A look at how other religious groups view Mormonsat who is least likely to have problems with a Mormon president is interesting. Especially about our Jewish brothers and sisters.

Why do Jews feel warmly toward Mormons? It cannot be because of a political alliance, as the groups are political opposites. Sixty-four percent of Jews are Democrats while 63% of Mormons are Republicans. Nor does it seem to be explained by a group’s perceived support of Israel. Mormons and evangelical Christians both tend to be vocal advocates for Israel, yet Jews give evangelicals a lower rating than Muslims.

We suspect that Jews’ warmth toward Mormons stems from solidarity with another group that is small and subject to intolerance. Jews and Mormons are the two American groups most likely to report that other people disparage their religious beliefs. Roughly 15% of both Jews and Mormons say that they hear derogatory comments “often.”

The warmth of Jews toward Mormons reminds us that, even at a time when religion and politics are increasingly intertwined, religious comity can transcend partisan differences. But this affinity is unlikely to have much political impact: Jews are typically loyal Democrats, and at any rate they are a small slice of the electorate.

However, I think the opposition by Evangelicals is overstated. Even the Pastor Jeffries, despite his political hackery of the past few weeks, has said he could endorse and vote for Romney.