Wyoming Vote Tracker

OK, in about a year, we’ll be voting on our next President of the United States (technicality: we’ll be voting on electors that have committed to voting for a particular candidate). A couple months prior to that, is the awaited national conventions of the major parties where the respective nominations are finalized.

Over on the Democrat side, things are finally getting interesting because the guys are figuring out how to at least take a jab at the girl once in a while. Even funnier is the girl whining because the guys are hitting on her (not that kind of hitting on), but then stating that she’s tough and can take it. Maybe she won’t be the nominee after all, though with her negative rating, I would sure love to see her be anointed in Denver.

Here on the Republican side, The debates are few and far between on the “big issues,” with the exception of boarder security, and if you talk with Ron Paul supporters, the war in Iraq. Most of the talk is about how “America’s Mayor” said he would not be the liberal President that his values show him to be and how Romney may be Mormon, but who cares; he at least has good morals (sketchy political positions not withstanding).

Sometimes I wonder if people, particularly Evangelical Christians, are supporting Romney just to say “I’m supporting Romney and still on my way to Heaven.” I will admit that I am certainly not the first to have questions about supporting Mitt Romney. His beliefs are not what trouble me, it is his recent “conversion” to the conservative side on certain political issues.

Recently, a prominent Fundamentalist endorsed Mitt Romney.

“This is all about beating Hillary,” Jones said. “And I just believe that this man has the credentials both personally and ideologically in terms of his view about what American government should be to best represent the rank and file of conservative Americans.

“If it turns out to be Guiliani and Hillary, we’ve got two pro- choice candidates, and that would be a disaster.”

Asked whether Romney’s religion was a stumbling block for him, Jones replied, “What is the alternative, Hillary’s lack of religion or an erroneous religion?

“As a Christian I am completely opposed to the doctrines of Mormonism,” he said. “But I’m not voting for a preacher. I’m voting for a president. It boils down to who can best represent conservative American beliefs, not religious beliefs.”

While I have a great respect for “Dr. Bob,” I must disagree with his perception of the situation. I can tell you that the retired president of the university founded by his grandfather loves the West. He came out to the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming a few years back to preach the Men’s Retreat for my church. Did an incredible job. Even wore blue jeans, which is something I never thought I’d see. He shot clay pigeons with us, and man can he shoot.

Here in the West the prominent religion is Mormonism, and I cannot help but wonder if maybe a little bit of Dr. Bob’s love for the West is motivating his endorsement. Months before his interview with the Greenville paper, he spoke favorably of Gov. Romney at a Bible Camp near Pinedale, WY:

I think Governor Romney is one of our best options. We are not electing a preacher.

If Gov. Romney’s conservatism were on a bit more sure ground, I would have no problem endorsing him. I’m not the only one thinking on this line of thought either. Take a look at Maryland Pastor Frank Sansone’s thought here and here.

So, people say we need someone electable, or someone that is Presidential. OK, so maybe Duncan Hunter is not all that widely known, but talk to the people that are supporting him and you see an individual that is popular. Why are we excited about him? He’s shown optimism. His record of conservatism is proven:

ACLU: 7% (indicates very conservative)
American Conservative Union: 92%
Americans for Better Immigration: A+
Americans for Tax Reform: 88.5%
Campaign for Working Families: 100%
Christian Coalition: 100%
Concerned Women for America: 100%
Eagle Forum: 100%
Family Research Council: 100%
Federation for American Immigration Reform: 100%
Gun Owners of America: A
NARAL: 0% (indicates a pro-life record)
National Federation of Independent Business: 100%
National Rifle Association: A+
National Right to Life Committee: 100%
National Tax Limitation Committee: A
National Taxpayers Union: B

And if you’re one of those “I could never vote Mormon” Republicans, check out this blurb:

It was not surprising to find Baptists working and volunteering for candidates such as Hunter and Huckabee, who are both confessing believers and members of Baptist churches. […]

As a candidate, Rep. Duncan Hunter makes it a practice to attend church every Sunday when on the campaign trail–but he does not consider these to be political visits. “Visiting church can be a great way to meet the citizens of a community,” Hunter says. “Sometimes I’m formally introduced by the pastor and sometimes I just attend the service. For me, it’s a time of weekly renewal from the pace of the political campaign. You don’t need a political agenda to attend church. You go for the spiritual benefits.” (Baptist Bulletin, Oct. 2007, Searching for a President, by Kevin Mungons, pp. 11-12)

So, now that you have a solid conservative non-Mormon in the running, why not support him and make him all the more popular?

Technorati Tags: 2008 Election, Mitt Romney, Bob Jones III, Mormonism, Christianity, Evangelicalism, liberalism vs. conservatism, Duncan Hunter

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