Romney bus tour set to begin

The Mitt Mobile will make its  South Carolina debut this week as Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney travels to the Palmetto State.

Between Thursday and Friday, the former Massachusetts govenor will campaign in six cities in the state, according to a campaign news release.

On Thursday, Romney will be in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Columbia.

On Friday, Romney will be in Aiken, Newberry and Greenville.

Comments

[Karl Wetterlich]

I hope someone asks Romney about two subjects. First, I would like to know if he believes, as other mormons do, that he can become a god by what he does if elected president. Mormons believe there are multiple gods, making them non-christians.

Second, while I am disgusted at Larry Craig, why did Romney trash him before Craig had a chance to defend himself? Craig was a senior member of Romney campaign but Romney through him overboard as if they were strangers. We conservatives (real conservatives) like loyaltly.

[Jason B]

Karl,
Thanks for demonstrating to the world (1) what an inaccurate attack on a religion looks like and (2) why some people nationwide are concerned that bible-belters will scare their friends and neighbors into not voting for someone simply because their religion doesn't completely match theirs. I've got an idea: why don't we break the Southern stereotype and choose to vote based on a candidate's merits and positions on political issues for once?

[Cathy York]

Karl,

I'm an evangelical Christian, so I have HUGE problems with Mormon theology; their view of Jesus absolutely contradicts Scripture. However, I strongly believe that theological debate has NO place in a presidential campaign, as our Constitution explicitly states that we will not have a religious test for public office.

Regarding Sen. Craig, the fact that he pled guilty to the reduced charge and failed yesterday to deny any of the policeman's allegations of solicitation behavior, lead me to assert that he needs to resign NOW. As slimy as adultery is, it's usually a private act, but soliciting in a public restroom is an indication of character unfit for public office. Hopefully Sen. McConnell and other leaders will prevail upon Craig to do the right thing.

[Karl Wetterlich]

Hi Jason and Cathy.

I think there is a difference between asking whether someone is "religious enough" as often happens and asking whether someone's views are so extreme (and contrary to Christianity) that it could pose a risk to our country. For example, It is true that mormons believe that what you do on earth can lead them to become gods. Fine, if that is what they believe. But now suppose the President of the US believes this and he decides that attacking Iran would joepardize his chances of becoming a god. It could also be the reverse; he could believe that it is his duty to attack non-believers and that would include christians. Will we go along if a mormon president decides he needs to attack England because they are non-believer?

These sound like crazy ideas, but so is the idea of becoming a god. And I have no idea what someone who believes this is capable of.

[mike]

Karl,

We don't need the John Birch Society fractionalizing the Republican party this election cycle because you want to rationalize Fred Thompson. I like McCain--and you did the same negative nonesense and lies to him for a decade. And then you go and support Fred Thompson--a John McCain light--with all the RINO and none of the work.

[Cathy York]

Karl and Mike,

Can we dial back the rhetoric a few notches? Reasoned debate is one thing, but throwing hammers at each other doesn't accomplish much except to raise blood pressures and unnecessarily alienate folks who are perhaps forming their political ideologies and just might become staunch conservatives if their initial impression of us is something besides a bunch of pot-and-pan banger conspiracy theorists.

As to whether Romney's theology would lead him to massacre (a) the very segment of American society that supports and defends his freedom to worship whom and as he sees fit or (b) one of our strongest allies, I've seen no evidence that he's anywhere close to being that nutty. Speculating that he's likely to go down such a path is analagous to left-wing nutters asserting that Eric Rudolph and other abortion clinic bombers are representative of the Christian right.

[S. Bronson]

The scribes and pharisees of the new testament condemned Our Lord to death for his teachings, and for claiming to be the Son of God. Blaspheme in their minds! Likewise, you condemn Mitt Romney's belief that he might someday become a god. Blaspheme? Maybe. Maybe not. In Gethsemane Our Lord prayed and said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee." Why would he say such a thing if all things are not in fact possible? Isn't it just "possible" that Christ suffered and died for us so that we could someday 'possibly' be exactly like Him? After all, isn't the greatest gift of God eternal life? Who has a more 'eternal life' than God Himself? Eternal life describes God and His Son and if we have it, it therefore describes us (possibly as gods). Mormons believe that God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ are the only 'Gods' who have the power to give us eternal life (it's reasonable to believe that 'eternal life' has the power to bestow life eventually - godhood). Mormons may be ascribing more power and glory to God the Father and Jesus Christ than mainstream religion, if they believe that They can create subordiate gods out of us. So how are Mormons not Christians when in fact they believe that only through Jesus Christ can they attain eternal life i.e., godhood? Mormons acknowledge Christ's limitless power! It is ludicrous and a twisting of LDS doctrine by Mormon detractors to say that Mormons worship gods who came before God the Father and His Son. Mormons only worship Them, no others! It's OK for Mitt to believe this. He is a Christian in every sense of the word! I believe Mitt Romney's beliefs are as 'justified' as any of yours. Why are you so sure you are right? The sadducees and the pharisees thought they were right too. I would much rather have a man who believes in our Lord and Savior for our President than one who does not, even if his belief in the Savior doesn't quite fit mine.

