Key Gingrich staff member departs over Mormon comment
(CNN) - Craig Bergman, Iowa campaign director for GOP presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich, stepped down from his role Tuesday amid reports he made a controversial comment about Mormonism.
"He made a comment to a focus group prior to becoming an employee that is inconsistent with Newt 2012's pledge to run a positive and solutions orientated campaign," said R.C. Hammond, press secretary for Gingrich.
According to the Des Moines Register, Bergman called Mormonism a 'cult' on Wednesday when talking to a focus group. The newspaper attributed the remark to The Iowa Republican, a conservative news website.
"A lot of the evangelicals believe God would give us four more years of Obama just for the opportunity to expose the cult of Mormon," Bergman reportedly said. "There's a thousand pastors ready to do that."
The comments come two months after a Dallas pastor tied to Texas Gov. Rick Perry created a firestorm when he referred to the Mormon faith as a 'cult' and discouraged Christian voters from supporting Romney, a Mormon.
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Yeah right. The only God is my God.
Gingrich is running a positive campaign? Really? Is CNN asleep at the wheel for letting that comment go unchallenged? Newt made disparaging comments about the poor, minorities (African-Americans), and Palestinians. How exactly is he running a positive campaign when he chooses to be so negative?
The Mormon cult is a repulsive, immoral, disgusting, bigoted organization that spreads hate against others. And Mormon beliefs are laughable. And if they can spend tens of millions of dollars on hate campaigns, why can't they pay taxes? Why are taxpayers subsidizing governments services to this pathetic, faux "religion?" The sooner this cult is brought down, the better off the country will be.
As an atheist, it's always hilarious to stand on the sidelines and watch different religions have it out without realizing the obvious.
I note, with increasingly greater levels of pleasure, the slow and subtle downward spiral of the Republican party. This party stands as a peculiar lesson for what can happen to a minority party (yes there are actually more Democrats and independent voters than Republican voters)that manipulates its followers in to voting against their best interest by appealing (manipulating the modestly educated)to "values" that are designed to divide groups tha( actually have the same fundamental needs. The far right with its flag waving will probable do more real and lasting damage to this country than we know.
good for Newt to get rid of the Hypocrites. They are not needed. I like that Newt is standing up for what he believes. Like giving amnesty to those immigrants that have been here 25 years or more. It would take someone from a southern state to say such a thing. I think he has the quihonnes to be President
And gingrich should step down for his "invented people" comment too.
Republicans hate so many people it's not surprising when they end up hating each other.
Mormonism a cult? No more so than Christianity.
Yup...Evangelicals would rather have an adulterer than a Mormon. Got to have priorities.
I am a believer in what? I don't know. I do believe there is some thing. I dontt believe in in the mass hysteria that is organized religion. Whether it be Christian or Islam or Hebrew or any body. Get a grip sheeple!
I hope Newt Gingrich keeps his commitment to run a positive and solution oriented campaign. God knows this country needs something positive in the political arena and Axelrod has already thrown positive out the window for the Dems.
As a Mormon and life-long Republican I find Mr. Bergman's comments highly disturbing, I had never thought that I was a second class citizen of the great republic before this election cycle, and if, by some strange fluke Gingrich gets the nomination I cannot vote for him for President, this will be the first time that I will make a protest vote.
Mormonism is a cult. What's the big deal? You can vote for a member of a cult in the USA, can't you?
Truth hurts...too bad this guy had to pay for it
This is what you consider news worthy?! Lmao! You know what would be news worthy? A straight, non-deceitful answer from Obama, as to why he followed the words of a racist, America-loathing, hate monger, like "rev" Wright. Once you can do that, I will take this article with more than a grain of salt. Please know, I am not a Newt supporter, but if Obama gets a pass on something like THAT, I think its safe to say, you are desperate for articles to publish..... lol
But it IS a cult! So what's all the hype about? It's been written by many different news sources as being a Cult. They do not worship Jesus as being the Christ, for one.
By definition, all religions are a cult. I see no problem with calling them exactly what they are.
By definition in Merriam-Websters dictionary a cult is definied as: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents / so therefore by definition ALL RELIGIONS ARE CULTS!!!
Organized religion is an excuse for bigoted people to justify their bigotry. I disagree with Gov. Romney on many issues and may or may not vote for him if he is the Republican nominee; (I voted for President Obama in 2008).
His religious beliefs however, will have no influence on my choice.
Is it possible that this GOP campaign can become more disgusting? These vile, snarky, smarmy attacks by the candidates on each other are an indication of how the 2012 campaign is going to be conducted. What has happened to my country? It's nauseating and depressing and I fear for how low, we as a country, can sink! Where is the America I grew up in? Gone!
Of course, he does realize that much of the support he is garnishing in Iowa is because the followers of thousands of pastors would rather see a serial adulterer guilty of multiple ethics violations who has been in and out of multiple religions as well take the office of president than a "cult" member who has remained married to one woman, stands by his faith and has led a cleaner life than most politicians.
Newt is a terrible human being that has no place making any decisions that affect the American people.
Mormons are Christians. Do your research.
what is this guy apologizing for? telling the truth? come on whatever happened to the right of free speech and he is it really that much of a stretch to call mormons a cult? i dont think so