one point david doesn't address - and, to be honest, it surprised me when i heard gov. romney say it - was his cut-to-the-chase expression of who Jesus Christ is, or at least who he believes him to be. "the son of God" and "the savior of the world" are not phrases that escape too many politicians' mouths when speaking to a crowd that isn't seated on pews or toting bibles.

in fact, all that i read leading up to the speech seemed to indicate that gov. romney was only going to discuss "religion in america"; these two statements about his own faith certainly went beyond that expected limitation.

i thought he hit a home run with his speech, emphasizing the role all religions play in a pluralist america, but making it abundantly clear where he stood. he will be the president of *all* americans, not just evangelicals.

and i know you are all waiting on me to make *my* endorsement for president, but right now the democrat and republican candidates remind me of the old gerry rafferty song that says, "clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...".

in truth, i'm just waiting for melody to announce her candidacy... (hi melody.)

Uh ... no.

That whole "Jesus and Lucifer" were brothers thing and that bit about achieving deity and getting your own planet have me moving further down the depth chart.

I'd rather he be a rank & file heathen than a member of a subversive cult that portrays itself as being "Christian" like God's children.

He may be a really nice guy, but an advocate of heresy nonetheless.

Um. I was not aware that the Scriptures tell us to "elect" "Christian" presidents?

Worse than a Mormon running for president and being very clear that he is a mormon, is someone who runs for president and calls himself a Christian but tries to run the world not based on the Sermon on the Mount, but on Texas cowboy thinking.

What's worse is a president who claims to be a Christian because "Jesus is the most influential philosopher in his life" but then we're suppose to be afraid and even attack our enemies. When Jesus the "philosopher" himself said LOVE others and love God, what good is it to love those who love you even sinners do that, but LOVE your enemies!

Hmmm...

God is not an evangelical. God is not a mormon. God is not an American. God is not concerned that the fate of His world will be ruined by whom the dominant Empire elects. That is becuase in the 1st century God broke into the world in Christ, on the margins, outside the presidential palace of Herod. It is there that he announced the birthing and manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. A Kingdom of Peace, Justic, and Mercy! Which leads those who will follow to the Lord's Prayer. So maybe the most Christian thing we can do during this presedential election is to...

Say the Lord's Prayer and live the Lord's Prayer. Say it so we live differntly and live it so we say it differently!

I thought he did a fine job. But I also dont think it made much difference. We had a "christian" in Clinton and you see what kind of a person he is, then a real born again believer in the white house and he didnt do much better. I would prefer someone who can get the job done well and keep his religious beliefs (and special underwear) under wraps.

Richard John Neuhaus has an insightful response to Romney's speech over at "On the Square," the blog for "First Things." Of special note is his confession that Roman Catholics are used to having heretics in the White House, despite the "Catholic" JFK. Protestants, on the other hand (which I assume most here are), are used to having their run of the country, and we're used to having someone in Washington that's at least nominally Protestant.

Mormonism is not, in my humble opinion, consonant with orthodox Christianity as revealed in Scripture and understood through the councils and creeds. Like Fr. Neuhaus, I cannot speak to the salvation of individual Mormons (not my job). However, I'm still troubled by Mormonism's attempt to intentionally hijack Protestant Christian language. I'm not sure I would identify Mormonism as a "cult," but it's definitely not Christianity. It's telling that a non-Christian, Stephen Prothero, argues in his book "American Jesus" that Mormonism is not in line with classical Christianity. Mormonism has progressively moved to toward evangelical Christianity over the course of the twentieth century, but I don't see how Mormonism can join to evangelical Christianity without wholesale repudiation of most of its heritage.

All that's to say this: Mitt Romney seems like a nice guy, maybe even presidential, but I'm not certain I'm ready for a Mormon in the White House.

Casey Taylor
irregularchristian.blogspot.com

Romney said, "I will put no doctrine of any church above the plain duties of the office and the sovereign authority of the law,"

As an ex-Mormon, I have to ask, "will Romney disregard this oath the took in his temple ceremony?"

“You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you do accept the Law of Consecration as contained in this, the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, in that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion.”
Go to source web page: Mormon Coffee

I'm planning on voting for a competent president, not the most evangelical one.

