The Hiller Instinct: Hiller Instinct: Romney's religion

A new movie coming out next month about the Mormon's role in a savage slaughter will help keep the spotlight on the little-known religion that some call a cult.

Brigham Young, who led the Mormons during the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857, is portrayed as a fanatic. The actor who plays Young says, "I am the voice of God, and anyone who doesn't like it will be hewn down."

Add in polygamy, which is depicted on the HBO drama "Big Love," involving the now forbidden Mormon custom of a man having more than one wife, and there are big problems for a Mormon who wants to be president.

Rev. Al Sharpton, a political activist, recently said, "Real believers, not atheists, are going to vote against him anyway, because I don't think Romney will win."

Romney's religion has already triggered a sharp exchange with Rev. Sharpton, who is a Democrat.

Mitt Romney, Republican presidential candidate
"His comment was a bigoted comment."

And Romney is ready for more:

Mitt Romney, Republican presidential candidate
"I'm proud to be a person of faith... to describe the fact my faith is a great source of strength for me, and I'm going to stand by my faith. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Or surprised about: Romney's religion was a flash-point in Massachusetts in 1994, when he challenged Sen. Ted Kennedy.

While campaigning in '94, Sen. Kennedy said, "I think there are different kinds of issues. For example, in 1978, there was a change in terms of the teachings."

Responding, Romney cited the senator's brother: "John Kennedy's election should have meant an end to religious bigotry in politics."

In 1960, JFK, running to become the nation's first Catholic president, answered questions about his religion directly, saying, "What I would like to be analyzed is. Am I competent to be president? If I'm not, I should be voted against by all faiths. If I am, then I should receive support, regardless of my religion."

Now, it's Romney's turn to take Mormons mainstream.

Mitt Romney, Republican presidential candidate
"Oh, I expect people to ask questions about what I believe and what my faith is, and I will continue to talk to them about the values which we share."

If he wants to win, he must. There may be Mormons in Congress, including Senate majority leader Harry Reid and GOP Senator Orrin Hatch, but none has ever been in the White House.

Polls show Romney's religion could make it tougher to get there. In one, 43 percent of Americans surveyed said they wouldn't even consider voting for a Mormon candidate, and a Harris poll concluded Romney's religion is "a serious handicap."

Andy Hiller, 7NEWS Political Editor
"Do you agree that Mormonism is not the best religion to run on to be President of the United States?"

Mitt Romney, Republican presidential candidate
"I'm real pleased with my faith." (smiling)

Don't miss the irony here: while Mitt Romney is faithfully religious, he may not be religious enough for the Republican faithful, simply because he's the wrong religion for the religious right.

I'm Andy Hiller, and that's my instinct.

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