• Send FReep Mail to Unmarked Package to get [ON] or [OFF] the Mitt Romney Ping List •
Posted on 06/13/2007 6:12:16 AM PDT by Reaganesque
Boston, MA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced the members of the Romney for President National Faith and Values Steering Committee, a coalition of supporters who will advise Governor Romney on matters of faith and values.
"The men and women of our National Steering Committee represent decades spent defending faith, religious expression and traditional values. I believe that our Party and our nation must stand for strong families, traditional marriage and the sanctity of human life. I am proud to be joined by these leaders in our campaign to change Washington," said Governor Romney.
Serving as a Chair of the Steering Committee, noted Constitutional Attorney and Supreme Court Advocate Jay Sekulow said, "Governor Romney has a strong record of defending traditional values and supporting the faith community. He is the one candidate who has spoken to the importance of promoting stronger families. In Washington, he will stand alongside those defending our most important values."
The Romney For President National Faith And Values Steering Committee Chairs:
- Dr. Robert Andringa, President Emeritus, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Arizona
- James Bopp, Jr., Romney For President Special Adviser on Life Issues, Indiana
- Barbara Comstock, Former Department of Justice Spokesperson and former Susan B. Anthony List Advisory Committee Member, Virginia
- Mark DeMoss, President, DeMoss Group Public Relations, Georgia
- Ovide Lamontagne, New Hampshire
- Chris Long, Chief Operation Officer, Foster Friess & Associates, Delaware
- Gary Marx, Executive Director of the Judicial Confirmation Network, Former Executive Director of the Virginia Christian Coalition, Bush-Cheney '04 Conservative Coalitions Director, Virginia
- George Seay, Co-Founder and CEO, Annandale Capital; Co-Founder and Chairman, Legacy, Texas
- Jay Sekulow, Constitutional Attorney and Supreme Court Advocate, District of Columbia
- Lou Sheldon, President, Traditional Values Coalition, California
- Matthew Spalding, Director, B. Kenneth Simon Center For American Studies, The Heritage Foundation, District of Columbia
The Romney For President National Faith And Values Steering Committee Vice-Chairs:
- Jim Anthony, South Carolina
- Rep. Dennis Baxley, Speaker Pro Tempore, Florida House of Representatives, Florida
- Dee Benedict, Christian Activist, South Carolina
- Jason Bonham, Illinois State Director, Legacy Law Foundation, Illinois
- Sen. Cameron Brown, Michigan State Senate, Michigan
- Nathan Burd, Director of International Program & Public Policy, Heartbeat International, Ohio
- Steve Chamberlain, Senior Pastor, Branford Evangelical Free Church, Connecticut
- Tom Coates, Vice President, Truth About Gambling, Iowa
- Dr. Jay Dennis, Senior Pastor, Lakeland, Florida
- Dr. Paul K. Driessen, Esq., Senior Policy Adviser, Congress On Racial Equality, Virginia
- Joe Earle, Former Director Of Church and Community Development, Iowa Christian Alliance, Iowa
- James Edwards, Government Relations Consultant, Olive-Edwards, Virginia
- Paul Erickson, Executive Director, Citizens for the Republic, South Dakota
- David French, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defense Fund, Tennessee
- Nancy French, Author, Red State of Mind, Tennessee
- Justin Hart, Vice President of Communications, Lighted Candle Society
- Jeff Hunt, Account Executive, The Clapham Group, District of Columbia
- Keith Hunter, Board Member, Iowa Christian Alliance, Iowa
- Don Hutchings, Senior Pastor, Evangel Temple, Arkansas
- M.F. Jackson, Pastor, South Carolina
- Gary Jarmin, President, American Service Council, California
- Sen. Dave Johnson, Conservative Activist, Iowa
- Jimmy Jones, Director, Christ Central Ministries, South Carolina
- John Kingston, Massachusetts
- Gary La Ferla, CEO, G3 International, California
- Wendy Long, Chief Counsel, Judicial Confirmation Network, New York
- Drew McKissick, National Board Member, Christian Coalition, South Carolina
- Charles Mitchell, Conservative Writer, District of Columbia
- Kathy Oltmans, Christian Activist, Iowa
- John Pudner, RNC Catholic Task Force, Alabama
- Melinda Ronn, Senior Faith-Based Consultant, MKR & Associates, Connecticut
- Sen. Alan Sanborn, Michigan State Senate, Michigan
- Jordan Sekulow, Former National Youth Director, Bush-Cheney '04, Virginia
- Rep. Fulton Sheen, Michigan State House of Representatives, Michigan
- Camille Solberg, Former President, Wisconsin Coalition for Traditional Marriage, Wisconsin
- David Vicinanzo, New Hampshire
- Mark White, Senior Pastor, Christian Assembly of God, South Carolina
- Joe Wiegand, Former Director of Voter Education, Christian Coalition, Virginia
- Lori Wortz, Former Board Member, Citizens for Traditional Values, Michigan
*Organization names are listed for identification
purposes only and should not be construed as endorsements by such organizations.
