Correspondence
Correspondence MORMON PRESIDENT? I QUITE APPRECIATED Terry Eastland's "In 2008, Will It Be Mormon in America?" (June 6). As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has been...
...SUSAN STEWART Boston, MA I HAVE LONG BELIEVED Mitt Romney should receive the nomination if he decides to run...
...As I am an active Republican and a conservative Christian, my heart sank: I had no idea Salmon was a Mormon...
...Unlike some other contenders, Romney looks and acts presidential in accordance with the greatest aspects of Republican tradition...
...His public speeches, television appearances, and handling of the critical issues suggest that he can inspire the party faithful and moderates alike...
...BRYAN SANDERS Waterville, ME IN THE MOST RECENT gubernatorial race here in Arizona, leading conservative congressman Matt Salmon, very well respected and well known throughout the state, ran against our current governor, Janet "Stealth" Napolitano— "Stealth," because the news media never run a story on her, but only a positive blip here and there...
...As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has been confronted by many who misunderstand or misinterpret aspects of the religion, I found the article to be unbiased and accurate...
...Those who read it will be better informed about our religion and its members, and I will refer many people to it in the future...
...In a very blue state, Romney defends conservative values and sometimes wins...
...His impressive record on tax relief, as well as his heroic efforts to apply pressure on the regimes of Sudan, North Korea, and Iran, will satisfy fiscal and neoconservatives alike...
...Salmon seemed sure to win, until a press release revealed that he was a Mormon...
...The press release was perfectly timed, with not enough time for the evangelical Christian qualms about a Mormon candidate to wane and with insufficient time for the Salmon campaign to mount a defense, reminding constituents that he had always acted, voted, and articulated perfectly the viewpoints of evangelical Christians in Arizona...
...Out of all the possible Republican presidential candidates, Romney probably represents the best chance to capture the White House again in 2008 from both a conservative and a tactical perspective...
...The success of Eastland's article lies in his ability to reveal the unattractive aspects of LDS history without demeaning those who follow its precepts...
...there is no getting around that...
...If given the chance, Romney can gain widespread national appeal and do for the Republicans what Ronald Reagan did for them over 20 years ago...
...Certain aspects of LDS history are ugly...
...A key strategic calculation made by a faltering campaign proved most useful, and I am sure it won them the election...
...Thus, I offer this advice to the Republican party: A Mormon or a Catholic candidate would not be wise, even if he is perfect as far as voting records and principles are concerned...
...The faltering Napolitano campaign said they had nothing to do with the press release and were dismayed that religion was brought into the race...
...Brownback is a dark-horse candidate today, but he has grassroots support among the conservative base, something Romney, and others, must struggle to build...
...ANTHONY VUONO Exton, PA MITT ROMNEY'S Mormon faith arguably could be a setback to his candidacy despite two impressive years as a center-right governor in leftist Massachusetts...
...Brownback enjoys broad appeal among evangelical voters who characterize these issues as top priorities...
...In the end, 2008 could be slightly premature for a Mormon in the White House...
...I especially love his approach to Massachusetts fiscal policies, which could indeed translate well on the federal level...
...The evangelical Christian voting bloc temporarily lost its good sense and memory and followed its feelings: Many did not even bother to vote...
...It is unfortunately the case that human beings who subscribe to ideals they deem perfect are far from perfect themselves...
...In a tough race that may pit him against Hillary Clinton, he would quickly morph into a formidable candidate because of his blue-state credentials with red-state ideals...
...Terry Eastland briefly touches on it, but the primary reason Romney's faith is a disadvantage is the field of candidates he is likely to face in the Republican primary...
...Romney understands how to pursue a workable conservative agenda...
...DAN MARTINOVICH Phoenix, AZ...
...He knows how to attract Democrats and liberals without selling out on those core principles that unite a Republican base...
...Terry Eastland's brilliant article confirms why...
...He was an excellent and effective congressman, always doing the right thing...
...For example, Kansas senator Sam Brownback would pose a formidable challenge given his status as a champion of the evangelical right for his opposition to same-sex marriage, embryonic stem cell research, and late-term abortions...
...The result...
...Additionally, he is a Roman Catholic, which extends his appeal beyond evangelicals and makes the Kansan perhaps the favorite among social conservatives for the 2008 Republican nomination...
Vol. 10 • June 2005 • No. 38
