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Romney to Give Speech on Mormon Faith
December 02, 2007 5:20 PM
ABC News' John Berman Reports: Mitt Romney will deliver the most anticipated speech of his presidential campaign. Entitled, "Faith in America," it will address his feelings about religion, and of course, his own religion.
Romney has served as a bishop on the Church of Latter Day saints. His Mormon faith is a frequent source of questions on the campaign trail.
In an official statement, campaign spokesman Kevin Madden said, "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."
"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."
The news comes the day that a poll from the Des Moines Register was released showing Romney trailing former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee in Iowa. Though Romney aides claim the timing of the announcement was coincidental, and the decision to make a speech was made last week.
For months, reporters have kicked around the idea of whether Romney would give a "JFK" speech on religion. In the 1960 presidential campaign, Kennedy told a Texas gathering ,"I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President who happens also to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my church on public matters--and the church does not speak for me."
As recently as a few weeks ago, some staffers suggested it was not imminent, merely because there was "no need" to give it with Romney comfortably ahead in the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Something has clearly changed.
Aides vehemently deny the decision to give the speech now is a direct response to Mike Huckabee’s rise in the polls in Iowa, with his direct appeal to evangelical voters. But it is clear that Huckabee’s commercial entitled “Believe,” in which he touts himself as a “Christian Leader,” has ruffled some feathers in Boston’s North End, where Romney’s campaign office is located.
The final decision to give the speech now, was the Governor’s alone, aides say.
Romney will give his speech in Texas as well, Thursday at the George H.W. Bush presidential library in College Station, Texas (although aides say the fact that Romney's speech is in Texas like Kennedys is just a coincidence).
The former Massachusetts governor has no designated speech writer on staff, and for the most part writes his speeches himself. For this speech, designed to explain the role of his Mormon faith in his potential presidency, Romney has received a great deal of input from his staff, and while he might not have written every word himself, it is mostly a Mitt Romney production. He has been going over drafts regularly.
On background, Romney advisers said the decision to give a speech was a personal one, Romney felt "time has come to address the issue."
It doesn't come without risks. Aides acknowledge that there is a "risk is that we focus on the Mormon faith, as opposed to focusing on a candidate who’s faith is an important part of who he is."
But aides say many people have been asking, including so many reporters, it just seemed important to explain his faith because, they say, "it is such an important part of who he is."
Polls show that Romney does face challenges when it comes to allaying voter's concerns about his faith.
"Romney, more seriously, faces continued misgivings about his faith. A third of voters who lean Republicans (32 percent) describe themselves as "uncomfortable" with the idea of a Mormon president. That goes to 39 percent of evangelical white Protestants, a core GOP group. Twenty-five percent of evangelicals are "entirely" uncomfortable with a Mormon president."
And Romney trails Mike Huckabee among evangelicals in Iowa.
Romeny aides acknowledge the decision to make the speech is a big one. On adviser said, "we will all remember this."
December 2, 2007 in Palin, Sarah | Permalink | User Comments (62)
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The Republicans will eat this up. If I say I am a good christian, I am a good christian. Look at Dubya. Jesus talks to him. I wonder what Jesus says about all the innocent Iraqis murdered by Dubya's regime. The only thing you can say for sure is that no one, from either party, could screw things up as bad as Bush.
Posted by: Big D | Dec 2, 2007 5:42:55 PM
While I think it is a speech that needs to be given I think his timing stinks; he should have waited until after he gets the nomination. Hopefully it will be a good enough speech to put the country at ease and show the country what kind of leader he will be. I feel he could be one of the greatest presidents of all time and unite our country in a way that hasn't been felt since the 1940's.
Posted by: Dennis | Dec 2, 2007 7:05:54 PM
I wonder if he wears those "garments" that devout Mormons are supposed to wear. If so, I'd certainly like to hear about the significance of the embroidery thereon. It will be interesting to see which of Mormonism's seemingly odd rituals he will reveal.
Don't know about the garments? Google it and see what you think!
Posted by: La Chatte | Dec 2, 2007 7:28:54 PM
I wonder what Jesus says about the thousands of innocent Americans who were murdered on 9/11.
Posted by: mydogisbrown | Dec 2, 2007 8:20:02 PM
Some people say that it doesn't matter how a persons faith affects how they run a country. so why are so many people concerned about a Presidential canidates faith. The reality is that a canidates faith does impact their way of thinking. Therefore, the concern should be is their faith false or is it true.
Posted by: steve | Dec 2, 2007 9:08:26 PM
I don't know the attraction to Mormonism. I think some are just born into it and thus don't know anything else. From what I know of Mormonism, it isn't even Christian as most Protestants or Catholics know Christianity. I read this article online about the differences in Mormonism and what makes it unusual. I put the url above.
