(RNS) Most Mormons in Utah believe that Mitt Romney’s rise to become the likely GOP presidential nominee is a good thing for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But many do not trust the media to cover the church fairly, according to a new poll released Monday (June 25).
The study, conducted by Key Research and Brigham Young University’s Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, is believed to be the first to gauge Mormons’ reaction to Romney’s barrier-breaking achievement. He is the first Mormon to clinch the presidential nomination of a major U.S. political party.
More than eight in 10 Utah Mormons said they are “very excited” or “somewhat excited” about Romney’s feat. Nearly as many (77 percent) said his nomination is a good thing for the LDS church; just 2 percent told pollsters it was a negative development.
Utah Mormons do not differ in many respects from Mormons in other states, according to studies conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
Kelly Patterson, a political science professor at Brigham Young University, said it is not clear whether the positive feelings toward Romney derive from shared faith or politics. Separate polls show that Mormons are more than twice as likely as other religious groups to vote Republican.
Despite their excitement about Romney, many Mormons remain wary of the media, according to the Key Research/BYU survey.
More than two-thirds of Utah Mormons said Romney’s nomination will bring bad and good publicity for the LDS church. An identical percentage (68 percent) said they do not trust the media to cover the church fairly.
“It seems like the excitement is higher than the dread," Patterson said, "even though many members of the LDS faith know that there will be some very uncomfortable moments during this campaign."
The survey, first published on the blog, Utah Data Points, is based on telephone interviews with 341 Mormons who are registered to vote in Utah. It was conducted June 12-19 and the margin of error is plus or minus 5.3 percentage points.
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Raymond Takashi Swenson | Jun 25, 2012 | 4:51pm
There is no question that it is the personal qualities and political stance of Romney that excite Mormons about his candidacy. Jon Huntsman demonstrated that being a twice elected Republican Utah governor was not enough to generate enthusiasm for him as a presidential candidate among most Mormons. When Utah Senator Orrin Hatch tried a short presidential run a few years ago, his popularity as a senator and his identity as a Mormon did not excite a lot of Utahn’s about contributing to his presidential campaign fund. And if Democrat senator Harry Reid of Nevada ever ran for the presidency, he would not find a lot of support from fellow Mormons, even though he is an active member of the church. In Utah, most candidates in both parties are Mormons. Religion is not a reason to vote for or against a candidate. Voters are more concerned with the personal qualities of the candidate first, and secondarily with their party affiliation. Utahns have elected governors and members of Congress who were not Mormons, as well as Mormons who were only nominal members. If Romney had grown up as a Presbyterian, they would still support him.
Mormons who are Republican know Mitt Romney from the three years he lived in Utah to rescue the 2002 Olympic Games from scandal and financial disaster. They see him as a candidate who is a credible president, someone who can appeal to people all across the US because of his abilities and accomplishments.
Dorothy M Wood | Jun 26, 2012 | 10:18am
I am a rather new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who supports Romney but not “because he is Mormon.” I have never lived IN or worked in a community of Mormons, so the influence of such does not deter me one way or another. I support Mitt Romney because he is a brilliant man who has the resume! He is also a great dad and husband. I have noticed that that is not necessarity traits of only Mormon families, but it is definitely a trait of Mormon families. Therefore, I believe Mitt and Ann, aside from the fact they are members of that paritcular religion, they are, far and above, great role models for young people who want to succeed in business life, with the other great bonus, that they are great role models for those who want to succeed in family life. I support Mitt’s candidacy 100%.