romney

Strange Bedfellows

March 20, 2009
By
Strange Bedfellows

One aspect of the church that makes me nervous at times is the alliances we form when our interests coincide with other groups, whether this is in the political realm (as is often the case), or even at times in interfaith work we undertake.

Read more »

Can Mormons Be Savvy Voters?

February 9, 2008
By

There’s a lot of talk in the media and across the ’nacle to the effect that Romney’s Mormon identity was the critical factor that torpedoed his candidacy. The argument is that a large percentage of Republican primary voters have anti-Mormon sentiments that kept them from supporting the candidate who, by the numbers, shared all the values positions that mattered to them most. The comparison has specifically been drawn with Log Cabin Republicans: Are Mormons a second group in the GOP’s big tent that find themselves despised by their fellow Republicans? If that’s where Mormons find themselves, we should ask: ...

Read more »

Breaking News: Romney Dropping Out

February 7, 2008
By

The wires are alive with the story that Romney is dropping out of the race. More as the story develops. See Breitbart, TIME and CNN for the story.  Romney is quoted saying: This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters … many of you right here in this room … have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming president. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I...

Read more »

9 Mormons Who Ran for President

February 5, 2008
By
9 Mormons Who Ran for President

During this campaign season I’ve been helping Newell Bringhurst and Craig Foster edit their forthcoming book, The Mormon Quest for the Presidency. The book tells the fascinating story of 9 Mormons who ran for president prior to Mitt Romney’s bid and I thought I’d briefly share their stories while Mitt’s fate is being decided today… 1844 Joseph Smith Jr. (no party) — In an era when the separation of church and state were still absolute, Smith was the first clergyman to run for president. As such, he did not emphasize his role as a prophet or as president of the...

Read more »

Defending the Faith

January 17, 2008
By

I’ve never been very political. It’s not that I’m a total slacker – I always read the platforms of both parties and I keep up on presidential candidates’ basic positions. I have preferences about who should win. Mostly, though, I’m disgusted by the divisive nature of our partisan system and my interest is politics is a casual affair. That’s all changed. This year, I am a political junkie. I watch all the debates and follow the polls the same way the wealthy follow stock prices. I have strong opinions on the merits of the major candidates and I know...

Read more »

Why I Voted for Mitt in Today’s Michigan Primary

January 15, 2008
By
Why I Voted for Mitt in Today’s Michigan Primary

I just got back from my neighborhood polling place, where I voted for Mitt Romney in the Michigan primary. Let me tell you why… Mitt Romney is a terribly weak candidate. He comes off as a phony, primarily because he is a phony. The charge of being a “flip-flopper” has stuck to him (because it’s true) and Romney’s counter message — that he’s legitimately changed his mind and become a true believer in regressionism — has gone no where because it’s not genuine. Ultimately, even if Romney eventually is the last man standing in the Republican primary season and...

Read more »

Episode 020: An Analysis of Mitt Romney’s ” Faith in America ” Speech Pt. 2

December 9, 2007
By

In Part 2 of this series, review the “Mormon angle” of Mitt Romney’s much anticipated religion speech entitled ” Faith in America “, delivered on December 6, 2007. Panelists include: John Fowles, John Hamer, Tom Grover, Russell Walker and John Dehlin. All music from my podcasts are provided by Clayton Pixton and Skye Pixton.

Read more »

Episode 019: An Analysis of Mitt Romney’s ” Faith in America ” Speech Pt. 1

December 7, 2007
By

In this episode, we review Mitt Romney’s much anticipated religion speech entitled ” Faith in America “, delivered on December 6, 2007. Panelists include: John Fowles, John Hamer, Tom Grover, Russell Walker and John Dehlin. All music from my podcasts are provided by Clayton Pixton and Skye Pixton.

Read more »

Audio Replay / Podcast of Mitt Romney’s ” Faith in America ” Speech

December 7, 2007
By

This is a replay / podcast of Mitt Romney’s ” Faith in America” Speech.

Read more »

Episode 5: Mormon Feminism, Women, and Claudia Bushman Part 2

July 3, 2007
By

A continuation from Episode 4. Thanks again to Dr. Bushman, Taryn and Rosalynde!!!! And of course, to hear more of (and to purchase!!!) the wonderful music included in the podcast, please check out:  claytonpixton.com and skyepixton.com Enjoy!

Read more »

Episode 4: Mormon Feminism, Women, and Claudia Bushman Part 1

July 2, 2007
By

Today we release part 1 of a 2-part conversation reviewing the recent Mormon Stories series on Women in the LDS Church (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5). This includes a discussion of my introduction, the 3 waves of Feminism in the USA, and a 3 part interview w/ Claudia Bushman. Today’s brilliant panelists are: Taryn Nelson-Seawright: Taryn lives in the Chicago area with her husband. She is a researcher in the medical social sciences. She is a passionate amateur scholar of the Book of Mormon. In her spare time, she blogs for By Common...

Read more »

Episode 3: The Mountain Meadows Massacre

June 25, 2007
By

Note: Mormon Matters podcast is now available through iTunes.  You can subscribe to the podcast by clicking on the iTunes button at the top right of this site. “This September marks the 150th anniversary of a terrible episode in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On September 11, 1857, some 50 to 60 local militiamen in southern Utah, aided by American Indian allies, massacred about 120 emigrants who were traveling by wagon to California. The horrific crime, which spared only 17 children age six and under, occurred in a highland valley called the Mountain...

Read more »

Episode 2: Mitt Romney, Mormonism and Recent Coverage in the New York Times and on Good Morning America

June 19, 2007
By

The topic for today is Mitt Romney, Mormonism, and the Recent Coverage in both the New York Times and Good Morning America. We had 3 more EXCELLENT panelists for Mormon Matters podcast. They included: John Fowles: John is a lawyer living in London with his wife and three children. He is interested in Mormonism and Mormon blogs and has participated for several years in Mormon blogging (or bloggernacle). Tom Grover: Tom is a lifetime resident of Cache Valley, producer and co-host of KVNU’s For the People. Ronan James Head: Ronan is from Malvern, England (home of the Wilford Woodruff...

Read more »