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Romney speech a hit — on blogs, talk radio

Mitt Romney did the right thing. In that light, it really doesn't matter if it was "enough" or not to bring in the Evalgelical right.

I found his speech stirring and inspiring. At least Americans have a better glimpse into the heart of a man who doesn't abondon his convictions for the sake of political gain--a character trait that most politicians don't seem to posess these days.

I concur that Gov. Romney's speach was impressive and well thought-out, and I agree with the views he presented. However, I must also agree he aimed his speech to too exclusive an audience, (the Evangelicals) and should have mentioned, even if only briefly, those without religious beliefs. If his message is to transcend the primaries into the general elction campaign, he will have to do so.

Having said this, I make the following point to those who would insist on raising a religious litmus test(however unconstitutional it may be) to measure the candidacy of any candidate; while they may find it convenient to do so now while they in many ways enjoy control over many facets of the republican primary election process, the widespread use of such a test may in the long term come back to haunt them, with respect to many in the party or in the country who are appalled by the arrogance of such a litmus test. It can mean failure to win a general election, or even the loss of influence in the party they seek to direct, in the long term, as the shortsightedness of such a strategy becomes apparent.

Isn't it amazing how I have heard little, if anything asked from the other candidates.(of EITHER Party) about their religous beliefs, and why has Romney continual been hounded with questions about things that are very personal to him. It is time to have it stop, or be fair and asked the same of the other candidates. I personally found his speech to be very impressive and thought provoking as well as inspiring. Especially the last story about how all the people in the group prayed together. Even though they were of different religions. That is how we as Americans should be. We can be different from each other, but we must be respectful of each other too. I personnally want a person for president that has the values that Mitt Romney has. What a beautiful thing to have his family with him. And to think he has had a strong family from the beginning. Now that is something we need to look at and respect. I respect Mitt Romney for the fine person that he is.

To the contrary, Mitt Romney is a dishonest person, who has flipped his position so many times it's hard to really know what he believes.

We, as LDS, should not be fooled so easily. This speech was given to woo Evangelicals (who consider Mormonism a CULT), not to show dedication to his faith.

We need to admit this, and realize we need not support such an ethically challenged, and dishonest candidate, simply because he is LDS. There will be better representatives of our faith in the future, and there are better candidate choices for President right now in the present.

This blindness (and my what a cherry-picked collection of blog, radio, and editorial reaction to the speech) is a disservice to our faith and our state and our country.

Gerald, get a grip. Mormons like him for the most part. Just because you don't believe his ideals, does not mean everyone else is wrong for liking him. You are the guy who has to dislike him because he is mormon, thinking that you can't vote for your own religion because it seems bias. Looks like you are the bias one.

I was unsure of Romney before his speech. I just couldn't find anything there to disagree with. Even at our childs grade school we no longer have a Christmas program, it is now a holiday program. The pendulam has swung too far. If nominated Romney can count on the two votes we have in our family.

Look at Harry Reid. Do all mormons love him just because he is mormon?
I think most mormons favor Romney because they have the same political views as he has.
I dont think Harry Reid would every win Utah if he ran for president.

It's all very intersting how religion effects politics, I find this race very interesting

but i do agree this article is kinda cherry picking, but it does show who it is from, and it is pretty varied.

Romney's unwillingness to take a stand against torture has broken my heart.

I am extremely saddened that not even a fellow LDS candidate can stand for such a basic of all Christian beliefs. If we have come to this, then we are truly staring down the abyss. I really, really wish he could be the man that could bring back the moral standing that America should uphold. I wish, but he clearly isn't.

Perhaps if faced with the anguished cries of those tortured and mutilated, he would choose what's right? At least, that's what I hope. But my hopes are steadily vanishing.

Wow, I wonder about the reason Mormons like him. It almost worries me. Are LDS people more likely to vote for him because he is LDS? Isn't that just endorsing a religious test, but in the opposite of how we think about it? Romney's campaign should be defined by the type of candidate he is, not his religion. Besides, religion is not Mitt's biggest issue. I worry about his electability against the Democratic nominee if he were to gain the Republican nomination. That said, I might vote for Romney, but despite his being LDS, not because of it.

I would LOVE to see Hilary defending her "religion." Mitt lives his religion every day. The majority of the other candidates profess belief, but don't actually walk the walk....

