A Mormon in the White House?: 10 Things Every American Should Know about Mitt Romney (Hardcover)

by Hugh Hewitt (Author)
Key Phrases: strategic audit, marriage amendment, judicial nominees, Mitt Romney, George Romney, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
According to author and radio personality Hewitt, Mitt Romney-billionaire venture capitalist, consummate family man, gifted and media-savvy politician-would be unstoppable in the coming presidential race were it not for one niggling line on his resumé: he's a Mormon. In this unashamedly partisan volume, Hewitt attempts to refute the claim that no Mormon could get elected President (along with any other claim that might be made against Romney) while analyzing the former Massachusetts governor's biography and burnishing his conservative and leadership credentials. Hewitt is an agreeable, if inelegant, writer, wise enough to take detours (such as an edifying primer on Mormon history and thought) that stave off tedium. He spends far more time extolling Romney than excoriating his Republican and Democratic opponents. This is an efficient and effective exercise in political hagiography.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From The Washington Post
Mitt Romney's reported haul of $21 million in the first three months of this year has cemented his place among the top tier of Republican presidential candidates, but are the GOP and the nation really ready for a Mormon nominee? A November 2006 Rasmussen poll indicated that as many as 43 percent of Americans said they wouldn't even consider voting for a Mormon president, a hurdle Romney will have to clear if he hopes to survive primaries in places such as South Carolina, where anti-Mormon sentiment is strong.

With this book, the conservative pundit and talk-radio host Hugh Hewitt becomes the candidate's de facto apologist-in-chief on matters of faith. Though not officially tied to Romney's campaign, Hewitt seems enamored of the former governor known in Massachusetts as Matinee Mitt. If Americans could accept the Catholic John F. Kennedy as president in 1960 and the Jewish Joseph I. Lieberman as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 2000, Hewitt argues, why not Romney in 2008?

As a Mormon myself, I was curious to see how Hewitt -- a non-Mormon who became intrigued with the faith after working on a 1996 PBS documentary -- would approach my religion. Overall, I'd say he gives Mormonism a fair shake, although his reporting on church doctrine and history is incomplete. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' relative newness and obscurity leave many Americans suspicious about its central tenets, and Hewitt does little to dispel stereotypes. He also fails to thoroughly consider many of the specific points of pressure Romney could face as he runs the presidential gauntlet, such as racism from past Mormon leaders, and shies away from the more troublesome aspects of Mormon history, such as polygamy and the theocratic tendencies of the faith's second leader, Brigham Young.

Despite these limitations, Hewitt is often astute about examining the "Mormon issue" from a range of angles, including a pointed warning that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) might resort to anti-Mormon bigotry if he became desperate. Hewitt also quotes an evangelical Protestant religion professor who claims that voting for a Mormon president "could be a sin." Hewitt warns mainstream Christians that this sort of anti-Mormon rhetoric could backfire someday if one of their own seeks office and faces assaults from secularists. Nor does he target only Romney's foes on the right; he quotes secular writers who've criticized the rationality of Romney's faith and argues that such attacks are un-American.

The book is also replete with swipes at the national press corps. Indeed, Hewitt blames many of Romney's problems on the "scribbling classes," which Hewitt says hate Romney's "traditional values" and envy his venture-capitalist wealth. Many journalists won't buy that; political reporters will bristle further at Hewitt's extraordinary suggestion that, now that he's written the definitive work on Romney's faith, any future questions about the candidate's Mormonism amount to rehashed prejudice.

-- Carrie Sheffield is a staff writer for the Politico.

Copyright 2007, The Washington Post. All Rights Reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing, Inc. (March 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159698502X
• ISBN-13: 978-1596985025
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #382,164 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

186 of 225 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHY the DNC Does Not Want You to Read This Book, March 10, 2007

By	Victor Lundquist "Character Matters" (So. California - America) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book covers well the life and career of Mitt Romney. It is not a comprehensive work, but rather an insightful approach to all important aspects of Governor Romney's past and what makes him tick. Clearly the evidence is well presented that Romney is a solid conservative who is arguably the most intelligent of all the candidates running for president in 2008, whether on the left or right.

Not including the Appendix, the book is 269 pages with 10 chapters. It is easy reading and is most compelling. The mainstream media would have us believe that Mitt Romney is purely an opportunist. My reading of this excellent book leads me to the opposite conclusion: That Romney may well be the only statesman among all politicians aiming at 2008.

My purpose in buying the book was to carefully study the man's character, as I think very few other traits in a leader matter more than his core character attributes. My conclusion from reading this book is that not only is Romney a highly principled leader, he is motivated chiefly by a long-standing family value or desire to serve others selflessly.

I join with Mr. Hewitt in stating that America may make a horrible mistake if she does not elect Mr. Romney as our next president.

My conclusion upon completing the book is that Romney's tremendous business experience, extraordinary CEO skills, principled leadership, and drive to attain the highest of goals imaginable place him well above all other candidates (as to qualifications) who seek power in the presidency. Since the DNC is doing everything in its power to assign trite labels to Mr. Romney, it is clear that they don't want anybody to read this book for the truth behind the man. In Romney, "What you see, is what you get."

I recommend this book as one of the best books on character and leadership that I have ever read and an outstanding addition to any library.

128 of 155 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tremendous Read; A Fascinating Subject, March 8, 2007

By	Justin T. Hart "Justin Hart" (Ashburn, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

You don't need a taste for politics to devour this tome. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of inside baseball here - details to satisfy even the most politically addicted among us - but the layman will also appreciate this candid and fair examination of Governor Mitt Romney and his presidential aspirations.

