Craig Bergman, Newt Gingrich's Iowa Political Director, Resigns After Referring To Mormonism As A 'Cult'

Craig Bergman, Newt Gingrich's political director in Iowa who joined the campaign less than a week ago, resigned Tuesday after calling Mormonism a "cult" in TheIowaRepublican.com.

Bergman participated in a focus group last Wednesday -- a day before he was hired by the Gingrich team -- for TheIowaRepublican.com, in conjunction with McClatchy newspapers. "There is a national pastor who is very much on the anti-Mitt Romney bandwagon," he said. "A lot of the evangelicals believe God would give us four more years of Obama just for the opportunity to expose the cult of Mormon. ... There's a thousand pastors ready to do that."

Bergman identified himself in the focus group as an undecided voter, according to the Des Moines Register.

The Gingrich campaign said in a statement that Bergman had "agreed to step away from his role with Newt 2012." Spokesman R.C. Hammond added that his comment was "inconsistent with Newt 2012's pledge to run a positive and solutions oriented campaign."

Dallas-based pastor Rev. Robert Jeffress, who endorsed and introduced Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry at a Washington summit last October, drew controversy for calling Mormonism "a cult." Mitt Romney called on Perry to repudiate the comments. Perry refused to disavow him but said he did not agree with the comments.

A Public Policy Polling survey released Tuesday showed Gingrich and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) virtually tied in Iowa at 22 and 21 percent, respectively, with Romney trailing at 16 percent ahead of the Jan. 3 caucuses.

Comments

[MoistvonLipwig]

07:29 AM on 01/05/2012

Judaism, Islam and Christianity are the cults of Abraham with subcults for Mohammed and Jesus. Mormonism is just one more level of sub cult.

[sailor4165]

10:34 PM on 12/19/2011

Cult? Maybe so, but politically you would have to be insane to make such an accusation publically. I think the Newt show is wearing a little thin about now, plus the fact Newt's unchecked ego will eventually cause him problems again... Sooner or later.

[Eagleman]

11:04 AM on 12/16/2011

Difference between Religion and Cult is 200 years.

Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Judaism, Buddhism, etc had the elapsed time advantage.

Mormans have to wait until 2020 and few more years to be recognized as a religion

[Julymoon12]

03:40 PM on 12/15/2011

Not to mention that many many ex mormons know that the LDS churhc is a "religious" cult from personal experience! I promise you that...

[Julymoon12]

03:39 PM on 12/15/2011

Yes, Mormonism is a cult. Mormonism, also called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), is not considered to be Christian by Christians. IT is a cult because of the way they do things and what they expect from it members. The secrecy they use with younger members and or potential converts speaks for itself! Nothing contriversial is brought up and when asked about the sugarcoated version is given, or the leader plays dumb.

[smp276dp]

01:23 PM on 12/15/2011

Has anyone given thought to how many people have left the GOP because of the radical views expressed during the debates? I had to ask because I have wondered if people with a true conscience could support these crazy people. Just asking.

[tuhloola]

12:59 PM on 12/15/2011

Two multi-millionaires, attacking each other, over which of them made their millions more honorably. There isn't an honorable thing about EITHER of these 1%ers !!!

[geronimospgs]

10:55 AM on 12/15/2011

Obama supporters­­­­­­: Teabaggers all over America are having the same wet dream that Newt Gingrich will become the Republican nominee for President in 2012. Let's help both them and Barack at the same time. I propose that supporters of Barack Obama register as Republican­­­­­­s, or ask for Republican ballots in their states' primaries and caususes, and vote for Newt Gingrich to be the Republican nominee for President. If enough of us do this, Gingrich will get the nomination­­­­­­. Then vote for Obama in the election. Result: Four more years for Barack!

I am serious. This will work. We are being presented with a golden opportunit­­­­­­y to use Gingrich against his own party to get Barack Obama reelected. Let's not waste it. Obama supporters­­­­­­, talk it over with your friends. Get organized. If enough of us do this, it will work, and we can assure Barack's reelection in 2012.

[freerangevoter]

11:18 AM on 12/15/2011

Sounds groovy. But please, leave your sense of morality and fair play at home so you don't back out at the last second, 'kay?

[eep100]

02:29 PM on 12/15/2011

I am registered as a Republican in FL and wondering who to vote for. I'm just not sure your plan won't backfire - how do we know Newt will lose to Obama? I think people that aren't super bright think that what NG says makes perfect sense. At least the debates will be civil. I am so sick of Mitt's condescending tone.

