Mitt Romney Shares Evangelical Principles

As we have said since the earliest days of this campaign cycle, the 2008 election is for president, not pastor. Conservative evangelicals need a president who shares our political and moral values and priorities, can win in 2008, and can govern effectively thereafter by articulating and implementing a values-based governing strategy. This is just what Mitt Romney did as governor and will do as president — and that's why the six co-bloggers at Evangelicals for Mitt support him. With the first primary votes less than a month away, it's time you joined us.

Political and moral values are informed by — but not the same as — one's religion. That's why we shouldn't casti our votes based on whose theology we like most. History shows that to be a poor approach.

For example, in 1980 voters had two choices: a divorced movie actor who did not regularly attend church and was not on good terms with all of his children, and a once-married Southern Baptist whose evangelicalism was at the core of his national identity. Voting on the basis of whose doctrine was better would have meant electing the second guy — Jimmy Carter — over the first, Ronald Reagan. Excluding those who don't hold to orthodox Christianity would also have meant excluding such great Americans as Thomas Jefferson — who denied the divinity of Christ — from positions of authority. Is anybody going to argue someone else should've written the Declaration of Independence?

Today, America needs a president who embraces a comprehensive and positive values agenda: standing for the sanctity of life, protecting traditional marriage, defending religious liberty and basic human rights at home and abroad, combating poverty and disease within the world's poorest communities, fighting for better quality of life for our citizens, and winning the War on Terror.

That's not to say doctrine doesn't matter — it does, very much, in our churches and in our individual relationships with God. But this is a presidential election, and those are about values. Governor Romney is the only candidate with all the right ones. One of his opponents (Mayor Giuliani) is simply not with conservative evangelicals on our bread-and-butter issues — life and marriage — and perhaps even more disturbingly, another opponent (Governor Huckabee) has virtually nothing to say about winning the War on Terror. That's probably the ultimate values issue, since the people we are fighting hate our values and want to destroy our civilization.

The Supreme Court is one vote short of overturning Roe v. Wade, and the next president will likely nominate two or three justices. But he can't do that if he loses to President Hillary Rodham Clinton. Governor Romney can beat her — and the rest of the Democratic field. As a fiscal and social conservative, he's the only candidate who can hold the Reagan coalition together. Plus, he has already put together a strong, well-organized campaign with the firepower to win. Every single other GOP candidate either alienates a key part of the coalition or has weak a operation incapable of defeating a well-funded, ruthless, counter-to-our-values opponent in the general election.

It's worth reprising: The Republican nominee must be both a fiscal and social conservative. That's the Reagan formula for success. When it breaks down, Republicans lose. And it will break down if Republicans nominate a candidate who says public funding for abortions is a constitutional right (Mayor Giuliani) or one who's known nationally for hiking taxes and spending money (Governor Huckabee).

But there's more than that. Above all else, the president has to lead — he has to be a good executive. And as much as we love President Bush, we've seen far too many examples in recent years of poor performance in this regard. Not only that, Washington is a tough town — and that will be true whether the Democrats continue to control Congress after 2008 or not. In that environment, leadership — especially conservative leadership — isn't easy.

Fortunately, Governor Romney has been a leader longer than he has been a politician. Prior to his political career, Governor Romney helped to launch the very successful Bain Capital — which helped launch such successful franchises as Staples and the Sports Authority — and then led a turnaround at Bain Consulting. He also saved the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City which, prior to his leadership, were mired in debt and corruption but subsequently became one of the most successfully-run Games in memory.

And he's governed in a difficult political environment, too. Massachusetts is the most left-wing state in the union. If you think Bay State Democrats aren't any different from their Arkansan counterparts, try defending traditional marriage or vetoing stem-cell funding up in Boston, as Governor Romney did, and see what they do. (As for New York City Democrats, I don't even know how they would react to such values-based governing, because I can't think of anyone who's tried it.) But Governor Romney did — in addition to helping turn the economy around, opposing driver's licenses and in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants, and defending Catholic Charities' right to restrict adoptions to man-woman couples. No other candidate has a record of such successful, across-the-board conservative leadership — especially on such hostile terrain.

Mitt Romney has been a standout conservative governor of a very leftist state. He believes in the traditional family, and he has fought for it — just ask Massachusetts' pro-family leaders. He's admitted he was wrong on abortion, and is now solidly pro-life — as his record in Massachusetts testifies. He also opposes embryonic stem cell research's speculative and open-ended carelessness with human life. He's shown courage under fire in several challenging situations, and has lived out his values (both publicly and privately) during a time when other Republicans, sadly, have not.

Conservative evangelicals do not have to compromise on our values this election: Gov. Romney embodies all the principles for which we've long fought. Plus, he has the organizational strength, executive experience, and moral rectitude to remind us what being a conservative is all about.

In other words, he's not just a candidate evangelicals can support — he's the best choice for people of faith. It's not even close. He's the only Republican candidate who can unite our party and win in November.

And the reality is: It's time to choose. If we refuse to support Governor Romney, the next president will definitely be a pro-choicer, probably one named Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In the interests of full disclosure, EFM co-founder Nancy French has served as a consultant to Romney for President, Inc. The other members of the EFM team do not work for the Romney campaign, and the campaign has no editorial influence on or control over the site.

The important issues, for any candidate, with respect to religion are:

What are the values that are important to our country that are influenced by religion?
Does the candidate's religion influence these values in the right direction?
Does the candidate apply these values correctly in his governance?
Has the candidate's life demonstrated that he lives by the moral values taught by his religion?

