By the way, kbb:

I too find the Ron Paul thing a bit unusual, but so many Brits (and others) care about the nomination because it affects them, too. Due to the globalisation of US power and cultural influence, the US presidency can mean so much. The whole global mood seems to change with each new potus.

Andriët Psarisch, Halifax, Nova Scotia,

The only candidate to support in this election is Ron Paul.

Joe, Boston, USA/Massachusetts

A mormon has every right to believe in his imaginary friend that lives in the sky as a christian or muslim (or any of the others blah, blah, blah) does.

Staff, Fort Lauderdale, FL. USA

Just out of curiosity, why are so many Brits commenting on this? I have nothing against you (my grandmother is from England), but why do you care who gets the nomination? And by the way, Ron Paul will not be the next president- have you seen the polls? He's popular with a very small portion of AMERICANS who can actually vote.

I think its ridiculous that religion is becoming so big in this election. So what if Romney is a Mormon? He has strong values which many "value voters" have already related too. Huckabee is also very religious- he's a former Baptist minister. His values also appeal to value voters. Frankly, nearly every person running in both parties has claimed a relationship with God- as far as I know there are no atheists running for president, so a religious background/influence of some sort will be present regardless of who we elect.

The main question we should ask is who would be the best leader? And if you're republican, who can beat Hillary? I vote Romney.

kbb, Boulder, Colo.

Well, my opinion of Robert Redford just went down the crapper. IT drives me crazy when you get these idiots who think they know more about my "mormon" faith than I do. Just because you talk to a Mormon at the grocery store check out or you live next to one doesnt make you an expert. And I dont care how many books you read about my faith, unless you get it from the source it wont be accurate. Has anyone noticed that the ONLY person who is trying to keep religion out of Politics is infact Mitt Romney. He is constantly telling people to direct their questions about our beliefs to our church officials and not him. I dont know who I'll vote for but I just wish that people would get off of Romney's back because he is a Mormon. Oh and here's a novel idea.......if these news casters and reporters really and hoestly want to know what Mormons believe than they will have a segment or an article where they ask there questions to a Mormon official. THey dont do that bcause they want controversy

m, ORlando,

I don't see evangelical Christians voting for a Mormon. Their beliefs are much different. Rudy and Fred Thompson will compete for the party nomination.

Keith, Miami, Fl

Just because Robert Redford lives part time near the Mormons and not neccesarily with them, does not give him the authority or credibility to speak for us. If you want to know what Mormons are really like, get to know one, one on one. "By their fruits ye shall know them". We believe in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. The name of our church is actually the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.Mormon is a nick name given us by non members because of a book of scripture we have (the Book of Mormon another testament of Jesus Christ) We also acccept the Bible equally on the same level. If you want to know the truth about our religion, don't count on the "Christian Right " ministers. Ask a Mormon first hand or go to the official www.lds.org site for correct answers.

Russell Ricks, Salem, Utah

i thought this was a political campaign, not a religious one.

Amy, indianapolis,

Not even religion can excuse anti-modern irrationality. Be it Creationism, or the Catechism of the Catholic Church calling socialism good and capitalism bad, or Muslim fundamentalists opposing democracy in favor of a caliphate, the consistent theme is failure to repent. Mormonism is a historical fantasy, with no regard for what science has determined about the New World before Columbus. While that calls Romney's character into question, better to have Mormons in politics than religion.

JT Skulden, Washington, DC

Having only known a short hand-full of Mormons in my lifetime I've noticed the ones I've met share three traits: they're hard working, scrupulously honest, and have solid family values. In a job where character matters most, I'd say the Mormon ethos is a net plus. Moreover, religious differences regarding faith and doctrine are not really relevant to the task at hand. We are, after all, electing a CEO to manage the executive branch of a secular government, not choosing a Pope.

Peter Taber, Vero Beach, FL

It doesn't surprise me at all that the Muslim bashing Americans are now turning the heat on under a Mormon. Religeous bigotary is alive and kicking in the good ol' USofA. I am amused by the folks who point out that black community was seen as second class Mormons till early 70's...give me a break....blacks WERE second class citizens in the bible belt during the sixties. So look at your own deeds before you cast that stone Jesus talked about!

Khushbakht Khan, Lahore, Pakistan

Please...please...come on people. This is not an article about religion. EVERY SINGLE blog that mentions Romney turns into this. Can somebody please talk about something else?

I personally think all this negative blogging about his religion only shows how hard it is to attack him on his politics.

Elbeau, Austin, TX, USA

Marcus from Calhoun, GA;

You are sadly mistaken to spew such erroneous hatred regarding Mormons, especially when saying Mormons are not Christians. Nothing can be futher from the truth. Mormons believe Jesus Christ is saviour, and that no man can get to the Father except through the Son.

