“A Tough Call”
By Amanda Earnest
As an avid Mitt Romney fan and supporter, I regularly participate in the Romney campaign’s “Call at Home” program. I’ve “called from home” many different states and have spent hours on the phone with my fellow republicans over the past few weeks, volunteering my time and energy while my baby is napping, to helping Mitt win the GOP nomination. Why? Because I care about the world my kids grow up in; I care about the world I raise them in. My hope for the future is bright for my family and for my children, but today, that hope was deeply (albeit briefly) halted.
The phone system you dial into with this program makes these calls automatically. You stay on the line while the system dials numbers over and over again, until a person actually picks up. At that time, the person’s name and location shows up on the screen.
“Hi there! Is David available?”
“Yes, this is David.”
“Hey David, my name’s Amanda and I’m volunteering on behalf of Governor Mitt Romney today. . .”
My sentence is inturrupted.
“Mitt Romney!? There’s no way I’m voting for him! He’s a Mormon! I have a personal problem with the idea of putting a Mormon in the White house. I’m a Huckabee man.”After all the calls I’ve made and hours I’ve spent on the phone with people, I have never had this happen. I was a bit taken aback. Obviously not wanting to immediately disclose that I too was “a Mormon” to this man who obviously was not happy with the idea, I politely said,
“Oh, ok. So what is it about Mitt’s religious beliefs that you feel would impact the way he would lower taxes, secure our borders, or fix our economy?”
“Oh, it’s has nothing to do with issues or qualifications. . . he seems like a nice guy. It’s just that he’s a Mormon. If we Americans put a Mormon in the White House, our entire country would be damned to Hell.”
This man, David, continued to rant about Mormons, and how this country was founded on Christian principles and that he could never support a Mormon in any capacity. Then he asked me,
“You’re not a Mormon, are you?”
“Well sir, as a matter of a fact I am.”
Then he started telling me what I believed. Gotta love that. As if he was an “expert” in my faith. He told me all kinds of crazy things–all false. He was telling me that I worshiped “John Smith,” that I didn’t believe in Jesus, and that I read the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible. All of these things, again, are false.
Imagine for a moment, someone coming up to you and telling you what you believe. Further, put yourself in my position. I do believe in Jesus Christ. Mitt Romney believes in Jesus Christ. All Mormons believe in and know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that it is through Him alone that any of us will ever be saved. Now, imagine some guy, somewhere, telling you that you don’t believe that. The one thing in my life that is most sacred and special to me, my testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ, was being degraded, insulted, and falsified.
Now, I’ve got a pretty thick skin (hey, I lived in NY for three years), but at this moment I couldn’t help but begin to cry. Religious bigotry was something that I had heard might have been out there in the world, but I denied it. I didn’t want to believe it. Why would anyone not vote for someone because of his religion? Here in the great USA? After all we’ve been through in this nation and throughout the world? No. This is the great melting pot, a land of diversity and different cultures, a land of religious freedom! This is why our ancestors came here after all, isn’t it?!
This is something I just don’t understand because I would never be able to relate with this biased idea. I would never support, or NOT support someone based on his or her religion.
I continued to ask him to “Excuse me, please, I don’t know why I’m crying right now. I apologize.” He waited on the phone while I tried breathlessly to speak through my tears. In a desperate attempt to explain to this man that he had been misinformed, I implored him deeply to look past his religious differences he had with Mitt, and to examine the issues. I asked him to check out one of my favorite websites: EvangelicalsforMitt.org, which I check on a daily basis, along with watch Mitt’s “Faith in America” speech on You Tube. He said he didn’t mean to offend, but that “[I was] the one who called him.” He said he would check the website and speech out “if [he] had time.”
Something tells me that David will not check our EvangelicalsforMitt. Something tells me that David will not watch Mitt’s “Faith in America” speech on You Tube. Why? Because there are people out there who just don’t want to change. It saddens me deeply. Because of this experience, I had to stop making phone calls today. I had to log out of the calling system and walk away–it hit me that hard. I just couldn’t handle this bigotry. It is too hurtful, it is too real. Why are there people out there who hate me? Why are there people out there who still hate Mitt? If I were running for President, would my friends who do not share my faith NOT vote for me?
They don’t hate Jews, they don’t hate Muslims, they don’t hate Hindus, they don’t hate Catholics or those of other Christian denominations. It seems like the only people they hate, are the Mormons, and now this bias may shape the outcome of the 2008 presidential election. If these few people would just embrace Mitt for what he stands for, for his values and morals, for his conservative beliefs and stance on ALL the issues our country faces this year, I know Mitt Romney could derail McCain’s “straight-talk express.”
