Reader comments
Romney to give his JFK speech

67 comments   |   Read story

lamonte | 5:01 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Let's hope Governor Romney speaks the plain truth instead of some naunced explanation meant to sound good to evangelicals. In the recent debate Governor Romney was asked, among others, if he believed every word of the Bible. I expected him to say, "I believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly;" Remember the Articles of Faith? Instead he gave some disjointed answer that only raised criticism and more skepticism. The truth is always the best policy. Let the consequences follow.
vernon wallen | 5:12 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
has anyone outthere every heard of abraham lincoln???he didn't belong to any particular religion just his own.all you have to do is to study his speaches to know that they(his speaches) were inspired by a greater being than him.in my opinion he was our best president.
Go Romney! But... | 5:30 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I'm glad Mitt Romney is presenting himself in the context of his religion/beliefs. But if that is necessary for him to do so, why don't we expect the same from the other candidates as well? What exactly does Clinton believe, or Obama, or Guiliani, or any other candidate? How will those personal religious beliefs affect their views and abilities to lead the nation if elected?
Comments continue below
Mary | 6:58 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
All I can say is that it is about time! Romney appeared to be ashamed of his beliefs in the last presidential debates when posed with the Bible question. Governor Huckabee, on the other hand answered the same question with poise and conviction.
sdarwinj | 7:52 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
No matter what Mitt says, it will be attacked. All this does is add additional talking points to the other candidates. Let's hope he does an outstanding job and that the electorate may really see that his religion is a positive.
Blake | 8:29 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Mitt Romney is no John Kennedy. John Kennedy had class, stood for what he believed AND became president. Mitt Romney is ZERO for THREE in those categories.
Doesn't matter | 9:16 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I only hope Mitt's speech will be beneficial for putting the LDS people in a positive light. Mitt has done a great job of putting his foot in his mouth in the past (see Muslim cabinet member question for textbook example), so I'm only going to say that I'm a bit worried.

In regards to improving his candidacy, plain and simple, he's not going to be our next president. He's an outstanding businessman, but I don't believe in his diplomatic ability.
Birdman | 9:17 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Whether the content of his message is effective or harmful to his campaign will be determined by his writing staff and Mitt's ability to expound the information. The good news will be not having to hear AGAIN that Romney needs to address this issue. Put it to bed and lets move on.
Earl | 9:29 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
JFK was not a devout Catholic, so his speech reassured Americans that when his religion conflicted with his political positions, politics would win. Romney is a devout Mormon. What happens when pronouncements from church leadership conflicts with his policies? Americans want someone who won't change postions because he's "following the prophet."
I hope.... | 9:45 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I hope Mr. Romney addresses the contributions that Mormons have given to our country and to other parts of the world. The humanitarian program of the LDS Church is fantastic, contributing tremendous resources to hurricane and tsunami relief over the last few years, without prejudice to race or religion. I hope he addresses why we call ourselves Latter-day Saints; the emphasis our church places on patriotism; the deep love we have for the U.S. Constitution; what interests and values we share with most other Americans; and why he finds faith and hope in the Bible and Book of Mormon (without coming across as preaching). Such as, both books teach to love your neighbor, that Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior, live a good life, repent of wrong doings, and provide example of how simple a society can lose track of it's values when it gives into materialism and selfishness. He should also list other Mormons (current and past) and the contributions to society.
Hey, Blake | 9:48 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Wake up and read the whole article. No one is comparing Mitt Romney with John Kennedy. No one is suggesting they have the same qualifications. The press is talking about the importance of religion in the two presidential campaigns. That is all.

JFK may have had wealth and charisma, but I cannot call a man addicted to painkillers and cheating on his wife as having "class." Like a more recent president named Clinton, had JFK spent more time on governmental affairs and less time on his personal "affairs", we might not have lost so many young men and women at war. Kennedy turned his back on the Communist aggression in Vietnam after its independence from France. Clinton ignored the terrorists, even when they bombed the World Trade Center the first time. The result? The U.S. involvement came too late to be effective against the enemy without significant expense and loss of life.
Athena | 9:53 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
It's about time Romney gets around to this, but he's still not likely to win.

I'm not being cynical, just realistic.

