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Summarized by Kent Larsen
US News Says Bush's Speech at Bob Jones U. Will Cost Mormon Votes
U.S. News & World Report 6Mar00 N2
By Paul Bedard
Bedard of U.S. News &World Report says in the coming March 6th issue
that Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush has lost some
Mormon votes because of his recent speech at South Carolina's Bob
Jones University. The University, which has repeatedly called
Mormonism and Catholicism cults, is known for its ultra-conservative
positions, including its intolerance of interracial dating and civil
rights for African-Americans.
Bush spoke at the University in January and has been getting heavy
criticism because of his appearance there and slowness in repudiating
the University's policies. The school says it has a First Amendment
right to say what it does about other religions.
Bush has responded in the past few days to the criticism, sending a
letter of apology to New York's John Cardinal O'Connor. However, he
may also face some trouble in Utah, where Bedard says Mormons are
telling him they will vote for McCain on March 10th because of the
speech.
Bedard also reports that the LDS Church wouldn't comment other than
to say that it believes in freedom of religion.
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