Conservatives out there do NOT want McCain to be their nominee; I know I certainly don’t. This man is not conservative. He is nothing but a democrat with an “R” next to his name. He constantly touts his “war hero” story, using war jargon and claiming that he’s the “only one here,” who, “my friends,” did this or that or the other thing. Truth is, he isn’t. And by the way, didn’t John Kerry (who McCain entertained leaving the GOP for in order to be on his ticket last election year) get awarded three purple hearts as a war veteran? He did. Was Kerry conservative? Absolutely not. Being a war veteran does NOT, I repeat, does NOT equal conservatism. To presume the American people would believe this garbage is not only wrong, it is insulting.
At the moment John McCain is lying and cheating his way to the White House, and it is up to us a true conservatives to stop him. I implore any of you out there who may still be supporting Mike Huckabee, especially if you favor him because of his religion, to re-evaluate your stance and base your decision on substantive issues. Support Mitt. Put religious differences aside. Do what’s right for our party, for our families, for our country. Time is short, and we have little time to get word out. Our party is moving left, and John McCain and Mike Huckabee are the ones taking it there. Mitt is the last one left who will save our party and the ONLY one left who will beat the democrats in the fall.
It is my hope and prayer, that the hearts of these very few biased people in our country will soften. For it is these few people who will put Mitt over the top on Super Tuesday. It is my prayer that we can be united for our values and conservative beliefs. It is my prayer that we can all grow up, wake up, and stand up to defend honor and dignity in the White House and in our party for 2008. Thanks for reading. Keep the faith.
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:24 am
Amanda, thank-you so much for sharing this. I was crying as I read it, and I know many of us share your sadness and frustration. Thanks for your strength and determination to support your beliefs, and to support Mitt. I’ve had similar feelings of bleakness in the past, and honestly, watching how Mitt has dealt with so much personal, political and religious criticism over this past year, with so much optimism and faith - always solid in his beliefs and convictions, never attacking back but focusing on the positive - has been a real strength and role model to me. That phone call you made today is a testament to your strength and conviction, and a willingness to support a great man. I and so many others will be keeping the faith right along with you!
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:27 am
I am reminded of something my mother taught me over 50 years ago. She said, “Some people are meant to lead us and some people are meant to try us.” I can’t help but be impressed with all the chances that I have seen Mitt be given to insult John McCain and he doesn’t take them. His ads have never targeted anyone personally. He is a good example–”You have to live with yourself and so, you have to be fit for yourself to know.” Mitt will walk away from this experience the same good man, no matter what and our beliefs will still be in tact. I feel we are being offered a chance to have a great leader. The country will take the offer or reject it. Either way, the natural consequences will follow. Doesn’t it feel good to know that you would never treat anyone the way you were treated? I hope with you that this man was only one in a million.
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 am
Amanda, thanks for sharing this. I’m sorry you were subjected to that. I don’t want his vote. His sick mindset might be contagious so it’s best just to stay away.
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 am
“These are times that try men’s (and women’s ) souls.” Every generation has unique challenges in the enterprise of freedom. Your willingness to promote the cause of justice, freedom and understanding enrolls you in the cause of patriots. We are grateful for your service and sacrifice.
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 am
Amanda, you have experienced the same thing I have in making the telephone calls. I too have spent many hours calling each state before the primaries and caucuses. I have had people hang up on me after asking me if I were a Mormon. The first time I, like you, I said,”Yes,’ but now I say I am making a political call from the Romney campaign–not that my “new” answer makes much difference. At least they don’t hang up as fast.
Last week I made calls to Florida and many people were extremely angry because they said they had received at least 10 phone calls from the Romney campaign and were so angry about this that they would never vote for Romney. It later came out that these robo calls were the dirty tricks of John McCain’s campaign.
After the Florida primary, I was ready to give up, but after reading the encouraging comments on this site of “don’t give up and keep fighting”, I went back to the Romney Headquarters and started calling people in California.
Today I went back and called Colorado and found that McCain has started his dirty trick robo calling to people in the Denver area. Some people believed me when I told them that these were not authorized calls from the Romney campaign. The last lady with whom I spoke argued with me and told me that I was lying. I was really upset with myself for getting caught up in the conversation. I am deeply saddened about these dirty tricks. How can Romney even begin to counteract these tactics. Like you, I was upset and left after that call, but will go back to the Romney Heaquarters tomorrow and start again. As many have said on this site–” Now is not the time to give up!”
