The delicate balance between religion and politics

Kennedy's September 1960 speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association is credited with having destigmatized his Catholicism as a campaign issue. No doubt the Romney camp would like to do something similar -- make it so that questions about Mormon temple garments are beyond the bounds of respectable journalism. But Romney, a man of faith, has another concern: at what cost?

Romney set for presidential announcement

The Massachusetts chief executive is expected to file paperwork as early as Jan. 2 with the Federal Election Commission, establishing a presidential campaign committee and permitting himself to begin raising money for his race on the first business day of the new year. Romney will leave office on Jan. 4.

Romney's Religion: A Mormon president? No way.

One may object that all religious beliefs are irrational—what's the difference between Smith's "seer stone" and the virgin birth or the parting of the Red Sea? But Mormonism is different because it is based on such a transparent and recent fraud. It's Scientology plus 125 years. Perhaps Christianity and Judaism are merely more venerable and poetic versions of the same. But a few eons makes a big difference. The world's greater religions have had time to splinter, moderate, and turn their myths into metaphor. The Church of Latter-day Saints is expanding rapidly and liberalizing in various ways, but it remains fundamentally an orthodox creed with no visible reform wing.

Mitt Romney and the Politics of Sincerity

Some people believe that Mitt Romney had a genuine change of heart on abortion; some people believe that he has flip-flopped to win first the Massachusetts governorship and then the Republican presidential nomination. There is a middle possibility. Perhaps it is simultaneously true that Romney would pass a lie-detector test if asked whether he thought abortion should generally be banned and that he would not have adopted this position in different political circumstances.

MITT ROMNEY'S 'CHANGES'

But is Romney just another glib Bay State quick-change artist who's rearranged his stripes because he would like to be president? Is he angling for acceptance among GOP social conservatives by turning himself into something he's not?

Will Christians Back a Mormon Candidate?

As a clean-living, church-going father and grandfather, Gov. Mitt Romney has a natural appeal among conservative Christians.
The Massachusetts Republican, though, faces a delicate dilemma: How does a devout Mormon woo religious activists critical to winning the GOP presidential nomination when many of those same activists are openly hostile to a faith they consider no more than cult?

Mass. Governor's Rightward Shift Raises Questions

As he prepares for a 2008 presidential campaign, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) has championed the conservative principles that guided President Ronald Reagan, become an outspoken opponent of same-sex marriage and supported overturning the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

Frist Aide to Lead Romney's Online Team

Frist Aide to Lead Romney's Online Team - The Right Angle @ HumanEvents.com:
"The tech-savvy Smith joins two other highly respected Republicans who recently signed on with Romney. Former RNC Research Director Matt Rhoades and Kevin Madden, who served as House Majority Leader John Boehner’s spokesman, form the nucleus of Romney’s likely campaign team."

Romney says he backs Bush’s Iraq war policies

BostonHerald.com - National Politics: Romney says he backs Bush’s Iraq war policies:
"Romney told reporters in Iowa that Bush should talk with generals and others on the front lines in Iraq to decide how to proceed.
“We should not turn around and walk out of Iraq,” he said. “That would be a mistake.”
When asked if he supported a surge in troops, one of the options Bush is said to be considering, Romney declined to discuss such details. "

In South Carolina, McCain seeks reversal of fortune while Romney, Giuliani stand in way

AP Wire | 12/19/2006 | In South Carolina, McCain seeks reversal of fortune while Romney, Giuliani stand in way:
"'We're programmed to hate McCain,' explained Lisa Manini Sox, executive director of the state Senate Republican caucus. She couldn't pinpoint one reason for her opposition but cast doubt on whether she could be 'deprogrammed.' Added Katrina Shealy, the treasurer of the Lexington County GOP: 'He's explosive. He's the Howard Dean of the Republican Party.'"

Romney says his view of immigration policy hasn't changed

Romney says his view of immigration policy hasn't changed - The Boston Globe:
"'We need an employment verification system in this country, so that employers, legal employers, are able to determine whether the person they're hiring is a legal worker in this country,' Romney said. 'We don't have such a system, and I've been proposing for some time that we implement such a system.'"

The New World (blog)

The Corner on National Review Online - The New World:
"Still, it is remarkable that Romney would reach out to bloggers and a conservative radio personality for such a private event. Such pre-announcement affairs where donors and activists are courted and cultivated have almost always been kept under wraps and out of public view by campaigns that haven't yet officially started. If a candidate wanted a press hit from his stop in the area, he'd usually pay a visit to local paper; that was the most effective way to get your message out. But the times are a changin.' "

Romney meets with press 'off the record' at holiday party

Local News Updates - Romney meets with press 'off the record' at holiday party - The Boston Globe:
"Romney, who spent the weekend in Louisiana and Tennessee, is hosting his annual Holiday Press Party tonight in the Executive Suite at the State House. There is, however, one caveat that his staff made clear on the governor's schedule with bold letters and an asterisk.
The holiday party is 'off the record.' "

Romney quietly putting together meetings in New Hampshire

James Pindell - The Primary Source - Romney quietly putting together meetings in New Hampshire - Boston.com:
"Some Romney supporters have long worried the Massachusetts governor would because so familiar to neighboring New Hampshire audiences that there would be less excitement about his visits. Because of this concern, they put together smaller events that attract less attention."

