Romney stops in ‘small corner of America’

Here’s Parker Howell’s report on a stop by presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the state capitol today:

A solitary figure speaking from the steps of the Idaho Statehouse Tuesday, Republican presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney seemed unfazed when a sign-wielding protester shouted questions about Romney’s Mormon beliefs. Romney, in town for a private fundraising event, said he is courting evangelical Christian leaders who share a similar social outlook. “Fundamentally, Americans want to support a person who is a person of faith who believes that America has a great future and whose values are American values,” he said.

As he spoke to the press, the protester boomed out in a British accent, “Mr. Romney, why doth the Mormons say that Jesus is the Devil’s brother?” Security guards escorted the heckler across the street. He and a companion held neon orange and yellow signs. One read: “The blood of JESUS CHRIST … cleanseth all from sin.”

“Sadly, religious bigotry is still alive in some small corners of America,” Eric Fehrnstrom, a Romney spokesman, said after the event.