Thank you.
It won't matter | 9:54 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
"Mormon Mitt" could give the best speach in political history, but the actions of those who claim membership in the LDS church will keep popping up to tarnish the image. Every time someone in Utah takes it in their heads to ban a movie, or put up a barrier to hide liquor bottles, the national media gets ahold of it and by association, all Mormons are lumped in with the fanatics. This would include Mitt. Just like when a person of another faith does something radical, we tend to believe that all memebers of that particular faith must have the same beliefs. Good luck Mitt, with some of the locals working against you, you're going to need it.
Grandma | 9:59 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I live out here in the "Bible Belt" and it doesn't make any difference what the so called "Christians" are told by Members of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They will only listen to their Preachers and the preachers are at their pulpits every Sunday telling untruths about the LDS church. They don't tell of good things about their own church, they are telling lies about the LDS church. I have neighbors who believe all the untruths that are told them by their ministers. We can show them in the scriptures , the truth, but they will not listen. So I hope That Romney will be able to explain in a way that does not make it harder to the members of the church. Huckabee may be a Baptist minister but that doesn't make him capable of running our beloved country.
lamonte | 10:14 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Note to Hay Blake - Although this article is about Romney, not Clinton, your hijacked comments cannot go unrewarded. You said "Clinton ignored the terrorists even when they bombed the World Trade Center the first time." If you want to find how wrong your statement is you could go visit those terrorists who are all in a federal maximum security prison serving more than 240 years with heavy fines imposed so they can never benefit from selling their story for books or movies. Contrast that with Osama bin Laden who is still resting comfortably in some cave now 6 years after he masterminded the second World Trade Center during the Bush Adminstration. President Clinton used the cooperation of foriegn countries and their intelligence services to track down and capture some of the terrorists during his watch. Contrast that effectiveness and associated death and destruction with the pre-emptive war we now belong to in Iraq.
Huh? | 10:17 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Mitt Romney's success in giving his speech here in Texas on Thursday does NOT rely on his religious convictions or on his speech writers. His success relies on fair and accurate reporting by the press. To date, the press (apparently uninformed) has taken Mr. Romney's remarks and distorted their intended meaning or taken them out of context to sensationalize the Mormon issue and create headlines. (It seems the reporters google "Mormon" for their background information rather than consulting the church's official website.) A good example is the comment about a Muslim in the Cabinet. Mitt Romney never said he would not consider a Muslim for a Cabinet position. Mitt Romney opinioned he did not consider the Muslim population of the U.S. large enough to REQUIRE a Muslim in the Cabinet. Like those unbelievers who taunted and tried to trick Jesus Christ with their questions, reporters ask "loaded questions" of political candidates.

The other candidtes will not give speeches about their religious faith ... because they have none.
A Tancredo Supporter | 10:24 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
No matter what Romney says, the detractors as in this blog, will find plenty that they will be able to use to discredit him. There is nothing to gain. Those looking for ways to discredit Romney along with his religion will find it. Thoses who already understand the religion and the people will not be concerned if he doesn't make a statement. Those that don't know what is going on, won't know after his speech either.

By the way if people are critical of Romney and not Huckabee because of religion, it is probably because they don't understand the past relationship of the Southern Baptists and slavery.
DMK | 10:45 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
As the original Christian church, the world knew all about about John F. Kennedy's Catholicism.

Mitt Romney will never have that distinction as Mormonism is so new and quite frankly, difficult to explain.

crich | 10:52 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I can write Mitt's speech (not "speach") for him: "I'm a devout man of faith and I'm strongly guided by my religious principles. But don't worry, all you Republican evangelicals -- I guarantee that my principles will never guide me to do anything you won't like!"

Good luck threading that needle, governor.
Raymond Takashi Swenson | 10:56 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
The need for Romney to speak explicitly and at length about his religious beliefs has been made acute by the outrageous TV ad that Mike Huckabee put out, that made only one point: He is a "Christian" minister and that is his life.

If a candidate in Utah was bragging about being Mormon in order to get votes, not only would the non-Mormons feel excluded and criticize him, the Mormons would also object because they don't vote for people just because they are fellow church members. A Mormon can be in good standing as a member, but that doesn't mean that he has any business in government office.

Apparently, Evangelical Christians have forgotten that Jimmy Carter was pretty sincere about the strength of his religious beliefs, but that did not keep him from being one of the most incompetent presidents in the 20th Century.

