David Gregory: Romney's core is essentially Mormon

NBC host David Gregory said Thursday night that nominating Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney would be a major achievement for the United States.

"This is a significant moment," he told late night host Jay Leno. "I mean, we have the first Mormon Republican nominee, if everything gets formalized, in the country's history. That's a huge moment for religious tolerance."

"But I think it's an issue," Gregory continued. "I think a lot of people have questions about the Mormon faith. There's a lot of ignorance about the Mormon faith, and lets be honest, this is the core of who Mitt Romney is. He was a missionary in France for two years, he has been a bishop in the church -- which in the Mormon church is effectively like a priest -- philanthropically he has made huge contributions."

"He's had a big impact on the church and yet he doesn't talk about it," he said. "It's the core of who he is, yet he doesn't feel like it is safe to talk about it."

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