[Karl Wetterlich]

The problem with your explanation of mormon mythology is that the christian definition of our deity is that he is "alpha and omega." That means the Godhead has no beginning or end, and was not created or elevated from humankind. It is actually sacrilege to suggest otherwise. And that is the problem, or one problem, with mormonism. It teaches that a man can become a god, which is contrary to christian doctrine. Thus Romney and mormons in general are not christian and in fact their beliefs degrade the Godhead.

[Jason B]

Based on Mike's post above, Karl may not be the most unbiased critic of Romney or his religion. There's really no use in trying to have a rational conversation with an irrational person.

[Mike]

My problem with Mitt is not his religion - it's that he is willing to apparently change any and all of his positions to win votes. That tells me he has few if any core values and tells me he's not the fellow I'm voting for. I do appreciate his attacks on these sanctuary cities, but that's not nearly enough. For me, Ron Paul remains the man!

PS Jason - Dixie is a Christian land. If you don't like that then I urge you to relocate. We're not changing for you or for anyone else. We have a right to protect our culture and our religion.

[Spenser]

I personally don't care whether Romney is Mormon or a Wiccan Priest. I do care that some people's professed knowledge of the matter makes them look incompetant, ignorant and in the dark. They might have had clear and valid points, but those are lost in the messages because of errors. Perception is reality. Either way it doesn't matter as the GOP can not win in 2008. You are all arguing over who gets to loose.

[Jason B]

bigot

Pronunciation: 'bi-g&t
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance

source: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/bigot

[Mike]

Jason, is it "biggoted" to point out that leopard are not lions? Tell me, is that "biggoted"? I guess so. Is it "biggoted" to say that Saudi Arabia is a Muslim land? Tell me? And is is "biggoted" to say Dixie is a Christian land?

Come one, man. The words mean nothing at all anymore. Who's afraid of such labels when y'all throw them around as if they were meaningless - which is what they have become. Everyone ready to hold hands and sing Kum-ba-ya and drink the poisoned cool-aid??

[Cathy York]

I was hoping to get into a rational discussion in which I might learn something, but guess I came to the wrong place!

[S. Bronson]

Karl,
One does not become a Son without first having a Father. Christ is the Only Begotten of the Father. The fact that he was 'begotten' implies a "beginning."

He was born. He grew in stature and wisdom. He went forth teaching His doctrine. He was transfigured. He was crucified and died on the cross. He was resurrected. All these things were beginnings for Him that prepared Him to be God the Son in the Godhead with His Father. He (Jesus along with His Father)is as you say, 'Alpha and Omega,' but Jesus obviously had many beginnings and endings, so we mortals cannot fully comprehend what it means to be 'Alpha and Omega.'

It is presumptuous in my mind for you to say that Mormonism is a "mythology" and that "Mormons aren't Christians." It is no more a mythology than your own beliefs. Just because you say it, doesn't make it so. The Bible is as replete with scriptures that support Mormon beliefs as it is with scriptures that support your own. This name calling that "Mormons Are Not Christians" is very unbecoming of "Christians." It sounds to me as if you are parroting the words of others (because what you say is what I often hear) rather than really thinking deeply and introspectively about Mormon doctrine. I don't believe I have said anything sacrilegious or degrading about the Godhead. I am only telling you what I believe. Everything I have said is plainly stated in the Bible. Also, I must point out to you, that our Lord was elevated from among humankind (He was born of a woman) and raised in glory to take His rightful place at His Father's side.

Jesus' brother James describes the Mormons I know:

James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world."

The members of the LDS Church I know try very hard to live Christ-like lives. I think Mitt Romney does too.

