Elder Jason Thueson might look like a politician. He wears a suit and tie, says he has strong morals and wants to shake hands and talk with as many people as possible.
But unlike Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Thueson is not running for public office. Thueson, a missionary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spends many days on VCU’s campus trying to spread the ideologies of his church.
However, Thueson and Romney do share one thing in common – they are both Mormon.
“We, the missionaries, don’t watch TV,” Thueson said. “We don’t read the newspaper or keep up with politics. We don’t have a stance. We just come out and share the message of Jesus Christ, the church and his living prophets.”
Romney is the former governor of Massachusetts, which his official campaign Web site lists as one of the nation’s most liberal states. Christian conservatives who are key members of the Republican Party’s voter base have expressed concern about Romney’s religion, which has been associated with the practice of polygamy.
A poll released by the Pew Research Center on Feb. 23 indicates Romney is both aided and hindered by his religious affiliation. Of the 153 respondents who said they were less likely to vote for a candidate who is Mormon, 73 percent said there was no chance Romney would receive their vote. And of the 391 respondents who said a candidate’s Mormon affiliation does not matter, 55 percent said there was no chance Romney would receive their vote.
Thueson said he supports Romney, who he thinks has accomplished great things as a representative of the Mormon Church.
“I do know he is a member of the church. We believe he did great things for the Olympics (in Salt Lake City), and I believe he did great things for Massachusetts,” Thueson said.
Romney, who has been married to his wife, Ann, for almost 38 years, has been quoted in the New York Times calling the practice of polygamy “bizarre.”
Paul Miano, 27, a graduate student studying biology, said religion would not affect his political choices.
“I think it’s irrelevant what someone’s religious persuasion is as far as the political nature of things go,” Miano said.
While the religion of a candidate is not important for Miano, what matters, he said, is how they make their decisions.
“What bothers me about Bush is that he says he votes based on his faith, and I don’t like that . sometimes your religious affiliation can get in the way of what is necessary for the nation and its people,” Miano said.
On the issues, Romney has a relatively short track record. His political involvement began as president and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing committee, through which he successfully lobbied and then raised funds for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Following the games, Romney was elected governor of Massachusetts. As governor, his political decisions fell less along party lines.
Eric Halverson, a 19-year-old business major, isn’t worried about the beliefs of the candidates.
“Religion hardly matters at all. For the candidates, it is more about the policies and what I agree with,” Halverson said.
Romney’s liberal views on gay marriage, which is only legal in the state of Massachusetts, as well as his views concerning education and health care, are less clearly partisan than some of his politically conservative constituents.
As Romney continues his bid for presidency, Thueson said, Romney’s candidacy might help him accomplish his goal – spreading the word of their church.
“Of course,” Thueson said, “many more people are hearing about the church because (Romney) is running.”