Professional minister Reverend Huckabee wants Americans to vote for a "Pastor in Chief" instead of a Commander in Chief. His campaign has sought to divide Americans on religious lines, and he would poison the general election campaign and turn it into a religious war.
me | 11:26 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Let's hear from all the other candidates what their belief system is and what faith they profess to embrace.
As JFK said.....he is not running as a Catholic, but a democrat, Mitt deserves the same support. He is not running as a Mormon for President, but as a Republican who wants to serve us the people !!
DN | 11:38 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I agree with "Tancredo". No matter how good of a speech Governor Romney gives about his religion, The so called "Evangelical Christians", who should show "Love" of all men as Jesus taught, along with the media, other presidential candidates will continue to condemn him and his religion truly making this election process for him a "religious war". IT'S SAD, GOOD LUCK, GOVERNOR!!
Josh | 11:44 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Very few people even know what religion Bush is, or care. The question is, is this good or bad for the Mormon church, in the long run?
power v power | 12:40 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Someday, people will once again get it together and focus on the man or woman rather than what their spiritual belief or religious affiliation might be as the determining factor of good leadership.

Today is just one power-trip after another.
Magoo | 1:07 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Just a word to Mitt: Don't dissemble. Tell it like it is. Who was it who said, "I'd rather be right than president"? I think it was our 30th president silent Cal Coolidge. But no matter, Mitt, let that be your credo and let the chips fall where they may.
lose lose? | 1:13 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Since Mitt doesn't officially represent the church he will of course have to state that what he says will be his opinions and NOT those of the LDS church and that he alone is responsible for his comments.

This may put him in a hard place.

He of course cannot have an official spokesman from the church. This would raise eyebrows about how close to the church he will be if elected.

slmg | 1:34 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
There is much more to be considered besides the JFK speech and the one Mitt is about to give. The general public knew and understood the Catholic church and it's beliefs, they do not know and understand the LDS church. The publics only fear with JFK was that he would take direction from Rome, he alleviated that fear with his speech. I don't believe that the publics only fear is that Mitt will take direction from SaltLake but they simply fear the LDS religion as a whole. So no matter how many speechs Mitt Romney makes on religion it is only going to raise more questions than it answers and so far Romney has done a very poor job of answering LDS questions.
Hey BLAKE | 1:41 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
You are correct Mitt is no JFK and thank heavens for that. Mitt has more CLASS in his little finger than JFK ever could have hoped to have. JFK is only imortalized because he was a young handsome carismatic president that was assasinated. Had he been able to finish his term I think he would not have been held in such high esteem.
tony | 1:44 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
to Blake
you are right Mitt isn't JFK...and it's a good thing. Lies, girlfriends, votes from dead citizens..all add up to JFK.
orchestrated and controlled | 1:45 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
You can be sure that Romney's speech will be a scripted, and unilateral one that will allow no questions.
I don't really think he wants to find himself saying off the cuff, "It's not secret - It's sacred."
Jason | 3:01 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Romney is no JFK and all I have to say is "Mrs Romney you are lucky he is not!!!
b_mule | 3:16 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
an important fact is there are 80 million catholics in the US; plenty enough to elect a particular candidate. i doubt there are enough mormons to carry Romney to the presidency, and he has very little appeal to non-mormons now that he's gone back to his conservative roots.
Roger | 3:42 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
The thing is, a powerful part of the Republican party is bent on making the government less secular and more religious, and they insist that the religiousness be to their narrow liking. Thus they are fanatical about issues like prayer in public school, bans on embryo stem-cell research, �intelligent design� being taught as science, and the religious exercise of pledging allegiance to a nation �under God�. The religious leaders of these people getting them out to vote is the reason we are now enjoying the leadership of George W. Bush. They are all about dividing the righteous from the unrighteous along these religious lines.

For these people, I don�t think it really isn�t about these specific issues, so Romney telling them that he�s all in favor of their pet issues isn�t enough. What it�s really about is defending their wish of a Christian nation from scientists, intellectuals, liberals, and multi-culturalists. And when it comes down to it, Romney doesn't belong to an acceptable form of Christianity, and thus fails the litmus test they care about the most.

