Former Gov. Mitt Romney yesterday turned the tables on the Rev. Al Sharpton yesterday, lambasting him as an example of “bigotry in America” after the controversial cleric insulted Mormonism by saying Romney’s White House bid will be defeated by voters who “really believe in God.”
Romney responded to the remark with uncharacteristic anger, firing off a series of heated statements accusing Sharpton of perpetuating the bigotry he so often rails against. Sharpton most recently led the charge to fire radio host Don Imus for racist remarks.
“Al Sharpton made a bigoted comment,” Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said yesterday. “It is not at all consistent with the principles of religious tolerance and religious freedom that we all cherish as Americans.”
Romney, who has faced repeated questions and criticism over his Mormon faith, also attacked Sharpton’s comments during an appearance on MSNBC. “I can only, hearing that statement, wonder whether there is not bigotry that still remains in America,” he said. “That’s an extraordinary thing for someone to say.”
Sharpton made the controversial remark during a debate Monday with atheist author Christopher Hitchens in New York. According to a tape of the event, Sharpton said, “As for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don’t worry about that. That’s a temporary situation.”
As critics pounced yesterday, Sharpton accused Romney of trying to pick a public fight with him to boost his national profile.
“The statement by the Mitt Romney campaign is a blatant effort to fabricate a controversy to help their lagging campaign,” Sharpton said in a statement. “In no way did I attack Mormons or the Mormon church when I responded that other believers . . . would vote against Mr. Romney for purely political reasons.”
Some political analysts didn’t buy Sharpton’s explanation, saying he clearly intended to slam Mormonism.. “I interpreted the statement as the Reverend Al hopping on his high horse to insult people whose beliefs he doesn’t agree with,” said Tobe Berkovitz, interim communications dean at Boston University. “That’s nothing new for the reverend. What is new is that the people he insulted are striking back.”
Berkovitz called on the media to scrutinize Sharpton’s comments with the same vigor that they pursued Imus.
