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Earlier this week as the candidates for president in 2008 started to release their fundraising results from this year’s first quarter, I already knew on the Republican side that Mitt Romney would be the leader. I knew this not because I had access to some inside FEC information or a

leak from the campaign, I knew this because I once worked for a company based in Salt Lake City (Franklin Quest now Franklin Covey - yes, those crazy day planner people) which was (and as far as I know still is) led by Mormons. Without a doubt (and I’m generalizing here) the folks who consider a certain Tabernacle in Utah as the center of their Vatican City are the most incredibly industrious and well networked (I might add good-hearted people) group of people that I have ever had the good fortune with whom to work. It’s with that in mind that I knew Romney would raise tons of money.

And he did.

Taking a closer look at Romney’s take (based on the limited information currently available):

• $23 million in total receipts for the first quarter
• Of the $23 million, $2.35 million was a loan from Romney to the campaign
• $20.63 million in Primary campaign contributions (none of the money was for the general election which is a significant difference to the Hillary Clinton approach)
• The campaign received contributions from every state in the country and Washington DC

What we don’t know yet is how many of these contributions were of the maximum variety ($2300 per individual donor) or by way of the internet. Something tells me that there will be plenty of large checks, many coming from PACs. Compared to the enthusiasm we’ve seen on the Democratic side with online donors, it’s

likely that Romney’s early funding base will not be significantly internet-related (though last year he did raise $6.5 million online). The impact these issues will have on Romney’s future campaign fundraising will remain to be seen.

Nonetheless, it demonstrates the strength of the Mormon community and adds fuel to the fears that average Americans have of a small demographic group that few people understand. It also creates concerns in Romney’s own camp and the Republican party about the negative baggage that can come from the close association the former Massachusetts governor has with his faith group.

Relax my fellow Americans.

I don’t pretend to be an expert on Mormons or the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS). Based on my own experience though we (America) have nothing to fear. In fact from what I’ve experienced of those who consider Joseph Smith a Saint, we might be pretty lucky to have a Mormon in the White House. Who doesn’t want a hard-working, good-hearted person in the Oval Office?

I can only wonder if the money Romney has raised so far will allow America to learn enough about him and his faith to let him in.