Mormons, it looks like Mitt Romney is McCain's VP selection?

Question

What are your reactions to this? Do you expect Romney to legislate according to his religious beliefs? Do you hope he does?

Answer 1

As a political prognosticator, you are way off base.  As to your knowledge of religion, you are not even in the ball park.  A Vice President does not legislate anything.

By the way, if Kerry had chosen Ried as VP instead of Edwards, he would be running for re-election.

Answer 2

I think that's great.  It's also McCain's best choice.  He'd be foolish not to pick such a popular, conservative icon.  It will help McCain to solidify the conservative vote (except for the fanatic born-agains who seem to think Mormons are devil-spawn - lol)

I've been leaning toward Obama for some time.  But if Romney DOES get tapped...I'll definitely reconsider.  I think he would add alot to the ticket.

Will he legislate according to his religion?  Well, all politicians legislate according to their beliefs and values, to some degree, so it wouldn't make sense not to expect Romney to do the same.  From what I know of Romney, his values and beliefs are quite good, so that doesn't worry me in the least.  But as others have said, Romney has a good track record of representing his constituents well and fairly.

And yes, I am proud to be LDS (Mormon).  :-)

Answer 3

He is a republican that won the Senate in Massachusetts which is a democratic state. This leads me to believe that his politics and his religion are two different things. I think he will be a top notch running mate for McCain.  

Answer 4

Has it been announced somewhere?

Answer 5

Looks like they were wrong this time:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080829/ap_o...

Answer 6

I hadn't heard this as anything official.  If it was I'd be pleased.  I have full confidence that anything Romney would do or advise would be following his own beliefs & conscience not have nothing whatsoever to do with LDS doctrine.   I foresee a lot of contention between McCain and Romney personally - but I might actually vote republican in this pathetic election if he chose Romney.  Would bring a  LITTLE hope to the picture in my mind.

Answer 7

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

-Mormon article of faith #13

I really hope he legislates according to his religious beliefs.

Answer 8

I'm leaning to McCain without Romney anyway.  I like the idea of somebody with a political track record as president with established credentials vs a popularity icon.

Romney does have a lot of business experience that could be useful.

As for his religious background, what's wrong with them?  I'm LDS and fail to see major concerns with it.  I think that a lot of people just get crazy when they hear the word "Mormon" and start flying of the wall to a bunch of unfounded stereotypes and such that don't exist.    

Answer 9

Did you get a memo the rest of us didn't get?  Or are you visiting from the future.  If it is Mitt...how do you know?  

Answer 10

From an LDS perspective, I'm curious and hesitant about Romney being the VP candidate.  I like the fact that having him in the race makes the world seek out real information about mormons and dispel some of the myths based on ignorance, but I always cringe at the idea of any celebrity being held up as the public representative for my faith.

As for his political stances, I think you get a much better picture of what he will do in office by looking at what he did as governor than you do by looking at his religious beliefs.

I'm predicting McCain to win in November because I think elections are really decided by the moderates in the middle who can swing to either party, and McCain is more moderate than Obama.

But that sets up an interesting scenario.  In 2016 could the election come down to Romney on the republican ticket and Reid on the democratic ticket?  Imagine if the country had to pick between two mormons for president.

Answer 11

lol Macain rommey. Republicans are practically giving the election away.

Answer 12

VPs fall in line behind their President. Romney will not have the power to legislate anything.

Answer 13

John McCain said Thursday he had yet to decide on a running mate

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080828/ap_o...

Answer 14

Oh I hope so, that would be the final nail in the coffin of McCain's campaign.

Answer 15

if Romney is the VP nominee then I believe our Country just may be ok after all.

I hope that Romney uses his experiences to legislate. He has done some good stuff in his own state. He is a self made man (not a lifer politician) and IF he follows the teachings of the LDS church I can trust him to be honest and make choices for the betterment of our country not his career.

Being of the same church does not mean the same political views, I can honestly say I disagree with most of Senator Reids decisions (for example). So I would never vote for some one just because they were LDS.

My issue is those who see he is LDS and don't bother to look at the man who has the ability to help lead our country. How can you say "ya well, he may have morals, an intact and happy family, be an honest business man etc BUT I wont vote for him because he is part of that Mormon cult." Lets be rational people. There was actually a question on here about how he contradicted "Christian Values" but no details about which ones or why they thought that.

If he is LDS he is asked to be honest in ALL his dealings, devoted to his family, and be morally clean. What would be so bad about having that kind of person in the White House?  

Answer 16

I think it's McCain's best choice.  But it won't change the fact that McCain's going to lose.  I hope I'm wrong, but whatever.

I don't think Romney will legislate according to his religious beliefs; he didn't in Massachusetts.  And no, I don't hope he does either.  He should represent his constituency, which includes people of all religious and non-religious persuasions.

Rightly or wrongly, Obama's main weakness is perceived to be foreign policy, so he brings in Biden.  Rightly or wrongly, McCain's main weakness is perceived to be the economy, so he brings in Romney.  Biden was good in the debates, and so was Romney.  I'll be more interested in watching the VP debates than the Pres debates.  Obama and McCain will probably keep things civil, but Biden and Romney could get heated.  ;-)

EDIT:  You're right Vernon, it might be a good opportunity for us to dispel some "Mormon myths"; though I doubt Romney's religion will be as much of an issue as it was in the Primaries.  If it does become an issue, it will probably be made so by people on the right, not the left, i.e., by ignoramuses like the preacher Bill Keller that teach that "a vote for Romeny is a vote for Satan."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m02PsH_yW...

Answer 17

You're probably right on this one - been waiting for it.

I expect him to legislate in accordance with majority vote when applicable, with consideration to the desires of the public.  I expect him to legislate according to the stipulations of law and the office.  A public servant is that - not a master, a servant to the public.  I expect him to remember that.

Religion has not been an issue for me.  I still haven't determined who I'm voting for......

Answer 18

McCain has not announced his running mate yet.