Networks Touted 'Edgy' Anti-Mormon Play, Now Fret About 'Ugly' Anti-Romney Attacks
Good Morning America and the Today show on Monday fretted about the "ugly turn" the 2012 presidential race has taken in the wake of a pastor at a conservative conference decrying Mitt Romney's Mormonism as a "cult." Yet, these same programs promoted the "edgy" Book of Mormon play back in the spring.
On Monday, GMA's correspondent Jon Karl asserted, "The race for the Republican nomination has take an ugly turn with some now openly questioning whether Mitt Romney's Mormon faith should disqualify him from being president." Karl added that when Romney spoke at the Value Voters Summit, he "tried to take the high ground."
However, on March 18, 2011, co-host Robin Roberts introduced reporter Jake Tapper as a "big fan" of Book of Mormon creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Tapper described the Broadway play as an "edgy work, typical for [the creators]. But they insist Mormons should not be offended."
One Mormon reviewer of the play described it this way:
The main thrust of its claims about Mormonism is that Joseph Smith made it all up, and that his message does not apply to the modern world. It portrays Mormons as naïve and simplistic.
Of course, Mormons are also a cheerful, polite, and well-meaning bunch, and as such, are basically harmless. But the only way for them to truly do good in the modern world is to change their story so it applies to current problems, which should be fine since their scriptures were made up in the first place.
Over on NBC's Today, Chuck Todd used identical language, proclaiming that "the battle for the Republican nomination is taking an ugly turn."
On May 12, 2011, NBC's Matt Lauer touted the Book of Mormon as one of the "hottest shows on Broadway." Of those offended by the play, the Today host dismissed, "But have you had some people react in a--in a way that they don't quite take it as just plain fun, that they take it a little too seriously?"
Lauer quoted, "Here's how it's been described. It's a show that, quote, 'packs in plenty of blissful profanity, sacrilege and politically incorrect mischief.'"
By many accounts, the play is extremely vulgar and harsh harsh towards Mormonism. It seems odd for ABC and NBC to now turn around and be offended for Romney.
A transcript of the October 10 segment, which aired at 7:10am EDT, follows:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: We're going to turn now to politics. Your voice, your vote, and the issue the Republican Mitt Romney had hoped to put to lest last time he ran for President: A pastor's controversial comments about Romney's Mormon faith caused a ruckus at a summit of social conservatives over the weekend, creating a tricky situation for Romney and his GOP opponents. ABC's Jon Karl covered it all. Good morning, Jon.
JON KARL: Good morning, George. The race for the Republican nomination has take an ugly turn with some now openly questioning whether Mitt Romney's Mormon faith should disqualify him from being president. It all started at the Values Voters Summit of Christian conservatives, where Dallas Pastor Roberts Jeffress introduced Rick Perry.
ROBERT JEFFRESS: Rick Perry is a proven leader. He's a true conservative and he's a genuine follower of Jesus Christ.
RICK PERRY: Pastor Jeffress, I want to say thank you for a rousing introduction. He- he knocked it out of the park, as we like to say.
KARL: But what did Pastor Jeffers mean by calling Perry a genuine follower of Jesus Christ? Afterwards, he made it clear he was saying Mitt Romney is not a genuine Christian and not an acceptable candidate because he is Mormon.
JEFFRESS: In my estimation, Mormonism is a cult and it would give credence to a cult to have a Mormon candidate. I believe Mitt Romney is a good, moral person, has a wonderful family. But, that's not what makes you a Christian.
KARL: At first, the Perry campaign didn't refute that. But within minutes, told ABC News,"The Governor doesn't believe it is a cult." Governor Perry seemed determined to avoid the question.
UNIDENTIFIED: Do you believe Mormonism is a cult though, Governor?
KARL: He answered with an abrupt "no" as he walked away. Later at the Values conference, another pastor seemed to suggest that Romney's faith disqualifies him.
BRYAN FISCHER (Dir. Of Issue Analysis, American Family Association): The next president of the United States needs to be a man- I'm speaking generically here- needs to be a man of sincere, authentic, genuine Christian faith.
KARL: As for Romney himself, he spoke to the conference too and tried to take the high ground.
MITT ROMNEY: Poisonous language doesn't advance our cause. It's never softened a single heart or changed a single mind. Let no agenda narrow our vision or drive us apart. We have important work to accomplish.
