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 Early in his campaign, Mitt Romney spoke at Liberty University, the largest evangelical Christian university in the world.
September 14th, 2012
03:14 PM ET
On campaign trail, Romney ratchets ups God rhetoricBy Dan Merica, CNN Washington (CNN) – At campaign events these days, Mitt Romney often says that if he is elected president, he will emphasize the role of God in American society and will not “take God out of the public square.” That kind of rhetoric is a departure from earlier less God-focused versions of the Republican candidate’s stump speech and his early apprehension with discussing his Mormon faith. According to Mark DeMoss, Romney’s adviser to the evangelical community, such lines are designed to create a contrast with a Democratic Party that had to fight to get God into its platform at its recent convention. “I will not take God out of my heart, I will not take God out of the public square, and I will not take it out of the platform of my party,” Romney has been saying in his stump speech since the Democratic platform fight this month. The former Massachusetts governor used the line at a campaign stop in Mansfield, Ohio, on Monday. In nearly the same breath, he said that “we are nation under God.” CNN Belief: Can Mitt Romney’s evangelical ambassador seal the deal before Election Day? DeMoss says the new rhetoric is not a departure from anything but is “as much as a response to something that really shocked a lot of people.” “I think the governor is probably doing two things,” said DeMoss, a senior adviser to the Romney campaign: “reinforcing his own commitment to God and, secondly, showing some contrast.” Some religious leaders and scholars see Romney's new God talk in a somewhat different light. The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and media commentator, said Romney’s line that “I will not take God out of my heart” is a coded way to question to veracity of the President Barack Obama’s Christian faith. “Critiquing the president for taking God out of the public square when he regularly refers to God and implicitly critiquing him for taking God out of his heart, any way you look at it, is offensive,” Martin said. In his critique of Romney’s religious rhetoric, Martin cited Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” DeMoss, a Christian PR executive, said questions about the president’s faith should not be read into the speech. “I take that comment as a reinforced pledge and commitment that God is not going to be stripped from anything if he has anything to say about it, whether it is his heart or the public square or the party platform,” DeMoss said. “I think it would be unreasonable or unfair to suggest that that was a comment on the president.” Last week, at an event in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Romney pledged to keep God on U.S. currency. “Our pledge says ‘under God,’” Romney told thousands of energetic supporters at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. “I will not take God out of the name of our platform. I will not take God off our coins. And I will not take God out of my heart.” On Tuesday, the anniversary of terrorist attacks of September 11, Romney tweeted, "On this most somber day, America is united under God in its quest and freedom at home and across the world." The increased God rhetoric adds to a campaign that has frequently discussed religious issues, even as Romney says the economy is the most important issue. From debates over religious liberty – sparked by the Obama administration's "contraception mandate" for health care plans – to abortion rights, the Romney campaign has taken stands on a number of religious issues, attempting to draw a distinction with Obama. CNN Belief: Religious exemptions grow in contraception mandate Jacques Berlinerblau, a Georgetown University professor with an expertise in religion and politics, says he sees the change as a response to a president who is doing better in recent polls. “When (Republicans) get nervous about a loss, they go into base-whip-up stage,” Berlinerblau said. “They try to energize the base even more.” He argues that such rhetoric will not appeal to “moderate religious voters” and that it is pushing Romney off his economic message. “They are totally getting off-script,” Berlinerblau said. “We hear that this election is all about the economy, but now we are talking about religion and faith issues.” DeMoss says it's possible to emphasize both religious and economic issues. “I am comfortable with the balance that he has struck about talking about his faith and other people's faith, and I was comfortable with the balance at the Republican convention,” DeMoss said. “It is part of the equation, but it is certainly not the dominant part.” - CNN’s Rachel Streitfeld contributed to this report. |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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I almost forgot I was on CNN. There is nothing wrong with what Romney is saying and doing. But keep trying to find fault if that is what makes you feel good.