So let's have a look at Romney's religion and how it will influence his decisions as president.

broncobilly's post on a previous thread provides a good start:

Abstract theology is not as important as how that theology is meant to translate into public positions. For example:

1) Romney’s religion believes in God, and therefore that man’e sovereignty comes from God, not government.
2) Romney’s religion believes Christ is divine, and therefore believes that Christian values are not negotiable.
3) Romney’s religion believes that the Constitution was inspired by God, and therefore should in no way be subverted.
4) Romney’s religion believes that every child is a “child of God,” and therefore should be protected.
5) Romney’s religion believes in honoring and sustaining the law, when that law respects our freedom, and that where laws are unjust they should be changed by constitutional means.
6) Romney’s religion believes individuals should be self sufficient and not take government dole, but should help the unfortunate.
7) Romney’s religion believes in the importance of education.
And so on. . . .
Now whether or not Romney lives up to those ideals, that is another question. At least we know what direction Romney’s religion will be pushing him.

And I agree, We should be more interested in Romney living up to the ideals of his religion rather than dismissing him because of his religion.

16 posted on 11/13/2007 2:36:00 PM CST by broncobilly

To this list, I will add some other LDS teachings:
8) We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. (AOF 11)
9) We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. (AOF 12)
10) We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. (AOF 13)
11) We do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul. (D&C 134:4)
12) We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy. (D&C 134:7)

This may also be of interest for general information about the LDS Church: Faith, Family, Facts, & Fruits by LDS Apostle M. Russell Ballard.

BTW, My current preference is #1: Hunter, #2: Thompson, #3: Romney. In my opinion, these are the only candidates who are right on "most" of the important issues.

You and author have to be joking. Romney was militant supporter of abortion rights and the homosexual agenda in Massachusetts. Gay marriage happened on his watch and he didn't lift a finger to stop it.

This crap isn't flying here. Romney has a record and on social issues it is as liberal as any candidate in the race.

The Mitt Wit on abortion:

"Romney ran against Senator Edward M. Kennedy in 1994. During a debate, Romney declared: 'I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a US Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it.' " (NOTE: Romney has supported abortion since before the 1972 Roe v. Wade ruling!) - Boston Globe, 3/2/2006

In 2002, Romney responded to the National Abortion Rights Action League's candidate survey: ''I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose. This choice is a deeply personal one. Women should be free to choose based on their own beliefs, not mine and not the government's. The truth is, no candidate in the governor's race in either party would deny women abortion rights." Notably, Romney refused to answer the candidate questionnaire sent to him by Massachusetts Citizens for Life. - Boston Globe, 7/3/2005

"Romney, a Republican and the former Winter Olympics chief, was endorsed by the New York-based Republican Pro-Choice Coalition. He mentioned his mother, Lenore Romney, who favored abortion rights when she ran for the U.S. Senate in 1970, even before the 1973 Roe v. Wade case affirmed women's constitutional right to abortions. . . . Lynn Grefe, director of the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition, applauded Romney's 'commitment to family planning and protecting a woman's right to choose' in a letter on Wednesday." - Associated Press / New Bedford Standard-Times 10/3/2002

During the 2002 governor's race, Romney's platform stated, "As Governor, Mitt Romney would protect the current pro-choice status quo in Massachusetts. No law would change. The choice to have an abortion is a deeply personal one. Women should be free to choose based on their own beliefs, not the government's." - Romney's 2002 campaign website

Willard on homosexual "rights":

"The state LCR [Log Cabin Republican Club] worked with Romney's unsuccessful campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy in 1994. Romney won the LCR endorsement primarily based on his support for the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a pro-gay piece of legislation that at the time had little Republican support." - Bay Windows, 10/24/2002

"There will be children born to same-sex couples, and adopted by same-sax couples, and I believe that there should be rights and privileges associated with those unions and with the children that are part of those unions." On another occasion, his spokesman "declined to state Romney's position on whether homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt, and declined to say whether the governor opposes gay adoptions." - State House press conference, 6/15/2005 - Boston Globe, 3/2/2006

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said yesterday he was ready to work with lawmakers to craft a "civil union"-style law to give some marriage rights to homosexual couples, even though he also supports a constitutional amendment to preserve traditional marriage . . . Mr. Romney yesterday told TV news stations that he would support a Vermont-style civil union law in Massachusetts, but reiterated his support for a constitutional amendment that would clarify that "marriage is an institution between a man and a woman." - Washington Times, 11/20/2003

Despite the over 2,500 pedophilia cases now on record involving homosexual scout leaders, Romney stated, "I feel that all people should be allowed to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation." In the same article, a BSA official criticized Romney for opposing Scout policy. - Boston Globe, 10/27/1994

The Mitt Wit's record on judicial appointments:

Romney told the U.S. Senate on June 22, 2004, that the "real threat to the States is not the constitutional amendment process, in which the states participate, but activist judges who disregard the law and redefine marriage . . ." Romney sounds tough but yet he had no qualms advancing the legal career of one of the leading anti-marriage attorneys. He nominated Stephen Abany to a District Court. Abany has been a key player in the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association which, in its own words, is "dedicated to ensuring that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision on marriage equality is upheld, and that any anti-gay amendment or legislation is defeated." Press release from governor's office 5/4/2005 - U.S. Senate testimony by Gov. Mitt Romney, 6/22/2004

"Governor Mitt Romney, who touts his conservative credentials to out-of-state Republicans, has passed over GOP lawyers for three-quarters of the 36 judicial vacancies he has faced, instead tapping registered Democrats or independents -- including two gay lawyers who have supported expanded same-sex rights, a Globe review of the nominations has found. Of the 36 people Romney named to be judges or clerk magistrates, 23 are either registered Democrats or unenrolled voters who have made multiple contributions to Democratic politicians or who voted in Democratic primaries, state and local records show. In all, he has nominated nine registered Republicans, 13 unenrolled voters, and 14 registered Democrats." - Boston Globe 7/25/2005

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