In order to beat back Rick Perry in the polls, Ronald W. Mortenson wonders if Mitt Romney should attack the Texas governor's moderate record on immigration -- a move that would put Romney at odds with the LDS Church's "recently voiced support for illegal immigrants."

Based on their records, Romney can legitimately portray Perry as a politician who turns his back on American children who are victims of illegal alien identity theft in order to protect illegal aliens, who is comfortable with using taxpayer funds to subsidize the college education of illegal aliens who cannot legally work in the United States once they graduate, and who encourages ever more illegal immigration by refusing to support the enforcement of laws, opposing the use of E-Verify and supporting the issuance of work permits for illegal aliens already in the United States.

Perry is vulnerable. Romney has a strong record. But will Romney aggressively go after Perry on illegal immigration or will he temper his attacks in order to comply with the Mormon Church's recent calls for what amounts to amnesty for illegal aliens?