From the latest Quinnipiac poll:
“It appears that the American people – especially Democrats – have many more questions about a Mormon in the White House than they do about followers of other religions,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “And most don’t see much similarity between their religion and Mormonism.
“The fact that less than half of voters have a favorable view of the religion is likely to be a political issue that Gov. Mitt Romney, and should his campaign catch on, Gov. Jon Huntsman, will have to deal with as they pursue the White House.”
[. . .]
In a substantial partisan split, 68 percent of Republicans are comfortable with a Mormon president compared to 49 percent of Democrats and 64 percent of independent voters. There are gender and racial gaps: 64 percent of men but only 55 percent of women are comfortable; 64 percent of whites but only 38 percent of blacks.
Republicans have a 51 – 31 percent favorable view of Mormonism, compared to a split 39 – 38 percent among Democrats and 48 – 26 among independent voters. Men are favorable 50 – 29 percent and women are favorable 42 – 34 percent. Whites are favorable 48 – 31 percent; blacks are unfavorable 34 – 38 percent.
“Although women are sometimes thought to be more tolerant than are men, when it comes to Mormonism, the opposite is true,” said Brown. “The fact that only one in three voters would be comfortable with an atheist in the White House explains why candidates make a point of emphasizing their religious beliefs.”
Rev. Wright saying “G** **mn America” is A-OK with Dems. Mormonism, not so much?