MOSTELLER PREDICTS ROMNEY SPEECH WILL RAISE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT MORMONISM
SAYS GIULIANI, MCCAIN HURT IN S.C. BY ABORTION, IMMIGRATION
COLUMBIA, S.C. (TPS) – Cyndi Mosteller, the former First Vice Chair of the South Carolina GOP and current Co-Chair of Fred Thompson’s state campaign, spoke with The Palmetto Scoop in an exclusive interview Tuesday. Prior to working for Thompson, Mosteller served as the Chair of the Charleston County Republican Party and was a frequent guest on ABC’s Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher.
We asked her a series of questions on Thompson’s campaign, as well as her thought’s on the rest of the GOP heavyweights, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. These opinions are her own and not those of The Palmetto Scoop.
Since Romney is giving a much-anticipated speech on his faith Thursday, we lead with her comments on the former Massachusetts governor:
THE PALMETTO SCOOP: Gov. Romney is giving a very significant speech Thursday to try to reassure Republicans that his Mormon faith shouldn’t be a factor in his presidential bid. Do you think that a speech like this will help him or hurt him in
CYNDI MOSTELLER: As a person who’s been to seminary and studied somewhat the Mormon doctrine, I think that the more people scrutinize, look at and become aware of that doctrine, they will have more questions rather than less. I think particularly the Church’s history, and almost theology, on the issue of race – particularly the black race – will be a very difficult issue to defend and to move forward with; especially when we look at the theology of the Church and what the Church founders and prophets and presidents have said throughout the history of the Church until 1978 when they first allowed membership to anyone in the black race. [...] There are some issues there and I don’t quite see how you resolve them and seek out and obtain anywhere near the same level of African American support that President Bush obtained both in 2000 and 2004.
TPS: Why do you think it is that Republicans, the previous issue aside, might be reluctant to support a Mormon president, such that Romney feels he needs to give a speech addressing just this issue?
MOSTELLER: I think the doctrines of Protestantism, Catholicism and Judaism are so vastly different from the Mormon doctrine; from the concept of polygamy being the order of Heaven, to human man’s progression to godhead of other worlds, to the idea that Jesus had multiple wives, to the idea that, after the death of the last apostle, all of Christendom was in apostasy – with a capital “A” as the Church refers to it – until Joseph Smith discovered the golden plates in the 1830s. So I think it’s inconsistent with so many basic Christian doctrines and it’s very unusual to the point that it’s almost unbelievable. These concepts are things that are theologically beyond our orthodox imagination.
TPS: But to many people, it seems that Mormonism is a part of the Christian faith. You’re arguing that assertion is incorrect?
TPS: Sen. Fred Thompson got off to a bit of a late start. As a supporter of his, do you think he still has a good chance to win the
TPS: Do you think Thompson can overcome some of the work ethic questions and some of the other things that have daunted his campaign thus far and be able to catch up in
MOSTELLER: I think that between now and Jan. 19, a lot of conservatives will be focusing in on this and that the allegiances are very fluid. And I think that there will emerge someone that the conservatives will coalesce behind and I think Thompson is very likely to be that person.
TPS: How does Thompson win in
MOSTELLER: I think the obstacles with Thompson are not so much within him – I don’t think there are that many obstacles within his history, his record or his positions. I think that the conservatives of
TPS: On the abortion issue, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani has made it clear that he is a pro-choice candidate. Do you think that a pro choice candidate from the North like Giuliani can win
MOSTELLER: I think that with these other candidates in the field, there’s something pretty stalwart about conservative ideologues in
TPS: Most polls show Giuliani in either first or second place. Why then, based on what you just said, is he polling so well?
MOSTELLER: I don’t mean to say that he can’t win. What I mean to say is the activist conservative base – with an emphasis on active – which does not confine the totality of Republican primary voters, would have a hard time supporting Giuliani. I congratulate him on his support in this state, but I think that support comes from those that are further out in the circle in terms of activism. The less involved you are, perhaps – with some exceptions – the more likely you might be to support Giuliani.
TPS: Sen. John McCain was once the frontrunner. What would you say caused him to lose his lead in
MOSTELLER: There are so many things I admire about John McCain, and there is not a more patriotic American in the United States Senate, but his position on immigration – the immigration bill – and, to an extent, his position on embryonic stem cell research were very difficult for ideological conservatives to move beyond. Stem cell research almost became an issue of not only taking a little bit of a pro-choice position in terms of the embryo, but it was also about the federal funding of that kind of activity. So that was very hard for some conservatives at the social end of the party to take. And there seemed to be no room on that issue with McCain, and I really regret that. Since he’s taken that position, as we all know, it’s come out that the breakthroughs with adult stem cells have been incredible. In a sense, science is probably telling us that there’s no need to go down the embryonic road.
TPS: You mentioned immigration…
MOSTELLER: I think immigration was a huge problem for McCain. To a lesser degree in terms of the circle of people it impacted but to a great degree in terms of ideological commitment to the dignity and sanctity of all human life, the embryonic stem cell issue was also a difficult issue for many conservatives in the state to overcome in terms of supporting McCain.
