File this under "Things that will make Romney's Mormonism an issue." Fred Karger, the only declared GOP presidential candidate, is openly gay and has been bringing intense pressure on the Mormon Church for their role underwriting anti-equality campaigns and referenda around the country, notably with California's Proposition 8. Karger appeared on MSNBC yesterday morning, playing up his rivalry with Mitt Romney and his "sidebar goal" of getting the Mormon Church to stop their involvement in Prop 8.
I followed up with Karger's campaign about this appearance to get a better understanding of how he thinks he can pressure Romney and the Mormon Church. I was provided with this statement from Fred Karger:
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) is extremely sensitive about it's image. Polls showed it plummeted because of all their activities - some found to have been illegal - to pass Prop 8. As the leading candidate for President, Mitt Romney could easily use his vast influence with Mormon Church leadership to get them to back away from their continuing campaign to stop gay marriage throughout this country."Karger's analysis of using a presidential campaign to target hate in the Mormon Church, as well as hate coming from Republican leaders like Mike Huckabee, is really sharp and could be a boon to equality fights around the country. If Karger really puts the squeeze on Romney and the Mormon Church, perhaps Romney will be able to push the Church to stop their political activities against marriage equality. I can't say if the likelihood of this is high, but as a strategy, it makes sense to me. Moreover, it's a rare example of a political figure boldly seeking to seize their moment at a national microphone and stand up for their principles in an uncompromising way.