I just realized recently what kind of bugged me about Romney to begin with. He reminded me of those syrupy Seminary president types I encountered in high school in Utah. The guys who are just so wholesome it makes you almost a bit nauseous. And of course, you just LOVE watching them fall…
I imagine this is part of the image problem Romney has. People just can’t believe he could be that good. So they automatically become suspicious that he’s really not “all that” underneath.
Problem is, I’ve actually met Mormons like this who, when you really got to know them…. Yeah, they actually are “that good,” believe it or not. You do get these types among Mormons and people just automatically assume it’s all an act with ulterior motives.
This is why you get evangelicals who think that missionary wholesomeness is all an act to lure you into their “creepy cult.” Or the legendary Mormon family is just the pink dressing we smear over a rotting inner cake. What they don’t get is a LOT of the missionaries just flat-out really are that nice, that moral, that… good. A lot of our families really are fabulous and they honestly don’t have any real skeletons in the closet.
Disgusting isn’t it?
Now, I’m not saying one way or the other whether Romney is or isn’t the real deal. But if he is, I’d wager he’s frankly threatening to people who are insecure with their own inner character. He makes some people feel inferior. They get jealous, resentful, and then outright hostile. Then it’s a mad rush to get prime seats to watch the “hero” take a fall.
And keep in mind Todd, the whole business about “flip flops” was pretty damningly correlated with voters who, just flat-out dislike Mormons. Essentially, “oh, he’s a lying flip-flopper” looks an awful lot like code for “I don’t like Mormons” when you look at the correlation that study uncovered. Because frankly, a lot of evangelicals have long held the opinion that we are all a pack of lying opportunists.
They don’t want to admit that possibly Mormons aren’t just succeeding because we’re “sneaky,” but maybe, just maybe, we’re succeeding because we’re right in a way that they aren’t. How many evangelical voters want to try them apples?
Just a theory on my part…
Seth, after Iowa we see fair amounts of Evangelicals voting for Romney so I don’t see it as an overwhelming problem except to the extent that Huckabee is using his status as a Baptist preacher to draw Evangelicals away from Romney, which does seem to be his strategy at this point.
The bigger problem is among the secular left — think about all the articles on Slate back in early 2007 excoriating Romney because he was so “Ozzie and Harriet” and there was no drama in his family, so alienated children, ex-wives, or affairs, etc.
Having said that, I have immediate family in Iowa who reported that Evangelical anti-Mormonism was literally at a fever pitch at the time of the caucus, so perhaps you are right after all.
Seth, I do believe the frustration among evangelical conservatives toward LDS missionaries is the same language tactics but that there are different meanings discovered later on. It should be noted at the beginning in lesson one.
But concerning this election, I think social and fiscal conservative evangelicals are voting for Romney. But here is the problem, the Rebublican party is no longer socially conservative. And evangelicals are becoming less, too. They are tired of what they consider the “old wine skins.” Ronald Reagan days are long gone.
American culture and moderate agendas are dominating.
So Pastor Todd~ Who would you reccommend to a conservative christian? I liked Huckabee… but I am thinking he’s the real underdog in this election?
hmm.
You pray, and then vote your conscience.
A friend at lunch today mentioned this Republican ticket: McCain – President, Romney – Vice President.
Unlikely probably, but nonetheless an interesting thought.
Jesus in Idaho Falls 
I just realized recently what kind of bugged me about Romney to begin with. He reminded me of those syrupy Seminary president types I encountered in high school in Utah. The guys who are just so wholesome it makes you almost a bit nauseous. And of course, you just LOVE watching them fall…
I imagine this is part of the image problem Romney has. People just can’t believe he could be that good. So they automatically become suspicious that he’s really not “all that” underneath.
Problem is, I’ve actually met Mormons like this who, when you really got to know them…. Yeah, they actually are “that good,” believe it or not. You do get these types among Mormons and people just automatically assume it’s all an act with ulterior motives.
This is why you get evangelicals who think that missionary wholesomeness is all an act to lure you into their “creepy cult.” Or the legendary Mormon family is just the pink dressing we smear over a rotting inner cake. What they don’t get is a LOT of the missionaries just flat-out really are that nice, that moral, that… good. A lot of our families really are fabulous and they honestly don’t have any real skeletons in the closet.
Disgusting isn’t it?
Now, I’m not saying one way or the other whether Romney is or isn’t the real deal. But if he is, I’d wager he’s frankly threatening to people who are insecure with their own inner character. He makes some people feel inferior. They get jealous, resentful, and then outright hostile. Then it’s a mad rush to get prime seats to watch the “hero” take a fall.
And keep in mind Todd, the whole business about “flip flops” was pretty damningly correlated with voters who, just flat-out dislike Mormons. Essentially, “oh, he’s a lying flip-flopper” looks an awful lot like code for “I don’t like Mormons” when you look at the correlation that study uncovered. Because frankly, a lot of evangelicals have long held the opinion that we are all a pack of lying opportunists.
They don’t want to admit that possibly Mormons aren’t just succeeding because we’re “sneaky,” but maybe, just maybe, we’re succeeding because we’re right in a way that they aren’t. How many evangelical voters want to try them apples?
Just a theory on my part…
Seth, after Iowa we see fair amounts of Evangelicals voting for Romney so I don’t see it as an overwhelming problem except to the extent that Huckabee is using his status as a Baptist preacher to draw Evangelicals away from Romney, which does seem to be his strategy at this point.
The bigger problem is among the secular left — think about all the articles on Slate back in early 2007 excoriating Romney because he was so “Ozzie and Harriet” and there was no drama in his family, so alienated children, ex-wives, or affairs, etc.
Having said that, I have immediate family in Iowa who reported that Evangelical anti-Mormonism was literally at a fever pitch at the time of the caucus, so perhaps you are right after all.
Seth, I do believe the frustration among evangelical conservatives toward LDS missionaries is the same language tactics but that there are different meanings discovered later on. It should be noted at the beginning in lesson one.
But concerning this election, I think social and fiscal conservative evangelicals are voting for Romney. But here is the problem, the Rebublican party is no longer socially conservative. And evangelicals are becoming less, too. They are tired of what they consider the “old wine skins.” Ronald Reagan days are long gone.
American culture and moderate agendas are dominating.
So Pastor Todd~ Who would you reccommend to a conservative christian? I liked Huckabee… but I am thinking he’s the real underdog in this election?
hmm.
You pray, and then vote your conscience.
A friend at lunch today mentioned this Republican ticket: McCain – President, Romney – Vice President.
Unlikely probably, but nonetheless an interesting thought.
I am still chewing and praying over things.