by Ted Sherman

Created on: February 15, 2007   Last Updated: March 19, 2008

Republican Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and a Mormon, has tossed his hat into the ring as a Presidential candidate. The news media and professional religionists have already questioned not only his chances of winning, but whether a member of such a "radical" religion should be allowed to run at all.

This situation has come up at least four times in the past elections. Herbert Hoover and Richard Nixon were Quakers, and that caused a bit of a stir. Al Smith and John F. Kennedy, both Catholics, had their religious beliefs closely scrutinized when they ran for President. Smith lost, while Kennedy won. No one really knows if or how much their Catholicism influenced either election. One certain fact is that Kennedy ran for the top office nearly 40 years and a World War later, which could establish a viable argument that the American voter had shed some religious prejudices between those times. And, for Romney's sake, may be even more accepting in 2008.

So it may be for Romney to be able to overcome long-held prejudices in the upcoming election. He won't be alone, at least in the primaries. Democrat Hillary Clinton is aiming to be the first woman to become President. Also, Democrat Barack Obama may have the toughest fight because he has both African-American and Muslim listings in his resume. Even Obama may not be the longest shot. Condoleessa Rice, who may also make a bid for the Republican nomination, is both Black and female. And maybe her most negative qualifications of all: she's a close friend and Secretary of State for George W. Bush.

On examining the situation of other candidates, it looks like Mitt could have a relatively good chance, unless the rumors of multiple Mormon wives interfere. Mitt has only one wife, but some people may imagine inauguration day featuring the appearance of the new Morman President and his two dozen First Ladies.

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