Saturday, March 3, 2012

Romney's Core

While some like to say that Romney has no "core" a closer look at Romney's faith shouts "I just am who I am". Family, Faith, America. Romney's core is always exposed.

179 years since the Mormons were driven from Jackson County Missouri; 174 years after the infamous Mormon Extermination Order and subsequent Haun's Mill Massacre; 168 years since the conspiracy of leading Hancock County men to commit the cold blooded murder of the Mormon prophet and his brother while in custody under the governor's guaranteed protection; and 155 years after an errant federal government sent an army to Utah on a fool's errand to respond to false claims and malicious rumors, Mormonism is still one of the only religions that America still believes is ok to deprecate, disparage, and deride. A recent Gallup poll shows that 22% of Americans would hesitate to vote for a candidate soley because of his/her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And this is the 21st century!

Mormons have not let biasses discourage them from serving the country they love and the flag they proudly wave. Mitt Romney certainly has not complained about discrimination or unfair coverage during his presidential campaign even though the negativity is blatantly unbalanced. Unlike Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich who gripe incessantly, cry conspiracy at every turn, and blame others for poor performances and results, Mitt Romney concedes losses and promises to improve HIS performance. He is quick to admit his errors and gaffes and accepts responsibility while assuring his supporters that he can and will do better. The contrast is stark and although pundits want to make every contest a make or brake one for Romney he continues to march steadily and faithfully towards the nomination always looking forward and not dwelling on past losses or slights. Although not members of the same faith, Mitt Romney and JFK both hold to the founding document of the United States that clearly states that there is to be no religious test for office. Like Kennedy, Romney has had to convince voters that he is running for Chief Executive and not the religious leader of the country. Like Kennedy, Romney will be responsible for all groups and obligated to none. Kennedy believed and Romney has affirmed that the fulfillment of his Presidential oath is not limited or conditioned by any religious oath, ritual or obligation. This was the kind of America that the the revolutionary forefathers fought and died for and the kind of America that I would like my children to inherit even if it makes Rick Santorum "throw up".

Mitt Romney has not shown to be discouraged by pundits or a small but vocal part of the electorate that chooses to judge him not by his deeds and acts but by the way he praises God. He has shown that he has broad shoulders and the character to be president for all Americans including religious and non-religious citizens and the leader of the free world where sectarian prejudice and violence has to be rooted out and condemned whenever it rears it's ugly head. Romney's adherence and loyalty to his faith and family reflects the character of a man whose ambition to become the president of the United States does not come before his principles and beliefs. While it might have been easier to run as a former Mormon considering that 22% of the electorate still embraces ideas relegated to the bigoted past, we can rest assured that Mitt Romney does what he feels is right regardless of the possible political fallout i.e.;Auto Bailout, RomneyCare, etc. And that makes him the right man for the job.



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10 comments:

BOSMAN said...

Bravo Pub!

One of your best posts by far.

Anonymous said...

The following is from a post at Article 6 blog:

There was an op-ed out of the UK yesterday that was extraordinary:

"You got an idea of McCain as a man.

You dont get that with Romney. Worse still for Romney, he cannot copper-bottom his candidacy with culture. This is not just a question of money or class but, unavoidably, one of religion.

For understandable reasons he is keen to avoid making his candidacy a referendum on Mormonism. But he cannot talk about who he is without talking about Mormonism. And talking about Mormonism makes his candidacy some kind of referendum on Mormonism. So Romney is doomed to be the Man from Nowhere, a candidate without bottom who is, and can only be, defined by his record in office and the wealth he accumulated at Bain.

[...]

If all this is the case and Romney still actually wins the nomination then, in some ways, he will have pulled off one hell of a trick. The Republican party in its present mood is not built to welcome the likes of Mitt Romney. All his advantages – save perhaps financial muscle – have been compromised and yet he remains the favourite. Doubtless this owes much to his impossibly implausible opponents but its own small way it will be an achievement if the Man from Nowhere actually prevails."

