Mitt Romney - Top 10 List

Here's a very funny David Letterman style - top 10 list - presented by Mitt Romney about why he dropped out of the Presidential race.

Glenn Beck Coming to Utah

If you haven't heard the news -- Glenn Beck is coming to Utah -- for the Stadium of Fire - July 4, 2007. I think there may still be a few tickets available, so if you haven't already purchased them, check at BYUTickets.com. Brooks and Dunn are headlining and there are many other great performers, as well as the best fireworks in the West.

Plus I just read a really great article about Glenn Beck and his life after joining the LDS Church. Thought you might enjoy it.

Mitt Romney - Winner of Most Recent Debate

I just watched a clip from Fox News that showed public reaction to the latest Presidential Debate. It clearly shows Mitt Romney as the winner. Check it out.

Mitt Romney - Chances a Mormon will be Elected President

I just read a really great forum article about Mitt Romney and the chance he will have being elected President because he is a Mormon. It's interesting to me that this is even an issue in this day and age. Why do we not hear about the churches that all of the other candidates go to? Or do they go at all?

Anyway, this forum was conducted in Florida for some of the nation's leading journalists. It is the Pew Forum's Biannual Faith Angle Conference -- on religion, politics and public life. This transcript was entitled: Mormonism and Democratic Politics: Are They Compatible? I thought it was a pretty fair assessment and interesting to read.

If you want to read anything about what Mormons believe -- you can get the real information (not the media's interpretation) at Mormon.org.

Mitt Romney and the Latest Republican Debate

I've been watching a bit of Anderson Cooper with the latest coverage of tonight's Republican debate. I really like how Mitt Romney presents himself -- he is so well-spoken and every time he answers a question I feel like he shows his intelligence. It's refreshing to get his clear answers, rather than listening to some other candidates who just talk around the issues and not really answer the questions at all.

I'm not really all that into politics, so it's interesting to me that these debates have captured my attention. I think Mitt is my favorite, but if Fred Thompson joins the race, I'm not certain. It's hard to know what Thompson stands for since he's only known to me through Law and Order and the character there. I'm sure he'll end up joining the race and that will be interesting to see how things fall from there.

Marie Osmond's Response to Al Sharpton

I heard that Marie Osmond was on both Larry King Live and The View and gave some of her responses to the negative comments by Al Sharpton about Mormons and Mitt Romney. I found and read the transcripts of each show. If you're interested, I'll include the links below.

Anyway, I hope that all of the press about the situation will help clear up the misunderstandings about the Mormon beliefs -- and that the term "Mormon" is just a nickname -- not the actual name of the Church -- which is actually The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Marie Osmond on Larry King Live
Marie Osmond on The View

Catholics and Evangelicals Leap to Defend Mitt Romney

I was very happy to hear about the support Catholics and Evangelicals have given to Mitt Romney and the Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

"Extraordinarily bigoted" was how Romney described Sharpton's comment made during a debate on religion held Monday in New York City, where Sharpton said, "as for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don't worry about that, that's a temporary situation."

In the Deseret News today we read:

The Catholic League called for Sharpton to "be held accountable for his bigoted outburst" and suggesting it "should finish his career," just as Don Imus' recent racist statements resulted in the cancellation of his radio show. Sharpton was among Imus' harshest critics.

Kiera McCaffrey, the New York City-based league's director of communications, said Mormons are experiencing what Catholics did when John F. Kennedy ran for president in 1960.

The Rev. Rob Schenck, an evangelical minister who heads the National Clergy Council, issued a statement calling on Sharpton to "immediately apologize to Mr. Romney and the good people of the LDS Church and repent before God for such sinful hubris."

Schenck, who has met privately with Romney to talk about Mormonism, also said that "while many other Christian groups may have differences with LDS doctrine, to question someone else's sincerity of belief in God is the height of pharisaical arrogance."

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in a statement that while Sharpton "is eager to play the political correctness card when it suits his purposes, he apparently sees nothing wrong with an offensive attack against Gov. Mitt Romney using his religion."

Mitt Romney and Rev. Sharpton

On the news tonight there were some clips of Rev. Al Sharpton seemingly mentioning Mitt Romney as a Mormon and that all of those who were "real" Christians would basically get rid of his as a candidate. Mitt Romney responded very well in my opinion. He said it was a comment that was probably not intended to be offensive, but that it could be construed to be bigoted and was unfortunate that Rev Sharpton said it.

Rev. Sharpton has not issued an apology but has instead tried to deny making the statements.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am not offended by his comments, but I am a bit confused as to why some people think we are not Christians. The name of the Church is indicative of our beliefs. I read the Bible. I worship God and know Jesus Christ atoned for me -- to make it possible for me to return back to Him. Our beliefs teach us to follow the 10 commandments, to try and be more like Christ and to treat others as we would like to be treated.

So, for anyone who is confused as to what Mormons believe, please do not believe all of the misinformation in the media or what people say. If you want to know what Mormons believe, ask a Mormon. :-)

I do think this controversy will be very helpful in correcting some of that misinformation out there -- and letting people know what we really believe, not what has been presented in the media or through remarks made by those who may not have a correct understanding of our faith.

I do support Mitt Romney and have been very impressed by him. He is very well-spoken, business smart, intelligent and I think would take the country back into a good foundation. He's a problem-solver and I feel he has integrity.

I also think it's interesting that the media has not spotlighted the faith (or lack of faith) of any of the other candidates for President. I wonder why certain things are picked out and focused on for those in the news. Who chooses what to focus on?

Anyway, I hope that the Reverend Al Sharpton will take this opportunity to learn what members of the LDS Church really believe and will try to correct the things which were misspoken rather than perpetuating the misinformation.

A Mormon in the White House?

A new book has been written by Hugh Hewitt entitled "A Mormon in the White House? Ten Things Every American Needs to Know About Mitt Romney." I just read a great article in Meridian Magazine that reviewed the book -- and thought you might be interested as well.

Mitt Romney and Rocky Anderson -- Friends?

It seems that Mitt Romney is now limiting the extent of his friendship with Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson -- because of Anderson's ridiculous views about impeaching President Bush. Mitt worked closely and well with Rocky Anderson during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake. Anyway, you can read more about it in the Deseret News.

Rocky Anderson Agrees to Debate Sean Hannity

Well, it looks like the debate between the mayor of Salt Lake City -- Rocky Anderson -- and Sean Hannity will be on May 4th. I'm utterly embarrassed by Rocky Anderson and his complete lack of respect not only for the President, but for the people in his city. He is not representing the people -- he is using his office as a personal platform for his ridiculous ideas.

I saw a clip with Bill O'Reilly basically slamming Rocky Anderson -- and just wonder how in the world there is so much press for someone who is an embarrassment. I guess it's the "news" factor -- gets people up in arms or something.

I can't wait until his term is over and we can get someone in the mayor's office who will bring dignity and positive change to the city.