A recent poll indicated that a full one-third of Americans wouldn't vote for a member of the LDS Church for the office of president. The only other religious affiliation that struck a more negative chord was Muslim. Before the majority of Utahns polish up that Everest-sized chip on their shoulder it might be good to consider that close to 80 percent of the residents of Davis County routinely dismiss any Democrat as unworthy of office. If Mormons want to find a culprit they should look no further than the conservatives. Much of the strength of the Republican Party comes from the far-right evangelicals who look at the LDS Church as a strange, non-Christian cult. While they may agree on many of the issues and ride on the same "family values" party train, the sad fact is that this group of Republicans is narrow-minded and rooted in prejudice.

Democrats seem to have an easier time separating personal beliefs and public policy than do Republicans. The proof is in the willingness to nominate someone like John Kerry, a man who actively embraces the Catholic stance on abortion, but publicly supports a woman's right to choose. Strange as it may seem, the Mormon path to the presidency may be on the back of a donkey, not an elephant.

Mitt Romney's own success in Massachusetts is another example of Democrats seeing past political and religious labels. How else do you explain the rise of this Republican in the land of the Kennedy dynasty. But if Mitt thinks he can parlay his success in Boston to the White House, he is sadly delusional. He would be an easy target for the Democrats.

If the Republicans had a heyday calling Kerry a "flip-flopper" just imagine the fun the Democrats would have with Mitt.

While running for governor he made statements regarding abortion and gay rights that he seems to have forgotten now that he is in office. He would have to further distance himself from these remarks if he even hopes to garner enough support to win the nomination and then he would have to spend the rest of the campaign dodging the infamous "flip-flop" kiss of death.

Members of the LDS Church shouldn't be too disheartened by a poll that seems to shut the door on a Mormon presidency. After all, probably at least 40 percent of Americans in 2006 wouldn't vote for a woman either. Until the female half of our population can realistically aspire to the highest office in the land, the Mormon candidate doesn't have much to complain about.