It's about time. Would that he had been given good advice on faith and values when he ran for govenor. I might be more inclined to believe him today.
Why is the Second Amendment weaker in Massachusetts than in New Hampshire? Mitt Romney
All of them are from Massachusetts.
*Organization names are listed for identification
purposes only and should not be construed as endorsements by such organizations
It says at the bottom of this press release the names DO NOT constitute endorsement.
purposes only and should not be construed as endorsements by such organizations
It says at the bottom of this press release the names DO NOT constitute endorsement.
Make sure you're clear on this - the organizations are not making endorsements, but the individuals clearly are. The disclaimer only applies to the organizations with which the people are associated.
According to a number of sources, including the IRC:
"Gary Jarmin is a lobbyist with Christian Voice. Although he says he is no longer affiliated with the UC [Unification Church}, he helped organize the first CAUSA North America conference in 1983. He also helped organize the Coalition for Religious Freedom's God and Freedom Banquet to celebrate Moon's release from prison and, in 1986, led legislative workshops at CAUSA sessions for legislators."
Anybody recognize other folks at least loosely affiliated to various other cults in these lists?
Governor Romney is not the month’s rendition of a celebrity conservative.
When some decide to take time to look over Mitt’s history, you’ll find a man with an ingrained moral, ethical framework, beginning with his faith in God. Mitt didn’t call a poll to decide what is “conservative”. He said here is the issue, what are the facts, and here is what I know and believe, all in the context of his framework.
Mitt’s stance on stem cells is very strong. “I believe that science is able to receive the stem cells necessary for research through means that don’t represent a serious, moral problem,” Romney said.
His analysis of the procedure of stem cells enlightened Mitt. He then made his stance on abortion. It is good that candidates are thoughtful in their consideration of these issues, and it is good that conversations of these issues can happen in the Republican Party.
William F. Buckley, “Romney’s Moral Thought”
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MzdjMGI0ZDE5YTk3MTVjNWQzN2VhNGZhODJiOTNiMjc
Mitt on Abortion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_iWZJ1qk4k
On stem cells, on abortion, on lobbyists, Mitt has served in the context to do the right thing morally, ethically. He has made it clear he believes public service is a duty, not the lastest means to get access for lobbyists.
One potential Presidential candidate made $760k to lobby legislation to limit the payouts to Americans sickened by asbestos. The firm making the payouts isn’t even a US firm. So please, take the time to get your facts straight before you question other people’s ethics, especially when there are candidates of questionable thinking.
At least he is not a fashionable clone of GWBush, BillFrist, and VolPac (lobbying for British firms). Those real conservatives got the job done on immigration, tort reform, BOP, am i right?
James Bopp is a tremendous asset to the Romney team.
"For almost three decades, Jim has been at the center of the fight to protect the sanctity of human life. Representing numerous national and state pro-life and pro-family organizations, he has helped defend the rights of those seeking to promote life," said Governor Romney. "Jim will be a powerful spokesman for my vision of a greater tomorrow. I look forward to his counsel derived from many years of service and to working with him as we move forward."
Jim Bopp said: "As Governor, Mitt Romney has stood side-by-side with those seeking to protect the weakest and most innocent of our society. In one of our country's most liberal states, he has acted to protect the sanctity of life. Governor Romney's record on fundamental life issues is one of not just words but action. I am proud to count myself among his supporters."
