Romney To Give 'Religion Speech'

[Fash]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/ ... 4183.shtml

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will deliver a much-anticipated speech on religious faith at the George H. W. Bush library on Thursday, CBS News has confirmed. Romney's Mormon faith has been an underlying theme of his presidential candidacy but, until today, it has been an area he and his campaign have shied away from addressing directly.

"This speech is an opportunity for Governor Romney to share his views on religious liberty, the grand tradition religious tolerance has played in the progress of our nation and how the governor's own faith would inform his Presidency if he were elected," said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden in a statement released this evening.

Throughout this campaign year, Romney has frequently been asked whether he would address his faith directly. Many evangelical Christians view the Mormon Church, officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, critically. And voters in general have expressed hesitance about voting for a presidential candidate who subscribes to that faith. Last June, 43 percent of registered voters in a CBS News poll said they would not vote for a presidential candidate who is Mormon.

Romney has frequently been asked whether he would consider delivering a speech about his faith along the lines of the address John F. Kennedy gave when his Catholic faith provoked a similar discussion in the 1960 presidential campaign.

When asked about the possibility of giving such a speech by CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer last month, Romney replied, "I probably could never do something that would compare to what John F. Kennedy did - his was a masterpiece in American political history." Romney continued, "Maybe there's a time when I talk mostly about religion. Although, I don't know, at this stage I'm getting good support across the country, people want to know a bit ... a bit about my faith. They learn a bit about it, and they'll say, 'OK, that's fine, now what do you think about the jihad? What do you think about being competitive with China? How can you fix your schools? What're you going to do about health care?' And those issues overtake any differences with regards to religion they might see."

The speech comes at a moment in the campaign when Romney's once-dominant lead in Iowa has eroded. He trails former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, in the most recent poll in the first-in-the-nation caucus. Social conservatives in Iowa, who wield plenty of influence in the caucuses, seem to have vacillated between candidates like Romney and Fred Thompson but appear to be coalescing around Huckabee. Romney's decision to address his faith directly looks to be an attempt to soothe evangelicals who may be having second thoughts.

"Governor Romney understands that faith is an important issue to many Americans, and he personally feels this moment is the right moment for him to share his views with the nation," Madden said in his statement. For Romney, it is a crucial moment in the campaign, one which will put his faith under the kind of spotlight he has sought to avoid until now.

[Funkmasterr]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/ ... 4183.shtml

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will deliver a much-anticipated speech on religious faith at the George H. W. Bush library on Thursday, CBS News has confirmed. Romney's Mormon faith has been an underlying theme of his presidential candidacy but, until today, it has been an area he and his campaign have shied away from addressing directly.

"This speech is an opportunity for Governor Romney to share his views on religious liberty, the grand tradition religious tolerance has played in the progress of our nation and how the governor's own faith would inform his Presidency if he were elected," said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden in a statement released this evening.

Throughout this campaign year, Romney has frequently been asked whether he would address his faith directly. Many evangelical Christians view the Mormon Church, officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, critically. And voters in general have expressed hesitance about voting for a presidential candidate who subscribes to that faith. Last June, 43 percent of registered voters in a CBS News poll said they would not vote for a presidential candidate who is Mormon.

Romney has frequently been asked whether he would consider delivering a speech about his faith along the lines of the address John F. Kennedy gave when his Catholic faith provoked a similar discussion in the 1960 presidential campaign.

When asked about the possibility of giving such a speech by CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer last month, Romney replied, "I probably could never do something that would compare to what John F. Kennedy did - his was a masterpiece in American political history." Romney continued, "Maybe there's a time when I talk mostly about religion. Although, I don't know, at this stage I'm getting good support across the country, people want to know a bit ... a bit about my faith. They learn a bit about it, and they'll say, 'OK, that's fine, now what do you think about the jihad? What do you think about being competitive with China? How can you fix your schools? What're you going to do about health care?' And those issues overtake any differences with regards to religion they might see."

