does it have a big enough investment portfolio or is it just another quasi-evangelical mumbo-jumbo?

[seted]

Difference between a cult and a religion is the # of its members.

[ObamacratInCA]

Add faith, then stir = cult. Add faith, throw in a few centuries, then stir = religion.

[wilray]

Mormonism is a religion that is founded on a collection of obvious lies and myths. With other religions the myths and lies may not be quite as obvious. BTW, Mormons considers every other religion to be false. They consider the Mormon Church the only true church. They consider every other church, since shortly after Christ's ministry, to be an apostasy and an abomination starting with Catholicism and the Orthodox churches. They have a saying regarding Protestantism and Catholicism - You can't cut a live branch from a dead tree. They consider the Mormon church to be the only true Church of The Lord Jesus Christ restored.

[Khirad]

I hate to find myself defending a Steele statement, but what exactly is it he said that was untrue? I didn't even see in his quote an attack on the LDS Church, but an apt comment on the evangelical base in the GOP.

[AHockeyMom]

I agree. Just look at the states where voters in the Republican primary said the economy was their #1 concern, but they still voted for McCain over Romney.

[BeasleysMom]

Gitcho? You've gotcho be kidding!

At least Steele is equal opportunity. He not only insults Democrats, but gops as well. Consistency is good.

[oscartucker]

Really, there was not insult; Steele just told the truth about the republican base, and if Romney runs again, the base will reject him unless they have hit rock bottom and there's no one else they can choose.

[Kubenzi]

Man ,don't stop there.We could keep this one going for a long time.

Everyone take a turn!

It was the base that _____________!

[filo]

...that rejected McCain !

[seted]

held up the column?

[yellowdoggie]

Funny, but you're not playing by the rules.

[skeptique]

sunk New Orleans.

[ConfuciusSay-]

... thought the Flintstones was a documentary.

[navalvet]

brought out the youth vote!

[buckaroom]

Would ya'll leave the Mormons alone. Their beliefs aren't any nuttier than, say, the Global Warming Believers.

[dwright]

CLOWN

[seted]

ura joke

[filo]

...or yours.

[proudloudlib]

I think you meant to say " the Global Warming Deniers."

[skeptique]

I tend to agree that to ridicule the Mormons without hitting the Catholics, or Jews for that matter, is a bit selective.

[timetorevolt]

and Steele is a Catholic.... They were considered a cult in the beginning...The Romans would have none of it..

[Montgriz]

They are all a bit of a stretch, but face it, mormons have the prize...golden tablets, found, translated under a blanket in a log cabin, lost....Jesus walked around America, lost tribe of israel, Indians the sons of Ham....streets made of solid gold...but no one left anything...hmmmm that is just for starters...I especially like the way the Elder in chief had to have a vision from God, 2 weeks before San Jose State was to play BYU in football but was going to cancel because San Jose had black guys.....hypocrites....liars....that is mormonism...

[TooLooze]

Steele was absolutely right; the base can't deal with anything, in this case Mormonism, that their closed little minds don't understand. And since repuglicans complain about political correctness, what is Mitt whining about? I guess the only time PC is understood is when it affects you personally.

[CaptainQueeg]

And don't forget some of our greatest are Mormons---- Jay Bybee, Glenn Beck, The Mittster , Orrin Hatch.!!,

[apduncan1]

Heck, count me in: I don't understand Mormonism either.

[Ginger5]

So Mitt thinks that Palin and Rush are the answer for the GOP.

[seted]

Does that mean to cure some one of the GOP they have to take rushpalin?

[apduncan1]

Yes. Mumbo - jumbo to the masses of uneducated mediocre GOP followers

[memphisdem]

There is no room in the GOP for anyone that has different views or beliefs. That includes ole Mitt.

[henrypapillon]

Romney, don't waste a lot of time with that apology. Go directly to the "I'm sorry , Rush website we have provided for you.

[Tom95134]

The best show in town... watching the Republicans rip each other apart until there is nothing left of the party.