Welcome to the Morning Buzz, PRRI’s morning dose of religion-related news with a shot of data – because what doesn’t liven up a morning round-up like some public opinion numbers? If you’re a fan of “The Simpsons,” reading this will probably make you feel old (and nostalgic), but here’s an article that I promise will make you feel young, spry, and totally amazed at what scientists can do.

Franklin Graham, the son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, took aim at both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney yesterday, claiming that Obama has ties to Islam, and questioning whether the Mormon faith is a Christian religion. Graham, however, added that Romney would be a “good president” if he got the nomination. Graham may simply be fanning the flames for both Obama and Romney: only 4-in-10 (38%) Americans know that Obama is a Christian, while 36% of registered voters do not believe the Mormon faith is a Christian religion.

Gone are the days when Mitt Romney referred to his rivals as “honorable.” In case you needed proof that this is, in fact, one of the most negative campaigns in U.S. political history, take a look at this new study from the Washington Post.

The influence of SuperPACs, which have contributed in no small part to this historic negativity, riled up the ice cream company Ben and Jerry’s and inspired them to start a campaign against the Citizens United decision. Relatedly, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson who also opposes the decision reported that he may give up to $100 million in support of the eventual GOP nominee.

Meanwhile, everyone’s talking about Santorum, who’s been going after President Obama for his lack of adherence to the Bible on environmental issues. He’s also reaching out to white working-class voters, some of whom see him as more “down-to-earth” than Romney (for more on what Santorum’s appeal to this demographic means for the general election, check out this Huffington Post piece by Dr. Robert P. Jones). Even if Santorum keeps up his winning streak, however, there are certainly difficulties for him on the horizon. NPR suggests that female voters may turn out to be Santorum’s glass ceiling.

To cap it off, a new USA Today/Gallup poll shows that Republicans are overwhelmingly opposed to a brokered convention. With the way this election season is going, though, who knows what will happen. For example: here’s a headline I never thought I’d see: “Romney’s Money Problems.“

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