[Jason B]

Mike,
I'm not really sure what I said to get your all riled up, but your posts and the definition I cut and pasted speak for themselves. After your criticism of Karl, I thought you and I were in agreement that defamimg any religion with false claims is wrong. The next thing I see is you suggesting I leave the state and implying Mormons are like the Jim Jones cult. I've known many Mormons in my life and admire the way nearly every one of them lives their life. None have ever invited me to drink poisoned kool-aid. My point has been and remains this: Mitt Romney is running for an elected office. Look at his record as an elected official and his stated positions in this campaign for cues as to how he would continue to govern. If you don't like what you see or hear, don't vote for him. I further believe that inaccurate attacks on any religion for no reason other than to try and influence a couple people's votes in an election is inappropriate. Perhaps we should agree to disagree and keep some dignity about all this.

[Cathy York]

Jason,

Amen and amen!

[spener]

bravo.

[Connie Mack Jr]

Second, while I am disgusted at Larry Craig, why did Romney trash him before Craig had a chance to defend himself? Craig was a senior member of Romney campaign but Romney through him overboard as if they were strangers. We conservatives (real conservatives) like loyaltly.*Karl Wetterlich Member of the elite Republican Guard

We agree! That is what the German conservatives did when they swore loyalty to the Da Furher

We don't need the John Birch Society fractionalizing the Republican party this election cycle because you want to rationalize Fred Thompson.* paranoid Mike

Good Grief Mike! Blaming the highly powerful JBS for all of the sex scandels in the leadership of the Republican party is like Al Gore claiming that the John Birch Society is behind Global warming.

I further believe that inaccurate attacks on any religion for no reason other than to try and influence a couple people's votes in an election is inappropriate.* Jason B

We agree! But Jason? What would you do if a Atheist was leading in the polls and said his Religion was none of your business for a couple of Republican votes?

The members of the LDS Church I know try very hard to live Christ-like lives. I think Mitt Romney does too.*S. Bronson

We agree! But what if you are wrong and Mitt is the Anti-Christ who has arrived 200 years earlier than the book of Mormons had predicted. Are you going to demand a refund from the Mormon Church or simply join another Republican pagan Church?

[Tim]

I see Mike gets his kicks on this thread, too.

No one wants your dixie rhetoric.

[Mike]

Karl, that first comment from "mike" (lower-cased 'm') is not from me. I'm sorry if I misunderstood your comment. I thought you were attacking me early on. Again, I apologise. It's not my goal to "get my kicks" from this as Tim says, but rather to primarily advance the interests of South Carolinians and our sovereign State. That's all. Again, I'm sorry if I offended you or anyone else here. I do stand by my strong stance of SC's inherent sovereignty though and still do not think that Mitt would be a good president.

[Tim]

You don't think anybody is a great, not good, presidet unless they kick us out da union, huh?

You have a right to your opinion, Mike,
but 20% is second-tier.

[Leroy]

Tim, sir, count me among that twenty percent. I've had enough with all this stuff, I'll tell you. It's all corruption, lies and theft anyhow - from BOTH sides, sir. From both sides. I'm done with it. I just want to be left alone. Me. My family. My friends. Our state. Things are not good. I think a lot of people realize that, surely they do. How bad are they going to get? I don't know. But I don't really want to see either. I'd rather that we were just left alone. Who the heck cares what they say? I don't. Like I said, I've had enough. I'm not alone either. We're not big people. But there's not just a couple of us either. We're just average people - and we're sick of things. And me personally, not speaking for everyone else - I'm sick of it here in this great big corrupt system. People smile and say "land of free, home of the brave" but that stopped being true quite some time ago, people. Having the courage to say so doesn't make me a traitor either. I'm a patriot. But I'm sick of the way things are going.

[Mike]

Actually Tim, I support Ron Paul. Not because I think he would "kick us out da union" but because he supports the most freedoms and least possible Federal Government. He comes the closest to a George Washington or John C. Calhoun in his stances. In fact, if they were here today, I'm quite sure they would support his views on the Constitution - views, which I might add, are never even talked about. Rather, the so-called "main tier" candidates repeat their huff and bluff until everyone cheers and sends them 50 bucks. Yet they offer nothing but more of the same. That is truely repulsive to me, Tim.

[Spenser]

here are the facts about Romney while he was in office, if anyone cares to take the time and read about him. CAUTION, I nor this blog are not responsible for the queasiness that may occur due to the violent flip-flopping.

http://www.romneyfacts.com