The speech comes at a moment in the campaign when Romney's once-dominant lead in Iowa has eroded. He trails former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, in the most recent poll in the first-in-the-nation caucus. Social conservatives in Iowa, who wield plenty of influence in the caucuses, seem to have vacillated between candidates like Romney and Fred Thompson but appear to be coalescing around Huckabee. Romney's decision to address his faith directly looks to be an attempt to soothe evangelicals who may be having second thoughts.

"Governor Romney understands that faith is an important issue to many Americans, and he personally feels this moment is the right moment for him to share his views with the nation," Madden said in his statement. For Romney, it is a crucial moment in the campaign, one which will put his faith under the kind of spotlight he has sought to avoid until now.

I thought about this for a minute before I decided to respond, and I don't know how he could possibly think it would be a good idea to do this. Personally, I am tired of religion, and regardless of of political party I would never in a million years vote for someone who made one of their focul points religion (global warming being included in that category).

[Nick]

(global warming being included in that category).

Blind faith != scientific data

[Boogahz]

I thought about this for a minute before I decided to respond, and I don't know how he could possibly think it would be a good idea to do this. Personally, I am tired of religion, and regardless of of political party I would never in a million years vote for someone who made one of their focul points religion (global warming being included in that category).

(Un)Fortunately, you're in the minority. He sees himself slipping in the polls, and he believes that he needs to explain more about his religion to pull in more of the conservative Christian vote. He has apparently had the speech prepared for a while now, but he was waiting for the right time to give it. I almost see it as a last ditch hope to pull in support.

[Animale]

Wonder if he'll talk about his personal planet he's going to be god of when he dies.

Animale

[Nick]

It's disturbing that in 2007 Presidential candidates still think that admitting they believe in God is a vote winner.

[Funkmasterr]

It's disturbing that in 2007 Presidential candidates still think that admitting they believe in God is a vote winner.

Unfortunately, like Boo pointed out, I don't think that he "thinks" it is, he (or the people organizing his campaign) know it is. There are plenty of people, particularly in the "bible belt" that would just love to see jesus play a bigger part in our leaders choices, by golly.

Makes me sick. Literally.

[Ashur]

It's disturbing that in 2007 Presidential candidates still think that admitting they believe in God is a vote winner.

Saying they don't is a vote loser.

[Nick]

That's what is disturbing. Maybe I should rephrase, because you both got my point to a large degree:

It's disturbing that in 2007 Presidential candidates know that admitting they believe in God is a vote winner.

[Funkmasterr]

That's what is disturbing. Maybe I should rephrase, because you both got my point to a large degree:

It's disturbing that in 2007 Presidential candidates know that admitting they believe in God is a vote winner.

I agree 110%

[Markulas]

About a month ago I read Under the Banner of Heaven. A week later I was approached by two Mormons trying to convert me. Here's a recap of the conversation:

"Do you know anything about the Church of the Latter Day Saints?" -happy go lucky Mormons, smiling brightly
"Yes I know a lot" -reply
"Anything good?" -saddened response of Mormons who know that they can't convert someone with knowledge of their religion, frowning profusely

I believe the encounter with these people is the closest I'm ever going to get from interacting with an alien species.

[Canelek]

They aren't half as insane as the born-agains!

[Sueven]

I agree that it's a tragedy that an atheist can't be elected president. I also think it's a farce that believing in Christ is a requirement for election, but believing that Christ came to America after he finished up in the Middle East is some sort of deal-breaker (seriously, they're equally absurd).

That said, I have no problem with religious folks, and am an inclusive-minded sort of person. I was very impressed with Obama's speech on religion awhile back. If Romney could pull off a similar feat-- explaining intelligently how his faith informs him personally, how he would deal with religious issues while president, and demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the virtues and failures of religion-- he would have taken a great stride toward impressing me, and probably many other Americans as well. Will he pull it off? I doubt it. But on a practical level, he needs to try.

[Fash]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071206/D8TBVOR80.html

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Republican Mitt Romney declares in a speech being delivered Thursday that he shares "moral convictions" with Americans of all faiths, but should not have to explain his own religion just because he's striving to become the first Mormon elected president.

