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Mitt Romney’s anticipated speech on Thursday to discuss faith, values and what it may mean to Americans the the 2008 Presidential campaign may get played up too much before tomorrow. There is an array of reports floating around as is expected in political campaigns and issues real or imagined. A story heard on the radio this a.m. suggested the Romney speech will not be as much about his faith as faith, values and traditions of America and their meaning to the public.

Romney’s goal to calm fears in speech on his Mormon faith
Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

(12-04) 19:13 PST San Francisco — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney must reassure voters during a speech scheduled Thursday that his beliefs as a Mormon fit neatly with the nation’s fundamental values and its demands for the chief executive in the White House.

“It is a watershed moment for his campaign,” said Barbara O’Connor, professor of political communication at Cal State Sacramento. “People are still concerned about his or her loyalty to his church … but be it Catholic or Mormon, a devout (believer) has to make it clear they will abide by the law - and his first fidelity is to the Constitution.”

Calling the planned speech a ‘watershed moment’ for the Romney campaign may be an exaggeration designed to sell more papers on the story but what is more important is what determines public perception on religion in light of this nation’s promise of religious freedom. A concern about the role of religion in governing is understandable, but with the history of a blend of religions being practiced by American leaders without incident, the fear of some is unrealistic and suggests opponents political strategy more than genuine public concern.

Those expressing a concern need to reevaluate the effects of their personal bias rather than being fooled by a manufactured issue that has no place in a free and democratic society. It is a situation more akin to the dark ages and religious persecution that causes an unnecessary distraction from the issues that matter.

Other opinions on Romney’s faith talk tomorrow

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney makes his big speech on religious faith Thursday morning, designed to obliquely address the whisperings and mailings about his Mormon religion in the tightening Republican race in Iowa and elsewhere.

As detailed here yesterday, Romney intends to tell a select audience at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in Texas more about his concept of faith and its role in his life than about some obscure tenets of Mormon doctrine.

But not every Mormon thinks this speech is a good idea. “The consensus that has emerged is one of great trepidation,” Ryan Bell, a Salt Lake City attorney and Romney backer, told The Times’ Stephanie Simon. On the one hand, said Bell, who runs a website called Romney Experience, the church could use the exposure the speech will bring.

And of course, as indicated by the story above, their are opinions within the ranks of the Mormon faith and everyone is certainly entitled to an opinion. But for a country of religious freedom that has a tendency to raise the issue of religion or avoid it based on political advantage, to simply accept it as a given that each person has their own take on the matter and attend to the main issues would be an improvement. Maybe Mitt Romney’s Thursday speech can accomplish that task. For one more concerned about other matters that would be a blessing.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2007 at 12:29 am and is filed under Public Affairs, wordpress, Politics, campaign, election, Religion, romney. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.