I think it's silly he had to give that speech at all, but if he had to, he did it well.

What an inspiring speech. I came away saying "amen". Some have maligned him for his lack of support for those of no faith. I think just the opposite. I saw a love and tolerance for all faiths, whether in God or whatever someone chose to have faith in. Mitt's beliefs have caused me serious reflection and I stand by his side in saying we are all of the United States of America. We are all of differing faiths. We should all stand united in the cause of our country and in freedom. He does so through his religion, I do so through mine and those without a faith do so through their own beliefs. Together we stand strong. Together our families are protected and together we stand as a beacon to the world of what freedom is and should be. We are the United States of America and Mitt Romney showed he is a good candidate to carry that message forward as President of our great country. Let us remember who we are as a country and support the candidate that will best protect and preserve that identity.

For the first time since Ronald Reagan we have a presidential candidate that can communicate. We need Mitt Romney's leadership. The world's a mess and we can ill afford any of the other impostors who are seeking this high office. This is a time to join together and elect a president who will lead with honesty, morality, and competency. I intend to vote for Romney.

They say Christmas in Georgia! It was a beautiful speech about the greatness of America. Our nation was founded under God and the majority of Americans feel this way--regardless of their religion. Let's not forget and shy away from what makes America great.

Romney is the Right man, has the RIGHT experience, and the Right plan, is ready to make a change and clean HOUSE-- the Saints are for him! YEA MITT!

Gerald--I couldn't disagree more. I'm still watching and waiting to pick a candidate, but I really liked Romney's speech. He spoke with conviction (word is HE and not his writers penned the speech, and it showed), he nailed several issues that he needed to, and addressed a couple he wasn't expected to and did it well. My gut reaction after the speech was that he did far better than anyone expected, and that this may be the turning point in his campaign. Time will tell, but the fact remains that since Thursday, every news outlet in the country has been talking, not once, but repeated times, about Romney's speech. I don't care how much money the man has in his campaign chest--you can't buy that kind of publicity. Now, not all of it has been positive, but as my politically astute mother noted repeatedly during my father's political career--there's no such thing as "bad" publicity in politics.

A Flip Flopper is one who flips from one side and then flops back. Governor Romney flipped from one view to another, but hasn't flopped back. Instead he claims that he was wrong about some ideas and now has a better understanding then at first. The mark of a great leader is one who learns and admits from his mistakes.

Ronald Reagan was once a Democrat, but then flipped to the Republican side. Some called him a flip flopper as well, but he only flipped sides once also.

The true flip flopper was President Clinton, who espoused liberal ideals, but some how implemented a more centralist and even conservative fiscal policy without the liberals raising a big fuss and still the conservatives screamed for his head. Hence one of the reasons for his nick names, "Teflon Bill" or "Slick Willie". (Don't take me wrong, he also had a very liberal social agenda, but he didn't push for its funding that hard, because he knew his conservative funding policy couldn't actually pay for it. Still it endeared him to the Democrats appeased the independents.)

Only if Gov. Romney flops back during the generals would he be a flip flopper.

Everyone knows that it is best to flip just one time. This allows the pancake to cook evenly on both sides. If you flip and then flop, the side that got flopped doesn't get enough cooking time and generally leads to another premature flip.

Intersetingly, LDS member and us senate majority (Democrat)leader Harry Reid does not need to wear his religion on his sleave. He is valued and appreciated because he walks his talk. Contrastly, republican Mitt Romney has stated that he will use a religion as a litmus test for cabinet members. He states that because Muslims are a minority, they don't deserve a voice in that capacity. If you evaluate his speech, you will see that he seeks to undermine the separation of the church and state that was so critical in establishing our free country. I think Mr. Romney is undoubtedly a good person, but he is willing to use his religion as a political tool in a way that sacrifices the freedom of other people to practice theirs. In this way, he is suceptible to corruption, like Kyle Sampson of BYU was in the AG scandal last year. They start to believe that they are above the law of this country because they are divinely backed.

One thing about LDS. They are incapable of being realistic. They have to follow the party line. (LDS line) Romney was impressive. However the truth of the matter is that he has flipped all over the place. He is LDS but most importantly he is a POLITICIAN. He is just like Orrin Hatch who stands for nothing and does nothing. Bob Bennett just does nothing. They are all the same. Politician are all the same. It is the nature of the beast.