Political Punch

I'd love to hear a politician say this: "I'm a Deist, like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. That means, I am humble before the powers of nature, and in awe of the wonders I see there. But like Albert Einstein, I don't see evidence for the existence of God in miracles, but in the laws we strain to perceive in the universe. Not the miracles, but the causality. I don't believe in a personal God, or the God of the Bible or any Holy Book. I don't believe I can heal the sick. I am a politician, and I know that if we fund research, cures of deadly diseases will become reality. I know that when men and women apply their wisdom and effort to problems, human life is improved. I respect religion, and I will fight to the death for somebody's right to practice what they believe, as long as they don't force that belief on those who do not have it. And that's the last word I'll say about religion during this campaign. Now, about taxes and crime and schools--"

Why are we asking this Romney fello about his religion? Why are we not asking the other candidates about thier faith? Its just an observational sort of thing. The senate majority leader, Harry Reid is in the same faith, hes doing just fine. The highest position in the democratic party. Some baptist believe that everyone that doesnt believe in Jesus according to thier faith will not be saved. They are doing just fine too. The leave the religion alone, talk about the issues, not theology and fault finding.

I don't know about anyone else on this board, but I was an active member of the LDS church for a few years. It amuses and depresses me that so many are so willfully ignorant about faiths other than their own, whether it be Islam or Mormonism.

We've had 8 years of 'a man of faith'...maybe it's time to let the heathens get a shot

Christians believe that they will inheirit all that Christ inheirits in the next life. That is what the Bible teaches and what it means to be a joint heir with Christ. So what is all this criticism of Romney who believes the same thing?

I think it's clear that Mitt Romney is frantically trying to reposition himself as more conservative to appeal to more voters in his party, which probably accounts for his "person of faith" comment. Romney is so busy changing his stances on so many issues that it's a wonder he has time to campaign at all: he's made more spins than a weathervane on a windy day.

Nonetheless, I'm quickly losing patience for this popular notion, adopted by almost everyone, that politicians somehow have to atone for their vote authorizing the war in Iraq in 2002 by sackcloth and ashes, apologizing to whomever can or will listen, before they will be taken seriously as a presidential candidate. I feel we can safely say that most of them would not have voted the way they did knowing what they know now. What I'd like to hear much more from candidates such as Mr. Edwards instead of maudlin contrition are specific actions as to what he would do to end the fighting in Iraq.

This presents another great opportunity for Romney. He can denounce his Mormonism and "convert" himself into a fire breathing Southern Baptist. Mitts record has more twists and turn than a road in the northern hills of the Palmetto State.

The people of Tennessee bought Senator Bob Corkers re-invention(s) of himself, eerily similar history these two. Mitt could convince people he has also undergone "change and growth", and quick change at that.

Romney's comment that the country needs a 'person of faith to lead' implies that only 'people of faith' have morals, which is greatly insulting. A person's faith in a God or lack thereof should have no relevance. Their stance on the issues, as well as past track record should be be all that is necessary to judge a person's character.

The heckler was out of line in his comments, but Mitt Romney was also out of line in his response.

Jake,

I would hope that the religious beliefs of someone running for Prez would have some bearing on how s(he) would govern. For Romney to say that his beliefs would not affect his actions simply isn't true.

Plus, it's hard to know what he really belives since he's done the flip-flop on so many issues.

As for Edwards, it's OK to fess-up to mistakes, however tortured the explanation. I think his flip-flop on the war came when he realizrd most of his party is anti-war.

I would like to hear what he's going to do about the war... and he's said very little about that.

I have yet to believe in Hillary Clinton-she seems to say that her own brand of intellectualism somehow----glorifies all things..I find her tactics/dilluted..but "inclusion"..superficial and even outright lies..
..
John Edwards has lost me completly..his nice guy out going appeal has been caught in some "time reverse"..he stepped in the Political doggey-poo../I even think he is a subversive..
..
Mitt Rommney..it was Sunday that I fianlly see who he is..as towards his Family name..
I think he is a sincere wealthy man..he believes in very high ideals concerning his fellow man and neighbor..he has a personal stake in a lifes work..he's ambitious..
..
Senator Joe Biden for all intents.....
has the staying power in the national uproar..
because there is a willingness in that Power Structure too get the jobs completed.

Unfortunately, Romney's ideas are backed by a huge majority of this country as many think someone of "faith" should be leading us. How refreshing would it be to have someone elected who does not believe in some fantastical super natural power, and instead bases his (or her) beliefs in reason and science. While it may be dangerous for us to allow someome who sees himself becoming a god after death, it is also just as dangerous to allow someone who may very well see the silver lining in a mushroom cloud being the beginning of the rapture. When will will leave behind these 12th century beliefs? We are little better than the people we call "the enemy". God help us from your followers.

Romney's heckler sounds like someone from the religious right who are usually wrong. In this case, however,I tend to agree with the religious right. Romney believes in humans beings as his gods. He has many gods, not just one.........so the heckler was correct in his assertion about Romney's theology. The problem with this belief is that Romney probably sees himself as becoming a god after death. It's dangerous for that kind of personal belief to be in a position of power. How can a god-in-waiting person even consider himself to be in error about anything?

About Edwards: who cares, they are all liars.