The average American, from what I can tell, has some half-formed back-of-the-mind notions about Mormons, and these notions aren't good. They involve words like cult, polygamist, liar, lockstep, unquestioning loyalty, and occasionally horns. (Yes, I've heard that last one from someone being serious.)
So, the average American, being a decent sort of person, understands you can't trust everything you hear. But decent people also find it hard to walk up to someone and say: "So, are you really as bad as people say?"
Fortunately, Mitt's run at the presidency is an ice-breaker. It gives people excuses to ask. This is a good thing, because it broadens our audience when we answer, which many of us are always doing anyway in some limited fashion.
Here's a spat of recent articles that actually bothered to find a Mormon and ask them questions. (Got this list from FAIR, looks like the president Scott Gordon is interviewed for all of them.)
Los Angeles Times: A look at Mormon theology and practice December 16, 2007
New York Times: "Huckabee Is Not Alone in Ignorance on Mormonism"
(December 14, 2007)
The Los Angeles Times: "Mormon theology is striking in its
differences" (December 7, 2007 - Subscription required)
The Alan Colmes Radio Show. (December 6, 2007)
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Huckabee is right when he says he doesn't know much about Mormonism. He IS being dishonest by asserting he doesn't know much, though, because he believes inside that he understands it more than he lets on. But his understanding is incorrect, for the most part. Thus he is being accidentally honest.
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