Harry Reid is a Mormon?

[Emops]

That's like if the head of the RNC, Ken Mehlman, were gay!

Wait a minute...

[w4rma]

1. Analogy doesn't work. Dems don't bash Mormons. Repugs bash gays. (nt)

[Emops]

3. Bashing is not the issue.

% of party affiliation is.

I'm just saying that a Mormon Democrat is about as rare as a gay Republican.

...although I admit it didn't come out that way.

[Not_Giving_Up]

2. Yes he is

He's a mormon with a backbone!

[Erika]

4. Mormons believe in taking care of the needy

They also think it is a commandment of Christ. He's not fallen into the Bush theme that the poor are dirty lazy scum.

[LDS Jock]

15. A Tale of Two Mormons.. comparing Reid and Hatch statements on the church

Reid also insists it is easier for a Democrat to be a good Latter-day Saint than it is for a Republican to be a good Latter-day Saint.

"One of the reasons I feel so strongly about the philosophy of the Democratic Party is that we're concerned about people who have little," Reid said. "Look at the programs we've pushed: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. Republicans opposed those, every one of them. ... I don't see how a person who cares about their fellow man could oppose these programs."

Another Latter-day Saint, Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, disagrees.

"Let's put it this way. I think that's pure bunk," Hatch said.

Without Republicans to control federal spending by Democrats, Hatch said, the country would be far worse off economically.

"Look how they're spending now and how it's just like a bunch of drunken sailors around here," Hatch said. "All I can say is true religion means living within your means. True religion means doing what is in the best interest of the country as a whole. True religion, it seems to me, is being honest about what has to be done around here."

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Sep-08-Sun-2002/news/19525007.html

Hatch has a very what true religion is about. He is very materialistic. Reid comes across as a true Christian. You might not agree with his beliefs, but at least its possible to respect him. I don't know where Hatch got the idea republicans control wild Democrat spending. Where has he been for since the 2000 selection?

[ISUGRADIA]

5. There are still a few Mormon Dems

a minority but still a significant amount. Utah was a fairly reliable Dem state up until the 1948 for President and into the 1970s for Congress and Governor.

[Indiana_Dem]

6. I didn't know it was allowed to be Democrat if you're Mormon1

My grandpa rents a room to 2 Mormons. He's done it for 8 years and ALL of them were/are solid Republicans. My grandpa tried to brainwash them with liberal materials/TV/conversation, etc. He's been trying to get them to see and listen to positive "Democrat" people they might not otherwise be around. They aren't allowed to watch TV but grandpa says he always turns it to c-span when there's something good on that supports Dems. In good turn, he listens to their preaching but there is no way he'll ever succumb to it--he's 96 and he's already formed his decisions regarding his faith. He figures he's 96 but they're only 18-19 and have a whole world ahead of them.

[LDS Jock]

14. yes you are allowed

I'm one and I know of many others. While certainly a minority, we are here.

[Wapsie B]

7. If I remember correctly,

Mormons switched en masse to the gop after Dems went after Polygamy. Before that the Mormon faith was a Democratic stronghold.

[Emops]

8. Yeah, but that happened around the 1850's, didn't it?

[Wapsie B]

9. Yes, that could very well be.

[LiviaOlivia]

11. 1890

eom

[Radical Activist]

12. The original Republican platform

was against slavery and polygamy "the twin barbarisms" as they said. The GOP was founded as an anti-Mormon party and their first Presidential candidate, John C. Freemont, hated Mormons after several significant run-ins with them. Ironic isn't it?

Additionally, most of the Christian right, like Dr. Dobson, believe Mormons are a cult and probably not Christian. Republican Mormons support a movement and political leadership that hates them. It is truly sad.

[LDS Jock]

13. the republicans were the ones after polygamy

article about the change in the church

In the year 2000, observers speak with concern about Utah being dominated by one political party. It's not the first time.

In the 1890s. . .as Utah neared statehood. . .national political leaders had the same complaint, with a twist.

Utah and its Mormon population were viewed as nearly 100-percent Democrat.

Because of the strong anti-polygamy stand of the Republican Party, very few members of the Mormon Church wanted to join the GOP.

Realizing a gesture of balance had to be made, Mormon Church leaders sent apostle John Henry Smith on the stump to convince Mormon congregations that it was possible to be a good Latter-day Saint, and a good Republican.

The membership drive was so effective that Republicans were soon competitive in Democrat-controlled Utah.

http://www.voteutah.org/moments/07.html
-------------------------------------------------------------

Somehow I don't think the church will be sending anyone to try to increase the number of Democrats in the church.

[autorank]

10. Relevant fact: Harry Reid is a damn good Dem Senate Leader.

Much better than Sen. I Love My Preznit Daschle.

Reid kicks ass. I don't care if he's a Rastafarian (actually, that would be cool, the Latter Day Rasta Crew)

[WI_DEM]

16. there are many progressive mormans, we have a few on DU