Additionally, it is sad that so many people are blind to the fact that Mitt Romney's opposition can find nothing wrong with him so the only weapon they can find to use against him is misrepresenting his religion, as if that would make any difference in his defending and supporting the constitution of the United States, and enforce the laws of the land. This is what a president is sworn to do - sworn on a Bible, by the way.

Do you really think all Baptists govern the very same way? Or Methodists? How about all men from Massachusetts, or Georgia? Mitt Romney has already been a successful governor and businessman; judge him by his record, not spread non-facts and what you do not know.

S Miller, Palm City, FL, USA

In the bible, Cain murdered Able. Traditional belief held that God put a mark on Cain as punishment for his sin, and that his offspring carried the mark (being black). This was the basis upon which priesthood was withheld from blacks in the church. Terrible that blacks were and are discriminated against? Absolutetly! But as the U.S. became somewhat aware of the indecency and immorality of bigotry against blacks in the 60 and later, enlightened organizations began to re-examine their position on race. It is fortunate, albeit late, that the LDS church received revelation confirming that all men are created equal in the eyes of God, and granted priesthood to Blacks. Better late, than never.

With respect to the Book of Mormon - LDS people call it "another testament of Christ" - it is not considered superio to the bible, but it merely attests to it.

We Mormons are faithful Christians. Until and unless you have had a chance to examine it for yourself, please don't judge it.

Brad Buxton, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

[i]To see this Mormon being smeared due to his faith seems a little strange to me.

The Bible says, Love thy neighbor in a number of different places.

Would a real Christian have so willingly lead a huge invasion force into Iraq on false pretences such as WMD that were never found and the links with al qaeda that never existed but they sure do now![/i]
And of course Mit Romney is running to the right of Bush in terms of Iraq, promising to kill even more Iraqis than George.

Pat, mamana, Bahrain

Marcus, Calhoun, please tell me where you get your information? Are you seriosely comparing Mormons to Muslums? Please. Get you facts strait before you post again.

Michael Knudsen, Salt Lake City, Utah

Mitt Romney is my governor. I've watched him closely, and I think he may very well have been pro-life and against gay marriage. If you are conservative, this could please you. However, I think he mislead us here in Massachusetts by saying that ahe was pro-choice and marriage for everyone, and maintaining this charade long enough to get elected.

Alex Feldman, SomervilleMA, Ma

I am a BYU graduate. 1) The Mormon Church heirarchy has always had a close connection with extreme conservative causes.The late "prophet" Ezra Taft Benson is but one example. Many of the congressional Mormons are way to the right of the mainstream, expounding upon the evils of big government while states such as Utah receive federal subsidies in excess of tax contributions.2) Mormons are taught, indeed indoctrinated into believing that when the prophet (or president of the church) speaks the debate is over. Contrary to one of the "Articles of Faith" this is not a religion where one worships God according to the dictates of one's conscience. This may help to explain why the tradition (proclaimed as a doctrine) that blacks could not receive the priesthood due to their unfaithfulness in the pre-existence went largely unchallenged. 3) Mormons believe that ultimately, their priesthood will save the constitution and America will be ruled by a theocracy. Sorry Brits, it only gets worse!

Peter, chicago, illinois, USA

To see this Mormon being smeared due to his faith seems a little strange to me.

The Bible says, Love thy neighbor in a number of different places.

Would a real Christian have so willingly lead a huge invasion force into Iraq on false pretences such as WMD that were never found and the links with al qaeda that never existed but they sure do now!

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died, there's thousands of dead, wounded and physcoligcally traumatised US soldiers but Halliburton and other powerful US companies are doing very well, thank you very much.

Bush mentions God when he feels it aids his political goals, he's right in there with the other vipers.

The two towers got taken out and bush wanted pay back!

I would trust a real Christian, any day of the week!

Graham Wharton, St Albans, UK

There are good and bad people in most religious and non-religious groups. When judging organizations it should not be on their philosophies but rather on their track-record - that is what they have accomplished and how they treat their members and their opponents.
Mitt Romney seems to be the smartest candidate in the group with the best organization and with the best track record. One might have opinions on his “flip-flopping” but the only weakness that I can imagine is people finding him not charismatic enough. So for me it is: Better him than the rest of the bunch.
.

Ludwig, Berlin, Germany

Actually, true liberalism is not a negative in the United States. But people who call themselves liberals are not....they are Progressives.

K. Tyson, Mobile, AL USA

My last vote was for a Mormon who I would agree with most on most everything except religion (and freedom to smoke in the workplace).Their religion is different than mine but I have found Mormons that I know to have strong family values and to be industrious and self reliant. You won't find them on welfare, they are encouraged to stash food in quantity for tough times or emergency and any who can't support themselves are aided by gifts or employment from other church members. I understand how this independence would sound dangerous to socialists. The antireligious bigotry in some of the comments are a disgrace.

warren, near Calgary, Alberta

The above regarding the appoiontment of people of color as bishops is in fact true. The black community were seen as second class Mormoms until the 70's.

