On the day of South Carolina primary, there was a certain amount of media attention given to the fact Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney both had events scheduled at the same time at a South Carolina Diner. ABC News' micro-site "Otus" even had the super headline "Battle for S.C. Focuses on Tommy's Ham House."
However, "Ham-A-Geddon" did not occur as Mitt & Company showed up for the pork-fest some 45 minutes early with some 30 to 40 sign waving supporters there to cheer him on. NBC's Ron Mott reported that he asked how many of them were from South Carolina, and only one person in the crowd said they were.
Like his rally the night before, Mitt bussed in the reinforcements from a Mormon college in Virginia, as well as Mormon missionaries and other out-of-state supporters. The previous night's rally was described in the Washington Post and ABC News as "raucous" and "electrifying."
Mitt's call for Mormon reinforcements was largely ignored by the mainstream media. But the fact that Mitt Romney sought to prop up last-minute enthusiasm for his sagging South Carolina race with members of a church in which he has held the title of Bishop, has implications for both the ongoing primaries and the general election should he go to be the nominee. If he runs to the Church of Latter Day Saints for cover when things get tough, what will be do as the nominee or as President.
People on all sides of the political spectrum look at Mitt Romney and they see a lack of authenticity. The reason that people find him that way is because it's basically true. He will tell any audience he needs anything they want to hear, and then change his position within 15 seconds if need be. He is exactly the type of politician that the extremes of both parties are positively sick of. The charge that Romney has no core beliefs is one that is sticking, and will continue to stick.
Back when Romney's grand parents were running a polygamous kibbutz down in Mexico, eating pork was considered to be against his religion's Word of Wisdom. Later in the 20th century, Mormons forgot about that. But if Mitt Romney thought he could win by being against eating pork, he would walk right into Tommy's Ham House, and order the chicken.
Caption 1: "When the Benjamins are clean do they come out in the Caymans?"
Caption 2: "Sweetie, where's the setting for Garms?