From what this New York Times article says, the answer seems to be yes:
The religious divide over Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith that his supporters had long feared would occur is emerging in Iowa as he is being challenged in state polls by Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor who has played up his faith in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Mr. Huckabee’s rise in Iowa — some recent polls now put him in a dead heat with Mr. Romney, who had led surveys for months — has been fueled by evangelical Christians, who believe Mormonism runs counter to Christian orthodoxy.
Although Mr. Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, has been able to make inroads among the evangelicals, an influential voting bloc in the state, interviews with Mr. Huckabee’s supporters make clear that a sizable number are distinctly uncomfortable with Mr. Romney’s religion and cite it as a major reason they would not vote for him in the state’s Jan. 3 caucuses.
Or, as one Theocon Huckabee supporter puts it:
Barbara Heki, 51, from Johnston, Iowa, who began volunteering for Mr. Huckabee over the summer, compared Mr. Romney to Senator John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who was dogged by accusations of flip-flopping when he ran for president in 2004. Nevertheless, Ms. Heki admitted that her evangelical faith also figured prominently in her choice.
“Mormons spend two years of their lives as missionaries, preaching an anti-Christian doctrine,” she said. “I don’t want someone out there, if I can help it, who’s going to be acting on an anti-Christian faith as the basis of their decision-making.”
(…)
At a recent Huckabee event in Iowa, Glenda Gherkey, an evangelical from Evansdale, posed a question to the candidate.
“I’m concerned a lot of Christians are thinking about the values issues and forgetting about the creator behind the values issues,” Ms. Gherkey said. “I guess I feel like this country and this world needs a president who would be able to pray to the God of the Bible and he would be able to hear his prayers.”
She wondered, Would Mr. Romney’s prayers “even get through”?
No wonder Huckabee is emphasizing his faith in those Iowa commercials.
You folks never cease to amaze. You want to make this obvious surge of Huckabee’s into something it is not. America is getting a look at the Governor…and they like what they see. The true middle of America will come together, Republican, Democrat, Independent alike…and pull the lever for Mike Huckabee next Novemeber.
You and your “revolutionaries” will be among them.
This isn’t about religious bigotry…it’s about picking a LEADER, Christian or otherwise…who is most qualified to lead a nation fracturing before our eyes.
Huckabee in ‘08…Reagan Minus the Astrologer!
Huck has no chance. What Iowans think matters only to Iowans.
[...] isn’t Huckabee’s only flirtation with anti-Mormon rhetoric. See here, here, here, and here. With such fellow Christian Brothers, who needs enemies spreading lies about [...]
Huckabee has flip flopped on immigration, taxes (actually lied about those), health care, the cuban embargo, and he lied when he said he didn’t know much about the Mormon faith. In 1998 he gave a speech to crowd of 20,000 who were specifically gathered to seek out Mormons and destroy their faith. Now that’s not very christian. Huckabee’s campaign is only as strong and Mormon bigotry.
I would like to understand why anyone of faith would support a man who would actively participate in slandering millions of people in the country he wants to hold office in. Whether I support the Mormon religion or not is irrelevant compared to a leader preaching hatred toward a particular group of people. I do not believe those actions come from Jesus Christ. Even if Huckabee supported my political views, which he does not, I could not vote for a man who is an obvious bigot. As a Christian, I do not want Huckabee representing me.
I don’t think the Mormon issue is going to prevent Romney from winning the election. While there is a vocal subset of evangelical voters who tend to have more bigoted views, most Americans will likely select a candadite based on character and issues.
Also, do not underestimate the LDS vote. Only 14% of Mormons live in Utah. Do not forget that Mormon pioneers settled and founded Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and hundreds of other western cities. the influence is still strong.
The only reason they are not noticed is because evangelical and LDS values are identical and Mormons vote in line with evangelicals. I personally know of many Latter-Day Saints who are deeply offended by Huckabee’s crusade (whisper and inuendo) to remind evangelicals that “Mormons are different.” I would anticipate a large exodus of LDS voters from the GOP if they feel for one second that the GOP and Huckabee snubbed Romney solely because of his faith.
LDS fathers do not like the idea of telling their sons that they can go to Harvard, become one of the most successful CEO’s in America, even be governor or Mass., but forget about ever being President son because bigoted evangelicals will cut you off at the pass.
No, I don’t think LDS parents are looking forward to that conversation with their children.
If you doubt the LDS population can influence the race if they separate from the GOP pack you should read the cover story from today’s “USA Today” newspaper where it points out that the 3 fastest growing states since 2000 were UT, AZ, and NV, all heavily LDS states. Again, only 14% of LDS are in Utah. There are millions of LDS scattered across the country, particularly in the west. They are going to flock to vote nationwide in primaries which typically only have a small turnout of GOP activists.
Here is a great post about why evangelicals should vote for Romney:
http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/why.php
Excellent points. As much as people want to deny it, Religion is one of the most powerful, moving forces known to man. It has a huge impact on this political race.
One thing that went wrong with country was the removeable of Prayer in schools. Then they removed the TEN COMMANDMENTS.And now they are trying to separet Church and state.WE NEED OUR SAVIORS MESSAGES BACK IN THIS WORLD!!!! People need to wake up God is sending signs all you have to do is open your eyes”to see to know and belive!! Wake up chirstians vote for our Faith and huckabee.No one is perfect but he is the best person for our nation.