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Romney: I'm Not Giving a JFK Speech
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ShareDecember 03, 2007 3:29 PM
ABC News' Matt Stuart Reports: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney distanced his much anticipated speech on his Mormon religion from President Kennedy's now iconic 1960 speech while speaking in Manchester, N.H. Monday.
Asked by an audience member why he was giving the speech, Romney said, "Well, actually, and I'm glad you raised it because I think JFK really did give the definitive speech on politics and religion."
Romney emphasized that this would not be "a repeat or an update" of Kennedy's speech, that in fact Romney's concern was that "faith has disappeared in many respects from the public square. I want to make sure we maintain our religious heritage in this country."
Speaking with reporters after the event, Romney continued to emphasize how his speech would differ from JFK's. "He gave the definitive speech on … discrimination and religion relating to a political campaign," Romney said, "I am gonna be talking about the role of religion, faith in America and in a free society."
Romney took the opportunity to jab at fellow Republican hopeful Gov. Mike Huckabee, saying "I think that a candidate or a president that tried to make his religion a defining a feature of his campaign or of his term in office, would tend to divide the nation rather than bring us together."
Huckabee recently unveiled a television advertisement in which he calls himself a "Christian Leader," directly referencing his role as a Baptist minister.
Romney did admit his religion will be addressed to some extent. "I certainly will answer some questions relating to how my own faith would inform my presidency."
During his event for the Rotary Club in Manchester, Romney emphasized the economy and families but avoided larger social issues and made no mention of his religion.
Romney wrote a draft of the speech at the Hilton in Boca Raton, Florida last Thursday following the CNN/YouTube/Republican Party of Florida debate.
The campaign asserts that the decision to make the speech was Romney's alone. Romney has recently seen his lead in Iowa cut down to a dead heat with Huckabee. The campaign claims that the poll numbers did not influence their decision.
When asked about his religion previously, Romney often cited President Lincoln's so-called "Lyceum Speech" in which he addressed America's "political religion" and an adherence to the Constitution that he saw as the dominant driving force in American politics.
Over the weekend, Romney held a casual lunch with reporters in which he mentioned that he was rereading Jon Meacham's book, "American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation."
Campaign aides have themselves admitted, however, that the speech could backfire.
ABC's Jake Tapper notes that while the Houston, Texas speech has become the iconic moment of President Kennedy's run, it was just one of many attempts to explain the role of religion in his life.
Romney has faced questions on his Mormon religion since before his campaign officially began. In January, Romney told ABC News' Terry Moran that "I think the American people respect individuals of faith. That's the kind of person they want to lead the country."
Romney's campaign announced Sunday night that they would be delivering "the speech" on Thursday at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in Texas.
December 3, 2007 in Palin, Sarah, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (6)
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I just don't understand where these politicians think their releigon should play a part in politics. Our founding fathers were so against religion and politics being talked about as one. They need to take a look at what our history really teaches us and not revise it to suit their purposes.
Posted by: Kris Adams | Dec 3, 2007 4:37:56 PM
Religion is a very good motivator to a persons' life but Evangelical Christian are bossing the Country into creating conflict and manipulate voters with their Christian weapon.This nation does not belong to a group of self proclaim christian but every individual citizens no matter which church they do belong.
Posted by: kmjjp | Dec 3, 2007 5:00:45 PM
Who cares what religion, so what if Mormons believe in "magical" underwear. Catholics have their cross and holy water and I'm sure all other religions have 1 or 2 major differences from all other faiths that makes them who they are which helps make this nation great! Its called the 1st amendment Kris. So long as these elected people don't push their religion I have no problem. All of the founding fathers worked through their different views on christian faith and created the greatest nation on this earth!
Posted by: Mr. Twister | Dec 3, 2007 5:22:40 PM
Obviously none of you have met anyone who is a mormon, or have read too much garbage about mormons. He isn't running for his Faith. Get a clue - Go meet a mormon and quit being morons from the dark ages.
Posted by: farside | Dec 3, 2007 5:23:00 PM
I get sick of these so-called Christians that have highjacked the word Christian, and all made their own club, and take it upon themselves to decide by which standard other people's beliefs are to be judged by to be called Christian. Its not like they've studied to see what the earliest Christians believed, and if held to that same standard, they would say that Christ himself is not Christian, because he never taught their doctrines. Height of hypocrisy.
Posted by: Dude | Dec 3, 2007 5:33:10 PM
Like Gov Romney has said again an again, he is running for the Presidency, not for the Minister in Chief. I am a Southern Baptist, what religion any candiate is, makes no difference to me, its the character of the person, how he has conducted himself, his family values, etc. Even though Gov Huckabee is a Baptist Minister, does not mean I should vote for him. Religion should be kept out of any election. Both are good men, but they have other important issues for me to consider, along with the others.
Posted by: homjett | Dec 4, 2007 9:14:52 AM
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