So are many of the "outlandish claims". Please remember, this is the sect that is posthumously baptising all of you and your ancestors as Mormon, so you can all have a chance at the Mormon heaven.

Mormon beliefs represent a "development" of Judeochristianity, they are not Christians, any more than Islamists are. Both Mormons and Moslems developed from Judeo-Christian backgrounds. Both have supplemental scriptural accounts which provide the primary written texts of their sect.

To a reasonable person, this just seems a tempest in a tea kettle. To the fiercely anti-intellectual and literal Bible believers, this is comparable to Satanism. And, lest we forget, this is Bush and the Republican party's base of voters.
It's gonna get a LOT nastier before this is over. America ain't kind to heretics right now.

Marcus, Calhoun, GA, USA

Too bad Ron Paul isn't running for the presidency for a country in Europe. Why hold a rally outside the European Parliament? It's a shame that Ron Paul has to go get supporters that can't vote for him here in the U.S.

Devon , Heber, AZ

American politics, certainly the position for the White House has always seemed a surreal experience to us across the pond, as within this article denotes treachery, dirty tricks, hypocritical meandering. And that is just a snap shot of people that are supposedly on the same side (Republican). What power may do.

Christian James Holst, London,

Huckabee has a smiling face and has been the darling of the media. However, people who have worked for and around him say he is a mean spirited, small minded person. He had five campaign finance ethics violations and when he was done lifted a bunch of goodies out of the governor's home ala Hillary Clinton. He has a lot of baggage which few in the mainstream media mention.

DLounsbury, Salem, Oregon, USA

Please remember when you vote that the President of the United States is the most powerful person in the world.
Since, being English, I have no say in who it is to be, I can only beg the American public. Please, please don't elect anyone religious. You're scaring me.

colin, london, england

Anyone who believes that some Angel came to America in the 1830s and gave the Rev. Smith the Book of Mormon on golden plates, now conveniently lost, is too gullible to become the leader of the worlds only real superpower.

Stuart Sinclair, London, UK

It's a sad reflection on the American public that the word "religion" is seen as positive, and the word "liberal" as negative.

alan, cologne,

I hear that Romney believes that the son of God was born from a virgin and rose from the dead 3 days after being killed. Should a person with such outlandish beliefs be entrusted to be the President of the USA?

Chris Jackson, London,

Strange how American politics is beginning to resemble that of the Middle East. Perhaps instead of forcing the US brand of democracy onto places like Iraq, we should look at how its beginning to degenerate here. The rise of the Christian Fundamentalists is truly frightening.

Finn, Moab, Utah

Ron Paul will the next President of the USA

His popularity has even spread to Europe. A rally in support of Ron Paul is planned for 15-16 December 2007 in Strasbourg for all Euporean supporters of liberty and freedom. The rally will take place outside the European Parliament

There is only one choice for liberty, freedom and an end to illegal unconstitutional war

Ron Paul 2008

mattsa, Redhill, Surrey, UK

Those supporting Huckabee have apparently never examed his record. He is weak on immigration, eager to raise taxes and his only strong point are his oratory skills ....learned from the church pulpit.

Comparing his qualifications to Romney or Rudy is a joke. The administrator of AR compared to MA or the Mayor of NY.

We've already have one too many bubbas from LIttle Rock!

Hotspur, ATL, USA

How many times have we predicted something was going to happen a certain way, only to be fooled? It is important for everyone to follow their own sense, to whom is right to recieve their vote, without basing it on prediction. To base their vote on truthfulness, and to be confident that they did their best to elect the best candidate for President, not for the reason of electability. When we compromise our standards, it makes us look like a phony. That is getting to be synonymous with politics.

R. Catlin, Sandston, VA

As for Huckabee not having the resources or people to win, I would say; I would rather have a man w/ right positions, convictions, great communication skills and tons of likeabilty and have to find several million bucks and hundeds of campaign workers than to have a much weaker candidate WITH those things. In this record long campaign for the presidency w/ a record number of televised debates, In the end, the better message and the better man will win out. The money and the campaign help will come.

michael litzau, Baltimore, maryland

How unfortunate it is that religion has become such
a force in the American political process. It enables politicians to avoid discussing the real issues of importance "Vote for me. My path to some superstitious nirvana is better than yours. My denial of scientific reasoning makes me a better alternative than the other guy." We're trying to elect a world leader. We don't need all this medieval, nonsensical superstition as an issue in the political forum.

Bruce L. Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

Let you who are perfect cast the first stone.
You may also shut the hell up and let the politicians stand on their own records.

Kenneth Kuieck, Covington, GA