So...Apparently Religion Didn't Die with JFK

In discussions of 2008 contenders, I've occasionally supported Mitt Romney? Why not - the man's telegenic, can lay the groundwork for his own fundraising campaign, and has a ready-made GOTV network with his fellow Mormons. Apparently, that last point is proving to be something of a sticky wicket. Teddy Kennedy proclaimed that the issue of religion in presidential politics died with his brother, but a new poll from the LA Times seems to indicate otherwise. Thus, while wariness about a Catholic or a Jew in the White House has dissipated, Mormons and Muslims alike seem unable to assuage public concerns. 37% of respondents said that they wouldn't vote for a Mormon presidential candidate, while 54% said the same thing about a Muslim (and 21% said it about an evangelical Christian!).

While Romney consultants were quick to dismiss the numbers as the usual polling fluff (especially in light of his victory in Massachusetts), I'm not at all surprised. The Times correctly tagged Mormonism as being viewed as "exotic" as was Catholicism before that. In his Massachusetts victory, Romney merely proved that while Catholics were for decades discriminated against, they don't discriminate themselves on religious lines anymore (at least not in the Bay State). But the GOP base in the Heartland might still be wary of a Mormon...we'll see how Romney moves to address these concerns.

PS - Sorry about no Wednesday presidentials yesterday...