In a gathering Friday at the Values Voter Summit, Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, told reporters that Republicans should not vote for Mitt Romney because he is Mormon, and went further to describe Mormonism as a “cult.” He said that while Mitt Romney was a “good, moral man,” Christians should not vote for him, adding that he was voting for Rick Perry. The Romney campaign had no comment on Jeffress’ remarks, and a spokesman from The Church of Latter-day Saints said they would not comment on a statement “made at a political event.”
The Perry campaign was quick to distance itself from Jeffress’ remarks. In a statement, Perry told reporters that he does not think Mormonism is a cult. Since the event, Herman Cain and Rep. Michele Bachmann have ducked the question when it has arisen. “He’s a Mormon,” Cain said, “That much I know. I am not going to do an analysis of Mormonism versus Christianity for the sake of answering that.”