Democrats just don't get as hung up about religion as Republicans do.
lots of them | 3:44 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Yes, "b_mule,"
and those 80 million catholics will still be going strong inspite of being called "an abomination" by Mormons.
Red States Mormon | 3:51 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Mitt Romney�s epic �JFK speech� DOES NOT represent the interests of Mormons, the Mormon Church, Mormonism, or Mormon Doctrine. His words represent his campaign. He is not a public affairs specialist for the Church, nor is he the new ambassador.

I find demeaning, discourteous, and insulting the suggestion that Mitt Romney�s political speech somehow defines or has the potential to define what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is or who Latter-day Saints are.

Mitt Romney DOES NOT represent Mormonism. He represents himself � that�s it. He is an INDIVIDUAL member of the Church. Mitt Romney�s �faith�, if �faith� it can be called, has never been an issue in the GOP Primary. No Evangelical, Pentecostal, Fundamentalist, or Southern grit-eating Christian cares what religion Mitt Romney is.

Mitt Romney does not represent the Church, and I don�t believe, given his liberal record in his liberal state, he represents the interests of the Republican Party.

Mitt Romney raised the capital gains tax.

Mitt Romney legislated gun control.

Mitt Romney legalized gay civil unions.

George Romney was a liberal.

Lenore Romney was a liberal.

The Romney family are a pack of LIBERALS � with or without a CTR Ring.
To b_mule: | 3:54 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Mitt Romney has conservative roots?
Non_MormonFromUtah | 4:02 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Every devot Mormon is obligated to the Mormon Church. They take a vow to act and behave on the principles of the Church only. The outside world does not know that. I don't want him to be president because the persecution against other Christians in the state will rise. I rather pray the world know about this religion through him, and not become a victim to this "false" religion. Look at Utah - the most depressed state, the highest use of meth and proza, the babies born with autism is so high in this state. Hear the stories of women who are abused by the men of Mormon religion. Even read about Mitt's grand parents. They were polygamists, and women in his family went through abuse.
All this name calling.... | 4:12 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
just seems silly to me. It's like kindergarten. Mormons should respect Non-Mormons. Non-Mormons respect Mormons. Everyone gets their choice. I say vote, or not vote, for the man. Mitt is running, not the LDS church. I wish everyone would remember that, and keep it all in the right context.
SoCal MoMo | 4:21 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

Red States Mormon: The Southerners care that Romney is Mormon. Let's not kid ourselves. My friend reminded me of that this weekend, when he recounted how his southern evangelical bunk mate in the military used to leave anti-Mormon pamphlets lying around the room after he found out that my friend was LDS.

But if anecdotes haven't done the trick for you, maybe the recent national poll stating that only 72% of Americans would vote for a qualified Mormon for President will. (By the way, the percentages that would vote for a qualified black or woman candidate was in the upper 80s low 90s).

The inverse question (how many would not vote for a Mormon) yields similar results, with the highest percentage saying they would not vote for a Mormon, indicating a more pronounced general prejudice in this country against Mormons than against blacks or women.
Romney a liberal? | 4:21 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Hmmmm.
Romney a liberal?
I'm starting to like the guy.
We are all liberal by nature.
Then through years of having our personal power stripped from us some of us turn to the dark side and to the world of the Neocon.
It's rediculous... | 4:24 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
It's rediculous that Christians are so cold-hearted and demanding of another Christian. If you demand something of someone, you should expect to give the same thing to them. Quid Pro Quo. But apparently the majority can still push around the minority. It's rediculous that people have opinions like the one of Non-MormonFromUtah and somehow feel that making fun of, or telling lies about, a group of people somehow makes them smarter. The lack of "Christianity" in these Christians is appalling. As a Christian I remember the scripture, "He without sin..."
Only in Utah... | 4:37 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Only in Utah would a person think that Mormons are the only ones who boycott movies or put restrictions on liquor. Actually the Bible Belt Christians might like him a little better is they knew that Utah was almost a strict about those things as they are.
Anonymous | 4:42 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

Grandma has it right. The only reason that Mitt Romney might not win is because a large part of the Conservative Republican Party are from the south and the south, especially Texas, has a long history of prejudice and bigotry. First it was slavery and then women's rights and now it is Mormons. People take their miniters word as if he were a prophet, yet they do not believe in current prophets. There is also nothing in the bible gives credence to what their mnisters say. They are blind sheep.
Steve | 4:43 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I'd like to know why my two posts I submitted earlier today (quite early this morning) haven't shown up on here. There was nothing offensive about them.

