Romney makes Mormonism part of his big night

[rug]

By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer – 51 minutes ago

After years of avoiding direct mention of his religion, Mitt Romney will open up about his Mormon faith as he accepts the Republican nomination for president.

The former Massachusetts governor is the first Mormon presidential candidate on a major party ticket. It's unclear just how much detail he will provide on Thursday night, the pinnacle of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. He has spoken broadly in the past about the importance of prayer and belief in God, but has not discussed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

However, the roster of speakers promises at least a glimpse into his nearly 14 years of service as a lay Mormon pastor around Boston. The invocation will be given by Ken Hutchins, a retired Northborough, Mass., police chief, who was also a Mormon leader in the state, and Grant Bennett, who served as a church counselor to Romney, is scheduled to offer remarks.

"I think this is a speech where he's going to talk a lot about what's informed his values, what's informed his outlook. Of course his faith is an important part of that," Romney aide Kevin Madden said in Tampa this week. "It's an important part of who he is as a husband and a father. And so I think you can expect some of that."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jkKdpoIO_aDrlOMtP1gIIxPjvu_w?docId=b019d9be8aac49ddaa290ca375707b7b

[Smilo]

1. Well Romney has the

lying part down really well.

Guess he skipped all the classes in truth, honesty and compassion.

[cbayer]

2. Should be interesting.

I am really enjoying watching the convention and the commentary on NewsHour. I also recommend the Charlie Rose show. He has had some fascinating guests talking about the convention.

I thought they did a pretty good job of *normalizing* Mormonism at some points last night, a political tactic which is critical for them at this point.

But, they are still going to lose and lose big, imo.

[rug]

3. I haven't been able to take too much of watching it.

Which is unusual. There's just something about this particular convention that's disturbing.

Anyway, I don't think Romney has any choice but to do this. But I think he'll tell a bland family values version that will resonate with these nodding idiots.

[cbayer]

4. The theme they seem to be pursuing regarding his religion is

that he's a god-fearing, church-going man, just like them. I suspect you are right that he will focus on how mormonism is just like other forms of christianity.

I agree that there is something disturbing about this convention. For me, it is the most religiously driven convention I have ever seen. So, like a good car wreck, I just can't look away.

[CthulhusEvilCousin]

5. I disagree

I disagree. The RNC convention was pretty irreligious. It was bland, empty, relativistic and utterly dull. Their only confirmed religion is that they all worship the god of deism or Masonry. Essentially, that is a ritual god whom you salute, like the flag, and carry on as usual. Where was God in the minds of the Republicans when Romney's team were pushing through fraudulent new convention rules to centralize power to himself? Where was God in the mind of Republicans when delegates who opposed those rules were, mysteriously, stuck in traffic because the driver just happened to drive them around in circles? Where was God in the mind of Republicans when they nominated a man who is a pathological liar? Who can be confirmed, with little doubt, to have basically been on both sides of every issue, from healthcare to abortion to amnesty and global warming?

That's why I find the RNC talking point about the Democrats being godless very funny. If the Democrats are damned, then the Republicans have an even greater problem: they're damned hypocrites.

[cbayer]

6. Welcome to DU and to the religion group, CEC.

I agree with what you say here. I don't think it was substantively religious, but religion was used to a significant degree to try to "normalize" Romney.