GOP debate may hit on Romney’s religion
How does that common politician’s disclaimer read? In the interest of full disclosure is the phrase being borrowed here. This blog has expressed on more than one occasion that our current favorite in the 2008 field of candidates is Mitt Romney. No need here to explain why other than to say you should know that when reading a post here about Mitt Romney.
If Mitt Romney’s opposition can only come up with religion as a central theme to use as ammunition against him, then everyone should have a reason to develop a more favorable opinion of this candidate. The notion of any candidate being criticized for their choice of religious faith should have been disposed of after the Presidency of John F Kennedy. It was a thinly disguised fear tactic then and should be completely exposed by now for what it is. A characteristic or personal detail that is of little importance in politics. Even an article in WaPo in 2004 suggested that President George W Bush while endorsing faith in general is rather vague about his own personal beliefs. That is the way a personal issue should be handled. Using it as a thumbs up or down decision is as ridiculous as those who encourage its political use.
GOP debate may hit on Romney’s religion
By Lisa Riley Roche
Deseret Morning News
With Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith in the news, his beliefs are likely to be questioned during the second Republican presidential candidate debate tonight in South Carolina — and his answers could be a test of whether he can win over evangelical voters.
It may have been done but we haven’t seen one. That would be a brief review of some past Presidential religious affiliations. From Eisenhower forward there are some contrasts and similarities as one might expect. But first this excerpt from the White House docs on past Presidents.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Bringing to the Presidency his prestige as commanding general of the victorious forces in Europe during World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower obtained a truce in Korea and worked incessantly during his two terms to ease the tensions of the Cold War. He pursued the moderate policies of “Modern Republicanism,” pointing out as he left office, “America is today the strongest, most influential, and most productive nation in the world.”
That was the preface to our Presidential review of religion as follows:
President Eisenhower (Presbyterian)
President Kennedy (Catholic)
President Johnson (Disciple of Christ)
President Nixon (Quaker)
President Ford (Episcopalian)
President Carter (Baptist)
President Reagan (Presbyterian)
President Bush 41 (Episcopalian)
President Clinton (Baptist)
President Bush 43 (Methodist)
There are associated anecdotes that come with some accounts of Presidential religion. The achievements of Dwight David Eisenhower were preceded by an early life experience with Jehovah’s Witness. He officially became a Presbyterian after the beginning of his first term and no one seemed to care. Gee Dubya reportedly followed a rather common practice to observe his spouse’s denomination as Methodist. The point in all of this being to reinforce the idea that religious affiliation should not play a big role in selecting a President.
And we have already anticipated some of the remarks that might be forthcoming and decided not to address them. Your comments are, as always, welcome under the assumption of no spam and no outrageous antics in bad taste or form. Thanks for reading.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
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