I found this article to provide some true insight into what Romney is facing. It isn't that Romney doesn't have "bottom," his problem is that many people in the country reject the system which has produced a man like Mitt Romney. This rejection places Romney at a severe disadvantage.

The idea that Romney (and Mormons) don't understand the clash between religious liberty and government is absolutely false. Of all religions, we have certainly experienced our share of governmental-endorsed persecution. However, many Americans believe that those "*>*)**" Mormons deserved [and deserve] persecution, so Romney is denied even that. Sad, really. If anybody is willing to stand up for religious freedom, it is likely to be Mormons. Just look at the "boots on the ground" for Prop 8 in California. Contrary to what the left insists, these types of government policies have a great deal to do with religious freedom.

AZ

Anonymous said...

Great post, PN. Thanks.

-Martha

Lionhead said...

Salve Publius Nemo, I have read your post that Arete has set up for you. She attacks, you persuade for Romney. Good work citizens. Now, for a few humble comments if I may. Let's condense them & you can refer to my other ones at Arete's post, "Santorum Rips JFK, Runs As Evangelical."

1) Your linking JFK's speech on the religious persecution of Mormon's is not relevant anymore as time has progressed. I think all of us can agree we stand for religious liberty for anyone to be of any faith or creed no matter the ideology. No one is going to force Romney to pledge or renounce any of his religious beliefs. Why then are you & Arete raising these issues? Why the defensive posture here?

2) Your link to JFK is a weak one in that he was certainly no stellar example of fidelity to his wife. If one compromises on that, other values may be at risk. We'll never know that as the 'Camelot' illusion was masterfully drawn around the Kennedy Presidency by the MSM. In fact, they colluded to obfuscate & cover up his extra marital trysts.

3) Before I started visiting Right Speak, I knew very little about Mormons or Mormonism. I feel now that I have acquired quite a bit of knowledge thanks to all Romney's supporters & fellow LDS members here. It's been quite an education for me. Whatever my beliefs are about Mormonism, I'm far more concerned about the many unanswered questions to not what Romney has said, but rather, his actions. Please reference my previous comments at "Rush Limbaugh is a Dirty Slut." There are three unanswered things there that you can address for me if you please.

4) Now, on to your article: "Mitt Romney has not shown to be discouraged by pundits or a small but vocal part of the electorate that chooses to judge him not by his deeds and acts but by the way he praises God." This is true for those that engage in religious litmus tests, but conversely, when valid points of substantial issues have been raised, they go unanswered here. If were talking about his actions, plans, deeds & legislative accomplishments they are all fair game to be debated. Moreover, we have his own remarks on video tape to weigh his actions.

5) Finally, you're opinion here: "...we can rest assured that Mitt Romney does what he feels is right regardless of the possible political fallout i.e.;Auto Bailout, RomneyCare, etc. And that makes him the right man for the job." I wish that were true Publius, not what we've seen is backtracking, secondary explanations & in one case, on the Blount Amendment, a flip-flop in the space of one day. If we are to believe, trust & accept Romney as "the right man for the job," then he will have to really raise his game from the weak, defective candidate he's proving himself to be to date. As always, actions speak louder than words.

Please, no smokescreening around Romney either to make up for his lack of solid convictions & principles. I don't doubt the man has them, but leading a Nation in a time of crisis requires someone not only that knows how to fix things, but can connect with all members of the country in order to accomplish the plan. Without that, Romney will never be a successful President. If he doesn't 'get it' then that's his own personal fault. In any event, I will & have judged him on his actions; again the questionable ones go unanswered. Let's move on to the real underlying issues & avoid the trap that Barry Goldwater warned us of 48 years ago.

deila taylor said...

Great history here, and thanks for showing the us the past and present in one great post.

Lionhead said...

Salve Publius Nemo, I have read your post that Arete has set up for you. She attacks, you persuade for Romney. Good work citizens. Now, for a few humble comments if I may. Let's condense them & you can refer to my other ones at Arete's post, "Santorum Rips JFK, Runs As Evangelical."

