Romney's Mormon Campaign

[_beastie]

Those of you who are saying, "well, Obama lies, too" are missing my point.

Why does an active, devout Mormon feel that it is ok to engage in deliberate deception of the American people?

Could it be because of the history of LDS church leaders doing the same thing?

The end justifies the means with them. I think they truly believe the church is "true", and they're helping people by protecting them from "unhelpful truths". I think Romney truly believes he would be a better president than Obama, and if misleading information has to be utilized to get him there, it will be better for us in the end.

[_karl61]

Is this whole thread a truth by assertion thingy wrapped around begging the question.

[_dblagent007]

Those of you who are saying, "well, Obama lies, too" are missing my point.

Why does an active, devout Mormon feel that it is ok to engage in deliberate deception of the American people?

Could it be because of the history of LDS church leaders doing the same thing?

I don't see it. Romney behaves like all politicians do (no outright lying, but twisting things to put their opponent in the worst light possible). Which of the following best explains why Romney does that: (1) Romney is a politician and he realizes that this is a proven winning strategy that ALL politicians use or (2) Romney resorted to this strategy because of his extensive knowledge of and justification for lies told by LDS Church leaders over the centuries? I think the former is the hands down winner.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Actually, Beastie makes an interesting point. How does a Mormon reconcile his Mormon covenants and lying?

- VRDRC

[_beastie]

I don't see it. Romney behaves like all politicians do (no outright lying, but twisting things to put their opponent in the worst light possible). Which of the following best explains why Romney does that: (1) Romney is a politician and he realizes that this is a proven winning strategy that ALL politicians use or (2) Romney resorted to this strategy because of his extensive knowledge of and justification for lies told by LDS Church leaders over the centuries? I think the former is the hands down winner.

You're probably right.

I admit to being somewhat naïve about my moral expectations of Mormons. I remember being shocked when, as a young convert just transferred to BYU, I was informed by some fellow students that Mormons in Utah were among the worst when it came to taking advantage of others in business.

Do you think that, on some level, it bothers Romney to descend to this?

[_beastie]

Actually, Beastie makes an interesting point. How does a Mormon reconcile his Mormon covenants and lying?

- VRDRC

I remember reading somewhere that Romney actually met with church leaders before running for governor, seeking some sort of recognition (absolution?) of the fact that he was going to have to run on positions counter to church positions. And they gave him that absolution.

I can't remember the source of that, so it may be unreliable. I'd like to know.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Is this whole thread a truth by assertion thingy wrapped around begging the question.

+1

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Actually, Beastie makes an interesting point. How does a Mormon reconcile his Mormon covenants and lying?

- VRDRC

I remember reading somewhere that Romney actually met with church leaders before running for governor, seeking some sort of recognition (absolution?) of the fact that he was going to have to run on positions counter to church positions. And they gave him that absolution.

I can't remember the source of that, so it may be unreliable. I'd like to know.

Man, if you could find the sauce that would be very interesting...

- VRDRC

[_dblagent007]

Do you think that, on some level, it bothers Romney to descend to this?

I think it did when he first started doing it. Now that he's done it long enough for it to be old hat, I bet it doesn't bother him much.

Edit: In fairness, I should add that there is one data point that gives me reason to question Romney's truthfulness. That is that many of Romney's opponents in the primaries in both 2008 and 2012 felt like he was exceptionally dishonest, but they didn't feel the same way about the rest of the candidates.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/bid ... 51332.html