There may be nothing wrong with what he's SAYing but there is in what this greedy, war-lover is DOING, i.e., he's the kind of religious hypocrite Jesus condemned.
There are many things wrong with what he says. If you believe in separation of church and state; one should not influence the other. If we were to ever get a President that made decisions based on religious belief, it would set us back a couple of centuries...
Right.. lets bring god into every aspect of life.. into the schools, into the governence and into workplaces.. and lets bid bye-bye to the first amendment.. right?
I guess we should stick with Obama, with his strong religious faith in Rev. Wright and his type of religion? Please.
Leeroy, you're funny. As if Romney is less an azzhole than Rev. Wright. Are you delusional or stupid? Or both?
Calling names. Wow. I gave that up in Kindergarten.
Boo-hoo. Don't like being called a moron? Don't act like one.
If after Romney's complete FAIL on foreign policy this week you still think he's the best choice, LEEroy, you just go right ahead and vote for him. I won't. Neither will anyone else with a brain.
I got your "moron" right here. Meet you out back in 5 minutes and I'll show it to you. Punk.
When you go to the polls . . . know I will be cancelling your vote with mine for Romney. 🙂
Aww, gee, what tragedy. Too bad my spouse, my kids, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law and my brother-in-law and THEIR three kids are all voting Democrat, LEEroy.
Rev. Wright? Are you stuck in 2007?
I have 7 kids . . . 5 of voting age . . . and a great many Church going friends who will trump you small clan. 😛 Gotchu Royal! I win. 😛
Sure, honey. Whatever you say.
Suck your thumb if it makes you feel better. It's okay; I won't tell your mom.
Who you calling Honey? I gotchur honey, buddy . . . out back. ;P
Dear, I'm a woman. You'd know that if you'd ever bothered to read here. You're an idiot.
Sorry Ma'am. I would never hit a woman . . . unless she was pointing an AK or PPG at me. 😉 I'll let my wife or one of my 5 daughters take you out back instead. 😉 My 9 year old will probably do. She's beating boys arm wrestling on the bus. 🙂
Ah. So she's a dy-ke in training, then. Good on her.
Watching Romney display his faults in technicolor gives me great hope that President Obama will be re-elected. To that purpose, I intend to continue to point out the failings of Mr. Romney and the mismatch between him and the presidency. Thank you.
You're full of gas, LEEroy. Too bad you're also full of sh!t.
If all you have is Rev. Wright, dearie, you're pretty lame as far as arguments go.
Tom – is there a quicker way to get back to an older article other than cnn's search? maybe i'm just missing it. I just posted a reply in the one for case for gay marriage, but the link is out of sight again.
Let's have this conversation again after the debates starting on October 3rd. That should be entertaining. 🙂 Have you any other colorful words to call me before I find something better to do tonight?
Oh and you are so right Tom about Romney's complete FAIL on foreign policy. I should say what foreign policy. lol.
Not that I know of ben. Other than scrolling across the top pictures; that might be faster.
Oh, run along LEEroy, dear. I have plenty of words to describe you, but my creativity is wasted on a dumbbell who thinks he can pretend that he actually knew "morale" wasn't the same as "moral" and that he had a clue what anyone else's morals were based on their posts.
Cool that works – I've never tried moving the pics. Thanks, Tom! OK, back to my Romney tax watch. 🙂
Mitt Romney will increase military spending (even though USA spends 5 times more than china on military). His reasoning for this is to show the world not to mess with us.
Sounds like fear tactics and paranoia to me.
Sounds like I'll get another raise to defend your liberal rear some more. 🙂
Oh, gee, LEEroy, where exactly are you stationed, that you're 'defending' anyone's azz other than your own?
Why, did you want to come and visit me and my lovely family? We can take you to Church with us. 🙂 I'm in the Army Reserves. I've done two tours thus far. Looks like there may be more opportunities to serve in the near future. But perhaps you're okay with our Embassies being attacked and our Ambassador's being tortured and killed? 🙁
Oooh, the RESERVES!!!!
