Thoughts about Romney

March 6, 2007, 10:45 pm; posted by
Filed under Articles, Steve  | 1 Comment

What a week for Mitt Romney — first he tied with Newt Gingrich for the coveted presidential Bweinh!dorsement, then he took home first place at the Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend, edging out Rudy Giuliani, Sam Brownback and Gingrich. It’s hard to say which honor he valued most.

But now the governor faces attack right here, on two fronts: his past views and his religion. Job has declared he would never vote for Gov. Romney, and although he mentions the governor’s past in passing, it seems quite clear that even if a hypothetical ideological clone of Job came to his house to ask for campaign help, the first follow-up question would be a religious test.

“Forget about your universal respect for life, your peculiarly countercultural views on certain issues, and your penchant for self-photography in urban areas, sir, the question stands — do you or do you not read the ‘Pearl of Great Price’ as SCRIPTURE?”

I don’t have a problem with a Republican not supporting Romney in the primaries, for whatever reason — the whole point is to find the best candidate for the party, and reasonable minds can disagree about who that is. But I’m concerned about this idea that Gov. Mitt Romney, who rescued the 2002 Olympics from fiscal ruin, ably and conservatively governed one of the most liberal states in the Union, and (by the way) has been married to the same woman for 39 years, is wholly unworthy of a presidential vote UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, simply because of his religious beliefs.

Let me get something straight. I don’t believe the Mormon religion is orthodox Christianity by any means. I wholeheartedly disagree with its theology, especially insofar as the LDS church teaches that human effort is necessary for salvation, and that men can become like God (a former man himself, if they’re to be believed).

But that theological dispute, as deep as it is, remains largely irrelevant to my decision about who is the best and most qualified person to run our country. I’m not in the habit of poking into my candidates’ religious beliefs, to ensure that they are right with God. Carter was a born-again Southern Baptist, and by all appearances, a very sincere one. Even Clinton said the right things, and I don’t doubt his heart. Do you honestly think Romney’s performance in office would be worse than theirs, simply because of his religion? Is that reasonable cause not to vote for someone for political office?

Now I’m not totally convinced about him either. The shift in his views is something to consider, and I’m very wary about the paternalistic power of the LDS church over its members, especially if it’s possible that Gordon B. Hinckley or his successor could give Romney, or any other Mormon president, direct orders.

But beyond any question about any man, I tell you today that my God – and His power – is not limited by what anyone happens to think or believe about Him, even if that person is in charge of the most powerful nation in the world. He will remain in control whether our leader is a believer, a hypocrite, a profligate, or an atheist.

The Mormons I have known are great people; they’ve included some of my nicest classmates and the best boss I’ve ever had. LDS members have a certain reputation in the world for friendliness and love. Would that evangelicals were known that way, rather than the sort who viciously attack a convert to conservativism because he doesn’t attend our church.


Comments

1 Comment to “Thoughts about Romney”

  1. Job Tate on March 6th, 2007 11:18 pm

    “…and this confusing, non-commital rebuttal was brought to you by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints…reminding you that we’re known all over the world for our reputation of friendliness, love and the surgical rearrangement and addition to the Scriptures and words of Jesus to suit some nut from the 1800’s pleasure.”

    In good conscience, Steve; in good conscience step back from the brink and throw your support behind someone who has smelted their conservative beliefs in the smith of true testing and time. In the smith of Christianity! This isn’t a game of Monopoloy we’re talking about here. This is the Presidency! The whole enchilada!
    Olympics? Whoopdee-doo! Am I supposed to give him a cookie?

    Ably and conservatively ordered town clerks in Massachusettes to begin issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples on May 17, 2004?

    Or was it all the republican seats the state leglislature lost during his term that puts him in this stratosphere of awe?

    What do you like so much more about this man than Huckabee or Brownback?

    It’s electability. Admit it.

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