TPS: With just over a month left before the
MOSTELLER: I think that the success, thank God, of the troop surge has been a help to him and I understand that he’s moving up in the polls in New Hampshire, and that might significantly help him. But I still do not believe that he will be able to overcome not only his position on the immigration bill, but his actual leadership on that issue in this state. For that reason, I do not think that McCain will take
TPS: How about Gov. Mike Huckabee… do you think his momentum in
MOSTELLER: Yes I do think so. And I congratulate Huckabee for his strength in
TPS: What do you think Huckabee’s impact will be on the rest of field of GOP candidates in
MOSTELLER: I think that Huckabee, if he won
_______
Photo courtesy of Charleston County GOP.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 at 3:17 pm and is filed under Primary Season, Republicans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
ok interview, all around.
If you want some really juicy stuff—the stuff that Cyndi says Mitt’s speech might lead people to look up tomorrow—look up Southern Partisan magazine’s article in Vol. 24, No. 4, pages 18-21. It’s on Mormonism’s old racist theology. The most crazy Yankee fundamentalist stuff you’ve ever seen! They didn’t totally give it up until 1979.
Great article last week, btw, on the impending Romney fallout over the foot-in-his-mouth on the Confederate flag question.
And, btw, Ron Paul is sooo cool!
[...] Cyndi Mosteller, who has gotten in hot water previously for Mormon bashing, pulls no punches in an interview with the Palmetto Scoop: TPS: Why do you think it is that Republicans, the previous issue aside, might be reluctant to [...]
The interview is obviously planned to get politically correct answers.
If Mosteller’s knowledge of the Mormon faith is any indicator of her acumen in other fields, Thompson has picked an ill adviser indeed.
[...] Thompson’s South Carolina Campaign Co-Chairman on Mormonism: I think the doctrines of Protestantism, Catholicism and Judaism are so vastly [...]
Truly disgusting. If hers is the face of the Republican party, I will never vote (R) again. The Bible she claims leads her life says something about bearing false witness. yet she slings lies about Mormon theology. And I don’t think a Southern Baptist should be judging another faith’s treatment of Blacks. Is her faith racist because it’s leaders claimed the Bible supported slavery? How many integrated churches were there in South Carolina in 1979? How many are there now? Mormons were distrusted by her theological forebearers because Moromons were abolitionists. Just like the Democrats falsly claiming to have supported civil rights legislation, perhaps she should check her own faith’s history of racial equality.
[...] Thompson S.C. co-chair weighs in on GOP rivals Mitt Romney [...]
[...] Thompson S.C. co-chair weighs in on GOP rivals Mitt Romney [...]
How can she claim to have studied Mormonism and then incorrectly stated their doctrine? What could she have read? I guess we can see that if you want good information about Mormons you shouldn’t talk to Baptists. Makes sense.
As a Thompson operative, does Mosteller know what she’s doing by openly condemning another candidate for his religion? Why in the world does she want to give every lefty ammo for slamming *any* candidate who professes religion? So she is against Mormons–big deal. A lot of people are. But, we’re electing a president, not a pastor-in-chief. I hope Thompson dumps her quickly–she’s doing him no favors at all.
[...] Fred so much as a compliment to Billy Jeff. Second, one of his campaign aides in South Carolina is pushing a bit on the issue of Mormonism. The good news for Fred? She’s pushing specifically on LDS’s [...]
Suggestion: forget the candidate’s religion. Will a person following one religion and not another do a better job of confronting terrorism? Solving our tough problems with social security, the environment, and healthcare?
Forget the religious test that the anti-Romney and bigots want to impose on this presidential race. It does not matter.
Romney is highly qualified to be president. He should be considered only for his ability to do the job and not where he goes to church.
Are we going to start imposing religious tests on all Republican candidates? If so that is so dumb on so many different levels it takes my breath away. If we do then the Republican Party is on its way to becoming a permanent minority party. If you think that the independents who determine most election will vote for a candidate that was chosen based solely on whether his religion was acceptable to True Christians you are fooling yourself.
And if you think that the people in the party who are not True Christians will let the True Christians dictate who the party nominee is based sole on his religion you might be surprised. Look at the Kansas Republican Party as a model when the True Christians take over a party. There will be a war within the party over this. People had better come to their senses and set their moronic religious bigotry aside or we are going to have Hillary Clinton/Bill Clinton back in the White House.
[...] reasons for evangelical trepidation and anxiety about a Mormon candidate. Among other things, she said: So I think it’s inconsistent with so many basic Christian doctrines and it’s very unusual to [...]
This lady is in left field. What religion is Fred Thompson? He says he is a Christian. So, he can say anything. Christianity is not about words, or what someone says. It is what is in their heart. If you don’t have Jesus Christ in your heart, and accept him as your Lord and Savior you are not a Christian.
Now, to get on with the matter at hand. Romney is a business man, a darn good one at that. He has changed his position to the right position on abortion and family. He is right on immigration, he is right on our military and the war on terror.