From the meticulous picture of Romney's Mother Lenore to the savvy analysis demonstrating the angst that many conservatives have towards John McCain, Hewitt weaves facts and insights in a way that is both sympathetic and honest. The picture that emerges is not the fainting, fawning, flush that some detractors predicted. Rather, the famous chiseled chin (which Hewitt admits will be used for and against Romney) comes even more clearly into relief; wrinkles and all. And, from the interviews in the book, this seems just fine with Mitt.

"Hang a lantern on your problems..." a maxim that Romney cites in the book seems a savvy approach to both business and politics. Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, calls it "facing the brutal facts." No doubt this was something that Romney practiced in the private sector. It's also something that Hewitt employs throughout the book. Whether detailing the failures of George Romney's presidential bid or handicapping the Mormon issue for Romney 2.0, Hewitt pulls no punches pressing sons, associates and political pundits about Mitt's advantages and disadvantages in the 2008 race.

Admittedly, I'm a fan of Romney, but the book provided me with numerous angles and views I hadn't considered before. For example, in my mind Romney has always stood solidly in the spotlight, always providing the solo with some ragtag chorus as backup. Hewitt brought into the foreground the interesting characters of Peter Flaherty, Kevin Madden, Spencer Zwick, and many others. In truth, what Hewitt shows, is that Romney is the man who brings the "team of rivals" together, constantly looking for people to challenge his assumptions and forge new ideas.

Hugh also handles the Mormon question extremely well. He provides both the pro-Mormon doctrinal viewpoint (from noted Mormon lawyer Rex E. Lee) and the detractors' stance (from Walter Martin). Hewitt wisely leaves this doctrinal debate to the professionals but elucidates the constitutional precedent for disposing of denominational litmus tests pretty handily. The book also does a masterful job of defining what bigotry against Mormons really looks like.

Hewitt's ultimate warning is this: "if because of his faith, he lost the Republican primaries to a less able candidate and that in turn led to the election if Hillary, the defeat of Romney on the grounds of his religious beliefs would be a great tragedy." [page16].

In short, "A Mormon in the White House" is great read about a tremendous subject and a boon to the conservative movement in this challenging election season.

37 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Romney & Hewitt, March 20, 2007

By	Living the Dream "Living The Dream" (Orange, CA) - See all my reviews

have just finished reading "A Mormon in the White House" 10 Things Every American Should Know about Mitt Romney by Hugh Hewitt.

First let me say that this is the third book by Hugh Hewitt that I have read. On occassion I listen to his radio show and view his blog, but neither of those rise to the level of his books. He books are well researched, well written and I believe are clearly from the heart. He believes what he writes and lets you know in his writing what he does not believe.

The first book of Mr. Hewitt I read was "In But Not Of", a book that every person with heart and a glimpse of faith should read, best before your thirty, good at any time (I gave copies to all of my early 20's kids). The second book I read was "Blog" which outlined the new media and its power in changing the location and the method of discussion of all issues in America.

Now comes "A Mormon in the White House". In a full disclosure environment I must note that at the sophisticated age of 12, I worked on the campaign of Governor George Romney in Flint, Michigan. I went door to door, gave out flyers, did paper work, and once, in a parade down South Saginaw I got a chance to meet the man and shake his hand, an experience I have not forgotten.

Much of Mr. Hewitt's book centers around the issue of Mitt Romney's Mormon faith. Even when I was 12, faith was an important part of my life. I was baptised, confirmed and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran and that speaks for itself. In my teenage years, I went to various kinds of churches, I knew God was real, but was curious as to how different people approached God, and how God approached them. I admit that in those days I did not visit a Mormon church, mostly by chance not by choice.

Since then I have attended full Gospel (Pentecostal) churches, I have been back in Lutheran Churches, been immersion baptised in Southern Baptist Churches and have been a long standing member in several of them including The Korean Church of Houston; New Hope Baptist in Fayetteville, GA; Applewood Baptist in Wheatridge, CO; and two large churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, The Fellowship of Los Colinas, now called Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX and our current church, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA.

Thankfully, though the Mormon theme is in the book, Mr. Hewitt spends a great deal of time on the issues of the day that Mitt Romney stands for. Not just says but has acted upon in both his public and commercial life.

Though I would not vote for the Mormon Church, the 2008 election is not about the Mormon Church, though I would not become a Mormon as I believe my faith is where Jesus Christ wants my faith to be, I can be who I am, an evangelical Christian with a strong Southern Baptist underpinning, I will vote for Mitt Romney and give my support to him.

Again, when I was young and working for the campaign, and I mean I spent many hours in the offices, on the streets, nothing, but nothing came of George Romney's Mormon faith. In fact, until I read the book being described I did not know George Romney was a Mormon. And even at 12 I was aware of such things, but it never came up. What came up were his stand for family and for limited government and taxes and for the people of Michigan and that was enough to get me motivated even at 12.

I am much older now, disabled from questionable medical care surrounding cancer, but in some way I am going to get involved. This man (Romney) is the real thing, believes what I believe, wants what I want and is not afraid to say so. This country needs the 'not afraid to say so' so badly right now that even a disabled man, veteran, father, still working man will take what time, energy and finances and do what I can for Mitt Romney.

His father was good for Michigan, He was good for Massachusetts and will be good for America.

For those of you who are Christians like I am, we need to get past his faith, like it or not, and focus on what we have in common. Country, security, family and the list goes on. Thats enough for me and it should be for you. Our religion should not drive our decision about him through his, we should find our common ground and move forward with it. (There is not another Republican contender who can come close to your beliefs in reality, though they give them speaking space, what have they done?)

This is a good book, if you have any questions, read it. If it takes you farther away because of what you learn of Mormonism, then get past it as there is no room in this country for public office tests, except the Constitution alone.

livingthedream
turn the key and smile.
www.theweeds.blogspot.com
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