Opinion: A look at Romney’s hidden strength in Iowa

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The possible downside of Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith to his presidential hopes has been analyzed for months, and ultimately spurred his high-profile speech on the topic. Today, however, a Wall Street Journal story explores its upside -- the core of Mormons in Iowa who, it is anticipated, will be there for him on caucus night.

The story reports that although Romney ‘isn’t actively courting members of his faith’ in Iowa (an effort that might focus more attention on his religion than the campaign would want), he ‘doesn’t seem to have to. Although he had very little national name recognition when he announced his candidacy, Mr. Romney was already well-known within the (Mormon) community, particularly after he ran the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.’

One Mormon leader in Iowa tells the Journal that he expects about 7,000 Mormons to attend caucuses on the night of Jan. 3, with about three-quarters backing Romney. That’s a nice bloc to have in hand, given caucus participation.

As part of a recent poll that Iowa State University conducted, turnout for the Republican gatherings was projected at 74,000 to 103,000 (for the Democrats, the prediction was 130,000 to 175,000).

-- Don Frederick