Mitt Romney, the LDS and 2012

Thom Hartman was speculating this morning that certain events tie together. The success of Prop 8 in California, internal Republican tearing down of Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney's presidential ambitions.
It is known that Prop 8 was successful largely because of a ton of money from LDS people. Much of it came from out of state. Hartman speculates Romney will need the support of the radical religious right and the success of Prop 8 was a way to get it.
The LDS want legitimacy as an American Protestant religion, rather than being deemed a sect. They can say to the radical right, "we're like you, anti-gay."
Palin could the a threat to a Romney presidential bid, hence Romney people in the McCain campaign leaked negative information about her.
The presidential candidacy fell to McCain because the party couldn't stomach Rudy J and Romney. Rudy's sins were surfacing. That left Romney. But the people didn't want a Mormon. Iowa is staunchly populated with Lutherans and others who don't buy Mormon claims.
But if Mormons become a legitimate American protestant faith, Romney could then win in places like Iowa.