Can discussion of Mitt’s running be separated from his religion?
Yes.
Will it be?
No.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v-x6R55kVQ
IMO, Obama loathes and wants to effectively replace the influence of all forms of religion with the power of the global socialist state...while the shameless chameleon Romney, whatever his shortcomings, does NOT!
I view Romney as being a politician committed first to his election with marketing branding as a “conservative,” and if elected I expect that having no real core he will govern very conservatively to insure mid-term gains and re-election as a conservative without primary opposition.
I have NO expectation that Romney would revert to ANY of his previous liberal stances, especially on abortion or gay rights or the sort of liberal court appointments in MA. If Romney had core beliefs, he would revert, but from all I have learned about Romney on FR (Thanks Jim Rob!) Romney will do what is best for Romney, and that will be to continue to try to prove his conservative bona fides.
I expect him to go straight to the Federalist Society recommended list for his appointments to SCOTUS, while Obama will go to the ACLU and La Raza.