A Fox News report on Mitt Romney’s surge in South Carolina is introduced this way:
CARL CAMERON, FOX NEWS CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was almost unthinkable months ago that Mitt Romney, a Mormon from Massachusetts, had a chance in South Carolina, the buckle of the Bible Belt. But with a relentless focus on family values, he has now become a serious contender here.
Now, imagine the following report from 2000:
NBC News reporting: It was almost unthinkable months ago that Joseph Lieberman, a Jew from Connecticut, had a chance in South Carolina, the buckle of the Bible Belt. But with a relentless focus on fighting terrorism, he has not become a serious contender here.
If somebody can point me to any news report along these lines, I will admit I’m wrong and shut up. But it seems to me that Lieberman’s Jewishness was considered quaint and a positive trait, but it was never the central focus of his candidacy. But Newsweek ran a cover that called Mitt the Mormon candidate. What the heck is going on here?
Now, in fairness the Fox News report is mostly positive, and his religion is mentioned as relevant in the overall picture of trying to paint himself as the “candidate of faith and moral values.”
But it seems like we have completely lost perspective on the correct roll of Mitt’s religion and its relevance to the campaign. I don’t remember Lieberman being described as “the Jewish candidate.” Instead, he was a respected senator from Connecticut known for his honesty and probity and being a moderate Democrat and somebody who happened to be Jewish. Why is it fair to describe Mitt as the Mormon candidate?
Am I wrong about this? I’m willing to be convinced.