Steele Calls GOP Base Bigoted, Says They ‘Rejected’ Romney Because They Have ‘Issues With Mormonism’

In December 2007, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) delivered a speech on religion, in which he addressed how his Mormon “faith would inform his Presidency if he were elected.” Though Romney claimed it was “not a Mormon speech,” it was widely believed to be an effort to dispel “skepticism about his religion” among some conservatives.

Since losing the GOP primary to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Romney has insisted that the Republican Party’s base doesn’t have a problem with Mormonism. “I believe that religion will not be a factor of a significant nature in selecting our nominee, regardless of who might run,” Romney told the Deseret News last month.

But RNC Chairman Michael Steele disagrees. While guest-hosting Bill Bennett’s radio show yesterday, Steele debated a caller who thought Romney could have beat Obama if Democrats and the New York Times hadn’t “co-opted” the GOP primaries.

Steele insisted, however, that Romney couldn’t have won because the GOP based “rejected Mitt because it had issues with Mormonism”:

STEELE: Yeah, but let me ask you. Ok, Jay, I’m there with you. But remember, it was the base that rejected Mitt because of his switch on pro-life, from pro-choice to pro-life. It was the base that rejected Mitt because it had issues with Mormonism. It was the base that rejected Mitch, Mitt, because they thought he was back and forth and waffling on those very economic issues you’re talking about. So, I mean, I hear what you’re saying, but before we even got to a primary vote, the base had made very clear they had issues with Mitt because if they didn’t, he would have defeated John McCain in those primaries in which he lost.

Listen here:

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/09/steele-romney-mormon/

I hope he remains RNC chair for many years to come.

Maybe he can get his own talk show even.

The 'Bookie of Virtues' should have him guest host as often as needed while gambling away his fortune in Las Vegas.

You just can't make this up.

You crazy nonsense empathetic.

:thumbsup:

the fundies, setting them against each other.

Democrats think you're the best RNC chair we've ever had!

I agree with him, fundies are the base of the party and have been for about 30 years.

:evilgrin:

and Adam and Eve were the first humans and two of every animal fit on that Ark, but those golden tablets? ... Wow, that is just crazy talk.

Mikey, you should call Rush now and beg for forgiveness.

Why wait. :rofl: