Republican presidential hopeful former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during a caucus coffee, Wednesday, in Clear Lake.
CLEAR LAKE — Presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Wednesday denounced the Rev. Al Sharpton’s reference to his Mormon faith as ‘‘a bigoted comment’’ that doesn’t mesh with what he hears on the campaign trail as he seeks the Republican nomination. ‘‘It shows that bigotry still exists in some corners,’’ said Romney, meeting with reporters after a campaign event. ‘‘I thought it was a most unfortunate comment to make.’’ Romney’s campaign staff is sensitive to any references to his religion, and he was quick to react to Sharpton’s comments, made Monday during a debate in New York.
In the debate with atheist author Christopher Hitchens, Sharpton said, ‘‘As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don’t worry about that; that’s a temporary situation.’’ Sharpton has denied any religious bigotry, but Romney said he found the comment offensive. ‘‘Reverend Sharpton’s comment was terribly misguided,’’ said Romney. Asked if he considered the civil rights leader a bigot, Romney demurred. ‘‘I don’t know Reverend Sharpton,’’ Romney said. ‘‘I doubt he is personally such a thing, but the comment was a comment which could be described as a bigoted comment.’’ Romney added that he was willing to believe Sharpton didn’t mean to be offensive. ‘‘Perhaps he didn’t mean it that way, but the way it came out was inappropriate and wrong,’’ said Romney.
(Don sez: now WHO's the bigot........bigot?)
As he campaigns for the GOP nomination, Romney said he hears little criticism about his religious faith. ‘‘Overwhelmingly, the people I talk to believe that we elect a person to lead the nation not based on what church they go to, but based on their values and their vision,’’ said Romney. ‘‘I receive very little comment of the nature coming from Reverend Sharpton.’’
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