Republican candidate Mitt Romney is Mormon and his newly chosen running mate, Paul Ryan, is Catholic.
While Romney and Ryan rallied a crowd at the NASCAR Technical Institute in North Carolina Sunday, voters here at home began thinking about how the two men of different faiths would work together.
“I think their belief systems are very similar," says Michelle Harris, who is a Mormon. "I think they'll be able to work well together as far as religion goes.”
Harris says her religion is misunderstood. She believes many people have not taken the time to learn about Mormonism. Perhaps the Romney/Ryan ticket will spark some dialogue. Harris says Romney's faith won't influence her vote.
“I do think I can keep politics and religion separate. I wouldn't vote for someone based on their religious beliefs. I wouldn't not vote for them based on their religious beliefs because that's not what's necessarily best for our nation, for our country,” she continued.
Members of the Danstrom family say what's important is character. They are Catholic.
“I think we should focus on the personal responsibility, personal accountability,” said Mrs. Danstrom. “ I hope he didn't just pick him because he is a Catholic. I certainly don't think that he did. I think that he happens to be Roman Catholic. I think [we’re] a nation moving forward on religious views and I think they can work together.”
No presidential candidate has won the White House without winning the Catholic vote since the early 1990's.
