# Could a Mormon get elected POTUS? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 16, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613 "2006-03-16T16:49:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/1 "2006-03-16T16:49:13Z")
Might as well get this one out of the way, especially in light of Mitt Romney’s expected run. I don’t know much about him-- is he a practicing Mormon? I think a lot of Americans are a little leery of Mormans, thinking of the LDS religion as almost a cult (in the negative sense), even if they might admire some of the stereotypical features of Mormon life (hard working, family oriented, etc.). I see the Mormon factor as a pretty big negative. Not impossible to overcome, but definitely in the “minus” column overall. ---
**Author:** ![EEMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a6a055/32.png) [@EEMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EEMan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/2 "2006-03-16T16:51:57Z")
It would take some serious education on what is and what isn’t a ‘Mormon’ belief (though they prefer to be called LDS, Mormon to some, has a negitive connotation). LDS are Christian, but are as different from protestant as catholics are, then again they are the fastest growing Christian faith (possibly ANY faith, though some numbers disagree) in the world. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/3 "2006-03-16T16:52:10Z")
America deserves a First Lady and a Second Lady and a Third Lady and . . . 🙂 (I know, I know, they don’t do that no more. Just had to get that out of the way.) ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/4 "2006-03-16T16:55:23Z")
LDS are Christian? You’ll get countless Southern Baptists and other conservatives telling you that, no, they aren’t. Mormanism has to be one of the last Protestant splits anyone gives a damn about anymore. And since most conservative Protestants are traditionally intolerant bigots about other people’s different religious belief, Mormons are the last bastion other than atheists that they can sneer at. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/5 "2006-03-16T16:56:55Z")
Yes, he’s a practicing Mormon. He has other weaknesses as a candidate that make his nomination implausible even before considering that, though. He’s established himself well as a flip-flopper - in the South, denouncing those MA lib’ruls who’ve kept him from accomplishing anything much, while back here he takes a live and let live tone. To the extent he has an image, it’s of a corporatist with an anti-gay and anti-abortion background, certainly appealing to some but still not good enough. I do agree that Mormonism is too alien in too much of the country not to be a handicap of some extent to a national candidate, especially with its racist and polygamist history. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/6 "2006-03-16T16:57:38Z")
I actually think Mormons are less mainstreams than Jewish or African-American from the other threads. I can’t conceive of an active Mormon running and winning. Would the Fundies vote for a Morman? I doubt it. I think the East & West Coast would be suspicious of a Morman candidate. Were would the support be? Jim ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/7 "2006-03-16T16:59:51Z")
> [@EEMan](#): > > It would take some serious education on what is and what isn’t a ‘Mormon’ belief (though they prefer to be called LDS, Mormon to some, has a negitive connotation). Well, isn’t that part of the problem? How does one change a stereotype? > [@](#): > > LDS are Christian, but are as different from protestant as catholics are, then again they are the fastest growing Christian faith (possibly ANY faith, though some numbers disagree) in the world. I wouldn’t be surprised, especially if we’re measuring % growth. They proselytize like hell, and encourage large families. If you belong to the Church, you have access to a pretty substantial support group. That’s a recipe for growth. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/8 "2006-03-16T17:00:08Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > its racist and polygamist history. I should also have mentioned misogynism among the LDS’s institutional attributes, one which isn’t history either, and one which a practicing Mormon candidate can’t separate himself from as easily. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/9 "2006-03-16T17:01:14Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > I actually think Mormons are less mainstreams than Jewish or African-American from the other threads. > I can’t conceive of an active Mormon running and winning. Would the Fundies vote for a Morman? I doubt it. I think the East & West Coast would be suspicious of a Morman candidate. Were would the support be? > > Jim He’ probably carry Utah. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/10 "2006-03-16T17:05:51Z")
Like others have said, adherents of LDS do have a lot of negative stereotypes about them that seem pretty widespread - on the other hand, should a candidate run, then likely the MSM would pick up that and run endless stories showing “the modern mormons”. I don’t think there would be an (active) need for the candidate or their party to dispel those stereotypes, short of a press statement now and again - the media will do that for them. I think an LDS, given that, would have about as much chance as any other candidate with those particular views on issues. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/11 "2006-03-16T17:10:12Z")