The young men who are running the Headquarters in SLC are great! There are usually quite a few people in the room making calls, but I have seen a drop off since the Florida primary.
If you have a headquarters in your area go in and CALL! In spite of the frustration, there are some really good calls, plus I have made some new political friends.
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 am
Today, I spoke with a lady who said she could never put a mormon in the White House. I disclosed that I am LDS and I believed in God and Jesus Christ. Then she switched the argument to the fact that Mitt Romney is a Flip Flopper. I pointed out that the flip flopping label was one criticism people used when they were strongly opposed to his religion. And then she went back to her first argument of not being able to support a mormon. Needless to say Bigotry is alive in well in America. But I am not shocked. I have had numerous encounters with people who have refused to be my friend when they found out I was a mormon. It is just something I have accepted as part of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Right now, America is in crisis. We have an opportunity to elect a man who is willing to fight for strong conservative values. He also has strong leadership qualities and talents that would help him fix the economy. Having a strong economy helps us afford a strong military. Romney has everything America needs to keep the conservative movement alive in America. Bigotry may end up being the reason the conservative movement dies.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:09 am
I am going to make calls at a calling center for Mitt Romney all day tomorrow. I am motivated. If Mitt Romney becomes the nominee and the president then all of our dreams will come true. If Mitt Romney doesn’t become the nominee then at least we are making our stand for good. If there is going to be a battle for good and McCain then I am going to stand with the good.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:23 am
Thanks for your heartfelt post. I’ve lost one one of (I thought) my best friends (who is an Evangelical) since Mormonism has entered the spotlight. Thanks for verbalizing all of our confusion and sadness — it helps us to not feel so alone .
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:11 am
These people make sick.
But, my sister says you should listen to the second thing that people say because the first is usually an excuse or cover.
These people are the first to complain that the country is going to hell in a hand basket, but are too lazy to do a little research about the candidates. What are THEY going to do about it?
Amanda, if this happens again, take your example from Mitt. For the last year he’s heard and been through it ALL. I’m not sure if these people are bigots or just looking for an excuse for their laziness. If it’s easy to write off a candidate, then you don’t have to work too hard investigatimg their stance on the issues.
At the end of the day, say your peace, end the call and contact real voters [I suspect someone that lazy would not even bother to get out and vote anyway].
Americans are so lucky [look at what’s going on in Kenya right now]. Sometimes lucky equals lazy.
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:55 am
Sunday, I have volunteered to make calls on Romney’s behalf to California from Baltimore, Md. I am Jewish by birth, Buddist in my spiritual practice, human first. I respect all religions as long as it brings out the “good” in people, gives them comfort and peace, and help them to realize the highest good.
I am non-confrontational but have stepped out of my comfort zone to hopefully make a difference for Mitt’s campaign. I believe in him with all my heart like no other presidential candidate in the past. This man represents a true leader and visionary with a heart and conviction for his beliefs. So much of the world seems to be falling apart in its moral fiber and character (hence Washington) that I am almost sick to my stomache with the possibility of anyone else in the White House.
Any suggestions on how to handle irrate, prejudice, or misinformed voters? I am quite new at this.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:02 am
I had a similar experience yesterday, too. I’ve also volunteered as often as I can in the call at home program. I called MN yesterday and for the first time ever I was interrupted with “Mitt Romney? I’ll never vote for him, he’s a Mormon.” I was so taken aback, I probably didn’t handle it nearly as well as you did. I just said, “Wow, I’m sorry to hear that, but you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I hope you have a great day.”
I felt just like you did, pretty shaken up. I also logged out of the system and just sat and thought about what had just happened. I’m sad that there are people out there who have such hate. This was the first time I actually started to believe it when people say, “If Mitt doesn’t get the nomination it will be b/c he’s a Mormon.” What a sad loss for our country to lose such a qualified nominee b/c of predjudice.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:21 am
In many ways this years primary has been polarizing because of the “MORMON” issue. This is why Governor Mitt Romney gave his speech on religion. I hope that speech will find a special place in our American history. In that speech, Mitt Romney tried to unite America under the common cause of conservatism. And he embraced the idea of our individual freedom to worship how, where and what we may. What a wonderful message. But there are those throughout the country who have a hard time accepting the beliefs of the LDS faith and they fight against us because they feel by fighting against us they are furthering there own cause of good. Case in point, today is Gordon Bitner Hinckleys furneral. A local church is planning a protest at this event because they believe Gordon B Hinckley has led several people to hell with his “false” teachings. This is where I question there cause of good. Gordon B Hinckley led a life of service to others. I believe he worked everyday to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Why would anyone want to protest the existence of such a man? Because they “Hate.” Religious bigotry is alive and well in America.