Anyhow, it's my opinion that Mitt shouldn't have to be giving this speech. No other canidate is making one about the church they choose to attend. This shouldn't be an issue, they should be focusing on political issues instead... that is what we elect someone based on.
To Non_MormonFromUtah | 4:49 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
"Every devot Mormon is obligated to the Mormon Church" What does this have to do with politics? What does this have to do with political decision? If you really knew anything about the LDS Church you wouldn't make this statement because it has nothing to do with politics. The Church does not endorse any candidate or party.

"They take a vow to act and behave on the principles of the Church only" That is also a mis-leading statement because such vows have to do with personal behavior, not the way we act politically.

"I don't want him to be president because the persecution against other Christians in the state will rise" Have the Mormon governors caused persecution against non-members to rise?

Your prejudice is unreal!
Anonymous | 5:03 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
What�s really ironic is that these so-called Christian Conservatives are constantly demonizing, misrepresenting, and belittling liberals, scientists, atheists, gays, and various other minorities. All the while, Mormons have enthusiastically stood by them, jeering their victims, and feeling so superior and included.

Now the same group is using the exact same fear and misrepresentation tactics against the Mormons, and the Mormons are shocked and outraged, oblivious to the fact that the bigotry they are now receiving *from* Christians is the same stuff that they dish out *with* Christians.
Rich | 5:07 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I'm amazed how bigoted some people are regarding religion. A religious bigot accepts stereotypes and mischaracterizations about a religion and its members. I doubt that any Christian religion has been as mischaracterized or misunderstood or maligned as much as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Just reading through the CBSnews.com posts today revealed the bigotry of many readers. I learned that all Mormons are stupid, brainwashed (and experts at brainwashing), polished, evil, idiot idealists, and followers of a nut. When bigots say something, they betray their ignorance, intolerance, lack of judgment and even a lack of intelligence in some cases.
fingers in their ears | 5:19 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I fear the Christian Conservatives more than the Bush Doctrine's islamofascists.

Ever try to reason with a person who literally believes in a "talking snake" (in The Garden)?

Red States Mormon | 5:52 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
Let's talk about "Southerners" and bigotry, shall we?

To stereotype all southerners as bigots is absurb. Have you ever lived in the south? I have. I've seen the faces of beautiful black LDS children singing in Primary.

As a Mormon, Mitt Romney will never get the conservative vote. But here's the catch - if Mitt Romney was a Baptist or a Methodist - he would not get the Southern Conservative vote either. Why? Because he is a liberal with a liberal record.

Quite using his faith as the reason he can't gain in the polls. Mitt Romney's record of liberalism will not sustain him past Iowa. It's not about faith. It's about the substance of the candidate. Mitt Romney DOES NOT have the conservative credentials as Huckabee and Thompson. He just doesn't.

And yes, I'm proud to be a Mormon.
liberal no dirty word | 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007
I think you may be listening a little to much to Limbaugh, "Red States."
The word liberal is not a dirty, filty, atheistic, commie word that you have been force-fed into believing it is.
The live-and-let-live philosophy is very Christian as a matter of fact. (and I'm talking New Testament, not the Old)
But being from The Reddest State, this probably could not register with you.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

Image
Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney speaks to residents Friday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Related content
Advertisement
previousnext

Latest comments

This man broke the law and should go to jail for what he did, it's as simple...

he isn't one of the best! he is the best!!!!!!

Couldn't have said it better myself. There is no I or me in team. The...

Don't blame Fox for 'Dollhouse'

Scott, I respect your opinion on a lot of things but on this one I think you...

+1 to the statements above from Common Sense and Jason. Mr. DeChristopher...

As someone who grew up just a short drive away from Denmark I can tell you...

You are the only one on the planet that can not see the gratness of Mathews!...

37th! Take that Utes

Letters: Double-dippers save money

Teachers make such pathetic wages. The least we can do is allow them to...

Entries sought for writing contest

I know exactly what I'm going to write mine on. This is such a great...

Advertisements
Advertisement