Romney, whose father vied for the GOP presidential nomination in 1968, has not officially declared a presidential bid yet. But now that the 2006 election is over, all eyes have turned to 2008, and those who have expressed an interest in running already are getting close media attention.

Romney is best known in Utah for running the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. He was elected governor of Massachusetts shortly after, and his term expires at the end of the year.

Kelly Patterson, an associate professor of political science at Brigham Young University, said that all candidates "bring characteristics and experience to the campaign" and then voters ask about those characteristics and experiences.

Giuliani will like have to answer questions about his handling of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks or lack of foreign policy experience, while McCain will have to highlight or defend his Senate record and his reference to some religious leaders as "agents of intolerance" while campaigning against President Bush during the 2000 election.

Romney's religion is just one of those characteristics that will draw attention, Patterson said. "People will be curious about this faith."

David French said the blog has about 5,000 readers a day, but many are journalists, evangelicals and political junkies. "We have received tremendous feedback from the conservative community," he said.

Anthony Corrado, a non-resident government fellow at the Brookings Institution and professor of government at Colby College in Maine, said the religious arm of the Republican party is "likely to vote for someone who shares their values."

He said McCain and Giuliani might split the more moderate and liberal Republican vote, giving the bulk of the conservative vote to Romney.

To avoid making the 2008 primary season more about religion than politics, Romney will have to set a clear agenda of two or three things he wants to do, he said. Right now, it is the "silly season" of an upcoming presidential campaign, Corrado said, where voters do not know much about the candidates.

Meanwhile, blogs like EvangelicalsforMitt.org, are going to play a bigger role in the 2008 election than ever before, Corrado said.

"You can't simply put them aside," Corrado said. "They have become part of the culture."

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