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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Are Republican Voters Bigoted Against Romney's Mormonism?
I was enjoying watching Martha and Right Wingnut go at it in the Chat Box. Fortunately we have evidence to help us decide. Nate Silver gives us a word cloud from the responses given by Republican voters in the last Pew poll. Notice the gigantic word in the middle that starts with an M and rhymes with Norman. Here is the research. If anyone knows how to get that word cloud inserted into this post, I think it would help us digest the cold hard facts of ongoing bigotry by having it openly stare at us in all its glory.
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29 comments:
Where's the evidence of widespread bigotry in this?
YES!
If you are a Mormon you can be anything you want in the U.S. except president,especially if you have to win a GOP primary.
That is the only thing that is making any sense as to why the Progressive Gingrich Pig is beating Romney in the polls.
Of all the ways you could describe Romney, 47% described him as Mormon. Nobody described Gingrich in religious terms. The fact that Romney is Mormon is very much on Republican voters' minds. When Romney ran for governor of MA, the people there didn't even know he was Mormon until her started running for President.
RW
Evidence?! Just read the right wing chat boards and comments on blog sites. I think you will find plenty of evidence.
Pablo,
People discuss his religion more than Gingrich's, but this still does not prove widespread bigotry.
I am a Romney supporter, but just because the word 'Mormon' appears as the most common word associated with Romney does not mean that there is bigotry. It just means that it is the most widely known feature of Romney.
There may be some bigotry out there, but this research is not an indicator of that.
Note that the word No/No way is more commonly associated with Gingrich (29) than Romney (23).
leighrow,
pablo's post is about Silver's word cloud, not chat boards.
leighrow,
How many people do you know in Minnesota who are opposed to Mitt as president due to religion. Be honest, please.
RW,
I had a feeling you were going to respond like that. You are right, it is possible that a party dominated by evangelicals who believe that Mormonism is a cult and who think of Romney in terms of Mormonism probably have a positive feeling about Romney because of his Mormonism. Give me a break.
RW,
There is plenty of research that definitely shows that Republican voters have a hard time with Romney's religion. This is just another little factoid showing it.
Pablo, They were not asked whether they felt positive or negative about Mormonism. You're making that up to fit your narrative.
Let's pretend for a moment that your theory is correct. If, in fact, there is widespread religious bigotry across the entire adult population (Silver's first word cloud includes all adults), what makes you think Mitt is electable? You can't have it both ways.
"That is the only thing that is making any sense as to why the Progressive Gingrich Pig is beating Romney in the polls." Oh no, it has nothing to do with Mr. Romney's policies or his poor campaign.
Rick Perry was Al Gore's campaign manager. That was glossed over, until he did too badly in the debates.
Mitt Romney would've never heard the end of that as irrefutable proof of his untrustworthiness.
Newt Gingrich came up with the national mandate. He claims that was the best alternative to more liberal Clinton ideas and Gingrich is forgiven. Who's really grilled Gingrich over--his idea-- of the national mandate as well as support?
Romney has been asked and grilled for years now over Masscare. It doesn't matter that the state mandate was the best conservative alternative to what liberals had in mind in Massachussettes. Romney is given no pass.
Gingrich lobbied for Fannie and Freddie. It's no biggie for Newt and he gets a pass.
If Romney had lobbied for Fannie and Freddie, there would be protestors following him claiming he's out of touch and probably blame for the housing market crash. Nevermind that he workd for free as governor and head of the Salt Lake Olympics, that rarely gets mentioned in the media.
Newt was having an affair while condeming Clinton for his. Republicans were disgusted with Clinton's behavior in high office, but now family values aren't as important as before.
Romney has always lived family values and is given a half nod of approval.
No, Romney is given the untrustworthy, flip-flopper label , when Newt Gingrich is truly deserving of the title.
RW
One of the first things my husband said was that the Evangelicals won't go for a Mormon.....and I said "no way...people don't think that way any more. They will focus on his private sector accomplishments and his economic expertise."
There is no way that you can convince me otherwise,especially when you look at that word cloud...
Ohio Joe,
Yes..that is the only thing that makes sense.
Is just me, or does it always seem like Lori is yelling in her comments. Lots of sharp edges there....
I dont like Lori's spamming of the chatbox, but her comment here is correct.And why isn't that comment from the ronpaul troll not erased? He is using RW language.
MO
Mo, it's all cut and paste bullshit. She's a paid troll.
I do think there is some prejudice there..but I also think that there are people who are willing to exploit..such as those evangelical pastors in Iowa openly telling people that they should not vote for the Mormon.
then we need to need to ban paid troll
"then we need to need to ban paid troll"
Or perhaps RS regulars who troll as anons.
Did anyone see the megyn kelly show on fox, using a picture of obama to portray mitt romney? Its funny but also obvious fox has chosen newt as the nominee.
Interesting comments one and all...great post today Lori...much appreiciated.
I'll just leave with one final thought for this thread. Romney himself acknowledged on the today show that Pastors are free to say whatever they want about his religion every Sunday, and people are free to vote based upon those beliefs. He wished it wouldn't get used as a political weapon in public and at political forums, but understood that there will always be a subset of people who will refuse to vote for him because of it. Say what you will about him...the man has oodles of class.
Gordon
Pablo, I'm late to the discussion, but I would like to say thanks for the post, and add another little note to back you up about Romney in MA.
When Gordon Smith ran for the senate here in OR, no one ever talked about his faith. He was senator for years and years, and it never measured even a little blip with voters. And there really aren't that many Mormons here, either.
It seems to me that a live and let live attitude is stronger in the west, and perhaps other parts of the country. But the south is still another matter.
As for those who continue to deny the bigotry within our party, there's nothing more anyone can say to you, so why should I try. You refuse to read or even make simple observations.
-Martha
Does anyone want to attempt to answer my question at 2:49?
I'll take a stab, RW. I already have, but I'll do it again.
Romney is going to overcome the bigotry because there are more sane than insane people in this party. The gown-ups are going to make sure Newtie goes down. After than, who else has time to make a run? No one.
After Romney wins the nomination, Republicans, and independents are going to vote for Romney over Obama. We see that in the polls, Romney is the only one who is even competing with Obama. It doesn't matter how much anti-Mormon crap the left puts up, Americans won't stand for it.
-Martha
Romney usually touts his business experience, whenever he says something in a--crowd, interview, or debate. He rarely mentions his religion. Yet, in the word cloud, the word business is very small for as many times as he mentions that business experience. The word, Mormon, which Romney rarely mention, is the biggest one in the word cloud. That means it is voters who have the word in their minds;when they see Romney they think Mormon.
To me, this means that a lot of voters don't think of him as a candidate with business esperience first, but as a Mormon first. But why would that be unless they had a problem with his religion?
Martha,
Let me get this straight. You're arguing one of two things.
a) There are not enough bigots to affect the outcome of the election.
(or)
b) There ARE enough bigots to affect the outcome, but due to the desire to defeat Obama, they'll overlook Mitt's religious beliefs and contribute to his campaign, volunteer for him, and show up to the polls in November.
Which is it?
Pablo,
Thanks.
DanL
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