"To do so would enable the very religious test the founders prohibited in the Constitution. No candidate should become the spokesman for his faith. For if he becomes president, he will need the prayers of the people of all faiths," Romney said in remarks prepared for delivery at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

"When I place my hand on the Bible and take the oath of office, that oath becomes my highest promise to God," Romney said in a pledge echoing that made in 1960 when Democrat John F. Kennedy, sought to become the first Catholic elected president. "If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause and no one interest. A president must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States."

More broadly, Romney sought to allay concerns of Christian conservatives, some of whom have propelled Mike Huckabee, a one-time Southern Baptist minister, to join Romney atop the polls in Iowa, which kicks off presidential voting next month.

At the same time, surveys show up to half the electorate have problems voting for a Mormon candidate.

"It is important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of moral convictions," said Romney.

The former Massachusetts governor also sought to use the occasion to sound a call for greater religious thought in daily civic life. In particular, he said nativity scenes and menorahs should remain in public places during the holiday season.

"We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God," Romney said.

"The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square. We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed trust," he added.

Huckabee, who was a Southern Baptist preacher before entering politics, said Thursday that Romney's religion has no bearing "whatsoever" on whether he would make a good president.

"I think it's a matter of what his views are - whether they are consistent, whether they are authentic, just like mine are," Huckabee told NBC's "Today.""If I had actions that were completely opposite of my Christian faith, then I would think people would have reason to doubt if this part of my life, which is supposed to be so important, doesn't influence me. Then they would have to question whether or not there are other areas of my life that lack that authenticity as well.

"It has nothing to do with what faith a person has - it's whether or not that person's life is consistent with how he lives it."

Critics have accused Romney of switching his positions on some social issues, like abortion, when it became politically expedient.

Former President George H.W. Bush was introducing Romney, as well as offering the venue for the speech. His library, located on the edge of the Texas A&M campus, is 90 miles from Houston, where Kennedy delivered his speech about faith and politics just two months before winning the 1960 election.

Beyond speaking about faith, Romney sought to use the occasion to relaunch his campaign as the broader electorate begins to tune into his nomination fight against a field that includes some better-known candidates like former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and veteran Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Striking a family chord, Romney's wife of 38 years, Ann, and four of the couple's five sons were joining him for the speech.

"We are a long way from perfect and we have surely stumbled along the way," Romney said, adding that his aspirations and values stand upon a "common foundation" with other faiths and pledging that "these convictions will indeed inform my presidency."

"Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our constitution rests," said Romney, who favors overturning the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

In a clear appeal to social and Christian conservatives, he also invited James Bopp Jr., an anti-abortion activist who is Romney's "special adviser on life issues," and Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, to be his guests at the speech.

"The governor needs to give a speech in which he can close this deal for many, many people," Land told CBS'"Early Show" Thursday. "I don't think his Mormonism is a deal breaker for most Americans, but only Mitt Romney can close the deal."

Romney released excerpts of his speech an hour before the network morning shows, but had refused to answer questions about its content earlier. Instead, his campaign released pictures of him editing his speech. Aides say he wrote it himself a week ago, after the latest GOP debate in Florida.

While Romney has been subject to some leafletting and phone calling pointing to religious differences between his faith and others, he has faced little religious bigotry or questions on the campaign trail. Instead, political realities played a role in his decision to make the speech.

In an AP-Yahoo poll last month, half said they had some problems supporting a Mormon presidential candidate, including one-fifth who said it would make them very uncomfortable.

Fifty-six percent of white evangelical Christians - a major portion of likely participants in the early GOP presidential contests in Iowa and South Carolina - expressed reservations about a Mormon candidate. Among non-evangelicals, 48 percent said it troubled them. Almost a quarter - 23 percent - of evangelicals said they were very uncomfortable with the idea.

There has been little apparent shift in public attitudes over the past four decades toward a possible Mormon candidacy, according to Gallup polling.

A USA Today-Gallup Poll last February showed 24 percent said they would not vote for a well-qualified candidate chosen by their party if the person was a Mormon. Four percent said they were unsure.

In April 1967 - when Romney's father, George Romney, was running for president - the result was similar. Then, 17 percent said they would not vote for a Mormon candidate and 8 percent expressed uncertainty.