How to approach LDS (=Mormon) Romney supporters

I 'm LDS (=Mormon) and have always supported Ron Paul in part because I felt his positions were more congruent with my religious beliefs than were Romney's. :-) And Ron Paul has had lots of other LDS supporters, too. Also, please note that MOST of Romney's supporters have NOT been LDS--that would be a demographic impossibility, not to mention the fact that outside of the western US we Mormons are an invisibly small minority.

That said: its true that LDS (preferred synonym for Mormon) members have been one of Romney's core constituencies and most Mormons are very politically active and already trained and conditioned in sociopolitical activism, sacrificing time and money for a cause, and otherwise exerting sociopolitical influence far out of proportion to their numbers. Well worth recruiting for Ron Paul!

So, how to approach them (us)?

First: style is very important. If you have any four-letter or other "colorful" words in your vocabulary, forget them. Leave your cigarettes and beer and coffee home and wash them off your breath. Dress conservatively--suit and tie is not necessary, but leave the stained t-shirt and tattered blue jeans in your laundry basket. Shave or at least wash and comb your hair and beard. Look respectable! And speak respectably!

BE SYMPATHETIC---say NOTHING bad about Romney. Say something like "It's too bad Mitt Romney dropped out. You must feel quite disappointed. But Ron Paul's still in the race, and his principles are very much in line with the Founding Fathers and the Constitution..."

Second: substance. You're in luck--most LDS are much more knowledgeable and sensitive to historical and legal and financial issues than are average Americans. Things like "self-reliance", and " the Divinely inspired Constitution" and "financial responsibility" and "legacy for our children", and "the folly of debt" and "government intrusion on individual rights" resonate with them. LDS believe that the US Constitution and the Founding Fathers were Divinely inspired---a really strong selling point for Ron Paul. Point out that Ron Paul's platform is strongly congruent with that of Joseph Smith's Presidential Campaign platform of 1844---including buying the slaves free to avoid bloodshed! Religious freedom is a big issue, too--LDS have been the butt of persecution or at least harrassment for their entire history. But DON'T mention ending the war on drugs or legalizing marijuana--this would be a big unsell for most LDS. If brought up, just say that Ron Paul would leave it to the states.

CONSTITUTION, CONSTITUTION,CONSTITUTION!!!

FAMILY, FAMILY, FAMILY!!! Next to the Constitution, this is the sell point for most LDS. Tell about Ron and Carol Paul and their 51-year marriage, mention that he is an ob-gyn who's delivered >4000 babies (and admire the gaggle of kids that most LDS will have) and served without pay those who could not pay, and that he is a great-grandfather and patriarch with 5 kids, 15 grandkids, and one ggrandchild---and that he's pro-life, etc. etc. Show pictures--you can download and print them from Mattyeat's (sp?) posts on DailyPaul. FAMILY, FAMILY, FAMILY.

Most Mormons have experienced a lot of mockery or even outright harrassment for their religious beliefs--one reason they rounded the wagons around Romney while he was running. Describe and stress Ron Paul's long-term integrity and consistency--even in the face of ridicule. Mention his standing alone if need be in Congress for over thirty years in defense of CONSTITUTIONAL principles. Mention his refusal of junkets and the obscenely lucrative Congressional pension plant (you may have to explain it--most LDS will be appalled once they learn of it) and his returning part of his budget to the Treasury every year.

The war in Iraq--no need to duck, but don't stress it. An awful lot of LDS serve or have served in the military. Stress Ron Paul's opposition to UNLAWFUL war, his support by enlisted military personnel, the destruction of life and the futility of the "Hundred Year War" in the Mideast, and that as Commander in Chief he would be the lawful authority to bring the troops home---and the fact that he wants to STRENGTHEN our military to defend our own borders, not those of foreign countries.

Israel? An awful lot of LDS are strongly pro-Israel, so don't bring it up, but if it comes up anyway, stress that Ron Paul wants to play fair with ALL the descendants of Abraham, and treat them all equally. He's not anti-Israel, he's pro-fairness for all people in the world, including Arabs and Moslems.

Stress that Ron Paul is the best Christian left in the race (Yes--avoid like the plague saying or even implying that Mormons are not Christians--we ARE. Enough said.) and will bring Christian principles to the Presidency, and will faithfully SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION (can't stress enough).

Go to it. Be polite, friendly, sympathetic, SAY NOTHING BAD ABOUT MITT (negative campaigning really turns off most LDS), stress the positives of Dr. Ron Paul (use his title frequently), and mention Constitution and Freedom and Family in every third or fourth sentence!

Good luck!

Any other LDS supporters of Ron Paul want to chime in your perspectives on how to "convert" LDS to the good Doctor?