Sadly, Sen. Mitt Romney won’t run for re-election. Why would someone like me who votes Democrat say that’s sad? Well, I’m both a former Mormon and former supporter of the Republican Party who’s dismayed that so many Latter-day Saints take the unsaintly path of sticking with Donald Trump.
In my Mormon days, we used to pride ourselves in supporting candidates who were people of decency, integrity and principle, but many Mormons (I still use the term) today are OK with a president who’s a marital cheater, sexual abuser, business fraudster and has 91 federal indictments for conspiracy hanging over his head.
I’m gratified that despite his long family association with the Republican Party, Romney acknowledges that his standards are no longer those of many Mormons — especially here in Utah — who should probably start calling themselves Trumpublicans.
LDS leadership also seems distressed by the current situation. Here’s a quote from a letter it issued to members this past June:
“… become informed about the issues and candidates you will be considering. Some principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties, and members should seek candidates who best embody those principles. Members should also study candidates carefully and vote for those who have demonstrated integrity, compassion, and service to others, regardless of party affiliation. Merely voting a straight ticket or voting based on ‘tradition’ without careful study of candidates and their positions on important issues is a threat to democracy and inconsistent with revealed standards…”
Some good news: Mormons aren’t as enthralled with Trump as are white evangelicals. A July poll conducted by the Survey Center on American Life showed that only 31% of white evangelicals have a somewhat or very unfavorable view of Trump while 51% of Mormons do. Maybe the rest should reconsider their past support.
Jim Catano, Salt Lake City