The last two "evangelicals" were Bush Jr. and Carter. From my count, they were the least competent.

Voting records and historical leadership matter more than docrinal biases.

All the options stink, as I've heard people on both sides admit. America is largely apathetic, and those few who still actually care are starting to throw their hands up, to the advantage of the politicians who want to have their own wrong way with the constitution and the people.

The only way to resist apathy is to tirelessly keep the politicians accountable, even when it doesn't seem to do any good. Consistently put the constitutions (of morals, modern society, and America) in front of them and let them react. But I fear that the prophets of democracy will get results similar to those of the prophets of God. (400-year silence, anyone?)

I have to agree with the commenters above. The last 8 years with a "Christian" President, haven't gotten us anywhere. I will vote for the most competent president regardless of religious affiliation. With that said, to believe in the faith Mormonism does speak to someone's competence.

nobodies faith has interfered with the running of the country so far. the first thing compromised in office are your religious beliefs anyways. not intentionally necessarily. but it is impossible to live out your christian faith and run the kingdom of the sword with equal conviction.

all though argued who originally coined the phrase, it is no less true, "better to be ruled by a smart Turk than a dumb Christian"

Yawners.
I'm not looking for a religious president, because any pagan can be religious so it's not high on my criteria list.
However, what does stand out about Romney, et al is that not a one of them have disavowed themselves from the Republican AEI/Neocon fear machine. That would speak louder than any amount of faith based verbage being thrown out.

So no...Romney can walk on water for all I care, I still won't vote for him, or any other Republican who won't disavow themselves from the AEI/Neocon fear mongering that has brought us to this point in our nations fall.

I'd vote for a Mormon if he/she were the best one on the ballot. I voted for Mike Curb (former Lt Gov of CA). However, Romney irritates me by claiming to be a Christian. He conveniently leaves out that his church calls me 'apostate' (see Mormon.org, beliefs), and has a completely different view of God than true Christians. He's not honest about his faith, and he's frequently changed positions on abortion, gun control, etc. Makes me wonder what he really stands for. I like Mike Huckabee, but I'm voting for John McCain. We are in a war, we need someone with foreign policy and military experience.

You know, given the definition that modern evangelicals have erected for "what is Christian", and hence , necessary for candidacy ;I'm quite certain that Thomas Jefferson would never get elected in today's America. Truly ironic....but sad! I quite like their(Jefferson and his cronies) style.

I'm not eligeable to say anything in this matter.
I do not belive anyone can be a competent in any subject even in our own life if we cannot be competent in our own Believe.
Christian or Mormon is just a religion, but Believing in Christ Jesus make the Difference.

GBU All

Let's assume Romney wanted to install a Mormon theocracy.

Thanks to the incompetence & corruption of some evangelical Christian Republican congressmen, Congress is likely to remain Democratic for a long time to come. How is Romney going to install a Theocracy with Nancy Pelosi in congress?

Also, if Mormons install Theocracies the minute they are elected, why does Utah have brewpubs and strip clubs? Have you seen some of those movies they show at the Sundance Festival? They aren't Mormon propaganda.

I didnt hear the whole speech, just excerpts. From what I heard, it was impressive. I think you must admire him for not backing down from his beliefs.

I too think that integrity, leadership qualities, problem solving and working well with others is more important than the president's religious belief.

Let's face it, there is too much compromise in politics to have a pastor-chief in office, and thats not what we are electing.

I think all these people with their high profile endorsements have different reasons for endorsing their candidates. This will be the same for the conservative voters.

I am a Christian and I still havent made up my mind, but if Romney wins the nomination, I would not hesitate to vote for him.

RJ in Ca

I am a mormom, and we are christian!

Being christian is the belief in christ, which mormons do.

Why is that so hard for you guys to understand??

Why does it matter what religion somone is when making a political decision?

What is going to happen if a mormon becomes president?

Do you think he is going to turn all of the congress meeting into a mormon sacrament meeting? Do you think he is going to have all mormons settle in DC and take over the city like in Utah??

The reason the mormons have a good percentage in Utah is because they settled there in the 1800's after being in such danger in Kirtland, Ohio.

No political affair had anything to do with it.

Argue that it is unorthodox all you want, but the point is it has nothing to do with politics.