Reagan and Bush 41 also changed their positions on abortion after entering the national spotlight.
Romney is a good man, who will make a great President of the United States.
Cindy Mosteller is a political hack. I have been around her in meetings and even in NYC at the National Convention. I have never been that impressed. As a matter of fact, before I started supporting Romney, I saw her at an Executive Committee meeting of the Republican Party railing on Romney. She has very little decorum.
Since Katon Dawson beat her for State Chairman a few years ago, she has been very bitter. Let’s also not forget that she supported McCain in 2000. So, she ain’t no Einstein when it comes to picking winners.
Oh yeah, by the way. That picture is really old.
I thought Glamour shots went out in the 80’s!
…”Romney’s faith will hurt his chances with blacks.”?!?!?
BWAHAHAHAHA!
Just how many black South Carolinians will be voting in the GOP primary?
Yes, the five or six African Americans who were planning to vote for the GOP will be really put off by Romney’s Mormonism. The GOP candidates are really reaching for relevance at this point. It’s hilarious to watch.
Ms. Mosteller has recently been aiding a secretive front group who is panning on attacking Romney on his faith through the mail and internet in SC.
That is going to make the link back to the Thompson campaign a little too easy…this “interview” included.
This is outrageous to becoming from an official staffer of a Presidential candidate. If she had said she disagreed with Mormons on Theological issues and did not beleive that Mormons followed true Christianity it would be one thing. But to outrightly spread false witness by claiming to have studied Mormonism and still proffessing absurdley incorrect doctrine (Mormons don’t teach Christ was Married let alone to multiple wives). Either she is grossly misinformed and hasn’t truly studied it out like she claims, or she knows the truth and is blatently presenting falsehoods. Either way is bearing false witness, and well that isn’t a very Christian thing to do
It is for Christ to decide who is Christian, I can understand this kind of rheotric from Bloggers and pundits, but from a campaign advisor it is enough to expect a resignation.
Oh and for clarification, the LDS church never denied membership to anyone based on skin color. Another misrepresentation of the truth. For those not familiar with the church keep in mind that Priesthood is not = to membership/salvation. It was still a questionable practice and I am glad it was corrected several decades ago.
“it’s come out that the breakthroughs with adult stem cells have been incredible. In a sense, science is probably telling us that there’s no need to go down the embryonic road.”
The second sentence is, alas, incorrect. Scientists (particularly the ones achieving the aforementioned “breakthroughs”) are telling us that they need funding for embryonic stem cell research to move this work forward. I’m pretty sure they’re more qualified to tell us what science is saying than Cyndi Mosteller, unless she got a PhD in molecular biology in seminary. I’d be glad to provide some references if you’d like them.
I think it’s possible to defend the ban on funding embryonic stem cell research without making false statements. Stating clearly that you believe that life begins at conception and that destroying embryos is therefore immoral is the most honest way to frame this debate. Having non-scientists make unsupported scientific assertions just makes conservatives look bad.
maybe she “attended” seminary with Al Gore!
She is such a joke. Fred Thompson is making a mistake having this woman on his campaign. She has no credibility.
[...] MOSTELLER: Yes. I would say that the Southern Baptist Convention considers Mormonism not a part of the Christian faith – they’ve stated that on their Website – and most Evangelicals would not consider it part of the Christian faith. And the Mormon Church would consider us an apostasy, in all of Christian history, since the death of the last apostle. From their perspective, the Gospel that we preach on Sunday would be considered an apostasy to them. source [...]
So this is what we have come to in the United States? Religious bigotry?
I always heard pilgrims left Europe to get away from religious persecution.
But obviously not Ms Mosteller.
Romney is running for president, not president of a church or whatever.
It is his ability to grasp issues affecting the country is what will matter,
not which place of worship he attends. Romney made abundently clear
his religious beliefs will have no bearing on decisions he will be required
to make as president. His sole intention will be what is best for the people
of USA.
If you really want to know what The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints believe, please go to http://www.mormon.org.
Ms. Mosteller has misinformed on several of the LDS beliefs. She should study and explain her own religion’s history, not what she may think is someone else’s belief. As Matthew 7:3 - 4 states, “….why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? or how will thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? When she rails against The Church of JESUS CHIST of Latter Day Saints for what she thinks may or may not have happened in its’ history, she doesn’t mention things that were done by other Christian Churches throughout history. In the earlier days, slavery in this country were supported by Christians, who chained, whipped and hung slaves. LDS have always been abolitionist. In fact, in earlier days, the members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints had been persecuted, drived from state to state, and even murdered by fellow Christians. Several other Christian churches today are still divided by racial divisions. It wasn’t the LDS that killed thousands of men, children, and mostly women because they were falsely accused of being WITCHES. LDS do have some unfortunate things (Mountain Meadows) that were done by some of its’ members that they are not proud of, but when others accuse the LDS of some of these things, they need to look at their own churches’ history and they will mostly likely find things that they will not be proud of as well.
[...] its okay to be bigoted toward someone’s religion, but not toward someone’s [...]