On a side note, this is the same James Bopp who recently argued before the SCOTUS against McCain-Feingold. Our kind of guy.
Wiki
Jay Alan Sekulow Jay Alan Sekulow (born June 10, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York) is the Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), an international public interest law firm and educational organization.
Born into a Jewish family, Sekulow converted to Christianity when he was a student at Mercer University. While there he also became a member of Jews for Jesus. Jay received his law degree from Walter F. George School of Law.
In 1990, Sekulow became the director of The American Center for Law and Justice, a conservative religious organization founded by evangelist Pat Robertson as a counterweight to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Several landmark cases argued by Sekulow before the U.S. Supreme Court have become part of the legal landscape in the area of religious liberty litigation. In the Mergens case, Sekulow cleared the way for public school students to form Bible clubs and religious organizations on their school campuses. In the Lamb's Chapel case, Sekulow defended the free speech rights of religious groups, ensuring that they be treated equally with respect to the use of public facilities. And, most recently, in McConnell v. FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns.
In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the "25 Most Influential Evangelicals" in America and called the ACLJ "a powerful counterweight" to the ACLU. Business Week said the ACLJ is "the leading advocacy group for religious freedom." Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal. In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers" in the United States. (1994, 1997) He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as "The Public Sector 45" named by The American Lawyer. (January/February 1997) The magazine said the designation represents "45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives." Sekulow serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, DC.
On April 18, 2007 the Supreme Court handed Sekulow another win in the Partial Birth Abortion cases. The Court ruled 5-4 that the Congressional ban on the Partial Birth Abortion procedure was constitutional. Sekulow assisted the Department of Justice and repesented Members of Congress before the Supreme Court.
bump
Where are the Mormon-haters?
They’ve been quiet today. Maybe they are thinking up a defense of Thompson’s pro-choice views. Maybe they are looking for a defense of Thompson’s performance on the Tonight show where he stated “Debates are demeaning to the office of the Presidency.” That one was a winner.
Pretty hard to throw stones from a glass house.
They are active on other threads. I just think that this bit of information is hard for them to attack.
“When some decide to take time to look over Mitt’s history, you’ll find a man with an ingrained moral, ethical framework, beginning with his faith in God. Mitt didn’t call a poll to decide what is “conservative”. He said here is the issue, what are the facts, and here is what I know and believe, all in the context of his framework.”
What bugs me is, if he already knows what he believes, why does he need a steering committee? Am I misinterpreting the purpose of a steering committee?
“Anybody recognize other folks at least loosely affiliated to various other cults in these lists?”
Let it be noted, in case the discussion takes a dive, that it was not a Romney supporter that brought up the issue of religion in this thread.
It appears to be a coalition of advisors from various backgrounds. Mitt knows what he believes but wants to include others in the process; a team player if you will, unlike a certain someone else who considers himself above the whole electoral process.
A real man has his own moral compass.
This is more like a famous “focus group” to tell him what he should believe.
It smells and tastes like algore’s effort to reinvent himself in earthtones as the “alpha male.”
At least it’s not as pathetic as Rootie’s “Twelve Platitudes.”
That's not true.
Isn't there an old saying, "Never are those so blind as those who will not see?" (something to that effect...Maybe somebody could help me out?)
If my eyes do not deceive me, I count umpteen times that the word "faith," "pastor" or some aspect of religion is mentioned in this article posted. Allow me to highlight them (to prove that it was the ORIGINAL "religion-introducer" was first the person who wrote the article, and second, the person who posted it):
"Governor...Announces the National Faith..." ...Today, Governor Mitt...Faith ...who will advise Governor Romney on matters of faith..."The men and women...represent decades spent defending faith, religious expression "...supporting the faith community." The Romney...Faith...President Emeritus, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities...Director of the Virginia Christian Coalition ...National Faith And Values...Christian ...Pastor, Branford Evangelical Free Church...Senior Pastor...Director Of Church... Iowa Christian Alliance...Iowa Christian Alliance...Senior Pastor, Evangel Temple...Pastor...Christ Central Ministries...Christian Coalition...Catholic Task Force...Senior Pastor, Christian Assembly of God
I think it takes a LOT of intentional, deliberate shuteye & self-censorship to fail to notice the "faith" & religion elephant in this room. The article has "faith" in the headline. "Faith" is mentioned 7 times in the body. Numerous other religious words also appear; yet the moment a poster makes a religious reference, "shock" & "surprise" guffahs arise. ("Here we spend all of our time sanitizing articles about the 5-letter 'F' word and the 8-letter 'R' word and he has the outright audacity to mention a word that is actually associated with one of those words. The nerve of him! Well, we tried. But there goes the neighborhood.")
