At 10:30 am eastern time today, Mitt Romney delivers his "Faith in America" speech "on religious liberty and how his [Mormon] faith would inform his presidency." According to conservative columnist Robert Novak, this is a risky speech.
Romney's Mormon problem has been obvious for two years, though just two months ago he was still in denial, claiming that only journalists asked him about his religion. One month ago he changed his tune, telling campaign contributors that he liked "the idea" of a speech, but "at some point" in the future because "the political advisers" tell him "it's not a good idea."These advisers still think it's a bad idea and say that any speech should have been preceded by Romney winning in Iowa, New Hampshire or both. They think Romney is overreacting to the surge for Huckabee, who probably tops out at 25 percent in Iowa...
In other words, Romney has hit the "panic button," against the wishes of his advisors. The problem, as Robert Novak writes, is that "many old Republican hands to say they can't really support a Mormon for President" and "many evangelical Christians have real problems with Mormonism." What can Mitt Romney say this morning that will allay those concerns? According to Novak, it won't be easy, and I agree:
Addressing these two concerns simultaneously will be difficult. To claim his religion doesn't matter and is a private concern flies in the face of the conservative Christian view. If he suggests that Mormonism is basically like Christianity, Romney could offend Christians even more. He certainly cannot get involved in a theological debate. His best hope is to tap into the impression of Mormons as upstanding family-centered people and to agree that the United States is a Christian nation. But how will this latter point strike the mainstream media, who are very hostile to any intermingling of religion and public life?[...]
Finally, in calling for religious tolerance, Romney must not come across as branding his opponents -- or even those wary of Mormonism -- as religious bigots.
No problem, eh? Piece of cake. Of course, Romney's the master of telling everyone what they want to hear, even if it totally contradicts what he said yesterday, last month, or last year. But that's Romney for you, the smarmiest politician this side of Utah.
Anyway, check out Romney's speech at 10:30 am and see if he can pull off...I dunno, lack of disaster? This could very well determine the future for Mitt Romney's campaign, as well as for the outcome of the Republican nomination for President in 2008. To say that this is a big speech would be an understatement. This appears to be "the ball game" right here.
I'm getting that old sinking feeling that the Fire and Brim Stone god people are about to have another candidate. Look at what our "born-again" president has done. Read the report on increased birth rates among 15-19 year old girls...Its an absinence-only $176 million dollar health crisis failure.
Promise to not forget the 1st Amendment.
I'm getting that old sinking feeling that the Fire and Brim Stone god people are about to have another candidate. Look at what our "born-again" president has done. Read the report on increased birth rates among 15-19 year old girls...Its an absinence-only $176 million dollar health crisis failure.
Promise to not forget the 1st Amendment.
What Romney said:
The former Massachusetts governor, 60, also said that religion must not be totally removed from public life and that the founding fathers' concept of separation of church and state "has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning" in recent years. "Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom," he said.
Jim Newell's comment at Wonkette -- with which I agree:
So in order to keep our freedom, we are required to get religion, if you become president? I'm glad this speech was so soothing. We don't have to worry about his Mormonism anymore, just a theocracy.
http://wonkette.com/politics/t...
But then the biggest angel in Romney's church is Moroni (true). As in "Moron-I?"
I'm just real confused. Does Willard rwally think he's another JFK? Oh please.
I just have to quote one thing:
We should acknowledge the Creator as did the Founders in ceremony and word. He should remain on our currency, in our pledge, in the teaching of our history, and during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places. Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our constitution rests. I will take care to separate the affairs of government from any religion, but I will not separate us from 'the God who gave us liberty.'
Just on the currency item, I may have missed this passage in the bible, but where does it state: "I am the Lord, thou shalt exalt me most by inscribing mine name on thine currency"? You know Romney is so right! But why stop at the currency? Saudi Arabia and Iran have us trumped, they have God on their national flags. Do we really want to fall behind in our efforts to have God in the public square?
Where Mr. Romney most fell short, though, was in his failure to recognize that America is composed of citizens not only of different faiths but of no faith at all and that the genius of America is to treat them all with equal dignity. "Freedom requires religion, just as religion requires freedom," Mr. Romney said. But societies can be both secular and free. The magnificent cathedrals of Europe may be empty, as Mr. Romney said, but the democracies of Europe are thriving. "Americans acknowledge that liberty is a gift of God, not an indulgence of government," Mr. Romney said. But not all Americans acknowledge that, and those who do not may be no less committed to the liberty that is the American ideal.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
According to that latest Harris Poll, 82% believe in a god. 18% is a fairly significant number of Americans.
And here's an interesting poll from 2004:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections...
Should Church Leaders Try to Influence Politicians?ABC News/Washington Post Poll
YES/NOAll 35%/64
No Religion 22/77
Catholics 34/65
Evangelical Protestants 43/56
Conservative Evang Prot 55/45