Rewrite on the politics of religion

O'DONNELL: Obama 's religion .

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, I think there is in this country a war on religion . I think there is a desire to establish a religion in America known as secularism. And I know that based upon reports, the Obama administration gave this a lot of thought, a lot of discussion.

O'DONNELL: I then pointed out that Romney was obviously lying about the president trying to create a new religion . And as I developed my point, I referred to Joseph Smith and the creation of Mormonism in two sentences that I shall not repeat because they offended many but not all of the Mormons watching, who then reacted on Twitter and elsewhere. In fact, the Mormon reaction on Twitter was overwhelmingly negative. I only had a couple of Mormon defenders. And according to Twitter , those same words were irritating and distracting to other religious viewers, including some of this shows most supportive fans. And I am truly sorry if I said something inaccurate about Joseph Smith . And I am happy to provide time on this show to a Church of Latter- Day Saints spokesman to correct any inaccuracy. In fact, I have more than once invited spokesman for the Mormon church on the show and they have always declined, despite the polite and enlightening conversations we have had off the record. And I am sorry that my word choice ripped some people's attention away from my point, that we should not tolerate religious intolerance in voting. My -- pardon the expression -- preaching on the politics of religion has always been addressed at one essential point: religious intolerance is wrong. Refusing to vote for a Mormon is wrong. Refusing to vote for a Catholic is wrong. Refusing to vote for a Jewish candidate is wrong. Refusing to vote for a Muslim candidate is wrong. And, yes, refusing to vote for a non-believer is wrong. And, again, I'm very sorry that for some that message got lost because of my insensitive phrasing in two sentences I wish -- I just wish I could take those words back. And now that I've apologized for using those pointed words last week, we can all patiently await Mitt Romney 's apology for lying about President Obama trying to create a new religion . But we must be prepared for a long wait, because oddly enough, not a single person who has objected to what I said has also objected to Mitt Romney 's lie about President Obama 's religion . And that's tonight's LAST WORD . "THE ED SHOW" is up next. END