vcczar Posted September 13 Share Posted September 13 Taft of UT is apparently only the 2nd cabinet member to also be a clergyman (Edward Everett was the 1st). Taft is definitely the first that has to get permission from his church accept positions, which I find odd. The Mormon church okayed him to join segregationist Strom Thurmand on a 3rd party ticket that didn't take off, but they objected to him being with George Wallace, for some reason. Despite censorship from his Church, he became it's leader in 1985, holding the title until 1994. He did serve two terms as Sec of Agric, which means he must have been effective in this role for Eisenhower. His actions: Benson, Ezra Taft 1948 Expected Sec of Agric had Dewey def Truman Benson, Ezra Taft 1953 Confirmed Sec of Agric for Eisenhower, despite being Mormon clergyman; serves 2 terms Benson, Ezra Taft 1966 Writes pamphlet calling Civil Rights a "tool of Communist deception." Benson, Ezra Taft 1967 Gives speech claiming Communists are using blacks to create riots Benson, Ezra Taft 1968 John Birch Society tabs him for pres w/ Strom Thurmond as VP Benson, Ezra Taft 1968 Mormon leaders deny request for him to be VP on George Wallace ticket Benson, Ezra Taft 1970 Mormon Church forbids him from giving political opinions (becomes Pres of the Church in 1985!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10centjimmy Posted September 13 Share Posted September 13 Just watched "Primary" on MAX (formerly HBOMax) and during the Wisconsin primary, Sen. Humphrey name drops Benson while speaking to a group of farmers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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