How impressive.
Get a clue, LEEroy. I have relatives who have served in active duty. NOT the reserves.
Let me know when you figure out how to find your balls.
I have 14.75 years active duty and another 13 in the Reserves or Guard. I see you like insulting service members who are willing to give our all for sorry people like you. You represent the Democrats just as most do. Thanks for making my point about you and Obama crystal clear. Your patriotism . . . or lack there of . . . is very unfortunate. But I'll continue to fight for you. Enjoy your social freebies a little longer. 😉
Re Graf 5: Mr. Romney, we were "one nation indivisible" for much longer than we've been "one nation under god" That phrase wasn't inserted into the pledge of allegiance until the Red Scare of the 1950's. Does that make Americans prior to that time (including our founding fathers) less patriotic?
Really wish there was a "like" button here...this is SPOT ON...we forget those scary times so easily....
That's the same time "In God We Trust" was put on paper money, mostly to poke a finger at those "godless commies". The Extreme Reich still can't come to grips with the fact that we managed to survive 180 years without the motto. It always seemed to me that if God is more concerned about His/Her name being written on little pieces of paper than being in people's hearts and minds, there's a cosmic disconnect somewhere.
We've got enough self proclaimed disciples around, what we need are leaders!
I believe the Bible says in the 10 Commandments, Thou Shall Not Bear False Witness. Among Mormons/Christians; et.al....Romney/Ryan they'll worry about that later. Does it say somewhere in the Bible that's its Ok to lie to the infidels?
Who asked Bill Clinton to introduce him? Bill Clinton? Impeached . . . Barred . . . womanizer . . . liar? Wow. A disbarred lawyer representing his guilty client. Perfect . . .
Keep wishing anyone cares, Leeroy. Clinton has star power Romney can't even hope to imitate.
Nobody gives two craps about his sins. Nobody.
Nobody with any morale values. You're so right. And this country will elect their choice . . . and if it's Obama . . . we shall see how hosed up this country can get.
Do you even know the difference between the words "moral" and "morale", LEEroy?
Apparently not. Telling.
Typo. Moral. I'll put it in a sentence for you. You're bringing down my morale with your absent morals. 😉
And what would you be as suming about my morals, LEE roy?
If he is going to try to appease the Fundamentalist Right, we will be no better off than the nut jobs that are jumping up and down, blowing things up because THEIR God got insulted. Fundamentalists, no matter WHAT the religion, are NUTS! They have NO business running anything and they really need to just go back into their caves and let the rest of us be...Faith is a wonderful thing, but it is PRIVATE. Your religion is not mine, mine is not yours. We co-exist peacefully and one side is not right, nor the other wrong. WHY is he pandering to the Nuts on the right? WHY???? Honestly, in doing this, he is alienating me and giving me no choice but to vote for the other team...Well, that and that pesky invasion of my rights as a woman...oh, right and that gosh darned tax on the "middle" class – did ya hear what he considers middle class, btw??? Google it. It's worth a chuckle...
Well said, thank you very much.
The Romney campaign is becoming quite a sham. The separation of religion and state is absolute! Mittens acts of quiet desperation are becoming more and more common as time goes by. Obama/Biden 2012 in a major landslide is becoming more realistic daily. Honestly, who could vote for this man. Even his version of Christianity is tainted!
Great! let's have NASA find the planet Kolob so we can send Romney there.
That too funny
That's too funny
Romney is going to bring back the morales standards that America was raised on. Prayed in school, prayer at work and the laws should also coinside with the church. Everyone should go to church and woman should be at home raising the children while the men work. We need to get our moral roots back in this country again and Romeny is the man to do it.
The only people Jesus couldn't suffer were religious hypocrites. Jesus knew actual morality had nothing to do with outward shows of religiousity.
nope
We don't need prayer at school or at work, nor should women be restricted to the kitchen. You are talking about a theocracy.