KARL: In an ABC News poll earlier this year, the overwhelming majority of Republicans said a candidate's faith should not be a factor. But, 20 percent, that's one out of every five, said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate if he is Mormon. And, George, on Sunday, both Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain were directly asked if Mormons were Christians and both of them declined to answer that question.
STEPHANOPOULOS: They took a pass on it. This could end up being a real challenge for Romney. Meanwhile, Governor Perry still facing questions over the weekend in Iowa over his stance on immigration. And he is looking to get back on offense this week.
KARL: And he sure is, George. The Perry campaign is out with a new ad, a 60 second ad that is the most devastatingly harsh ad I have seen yet in this campaign and the most slickly produced, portraying Romney as, basically, a clone of Barack Obama. Very harsh ad.
STEPHANOPOULOS: That's all before tomorrow night's debate. And we expect to hear a jobs program from Perry at the end of the week. Okay, Jon. Thanks very much.
- Scott Whitlock's blog
- Login to post comments






JON KARL: Good morning, George. The race for the Republican nomination has take an ugly turn with some now openly questioning whether Mitt Romney's Mormon faith should disqualify him from being president. It all started at the Values Voters Summit of Christian conservatives, where Dallas Pastor Roberts Jeffress introduced Rick Perry.









Comments
Great catch, Scott
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 5:18pm.
I had forgotton about the play, which I never heard one MSM outlet describe without praise or even cheer. Now they make hay over another Mormon critic.
Hypocrisy -- yet again.
Romney's religion is a problem to the MSM but Obama's wasn't?
Submitted by cbeyer on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 5:17pm.
For twenty years Obama sat in the pews of the church pastored by the racist, biggoted, black liberation theology preachings of the Reverend Wright.
"G.....D.....America" (from the pulpit)
"America's chickens are coming home to roost" (after 9-11)
Plus many more!
The story of the racist rantings from the pulpit by Rev Wright were out there for a year before the MSM finally picked up on them although not much was made of it.
Press hipocracy. In this case its sleight of hand at bringing up the religion issue with Romney. I am no Morman but I am fine with Romney.
Of course they do...
Submitted by wizardjr on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 5:29pm.
Romney's their new McLame - Dhimmeroid Lite, someone Teh Won might actually beat.
...this is why it matters
Submitted by vrwc13 on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 5:49pm.
...the liberals and media know this and would use it to their advantage.
Ron Brownstein, editorial director of the National Journal, points out that Romney ran poorly among evangelical Christians, especially in the South, in 2008.
"In all the Southern states, he never topped out above 20% of the votes among evangelical Christians; only 11% in the critical state of South Carolina," Brownstein said.
In all, 45% of Republicans who vote in primaries are conservative evangelical Christians. They are far less a factor in a general election.
For Romney's rivals, this requires straddling a line -- you don't want to alienate a huge part of the primary vote, nor do you want to look intolerant. - CNN
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
MSM too Transparent
Submitted by rwnewsnut on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 10:40pm.
The MSM are delighted the Perry camp is making Mormonism a hot topic - so they don't have to. Let's face it, even in reporting the "ugly turn" they are able to get digs in against Mormonism just by repeating the controversial statements.
"BTW -did you know Romney is a Mormon?" - the MSM. Remember, this is the same MSM that would be appalled if anyone brought up a Muslim candidate's religion. But the Republicans themselves are giving the MSM cover.
I'm fine with Romney too.
A couple observations
Submitted by moderncommentaries83 on Tue, 10/11/2011 - 4:58am.
1) The entire media meme seems to be, "If we do it, then it's okay!" but don't you dare steal our spotlight and
2) Romney is clearly someone they think Obama can beat. Whenever the MSM is defensive of Republican candidates pre-primary, it sends up a big red flag that this isn't the Republican I want to vote for.
Jeffress Only Attacked Mormons; Parker & Stone Attack Everyone
Submitted by TheReal7Sticks on Tue, 10/11/2011 - 7:28pm.
...well, at least everyone and anyone that the overlords at Comedy Central will approve of, as we witnessed with the Prophet Mohammed episodes. So, basically it's a comparison of apples and oranges. Nice try, though.
And just in case you were wondering, as the old saying goes, "reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated." I simply took the summer off after that little meltdown of mine and started looking for work. After all, there is only so much you are capable of as a NEET, so I decided to put on some pants, take a step outside into that strange and mysterious frontier known as the real world and got an internship. And it is that world I intend to stay in from now on, so you are not going to be seeing me around here anytime soon, so toodle-oo.