Big Love's Big Problem

Big Love can't have it both ways.

Mitt Romney can't claim to be the new darling of the Religious Right while claiming it's wrong to bring up religion in discussions about his presidential aspirations. Of course religion matters.

Even though the Founding Fathers intended for there to be a separation of church and state — and I agree — there is no separating religion from a presidential candidate's background. It is part of who he or she is. Mitt Romney isn't just a casual practitioner of his faith; he has held church positions. I know good Catholics who never were part of their parish councils. I know Baptists who never taught Sunday school. When you take the step to ascend your church's hierarchy, it does suggest some passion, to say nothing about ambition.

Can't blame Mormons for wanting to see one of their own in the Oval Office. Jews, Catholics, Baptists and Muslims do it. Even Scientologists and non-believers do it. But Big Love wants credit for being a good Mormon while pretending he isn't really up on his church's beliefs. He's that guy who doesn't want to be part of a club that would have him as a member. Strange, don't you think?

Stranger still is that Big Love also is trying to pull the Religious Right rug from under Sam Brownback. Brownback can't get past Big Love's big grin and deep pockets. Brownback is the real deal, a gold-card-carrying member of the Religious Right. Big Love is the one with the Cheshire grin on his fake ID.

Frankly, I find Big Love's avoidance of discussions about religion disturbing. He could seize the opportunity to tell more about himself and about his religion. Most people know as much about one as they do the other.

Mormons need Big Love to explain that not all Mormons have many wives.

Someone has to explain that they don't bite the heads off chocolate Easter bunnies during Advent while a choir sings "The Hallelujah Chorus" in pig Latin. As the only Mormon in this race, it is up to Romney to set the record straight.

Several times on Iowa's WHO radio, host Jan Mickelson tried to get Big Love to clarify his views and those of his church. It wasn't an ambush interview. It was very cordial. They discussed abortion, the Constitution, courts, immigration, and they a shared interest in an Iowa business. But when religion came up, Romney turned rigid. "I'm not here to discuss religion,'' he said.

Might make people feel better about Mormons and better about Big Love if he quit doing that. If I were a Mormon contributor to this candidate, I'd want more bang for my buck than that. Besides, polls show people don't want a Mormon for president. That may be because they don't understand the faith. Don't count on Mitt Romney for clarity.

Ever heard a Catholic claim to be a good Catholic and anti-abortion while boasting about U.S. Catholic bishops who are for abortion rights? You won't.

But several times while meeting off-air with Iowa's Jan Mickelson, Romney professed to be a morally committed Mormon while bragging, "There are leaders of my church who are pro-choice.'' What message is he sending?

Big Love was once for abortion rights and accepted legalized abortions under Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. As governor of Massachusetts and a presidential candidate, he's anti-abortion.

I know people on both sides of this dogfight. Not one of them is wishy-washy about his or her views. None would cross the line to shake hands with the other. Yet Big Love seems to have brokered peace between his two halves.

Makes you wonder about his convictions, assuming he has any real ones.

Rhonda Chriss Lokeman (lokeman@kcstar.com) is a columnist for The Kansas City Star. To find out more about Rhonda Chriss Lokeman and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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