Poll: Romney's faith could impact Republican nomination

Nov 23, 2011, 5:02 GMT

Washington - Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's Mormon faith could have an impact on his chances of winning the Republican presidential nomination, but would likely have little impact if he is chosen to face off against President Barack Obama.

Romney has long been considered the heir apparent of the Republican presidential field, yet conservative voters have been reluctant to coalesce around him, instead courting a series of alternatives. Most recently former speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich has been leading in polls.

Nine in 10 Republican voters said Romney's religion would make no difference in how they vote, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Centre. Speculation that his Mormon religion would hinder his prospects had come to the fore during his first run for president in 2004.

Even so, among evangelical Protestant Christian voters - who are a key constituency within the Republican Party - Romney has less support than either businessman Herman Cain or Gingrich.

That could hinder his prospects, with Cain and Romney running even among all Republicans in the poll with 22 per cent and 23 per cent support, respectively. The poll was conducted earlier this month as sexual harassment allegations against Cain were surfacing.

However, Romney's religion was unlikely to play a role at all if he faces Obama in the November 2012 general elections - most Republicans who were reluctant to support him in the primary said they would gladly support him against Obama.