Chuck Todd: Romney 'bullying' media about Mormon issue

[kpete]

Chuck Todd of NBC News said that Mitt Romney is trying to "bully" President Obama and the media into avoiding any discussion of Mormonism this campaign season.

"I think you can get away with that and he can sort of bully opponents and the media to not touch the religion issue," Todd said of Romney last night on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. "I think Bain's another story."

Todd and National Journal's Major Garrett were opining that Romney, by denouncing Obama for "character assassination," was trying to preempt attacks on his Mormonism and his record at Bain Capital.

Depictions of Romney as a "bully" took centerstage in the campaign last week, when The Washington Post followed Obama's declaration of support on gay marriage by running a story alleging that Romney had forcibly cut the hair of a potentially gay classmate in high school.

http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/todd-romney-bullying-media-about-mormon-issue/551016

[zbdent]

1. Odd that the "liberally-biased media" will attack the "Kenyan Muslim" President

by pointing out his association with a Christian minister ... but then, hey, whoever said that the GOP's masses were logical or intelligent? (Other than those brainwashing them ...)

[Dandini]

14. Dropped

At least Obama was smart enough to break off his long-time relationship with someone that was definitely detrimental to his becoming and being President...

[braddy]

16. After we die, we all get baptized Mormon, and Bishop Mitt believes he will become a God after death.

If the media gets started on the Bishop, the revelations will stun and shock people.

[tularetom]

2. Obama has too much class to point out that Mormonisim is a loony cult

with a wacked out belief system. Or that we can't afford a president who actually believes all that goofy shit.

Of course Obama has no control on what a super PAC might say.

[Dandini]

12. Government just grows and grows

Your right, no control over his Super PAC, but Obama has had the most control over the growth of the federal government, and it has continued to grow...

[Wind Dancer]

15. Enjoy your stay!

[provis99]

19. heh. the libertarian troll got PPR.

[Tennessee Gal]

17. Perhaps you should get some facts before posting.

Here's a chart for you:

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/american-austerity/

[MatthewStLouis]

23. We like facts here. Ditto-head stuff won't fly. /nt

[mucifer]

3. There is plenty of ammo they shouldn't go after Rmoney on his religion

[Dandini]

11. plenty of ammo for all to go around

I agree, but the media have always had an agenda and that may well be one that will not go away...

[SoutherDem]

4. Can two wrongs make a right?

As long as I can remember Republicans have used any and all means to win elections. Democrats will take the high road and too often loose. If Democrats start to move even slightly to the Republican methods they are call out for "dirty politics".

The American people will say they are "turned off" by dirty-negitive politics. But, dirty politics seems to work.

Since SCOTUS has declared corporations people and we now have the Super Pacs there is now a way for a "campaign" to go to new depths and the candidate keep their hands clean. Just look at the Republican primary race, Romney was able to crush his opponents and still claim to be on the high road.

When Obama allowed a super pac to be formed he was criticized for doing just what everyone else and he ultimate opponent has done.

Perhaps it is time to accept the reality and play to win.

In 2008 Obama was both condemned for belonging to a "radical black Christian church" and for being a Muslim, while seeming to want to keep his personal faith somewhat off the table. He finally was forced to make a statement on his beliefs, similar as to how Kennedy was.

If it was fair to question Obama for his faith which he was keeping private why not Romney for a faith he has made very public (when it helps him).

I am an Atheist so I consider all religion myths.

But, the Mormon church has a lot of skeleton in its closet. The protestant church has done an excellent job in the past declaring Mormons to be a cult by documenting many beliefs of the church.

What would be wrong with making the information, which has been used in the past to condemn the Mormons as a cult, pubic beyond the conservative church. If Obama's faith mattered so much so should Romney's. If the American people don't care, so be it.


As to Bain. Romney is making his "record" at Bain the main evidence he is a good business person and can fix our economy. They are claiming all the jobs saved/created by Romney, why not point out the jobs which he cut.

[Dandini]

10. Thou doth protest too much

There has been at least one current, national survey on media and they have come to the conclusion... ever since Mitt has been trying to run for the presidency, there have been more negative media articles about "mormons" than any other faith...

Me thinks thou doth protest too much...

[protect our future]

5. Well we're gonna talk about the Mormon issue

so Chucky and friends better get used to it.

Whereas followers of other religions might be cafeteria followers--worship on Sunday and do whatever you want on Monday--not so with the LDS Church. Members live their faith 7 days a week. Beliefs and rituals are deeply ingrained for those who grow up in the church. Policies and practices are consequently influenced by these beliefs.

The public needs to know.

The idea of Romney as president sends chills up my spine, and I am a Mormon.

[protect our future]

22. Here's my response to the post that was hidden:

For the past 24 years, the only man who sends chills up my spine is the man I fell in love with--completely and with all my heart and soul--24 years ago.

[Dandini]

6. A lack of perspective or education?

You are betting everything on, "Depictions of Romney as a "bully" took centerstage in the campaign last week, when The Washington Post followed Obama's declaration of support on gay marriage by running a story alleging that Romney had forcibly cut the hair of a potentially gay classmate in high school."

You of course read the small follow-up media articles (very few) with the information regarding the incident over 45 years ago that was reported by one person who said he was there, and the young man in question already deceased and unable to confirm... and yet the two sisters never recalled such an incident ever occurring and said their brother, the young man, would not have been happy with the report...

Also notice the words, alleged... and potentially, being used as supportive verbiage...

I will wait to see if there are any other claims that it is true or if it will not have any other supports of credibility, other than political diatribe.

[craigmatic]

8. Romney believes that Indians are a tribe of Jews. That alone is worth scrutiny.

[FreeState]

20. Mormons believe everyone is - regardless of race n/t

[loyalsister]

9. Chuck is doing us a favor by using the word "Bully"

The only way smear candidates based on negative, irrelevant crap works is by turning off voters. The lower the turnout the more republicans win. That only gets worse if Democrats go negative, too. Bringing up Romney's religion can only hurt us.

[Raine]

13. well, it seems to be working. nt

[AnnieBW]

18. Harry Reid is also a Mormon

Don't forget, Harry Reid is also a Mormon. Obama would lose Ball-less Harry's support if he attacked Mormonism.

[FreeState]

21. Never mind the many many Mormons who support Obama

Nearly everyone in my LDS family voted for Obama. The last estimate I saw was about 35% of LDS voted for him.

[siligut]

24. I know former Mormons who are hoping the cult will finally be exposed to public scrutiny

Cults are a curse for humanity, religion and spirituality. If Rmoney can do this country any good at all, it will be that his candidacy brought Mormonism into the light.