Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney received an accidental gift to his presidential campaign courtesy of that noted anti-bigotry crusader Al Sharpton, who, fresh off having successfully lead the charge against radio talker Don Imus, has now been caught making bigoted remarks of his own against Romney and his Mormon faith. The Washington Post has the story of what Sharpton said, and the back-and-forth between Romney's camp and Sharpton.
Sharpton's attack on Romney's Mormon faith will wind up boosting the Romney campaign. First, it puts Romney in the news spotlight - free media - and does so with a story that puts Romney in opposition to religious bigotry in general and in opposition to odious race-baiter Al Sharpton in particular. (Surely you haven't forgotten Sharpton's lead role in the Tawana Brawley hoax.)
Second, Sharpton's bigoted attack has given Romney the perfect opening to address voters' unease with his Mormon faith and dispose of it as an issue in the campaign. It is true that many Christians are theologically uncomfortable with Mormonism - but more Christians, and indeed most Americans regardless of political leanings, are uncomfortable with religious bigotry. Voters of all faiths know that Sharpton's attack on Mormonism today could be some other big-mouthed bigot's attack on their faith tomorrow.
Al Sharpton has given Mitt Romney something he desperately needed: he's given Romney his Sister Soldjah moment.
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