Al Sharpton begins Democrat Offensive Against Mitt Romney
You could see this coming from a mile away.
This weekend Al Sharpton debated Christopher Hitchens on the existence of God. Hitchens mentions something about Mormonism, and Al Sharpton, seizing the opportunity - utters the infamous retort “As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don’t worry about that; that’s a temporary situation.”
Some will dismiss that bigoted backhand as thoughtless political slander, it’s just Al Sharpton. But wait - there’s a reason why the reverend is a player on the political field, he brings his own talents, like Randy Moss and his peculiar talent of being able to leap higher than anyone else and catch the ball. That’s why the Democratic party chose Sharpton to force the debate on the credibility of Mormonism. The Democratic party needs to neutralize Romney into utter obscurity and irrelevance because that he literally has the money of the Mormon community behind him. If it should happen that Romney finds himself facing Hillary, you have to know he would be unleashing a badge wearing army of veteran volunteers across this country. He could step into a custom made machine fueled by loyalty, mission tested, and willing to dig deep to elect him. Mitt Romney could potentially be a huge force for any office, and a potent supporter of anyone who is running for president.
Al Sharpton is the perfect assassin because he doesn’t lose support from his base for offending Mormonism, and now claiming that he’s been misinterpreted is using the outrage to level a few bombs of his own, wondering aloud why the Book of Mormon says black people aren’t allowed. The children of Cain, murderer of Abel? Is that what Mormons think of colored people?
He’s opened the door. Now the left get’s to focus on Mormonism in the guise of political curiosity. It will be a brutal dissection.
The Democrats believe Romney’s greatest weakness is the fear and ignorance about the Mormon religion; it’s curious beginning, it’s history of polygamy, and the challenging doctrines of the faith as dictated by the Book of Mormon. The next month will make or break the campaign of Mitt Romney. He’s introducing Mormonism to many Americans for the first time…
Evrviglnt: Political Vindication
May 10th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Shane,
Great stuff - I enjoyed the points you make here and at the same time, when you look at this “strategy”, one thing it reveals is a lack of strategy on the Right/Republican side. I think the fact that Bush is not running takes a strategist like Rove out of the mix. And I’m not sure who is going to fill that vacuum. I’ve got a long list of things I could say negatively, about Howard Dean but one of them isn’t that he isn’t tenacious and calculating.
This election will be over by the time of the first primary if the Republicans do not start breathing down the necks of the Dem candidates. Who do you expect to step up to the plate from a strategist angle for the Republicans?
May 10th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
You’re right - politics is a match of wits and I have to believe that Romney knew this was coming - he’s the ‘John Kennedy’ of today, though not just because of his good looks and clear voice, but because he’s breaking ground as a Mormon running for president. Today I called Ed’s show and he wasn’t impressed, he doesn’t think Mormonism is an obstacle for Romney because Harry Reid is one and head of the senate. Upon further reflection, it occurred to me that no one knows who the hell Harry Reid is, and hardly know what the leader in the senate does. This campaign is for king of the world, I think that makes a difference. There are some minds to change on this issue.
You think as I do - politics as war without bloodshed, and our general thus far has proven unable to rally the troops and explain the mission. That has toxic effects on our cause. There are many things up for grabs in 2008, but the two most important are the presidency and the new leader of the Republican Party. Who ever that is needs to employ minds both clever and conniving - the battles we fight here in the blogosphere demand someone who takes them as serious up there. I have no names for you, but I know we can’t be playing checkers when our opponents are playing chess…
That’s why you’ll see me at the CPAC in Washington next year in February - there were a bunch of bloggers there this year and we all need to be there next - it is that important that we make our voice heard at this critical time in our party. Let’s all call that our superbowl and aim for CPAC 2008!
May 11th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Actually, according to mormons I have worked with in the past, they consider ‘black skin’ to be the mark of Cain that is mentioned in the Bible. Since the actual mark is not described in any detail except to say that people would be able to see it when Cain was present, I would say that the skin color issue could be valid. I think it gives them an excuse to practice a form of bigotry thats all.