Posted by: Kaylan | Dec 2, 2007 9:13:04 PM
Mitt Romney should select Tom Cruise as his running, because the Scientology Religion is as Whacked as the Mormon Religion.
Posted by: Sammy | Dec 2, 2007 9:19:32 PM
Wow, I didn't realize how much false information there is still out there about Mormons. If you want the truth, check out THEIR website , and not someone else's. Oh, and some things are sacred and private and won't be revealed in Mitt's speech. Learn some respect!
Posted by: gomitt | Dec 2, 2007 9:34:25 PM
Can't wait to hear how I can become a "god" and rule over planets.
Posted by: Greg | Dec 2, 2007 10:01:12 PM
I think there are way too many judgemental people when it comes to religion. I do not think Romney has to say anything about his faith. He is not my candidate of choice either, but for heavens sake leave this poor man's religion alone.
Posted by: Tess, California | Dec 2, 2007 10:01:57 PM
Since when do people go around asking each other what the significance is of their underwear? Does it really matter about boxers or briefs, panties or long johns, or garnments? It's better than going all commando on us anyhow.
And they are Christians. The multiple marriage policy was made after thousands of them were killed in THE US. Some religious freedom. The practice is no longer in use. So try not mouthing off about things you have no idea about.
Posted by: N | Dec 2, 2007 10:04:04 PM
Strange that the Republicans make such a big deal about religion and nobody on the other side even notices that Harry Reid is a Mormon! Go figure. I wonder which party is really for religious freedom...
Posted by: Taylor | Dec 2, 2007 10:19:34 PM
Those who hate Romney because of his religion are not true Americans. The very fact that this is an issue is a stain on American history.
Posted by: Bill | Dec 2, 2007 10:25:21 PM
I am still awaiting CBS, NBC, and ABC to have Harry Reid on their program to discuss why he should step down as Senate leader, because he is a Mormon. A 4 year poll conducted and released by Gallup Friday shows 62% of Democrats, report themselves as mentally Ill. Great news for our country. 42% of republicans reported mental problems. Los Angles times prints statement that CNN is Corrupt and Incompentent lol... Sleep well America
Posted by: airmanc5 | Dec 2, 2007 10:29:14 PM
What's up with this article? The editor has stated Romney's religion incorrectly. He belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. "Mormon" is just a nickname of the church.
Look, I read the Bible regularly and have been to many churches. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is every bit as much "Christian" as a Catholic, Baptist, or Methodist church.
Posted by: Accounted4 | Dec 2, 2007 10:49:47 PM
The fact of the matter is, Governor Romney's faith or religion will definitely affect how he rules; otherwise he is not of the faith he claims to be of. I pray that he will be true to 'his faith' and not deceive or trick anyone. People need to know exactly what they are voting for when they vote for Governor Romney or anyone else for that matter. So my question is, is his faith TRUTH or FALSEHOOD today??
Posted by: Huggy bear | Dec 2, 2007 10:51:14 PM
The settlers of this country came here for freedom of religion but our founding fathers began this country based on Christain principles. Mormanism is not a Christian religion like other protestant and catholic religions are. Jesus Christ is not their Lord and Savior. They do not belive in the trinity. I can not support a person with the belief that if they do enough good works during their life here on earth they will become a god to rule over some planet. Is this just something on his list of good works?
Posted by: clk | Dec 2, 2007 10:55:55 PM
Romney has made it clear that he is not running for Pastor-in-chief. Huchabee apparently is and should have his tax exempt ministry status pulled. Why isn’t their a demand for Huckabee to make a JFK like speech? Isn't Bush a fundamentalist; look where that got us.
Posted by: lorax_mbell | Dec 2, 2007 11:31:32 PM
Funny how the ones that claim to be Christians are the ones with stones in their hands slinging them at Romney. The true Christian out of this whole thing has to Romney.
Posted by: Micah | Dec 2, 2007 11:52:57 PM
Dont worry, Romney's not a polygamist. He's a Mormon. Mormons are no longer polygamist endorsers. I am not voting for Romney though. He represents a group of people not concerned with stopping humankind's self-induced extinction. They believe our extinction is imminent, even overdue. There are more SUV drivers, families with too much reproduction going on, and Bush war supporters in Utah than anywhere else in the US. The Mormons are some of the most narcissistic people on earth. They also don't give a hoot about the environment as it is their doctrine to rip up and use the environment for whatever they feel like cause God implied so. Exactly the wrong kind of leader for us and our nation right now.
Posted by: Scotti | Dec 3, 2007 1:01:59 AM
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