On radio Wednesday morning, Glenn read a story about Spike Lee claiming that Romney's Mormonism will ultimately cost him the election. Glenn, however, disagreed. If America was able to overcome past prejudices to elect the first black President in Barack Obama four years ago, does it mean that a man's religion is an impediment among the American people? Could it be that Spike Lee doesn't have a high enough opinion of his fellow Americans?
Glenn said, "Here's the thing I would like to point out: We have had witch trials before and we got past it. We got past religious bigotry of the witch trials. We've had hatred of classes of people. We were afraid of the Indians. We're past that."
"We used to hate the Irish because they were potato‑eaters. They were drunkards, you know. We hated the Irish. We're past that. We used to think that all Italians were in the mob. We don't think that anymore. We used to think that it was okay to enslave an African‑American. We don't think that anymore."
Glenn continued that other religious and ethnic minorities have been the victims of similar bigotry, but Americans have always moved past it.
"Thomas Jefferson was right: The people are going to screw it up from time to time, but in the end they will get it right. We got it wrong on slavery, but in the end we get it right. We get it right in the end. We always do. Trust the people. Our time as a country hating people because of skin color and descent or religion is over," Glenn said.
Glenn then shifted gears to focus on more recent history, specifically the 2008 election and Barack Obama becoming the first black President.
"You know in 2008 we were excited to break a historic barrier. We were. We were excited," he said.
" It was a big deal to elect the first black president. I remember the broadcast the next morning, I was feeling pretty low because I knew what was coming. I knew this was real trouble. But I also said it is really cool that we've just elected a black man. How great is that?"
"But it was made into a bigger deal than it actually was for most Americans, by the media. Because the media had an agenda. They helped usher Obama in. They made it into a bigger deal."
But in 2012, America has an opportunity to pass a similar milestone with the election of Mitt Romney, whose Mormonism is still a subject of bigotry both today and in American history.
"Wouldn't it be just as historic to elect a man who's from a faith that was actually chased out of the country in the 1800s, whose founder was killed because of his anti‑slavery views and the fact that politically they were saying that if the next president in his day wanted to win, they might have to make Smith his VP because he controlled so much of Illinois. Wouldn't it be just as historic for the people who have the only, the only extermination order in U.S. history, the only one that said you can kill them because of their faith, no other faith has had that in America, thank God. Wouldn't it be just as historic to then elect this guy?"
Glenn's answer? "Kinda."
"It's a cool milestone, and it is a footnote," he explained. "Historic? Yes. In the academic sort of way."
"I believe in the real America. America took the signs down. We didn't hang a "no blacks" sign on the door of the Oval Office. We didn't hang a "no Jews" sign on the office. We didn't hang a 'no Mormons' sign on the office. It was the left and the media that hung those signs there. We've taken those signs down one by one over a long period of time and with a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Most Americans at least my age and lower judge people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin or religious background."
Nevertheless, Glenn pointed out that 18% of people said they would not vote for a Mormon, but only 4% of Americans would not vote for an African American.
"But it's no big deal really because we'll get it right in time. If it's not Mitt Romney, it will be somebody else. We've already elected ‑‑ is this really a big deal? We've already elected Orrin Hatch, we've already elected Harry Reid. It's only a big deal if he's a conservative," Glenn continued.
"Think about this: Wouldn't it be something to show the rest of the world as they are now announcing in Egypt that under Sharia law they are going to have to get rid of the great pyramids of Giza.," he said. "As the world is wrestling with neo‑Nazis who are now killing people because they're immigrants or because they're a different race, color, creed, the world has the rise of neo‑Nazis. The world has the rise of Sharia law which will erase every other religion."
"Look at America. We just elected somebody of a different color and it was really no big deal, for most Americans. And we'll elect somebody based on their values and their principles, not their religion. Wow."
"What a historic election 2012 will be. Two different stereotypes shot down one after another. You see, what the media doesn't understand is Americans are great people, and maybe the elites and the elites in the media, the elites in Washington, the elites in academia will surprise us someday and stop being surprised by Americans and their decency. Maybe someday the self‑entitled enlightened in the press will catch us, us God‑fearing, gun‑toting flyover hicks, and they'll understand that we've always voted for people of character, we voted for values, we believe in principles, and we believe in the facts. That's what we do in the end. It's what makes America great. It's what makes America exceptional. Other places may not vote for a Mormon. Other places may not vote for a black man. Other places may not vote for a white man. Other places may not vote for somebody with a funny name."
"In the hand of the Statue of Liberty is a torch, but that's not what it's called. What she's holding in her hand is imprisoned lightning. The power of lightning captured with liberty... and justice... for all."