1) Your linking JFK's speech on the religious persecution of Mormon's is not relevant anymore as time has progressed. I think all of us can agree we stand for religious liberty for anyone to be of any faith or creed no matter the ideology. No one is going to force Romney to pledge or renounce any of his religious beliefs. Why then are you & Arete raising these issues? Why the defensive posture here?

2) Your link to JFK is a weak one in that he was certainly no stellar example of fidelity to his wife. If one compromises on that, other values may be at risk. We'll never know that as the 'Camelot' illusion was masterfully drawn around the Kennedy Presidency by the MSM. In fact, they colluded to obfuscate & cover up his extra marital trysts.

3) Before I started visiting Right Speak, I knew very little about Mormons or Mormonism. I feel now that I have acquired quite a bit of knowledge thanks to all Romney's supporters & fellow LDS members here. It's been quite an education for me. Whatever my beliefs are about Mormonism, I'm far more concerned about the many unanswered questions to not what Romney has said, but rather, his actions. Please reference my previous comments at "Rush Limbaugh is a Dirty Slut." There are three unanswered things there that you can address for me if you please.

4) Now, on to your article: "Mitt Romney has not shown to be discouraged by pundits or a small but vocal part of the electorate that chooses to judge him not by his deeds and acts but by the way he praises God." This is true for those that engage in religious litmus tests, but conversely, when valid points of substantial issues have been raised, they go unanswered here. If were talking about his actions, plans, deeds & legislative accomplishments they are all fair game to be debated. Moreover, we have his own remarks on video tape to weigh his actions.

5) Finally, you're opinion here: "...we can rest assured that Mitt Romney does what he feels is right regardless of the possible political fallout i.e.;Auto Bailout, RomneyCare, etc. And that makes him the right man for the job." I wish that were true Publius, not what we've seen is backtracking, secondary explanations & in one case, on the Blount Amendment, a flip-flop in the space of one day. If we are to believe, trust & accept Romney as "the right man for the job," then he will have to really raise his game from the weak, defective candidate he's proving himself to be to date. As always, actions speak louder than words.

Please, no smokescreening around Romney either to make up for his lack of solid convictions & principles. I don't doubt the man has them, but leading a Nation in a time of crisis requires someone not only that knows how to fix things, but can connect with all members of the country in order to accomplish the plan. Without that, Romney will never be a successful President. If he doesn't 'get it' then that's his own personal fault. In any event, I will & have judged him on his actions; again the questionable ones go unanswered. Let's move on to the real underlying issues & avoid the trap that Barry Goldwater warned us of 48 years ago.

Unknown said...

Cool. More please.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this post. Most of us know little enough about the history of our own religion, much less the history of another religion. Knowledge of what others have suffered brings enlightenment and compassion.

John F. Kennedy, despite his many faults, knew the history of American bigotry against his own Catholic faith. For that reason, as the video you posted makes clear, he was able to discern the virtues and sufferings of the Mormons, who had been physically persecuted in this country, by this country.

These events are really not so long ago. Prejudice takes a very, very long time to overcome. But the country has made meaningful progress. And, for inspiration, we must always remember the Jews, who have been persecuted for their faith more viciously, more relentlessly than all other religions combined.

Anonymous said...

I am touched by JFK's words, so thank you for providing this information. I deeply appreciate this site.

Anonymous said...

I really appreciate this post. So many are maligning Mitt Romney for having no core but it is so obvious to me that he does. He's deeply religious and just because he doesn't talk about God for political gain people let Rick Santorum and alike link themselves to religiosity. Mitt Romney has done more compassionate service than all the candidates combined. Years of dedicated service to his church and God. I don't care what he believes that is impressive dedication. We need more people to honestly live their religion like Mitt Romney does. Newt Gingrich would be a good candidate if he lived his. Thanks for the post. Love the apple core pic.