How "Conservative" Are The Mormons?

Using the conventional, profoundly flawed definition, that is.

Look at Mitt Romney. Look at Jon Huntsman. Look at the electorate in Utah, where Bob Bennett would have been re-elected, and thus returned to considerable prominence in the Republican Caucus, if he had run as an Independent.

Bennett, a former Mormon chaplain in the Army National Guard and married into LDS royalty, was not "conservative" enough for the Tea Party, which has also indicated its intention to go after Orrin Hatch, a Mormon bishop.

Hatch really should run as an Independent if he is dislodged, on the same day as Romney is the Republican nominee for President. Together, Romney's admittedly unsuccessful candidacy, and Hatch's easy victory, should at least go some way to dispelling myths about the Mormons.

The late Governor George Romney of Michigan was a noted Civil Rights supporter within the Republican Party, and a skilled, principled bipartisan operator.

America will soon contain more Mormons than Jews. Hope for moderate Republicans yet?