I freguently read post at Evangelicals for Mitt and I have learned that the evangelicals fear that a mormon president would cause the LDS church to grow and become more popular. Thus, Nancy French posted a note stating that the LDS church growth slowed down in Mass when Mitt Romney was the Governor.
If Mitt Romney can not climb this hugh mountain by Tuesday, the history books will say that he did not win the republican nomination because he was a flip flopper. But by now we should all know that this has been an excuse to hide the real reason some people can not support Mitt Romney… and that is because he is a Mormom.
We are at a crucial time in our history. America may suffer greatly because many of her people could not see the importance of setting aside their religious differences to come together for the common good of conservatism. Perhaps this is why the authors of the constitution included that no man should be denied the office of President because of his religion.
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Amanda, I’m so sorry that happened to you! I can only hope your humility made an impression. Persecution is nothing new to Mormons or Chrisitans, and I hate to see it (verbal in this case) used by Christians.
If I were in your position, I think I would have just started reciting the Apostle’s creed, which many, if not most, evangelical churches recite on a weekly basis. Not sure if this would have been appropriate, but anyway.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
When I watched Romney make his “Faith” speech, I felt I was witnessing greatness. I thought at the time, no matter what path our country chooses to take, I will be grateful to Mitt Romney for showing all who would listen that transcendent goodness and beauty exists.
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Amanda,
David is immersed in ignorance and prejudice. He spew’s hate and excuses it for you making the call. Half truth’s avail us nothing which is evident with David. Stay true to the whole truth which you have in your faith. Stay strong in your convictions regarding Mitt Romney and why you believe he is the best choice. He needs you now more then ever. I made calls to Minnesota yesterday and more than half said they will cast their vote for Mitt only one said Mc Cain and only one said Huckabee. Three said they were undecided but by the time we ended the call they all said I helped them make a decision and thanked me. Personally I will continue to support Mitt and even if he does not get the nomination I still have the option of voting for him in November as a write in candidate. Never give up!
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Here in Iowa we all knew exactly what Mike Huckster was up to. Christians, and secularists knew equally well. The votes came in the way they came in. I’m a Mitt Romney supporter until the bitter end. And I’m glad to see that Mitt Romney is giving it his best shot all the way until the end as well.
My personal hope is that Mitt wins, but if McCain ties up enough delegates, I hope he selects Mitt as the VP pick, and puts some of these other candidates to good use as well. To use Olympics terminology, I hope we can put together a ‘Dream Team’ to play against the Democrats this fall.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:02 am
ATTENTION SHERI
I made many calls today. And I got some anti mormoms and I just found myself saying okay - have a good day. Then I thought the next person I contacted that told me they would never vote for Mitt Romney because he is mormon, I would counter that I would never vote for McCain because he is not as Good Looking as Romney. I would do so to make the point that is silly to base your vote on such non sense.
However, another volunteer pointed out that he was asking these individuals to please listen to Governor Romney speech on religion. I plan on listening to the speech again and writing down some quotes to share and trying this next time because it seemed to work with a couple of people.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
All: Amanda was unaware of these comments coming in. She will soon leave a comment here in reply to yours.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
To my dear friends who have commented here,
Just wanted to thank you all so much for your reflections and thoughts regarding this experience, along with your words of comfort and inspiration to me. Each of you have inspired me in a special way to continue to stand up for what’s right, to stand of for morals and values in this country, and to be firm in bringing notice to the widely-unrecognized struggle against bigotry in America.
May we all continue to fight the good fight for Mitt Romney and for what he stands for. He truly is a symbol–a representation of each of us in so many ways. He is our voice. I know I am grateful to him every day for what, I am sure, is an exhausting and continuous uphill battle. To Ann, and to the entire Romney family, thank you from all of us.
We’ll fight this, together, to the end. I know we can succeed if we just continue putting one foot in front of the other. So far our efforts seem to be working. Here in CA Mitt has even pulled ahead or is in a dead-heat tie in many polls. Less than 48 hours to go. . . united for right we stand!!!