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One in five US voters would not vote for Mormon president

Iz it coz I iz a follower of da Latter Day Saints movement?

By Duncan Robinson

Mitt Romney has a commanding lead among the already-declared Republican candidates. The only man who can stop him (some argue) is Jon Huntsman, who is announcing his candidacy today. While the punditocracy are getting hot and bothered over these two candidates, one rather startling poll by Gallup out today could throw cold water over this excitable analysis.

Mormon

Ouch.

Both Romney and Huntsman are Mormons, and this gives poll will give them both a headache. God-fearing they may be, but they fear the wrong God. Well, the wrong interpretation of the right God, at least. It turns out, according to the poll, that being a Mormon is more of an electoral hindrance than being either black, woman, Catholic, Jewish or Hispanic. Only gay people and the godless are more off putting for US voters.

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Romney and Huntsman both have an uphill battle with one in five voters unwilling to back them based on their religion. Skin colour no longer matters, but religion – or the lack of it – still does. Ali G needs updating: Iz it cos I iz a follower of da Latter Day Saints movement? In this case, yes.

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