[harold19320]

09:32 AM on 12/15/2011

Why does a Billionaire have lots of MONEY? We need a BUSINESS MAN in the White House not a Politician because they can't run a business..

[Brain User]

10:13 AM on 12/15/2011

A business man only care about his money and profit regardless of who get hurt. Do you really believe your boss cares about you as an individual? don't make me lough.
A politician only care about his power, ego, and money.
To answer your question, a billionaire have lots of money because:
1. He can evade taxes
2. He can screw you day and night with the help of the people you think you elected to serve you
They are very few billionaire who think about the well being of their fellow human beings.
EGO, GREED, POWER rules the world now.

[xtruth04]

11:05 AM on 12/15/2011

YOU ARE A VERY JEALOUS MAN OR WOMAN IF IT WAS NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO RAN BUSINESSES YOU WOULD HAVE TO START YOUR OWN OR LIVE OFF THE DOLE WHICH YOU ARE PROBABLY DOING AND COMPLAIN BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT GIVE YOU MORE GET A LIFE YO-YO BETTER YET GET A JOB IF SOMEONE WILL HIRE YOU I SURE WOULD NOT.
I SHOUT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND

[Bruce Cullom Sr]

04:37 PM on 12/15/2011

** A business man only care about his money and profit regardless of who get hurt. Do you really believe your boss cares about you as an individual­? **

You paint with far too broad a brush. I owned a business for over three decades and was very good to my employees. Many told me I was the "best person they had ever worked for."

So you just cannot (credibly) make blanket statements like that. It is untrue in many many cases.

[smp276dp]

01:25 PM on 12/15/2011

You need to see that government is more than a business.
Just ask the GOP if business is what matters to them?

[harold19320]

09:27 AM on 12/15/2011

Remember Gingrich had a affair also but he admitted to it and got married to her. It's called government who can tell the best lie.. and get away with it.. Remember if your in government you will only pass something that is good for the country if your state gets money from it pork belly.. lets stop the pork and get down to business.. We cant have a business man in the white house because he will get rid of the debt and piss off the other countries that are bad for business.. Why DOES a BILLIONAIR have billions of dollars they are running there business right. Yes the have stept on toes getting there..

[ronruthnik]

09:25 AM on 12/15/2011

I love watching the GOP disintegrate.

[Paradigman]

09:19 AM on 12/15/2011

Being a part of the Bible Belt that consists of the Religious Right is a cult all it's own.

[smp276dp]

01:26 PM on 12/15/2011

Well said

[john3540]

09:07 AM on 12/15/2011

Now----if we could only get newt resign.

[gkonig2]

08:58 AM on 12/15/2011

I am not going to defend a Lobbyist like Newt, but his people were right. It is a cult, and I would tax all religions.

[Bruce Cullom Sr]

04:32 PM on 12/15/2011

** I would tax all religions. **

Better be careful there. The ONLY reason government gives religions tax exempt status is to keep them silent with regard to preaching on the many immoralities committed by those in government (in both parties).

I also question: If Church and State are truly "separate," then the State has no authority to grant churches tax exempt status in the first place. Once government views itself as having the authority over the Church to "grant" tax exempt status, then it is injecting itself into the area of the Church. The State cannot say it wants to be separate from the Church, then hold a sword over the head of the Church.

Perhaps it would be better for the Chruch to be "taxed." At least that would remove the government "muzzle" from their pulpits.

[gkonig2]

05:22 PM on 12/15/2011

I agree entirely with your last sentence. Since they are not really too "muzzled" or because they are not, I think they should be taxed. Same as a corporation, not more not less. They lobby on political issues so why not have them pay taxes?

[danindixie]

08:56 AM on 12/15/2011

But, but, Mormanism IS a cult? Now people have to resign for telling the truth?
Wow.

[Julymoon12]

03:45 PM on 12/15/2011

It is a reliogus cult, not for their radical beliefs! But because of in the manner that they do things, and what they expect from members, the money, the TIME, the secrecy, the oaths members make in the temple, (many find the endowment cold and creepy) and yes they even dictate what they wear..(garments, and modest to their over zealous dress code) Not to mention how they run members llives with many many other rules that are just plain arrogant and not of any "God." Mormonism is in a whole other ballpark!