Tell you what. Why don't you write to this National Fxxxx (there, I didn't want to offend some folks, so I properly treated it this time around as an "expletive deletive") & whatever Steering Committee & just tell them as their first & only act they should "steer clear" of faith & religion? (I guess that'll make some folks happy, eh?)
Is he still in the race?
Regardless of merit, he hasn’t a chance.
Next.
The article was about how a political campaign was organizing itself. You injected religion as soon as you said the word “cult.” Until then, the discussion was about a political maneuver.
“Regardless of merit, he hasn’t a chance.”
Why do you say that?
Been involved in campaigns a while.
If you’d care to place a wager, I’d be happy to take it.
That's like you asking me (parallel): "Why bring up 'abortion' when all that's inside is some growth organizing itself for development purposes? Otherwise, it's just some 'choice' being exercised"...But I'd have to respond: "'choice' to do what? Ya gotta finish the sentence!" In this case, organized to do what? (ya gotta finish the sentence!) To provide a steering committee (made up of a lot of religious folks) about F-A-I-T-H. There, I said it. (I hoped no one's virgin eyes out there in FREEPERland cringed upon seeing this 'nasty' word of F-A-I-T-H spelled out). (Boy, I wonder if I'll get it by the Censorship Committee?) Please note that using such associative words was only an echo from the original story. (I would encourage anyone offended by religious concepts not to enter any building on Sunday morning that has "faith" written in some banner way on the outside of the building; that way, we can keep offense to a minimum).
You injected religion as soon as you said the word “cult.”
Please tell me again why a discussion of "religion" should be excised out of "religious" articles. Some articles are politically-tinged religious pieces; others are religiously-focused political articles...but frankly, there's not a huge difference between the two. Seems to me that if you can't talk about religion when it's overtly mentioned over a dozen times in an article, then you can never discuss it. (Or is that what you're getting at?)
My whole point was that I took exception to the fact that you immediately sought to discredit this committee by disparaging the religious creed of one if its members (Gary Jarmin). You did so by utilizing the incendiary term “cult.” That’s where you brought religion into the debate - by using it as an ideological weapon where it had before simply been a tangential element of the story.
Well you're partially right...the Unification Church DOES have an ideology--and if referencing this ideology automatically turned my comment into a well-toasted idealogical one, so be it.
Maybe you think I shouldn't have "disparaged" the Unification Church. But if you're A-OK with mass arranged weddings and S.Y. Moon claiming to be the next Messiah, just tell everybody that. You can make a pro-Moon statement without having to "disparage my religious creed" (which includes the tenet that there are such things as cults).
Who said I was A-OK with these things? There are many things about many faiths with which I disagree. But unless such beliefs impact politic policy, they have no place in a political discussion - unless a person has an ax to grind.
Yes. He happens to be leading by substantial margins in the two states in which he's campaigned the most. To know him is to love him, I guess.
I thought we weren't supposed to get into guessing motivations of folks?
There are many things about many faiths with which I disagree. But unless such beliefs impact politic policy, they have no place in a political discussion...
OK, this is getting...well, this is getting provocative, to say the least.
Mitt picks all kinds of religious folks as a one big trailor hooked up to his Hummer political machine...he announces these religious folks will advise him on faith, values, etc.--meaning MITT is one electing to MARRY religion/faith & politics. (And yet you blame me!)
Show some consistency, will ya? If you're so bothered by beliefs being married with public policy, then write to Mitt...e-mail him...fax him...tell him you don't want a politically based steering committee focusing on faith & religion. Tell him it's against your philosophy. Just stop blaming me. I didn't dream up this scheme of Mitt's.
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