If you actually believe what you wrote, and are not trolling, you are EXACTLY what is wrong with this country.
haha.. good one, jacob..
wait, this is sarcasm, right? right?
Your vision is my personal view of hell on earth.
Snow, judging by his atrocious English, this guy isn't joking, he's really that dumb.
Just....wow....
Of course, when Romney speaks about God, most Christians don't realize that Romney's idea of God isn't the same as theirs. His god is ruler of this planet. Romney, as a good Mormon, will get his own planet to rule when he dies.
Public religiosity - the new last refuge of the scoundrel.
Totally true.
You can fool some of the people, some of the time. By the time Romney is done with this election, he'll declare himself an ordained minister.
Romney is yesterday's politician and we deserve so much better. Really.
Any chickenhawk like Romney who supports an unnecessary war like in Iraq which the Vatican and many Christian and Jewish leaders say violated Just War Criteria, and then tries to convince us he has a superior belief in the "Prince of Peace", is a religious hypocrite in my opinion.
"Blessed are the peacemakers." "It is harder for a rich man to get into Heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle". Jesus
A president who does not like in the first amendment of this const.itution.. the very FIRST amendment.. Great choice to lead the country if he is elected.. eh..
Besides, he just said he will bring god front and center.. but does not say which god.. be prepared to have mormon faith as the official religion of the USA.. great times ahead, eh!
Which god? Are you a pagan? Do you think there is a plethora of gods from which to choose?
after so long here, if you really do not know the answer for your question, you really reaaaally need to read a bit more about christan and mormon definitions of god.
Well, Snow, I know that each religion is monotheistic, so the difference lies in their view of what the one god wants of us. Perhaps I will do a little more checking into the Mormon view though I was hoping to avoid all such stuff and nonsense for the election, as I think a person's religion should be a private matter. Since Romney is choosing to make it a public political issue, I guess ... well, I'll start with the posting of Maher's definition and move on to a few more. Shoot. Darn. Ugh. Most unpleasant duty.
hmmmmmm me thinks that Rmoney should do a little research on Thomas Jefferson.
It is, particularly in recent years, the tactic of Republicans to simply disregard any fact that isn't consistent with a position, and to make up other "facts" when needed. Religion already assails facts, why not go ahead and make it a Republican technique as well? So the assumption more research is needed should likely be changed to an assumption he knows plenty about Jefferson but is either disregarding facts or has made up whatever other "fact" helps support his statement.
we really need someone better than obama in the white house. it really sucks that this guy isn't him.
Why settle for the lesser of two evils? Vote Saxon 2012!
Pandering to the Christian Fundamentalists is a rite of passage for any GOP Presidential candidate now days.
It always amazes me how the Christian right will fall for the politicians promises again and again. First Reagan let them down, then Bush II. They always end up disappointed and saying never again, yet the minute a politician tells them that they will turn back the clock (prayer in school, the end of Roe V. Wade, etc) they fall right back in line.
I'd love to hear more about his faith. It's fascinating and not many people seem to know much about the real beliefs Mormons share, or how much they differ from traditional christianity. It's especially interesting to learn all about how the entire religion is actually a bonafide corporation that exploits tax exemption, and how that enriches the elite few millionaires in their ranks so.
If you have questions about Mormonism, use Google. I mean seriously, anything you'd ever need to know about any religion is posted somewhere on the internet. While you're at it, look up who Joseph Smith was, look up how God spoke to him, look at the ideas presented by him. If it looks like anything but a con to you, I'll be disheartened.
Lol sorry, nevermind. I apparently missed the second half of your comment; I see you were not actually seeking information on Mormonism. I still offer this advice to anyone who is though.
one viewpoint...
http://youtu.be/KN4M8PvpmW4
another viewpoint....
http://youtu.be/aKqqGX0DEMM
he and his cohorts are probably still rejoicing and scrambling to turn death of americans in libya to their advantage