Whether you love or hate politics, it’s hard to deny that when it comes to identity and culture, this year’s presidential election is truly historic. The incumbent is, of course, half black and thus, a racial minority. The challenger is Mormon, and thus, a religious minority. What if you’re one of the one million Americans who is both black and Mormon? How does identity factor in? Two African-American Mormons join us today to share their thoughts.

Senator Marco Rubio generated a lot of positive buzz at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in January. A dynamic young catholic Latino from Florida, Rubio charmed crowds with his sense of humor and looked like he could be the perfect young vice-presidential candidate. However, on Thursday BuzzFeed broke the story that Rubio was, for a few years of his life, Mormon.

Mitt Romney has had a hard time garnering support among social conservatives. But since he's a minister in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you'd think that unanimous support among Mormons would be a given. That's not the case in Arizona, where strict adherence to Mormon teachings have led some to adopt libertarian views — and support Ron Paul.

Many modern political dynasties are built on "like father, like son." However, Mitt Romney's cautious presidential bid in many ways highlights how he's different from his old man. In 1967, former Michigan Governor George Romney candidly revealed that he had changed his stance on the Vietnam War with the remark, "When I came back from Vietnam, I had just about the greatest brainwashing that anybody can get." Most pundits agree that this remark effectively ended George Romney's 1968 presidential campaign.

According to a June Gallup poll, 18 percent of Republicans say that they would not vote for a Mormon. But for their part, Mormon GOP presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman are often quiet about their faith. Both know they need the GOP evangelical base, many of whom are fearful of the Mormon Church and don't believe Mormons are true Christians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recently launched a $4.6 million ad campaign to combat that sentiment, showing members who come from all walks of life.

With Jon Huntsman announcing his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney is no longer the only Mormon in the running. Both candidates have the potential to become front-runners in the race, even though a recent Gallup poll shows 22 percent of the nation would not vote for a Mormon. 

Writer Brady Udall caused a stir more than twelve years ago when he wrote an article for Esquire about the predicament of being a polygamist dad. He wrote about a lonely polygamist named Bill who had four wives and thirty-one kids and explored how Bill kept his wives and himself afloat in the modern world.

Our "Remixing the Holidays" series continues with Tony Award-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell, who performs with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in their 2009 television Christmas special and on the accompanying CD, "Ring Christmas Bells." Also joining us to share their favorite holiday music are two of the choir's dedicated members: Jean Hill and Elliot Clark.