This is the full e-mail I sent to David Brody, the blogger who featured my comments. I wrote it quickly, without thinking a ton, but I figured if you're interested you could let me know what you think:
Romney should definitely make the speech, but what he says will be key. He needs to stay away from equating christians and mormons, but needs to focus on his own faith, in his own terms. Yet, to not openly discuss his faith would be disingenuous. In other words:
Romney should definitely make the speech, but what he says will be key. He needs to stay away from equating christians and mormons, but needs to focus on his own faith, in his own terms. Yet, to not openly discuss his faith would be disingenuous. In other words:
He must:
A. Address concerns regarding his ties to Salt Lake (Like JFK)
B. Address concerns that he isn't a christian (un-like JFK)
i. Do this by explaining that he is running for political, not religious, office.
ii. Explain that he believes in Jesus Christ, just differently than some do.
iii. Explain that he wants to bring religious groups together, and not have them bickering over definitions. He needs to stay away from the "Are mormons christian debate."
C. Address concerns about Mormonism in general. (Very unlike JFK.)
i. While JFK didn't have to do this, mormonism is unknown, and "weird." This is mainly due to misinformation. He needs to explain some of the basics so people don't think that mormons are "weirdies."
ii. Address the role that religion has played in his personal (and family) life
iii. Address the role that religion has played in his political life, including issues like abortion, and other policy issues.
D. Not come off sounding like a Mormon missionary, but still give the public what they are really looking for: an expose on mormonism.
I would imagine that frequent references to www.mormon.org, and newsroom.lds.org will be popular among his references, and his invitations. I would guess he will invite his listeners to refer to church websites for more information often, so as to show that he does not speak for the church.
Another warning that Romney faces that must be addressed: there is faction of America that is rabidly awaiting Romney's discussion of religion, which they will then use to show that he is nothing more than a bad missionary for a wacko church. (these aren't anti-mormon folk. These are anti-religion foke. Think extreme far left.) While he's referring to mormon.org, and explaining the basics of mormon belief, he needs to be careful to make sure that they can't attack him for being inappropriately religious, because that's what they want to do to any christian, of any definition.
That being said, the public desperately want to hear what he has to say about his church, and what they believe. People asking about "the book of the mormons" and having many wives are all over, and they want to know how such cooky people can believe in Jesus. They wanna know about Joseph Smith, plates, and angels, and somehow Romney has to pull that off or he'll be killed for having not been open enough (think of the headlines: trying to be a politician, Romney downplays faith..." etc.) but if he goes to far, he could sound like he's putting in his plug for the LDS church. He certainly has the right, but that would doom him in many ways. It's a terribly thin line to stand on.
Romney also needs to explain that he tries to follow Jesus Christ, and that is his main motivator, both in his personal life, and family life. He must stress how much his family means and has meant to him, and show that his religion runs deep. Mentioning that he has served in high leadership positions in the church could be risky, but it might not be bad. "I've been a bishop and stake president, so I know what i'm talking about..." kind of thing.
Romney has an incredible opportunity here, one that he certainly won't miss. But, it's an incredible risk. It could taint his future run, the mormon church, or even religion in general, to say nothing of ending his campaign. There will be spinners there eating it up. So while his speech has to be powerful, clear, and motivating, it also has to be impenetrable, impervious, and solid. But if there's anyone who's careful with what they say, it's Mitt Romney.
Last, remember last year when people chuckled at the thought of a one term governor from massachusettes winning the rnc nomination? People now think it's possible. But they think he isn't doing well enough nationally. Wanna see national coverage? Have him give his speech. He'll get plenty o' boost, so long as he doesn't screw it up. I would imagine he'll do it sometime in mid-december, just before the caucases, so everyone is talking about him just before voting time. He'll get a boost, win iowa, take NH, then on to SC. Michigan will be his (between current high standing, plus all the media boost) and he'll be difficult to stop. I'm trying to be unbiased, cause I like the guy, but I'm pretty sure I'm being fair. He's in a really really good place right now.
Thanks, David, for treating Romney fairly, and for being good to the Mormons. I appreciate it. You act like an exemplary christian in your posts.
