Defending Mitt Romney

Posted by Joshua White on 05.10.2007

I won't let anyone criticize Mitt Romney for his religion or his "flip-flop." I won't do it.

In third place amongst all Republican nominees for president, Mitt Romney is last in the polls of the top tier Republican nominees. What this means is that while he doesn't get as much time in the media as the two men who the media think are most likely to win(Giuliani and McCain) he certainly gets talked about more than Tommy ("Sure you can fire gays") Thompson and the rest of the third-tierers (yes, this is a word). Lately, Romney has been getting more attention than normal. It seems that the world is against a man that really hasn't done much wrong. Well, if the rest of the world is going to attack Williard Mitt Romney, then I'll step up to the plate and defend him.

Before I start with my defense of Romney, let me simply state that Romney isn't necessarily my first pick for the Republican candidate. I am only defending him because I think that many are criticizing him for reasons that are not worthy of a presidential candidate.

Romney has been under attack recently for his "flip-flop" on the abortion issue. As we all know Romney was a pro-choice governor. However, as a candidate for president he is running as a pro-life candidate. So, now he has to defend himself from both the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democrats are trying to show the world that Romney is inconsistent and he is pandering to the Evangelical right. The Republicans want to make sure that he really believes in the pro-life agenda.

I understand that the abortion issue is a big one and that people want to make sure they know where the candidate stands, but I have never really understood why people are focusing so much on his change in view. Since when is it wrong to change one's mind? When choosing a president don't we want someone who can be intellectually honest enough to admit a mistake? (Isn't this one of the biggest complaints from the left about current President Bush and his views on the War in Iraq?) Isn't it good that Romney finally came around? Are the Republicans really willing to punish a candidate because he held an incorrect view?

Some might complain that Romney's family donated money to Planned Parenthood, an organization that offers abortions. (How dare he?) But this only makes sense as he wasn't pro-choice at the time. He isn't that politician any more. And if people don't vote for a man because he once held an incorrect view (which he changed) I can only consider those people to be irrational.

Before I finish with this particular issue, let me offer one more thing to think about. Let's assume that Romney is a flip-flopper. Let's just say that Romney, while conservative when it comes to taxes, national security, family values (excluding abortion), illegal immigration, trade, Israel, etc., isn't actually pro-life. He legislates as if he is pro-life, but in his heart he is pro-choice. Would this be terrible? I think that it would be a testament to his dedication to his country. He figured out which values were more and less important to him and decided that for the betterment of the country he would act as if he were pro-life. What if he realized that with the current debt situation in the country, if someone didn't fix the problem, abortion wouldn't be an issue as our country would have far worse things to deal with? All I am suggesting here is that if he stands up for the Republican values then that, while not the best option, it is a far superior choice than one who won't.

Romney has nearly every value that a Republican could want. Apparently though, one of his biggest flaws is the fact that he is a Mormon. Even some on the left are bothered by his religion. Recently during a debate, Al Sharpton said of Romney the following: "As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation." Sharpton claims that he was talking to atheist debate opponent, but that just can't be. Sharpton claims that what he was saying was that real believers, those who "really believe in God" (meaning his supporters ) would defeat the Mormon, a Republican, in the political arena. Yeah right! It's clear that Sharpton had himself a little slip, and let fly his true feelings.

Unfortunately, Sharpton pretty much sums up the problem that Romney has with many Evangelicals on the right. There is a question of whether or not Romney, who is a Mormon, is also a Christian. For those of you who are not Evangelical Christians, let me explain to you that this is a big deal. Even though we aren't supposed to have a religious litmus test for president, it seems that we, as a country, do. The question is why. As long as Romney takes the same oath that every other president has taken and then follows up on his promises, why should his particular religion be a problem?

Yes, Mormonism has espoused practices that many find disagreeable. Mormons backed segregation, and still aren't fond of gays. They have allowed for (or do allow for, depending on the Mormon) polygamy. They believe bizarre things like the idea that Jesus lived in America and that Native Americans are descendants of the Israelites. This, however, is not a good reason not to claim that Romney is not qualified to be president. Every religious person believes crazy things. Christians believe that a man, who was God (but not in totality), was sent by God to die for the sins of man. Jews believe that God actually cares if humans eat pig flesh and that God sent down ten plagues to punish an Egyptian ruler. And neither religion really loves the gays. Certainly the Mormon views are going to seem strange to Jews, Christians, or Muslims, but do his views make him so much less rational than "normal" believers? Do his beliefs make him incapable of running the country well?

Romney is a very intelligent, skilled, and accomplished man. He is conservative in almost every way. However, he has changed his view on abortion and he has wacky religious views. If you're not going to vote for Romney, the reasons should because you have different political views, not because he at one time was pro-choice or because he is a Mormon.

I'm right aren't I? Come on...admit it? If I'm not, email me and tell me why I'm wrong.

Looking for more to read?

Looking for more Mitt Romney analysis? Might I suggest Joe Rivett's "take"?

I'm now convinced that God and miracles exist. Why? There is some objective writing about Republicans from Brandon Crow!!!

It may be over a week late, but here...have some more Republican debate commentary.


Until next time…don't believe anything unless you read it here.