I know it’s early, and I know this was only a regional straw poll, but let’s not forget about what Chris Matthews called: [the big surprise is Massachusetts’ Gov. Mitt Romney’s showing](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11782578/). One might expect opposition among Republicans to be strongest in the South. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/12 "2006-03-16T17:58:57Z")
That’s the same Tennesee straw poll that had Frist way out ahead, and that ain’t gonna happen either. Romney had covered the hotel bill for a lot of delegates, and there’s a suspicion that many felt obliged to do something for him in return. More serious polls, of actual voters and not party activists, have yet to show Romney breaking out of the background noise. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/13 "2006-03-16T18:01:15Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > I know it’s early, and I know this was only a regional straw poll, but let’s not forget about what Chris Matthews called: [the big surprise is Massachusetts’ Gov. Mitt Romney’s showing](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11782578/). One might expect opposition among Republicans to be strongest in the South. Yes Mitt wants to be POTUS. i don’t see his religion as an issue as much as his performance as MA governor. he made a lot of big promises-very few of which he’s actually delivered on. Of course, he’s a Republican in a heavy democratic state. people do this because they fear a total raid on their wallets, under a democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/14 "2006-03-16T18:02:05Z")
A practicing Mormon, in current American politics? No. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/15 "2006-03-16T18:15:03Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That’s the same Tennesee straw poll that had Frist way out ahead, and that ain’t gonna happen either. Romney had covered the hotel bill for a lot of delegates, and there’s a suspicion that many felt obliged to do something for him in return. > > More serious polls, of actual voters and not party activists, have yet to show Romney breaking out of the background noise. You’re absolutely right, but it’s still surprising he did as well as he did. That’s not saying he’s on the road to winning the GOP nomination, much less the presidency itself. But if he could be a Governor (his dad was one, too) why not President? How many Jewish governors have there been? How many Black governors (not counting right after reconstruction)? Seems like a Mormon would have a better chance than someone who is Jewish. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/16 "2006-03-16T18:23:23Z")
I’m not saying whether Romney (or any other Mormon) could be elected in the current political climate, but I remember prior to JFK that most people thought a Catholic could never be elected. Sometimes the voters look past things like a candidate’s religion to their other qualifications. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/17 "2006-03-16T18:35:31Z")
I think a lot of fundies would sooner vote for a Jew than a Mormon. Jews are simply not-Christians. Mormons, in their view, are fake Christians. Heretics are always more threatening than infidels. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/18 "2006-03-16T18:42:16Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > You’re absolutely right, but it’s still surprising he did as well as he did. That’s not saying he’s on the road to winning the GOP nomination, much less the presidency itself. But if he could be a Governor (his dad was one, too) why not President? How many Jewish governors have there been? How many Black governors (not counting right after reconstruction)? Seems like a Mormon would have a better chance than someone who is Jewish. But he is governor of a Morman state isn’t he? A Jewish Governor in my neck of the woods wouldn’t be a surprise. NJ, NY or CT. I think Bloomberg could easily be the next Governor of NY if he chose to run. NYC has had several Jewish mayors and in many ways being the Mayor of NYC is bigger than being Governor of many states, including Utah. BTW: I know people who thought our current [Governor Jon Corzine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Corzine) was Jewish. Jim ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/19 "2006-03-16T18:44:59Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > …snip… > BTW: I know people who thought our current [Governor Jon Corzine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Corzine) was Jewish. I forgot to mention he was born Christian and is Non-Denominational. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613/20 "2006-03-16T18:55:15Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > But he is governor of a Morman state isn’t he? A Jewish Governor in my neck of the woods wouldn’t be a surprise. NJ, NY or CT. I think Bloomberg could easily be the next Governor of NY if he chose to run. NYC has had several Jewish mayors and in many ways being the Mayor of NYC is bigger than being Governor of many states, including Utah. Romney is governor of MA. I can’t imagine a more non-Mormon state. His father was governor or Michigan. I suspect the governor of Utah is usually a Mormon, but that probably doesn’t tell us much. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613.md?page=2)