Our own Nancy French is quoted in this Raleigh News-Observer article:

"Look, there are many things about Mormonism that I vehemently disagree with, but as I tell fellow evangelicals, we're voting for a commander in chief, not a pastor in chief."

Back in Chatham County, Johnson is realistic about the questions she'll probably face as Romney's candidacy strengthens. She knows many will be based on practices -- such as polygamy -- that were rejected by LDS leaders decades ago. The optimist in her views the questions as fresh opportunities to educate about her faith.

French is more pragmatic. Evangelicals are searching for a new conservative champion, she said. Values, not church attendance, matter most in politics.

She reminded me that if evangelicals could overwhelmingly support Ronald Reagan, a divorced Hollywood actor, for the White House, backing Romney, a once-married Mormon from Massachusetts, will be a piece of cake.