We have been handed the perfect chance to expose the "Christian Right." Pay no attention to the speculation you will hear about Mitt Romney over the next two years. You can ignore all the spin and dialogue about his politics, his govorning style, his money, and his (obviously paid for) good looks, Gov. Romney has one problem that will guarantee a place on the sidelines at the Republican National Convention:
He's Mormon.
From Washington Monthly:
Conservatives are beginning to worry about Romney's viability with evangelicals, even if they're not saying so publicly just yet. ...Robert Novak, who is as closely connected to conservative sources as anyone in the nation's capitol, wrote in June [2005] that Romney's Mormonism is "his one great liability as a presidential candidate."
For this reason, we as Democrats should vehemently defend his freedom of religion, even (and especially) while opposing his politics. It may be the best way to expose the Christian Right for what it is... neither Christian nor right.
Make no mistake, the evangelical movement is trying to destroy America. They spin it as an attempt to bring America "back to its roots," but that's hogwash. Yes, the Founding Fathers were Christian. In that, they are correct. But it was their Christian values (and by the Right's own admission, the inspiration of God) that led them to write these words
first in the Bill of Rights: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
The Evangelical movement would have this line expunged, or at least widely ignored. With all their talk of "Christian values," they have been unable to be accepting, much less forgiving, of those of us who choose to excersize our Constitutional and God-given right to beleive what we like.
Mitt Romney may be the Republican's best candidate, but it will never matter. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he may as well worship Satan (and please remember, the Far Right beleives that he does). His beliefs as a Mormon and his right to practice his religion may be perfectly in line with the Founding Father's views, but the Evangelical right will never vote for a member of a "cult."
So read carefully: While we must stand together against Gov. Romney's politics, we must also vehemently defend his right to practice any religion he likes. As a candidate for the Republican presidential nominee, we have been handed the perfect opportunity to expose the rapant hypocrisy of the Republican party itself. The only reason they have to not vote for him is his religious convictions and that is totally against everything this country was founded on.
The Christian Right is neither. The Evangelical movement cannot and will not be able to release itself from its own prejudices. It is the Democratic Party that stands as the party for all people and it's time for the country to come home.