Mitt Romney-can the GOP front-runner overcome Mormons' bad rap?

Mitt Romney, Governor of Massachusetts, has become a surprising front runner for the Republican nomination for President. His surprising showing in early polls has him beating former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani who was thought to be a strong candidate because of the Nation's view of him as a leader after the tragedy of 9/11. However, Romney has gained support in recent weeks despite skepticism of his Mormon faith. As a member of the Mormon church, sometimes called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Romney is facing a lot of the same criticism that John F Kennedy faced as the first Catholic President. However, with stories in the news about Romney's great-great-whatever grandfather having more than one wife, the polygamy jokes seem never-ending and people are questioning whether a member of an extremely-conservative religious sect can lead a country so diverse in religious preference.

Romney's website paints the picture of any other Republican Candidate, talking up patriotism and commenting on the recent trip to the US and UN by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. However, past the slightly-corny front page of Romney supporters holding up giant, red, foam "Mitts" similar the the foam fingers at baseball games, is the underlying sense of hypocrisy when it comes to tolerance, especially relating to Iran.

On his page, a news article declares that Romney condems Iran and its leaders for intolerance, but Romney has been a great opponent of Ahmadinejad visiting the US. Although I can't say that I am an Iran supporter, I thought the point of his visit to the US and United Nations was to show our tolerance for non-violent conversations involving the Iranian leader. However, Romney has expressed his "outrage" against Ahmadinejad's visit saying that he shouldn't be allowed to vising the United Nations or Ground Zero.

An article written on the Slate.com called, "Mitt Romney's Clumsy Mormon Shtick" http://www.slate.com/id/2140539/ says "Mormonism is [Romney's] biggest political hurdle." Going on to call him "absurdly wholesome." You would think that his belief in conventional Mormon values would make him a solid bet to get the Mormon vote. However, a few Mormon-run websites have emerged with anti-Romney sentiments.

Mormons against Romney.org is a blogging website against the GOP candidate using a bible verse as some-what of a mission statement saying, "Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently; and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil." The website claims that Romney is unqualified for the position and is not a good representation of American Mormonism.

Romney has made many attempts to appeal to Iowa voters in this important time before the caucuses, even tailgating in Ames for the Iowa vs. Iowa State game and appearing at the Clay County Fair in early September. During these visits, Romney has talked about strong economy, strong values and the importance of family. These discussions all seem aimed at the small-town farmer and families. However, it makes me wonder whether a Mormon candidate has a chance in a state very populated with Proestant Christian values, some of which do not aknowledge Mormonism as Christianity. As the caucuses draw closer, Romney and other Republican candidates will have to make more attempts to relate to the hard working people of Iowa like many of the Democratic candidates have been able to do. But with months until the caucuses start, it is still anyone's game.

Barack Obama-Hopeful voice or Hollow promises?

Barack Obama, a Junior Senator from the State of Illinois has emerged at somewhat of a "designer" candidate in the 2008 elections. Widely endorsed by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Halle Barry, it is hard to look past his commercial appeal and famous friends. However, behind the campaign that has raised over $58 Million dollars (still 6 months out from the Democratic National Convention) is a man with little political experience, and many aspirations. Promising to end the war in Iraq, and strengthen America overseas many seasoned politicians think that Obama doesn't really know what hes in for. With little experience in the International arena, his plans to "Strengthen America Overseas," may seem like he is biting off more than he can chew. However, many people in the Democratic party are throwing their support behind Obama citing is vision and integrity to be qualities that will lead him to success not only on the campaign trail, but in the White House as well.

Obama is also getting alot of attention for bringing faith back into Democratic politics. Although widely satarized on shows like The Colbert Report and The Daily Show, the lack of a strong religious voice within the Democrats has been noticeable. However, Obama has spoken openly about his Christian beliefs as well as the "uncertainty of faith" in a speech in June 2006. But will his religious convictions and displays of his own family values be enough to sway the more conservative vote?

Also, Obama speaks about improving schools and ending poverty in the US. Although this may seem cynical, I find it hard to believe that a Columbia and Harvard Law educated lawyer, teaching law at a premiere US law school (University of Chicago) ever finds himself strapped for cash or living pay check to pay check. On the other hand, no candidate that has the means to run for President has ever felt those kinds of pressures.

Even with the skepticism, I think that Barack Obama offers hope for the American public, more so than I saw in the 2004 elections with Kerry and Edwards. His optimism and hope for the future of the country is something that I think will resonate with young voters and may harken back to days of JFK and Bobby Kennedy. As the months move on we will see if Obama can gain more momentum agains Hillary Clinton, but he still may carry a large vote among Democrats.

*10.3.08- I have added a picture I took (on my cell phone...don't mind the quality) at the Obama speech in Coralville on October 2, 2007. He was speaking that day marking the 5 year anniversary of his opposition to the Iraq war.

Fred Thompson joins the race

As a regular watcher of Law and Order, I was excited to see the one and only Fred Thompson enter the race for President as a Republican candidate. In a throwback to Arnold Schwarzenegger's joining the Gubenatorial race in 2000, Thompson announced his candidacy from the comfort of Jay Leno's couch on the Tonight Show. Although his much anticipated entry to the race was shocking to almost no one, many people still are unaware of what he stands for as a candidate.

On his newly minted website Fred08.com, the former Congressman shares his views on the long reaching arm of the Government in a short clip titled, "Federalism," Thompson discusses the importance of not giving too much power to the Federal Government, which seems like a bit of a shoddy argument for someone running to be the leader of our government.

Like many other Republican candidates, Thompson emphasizes family values and is against gay marriage. Hopefully we can learn more about Fred Thompson as he builds his campaign in the coming months.