Mitt Romney & Conservatives

Byron York on Mitt Romney & Conservatives on National Review Online:
"Another problem Romney might have is the sheer recent-ness of his change of views, which occurred at virtually the same moment Romney was making early moves in South Carolina. A change itself is not that unusual, says David Woodard, but the timing is. “There are a lot of conversion stories,” Woodard says, “people who say, ‘I was pro-choice until my daughter got pregnant,’ or ‘I was pro-choice until a friend got pregnant,’ and then they had a lot of misgivings. That worked in the ‘80s, or the early ‘90s, but in 2004, after this issue has been aired for many years? It’s going to be harder.”"

Romney has team in place

Romney has team in place | GoUpstate.com | Spartanburg, S.C.:
"The 2008 presidential primary is still more than a year away, but that hasn't stopped the likely contenders from parading through South Carolina in recent months. While some are content to make a quick visit and possibly leave behind a small contribution for local party coffers, a few are doing more than that."

Candidates have their hands out

Candidates have their hands out - Los Angeles Times:
"For Romney, the Massachusetts governor trying to mount a conservative challenge to better-known moderates, the three-day visit to California last week offered a chance to narrow his rivals' head start. Among the prominent California supporters helping to introduce him to donors was major Bush fundraiser Rick Caruso, builder of the Grove shopping mall in Los Angeles. "

Scrutiny and opportunity (blog)

Scrutiny and opportunity » GetReligion:
"It’s a nice and lengthy story that includes many perspectives. Some folks think the church will benefit from the increased scrutiny, some don’t. She looks at how the Mormon church handles public relations during times of increased scrutiny and what previous Mormon politicos have had to deal with:"

Mitt Romney: America's First Mormon President?

Mitt Romney: America's First Mormon President? - Newsweek Politics - MSNBC.com:
"In late October, departing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney huddled with a godly group. Gathered in his kitchen were 15 of the country's leading evangelicals, including giants like Jerry Falwell, Franklin Graham and Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention. They'd come to nibble sandwiches, slurp soup and quiz Romney on his faith. Why on earth should they support Romney, a Mormon, in his presidential candidacy in 2008? Richard Lee, a Baptist minister from Cumming, Ga., got to the heart of the matter. What did Romney really believe about Jesus Christ?"

Changing views

Changing views - The Boston Globe:
"When Governor Mitt Romney steps down next month, he will depart Beacon Hill a far more conservative voice on social issues than when he arrived in 2002 and when he ran for Senate in 1994. On stem cell research, abortion, emergency contraception, abstinence education, and gay rights, Romney has distanced himself from the more moderate positions he has held in the past."

Why a Mormon Can Be President

Meridian Magazine: Why a Mormon Can Be President:
"The 59-year-old venture capitalist, governor of Massachusetts, and white knight, who saved the ailing Salt Lake Olympics and turned it from a $400 million deficit to a $100 million surplus, has been methodically putting all the pieces in place with the flair and deftness of one who has built many organizations before. He has been staff-building, fund-raising, and reaching out broadly for support."

Mormons upbeat as Mitt hits spotlight

Salt Lake Tribune - Mormons upbeat as Mitt hits spotlight:
"More than a year ago, Mitt Romney sought the advice of LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley about a run for the presidency. At the meeting, as reported in a Mormon-focused magazine, Hinckley said the decision was Romney's to make, not the church's. But if Romney decided to go for it, Hinckley wasn't worried. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would survive the inevitable scrutiny. "

Can a Mormon be president?

Can a Mormon be president? | Chicago Tribune:
"The 2008 race for the White House is under way and the question already is in debate: Can a Mormon be elected president of the United States? In a country where the majority of voters tell pollsters that a president should have strong religious beliefs, potential GOP candidate Mitt Romney may soon find out whether that equally applies to a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Romney's Mormon faith an issue on its own as '08 campaign starts

Romney's Mormon faith an issue on its own as '08 campaign starts | GoUpstate.com | Spartanburg, S.C.:
"A common question that is posed to a newcomer in the South goes like this: 'Where are you from?'

'What do you do?'

'Where do you go to church?'

The answer to that last one could sway the 2008 presidential race."

Romney's journey to the right

Romney's journey to the right - The Boston Globe:
"'I sat down with a researcher. And he said, 'Look, you don't have to think about this stem cell research as a moral issue, because we kill the embryos after 14 days,' ' Romney recalled on ' The Charlie Rose Show ' last June, characterizing the meeting as a watershed moment for him. 'That struck me as he said that.'"

Hillary Trails McCain, Beats Romney in 2008

Hillary Trails McCain, Beats Romney in 2008: Angus Reid Global Monitor:
"Republican John McCain holds the upper hand in a United States presidential contest against Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to a poll by Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. 50 per cent of respondents would vote for the Arizona senator, while 36 per cent would support the New York senator.

In a contest pitting Rodham Clinton against Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, the Democrat holds a six-point advantage."