An open letter to evangelicals, from an evangelical

After months of campaigning, the Iowa caucuses are finally just a week away. The Hawkeye State’s caucus is the first of several GOP primaries where evangelicals will make up a substantial portion of the voting bloc. Since Mitt Romney first ran for the presidency in 2008, there has been the question of whether evangelicals can and/or will support him. I would like to make an appeal to my evangelical brothers and sisters across Iowa and the rest of the nation to not use Mormonism as the reason to oppose Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination.

Why do I have the authority to make this appeal? Well, let me take just a brief moment to list my credentials. I was raised in a small Protestant denomination whose first word is “Evangelical”. I attended a Christian college where renowned evangelist Billy Graham was once president. I have even worked for three different denominations of Protestant churches. So, not to infringe upon the now infamous Christine O’Donnell commercial, but “I am you”.

As Governor Romney embarks upon his final campaign swing through Iowa, why does this evangelical feel completely comfortable supporting him to become the leader of this great nation?

Morals and Values

While there may be some theological issues dividing evangelicals and Mormons, we still share morals and values in common. I believe that this is more important in selecting a President than simply having a candidate whose denomination or religion corresponds with my own. The question we ought to ask is, “how will this person’s faith influence his or her decisions once they are in the Oval Office?” And whether someone is Southern Baptist, Assembly of God, Evangelical Free, or Mormon, we all share a common moral code which subscribes to the same Ten Commandments, the institution of marriage, and a strong belief in the sanctity of life to cite a few examples. That is what will give a very good indication as to how a President addresses an issue when it arises. Yes, theological differences do exist, but these shared morals and values transcend the differences in doctrine when it comes to trusting someone with the Presidency of the United States.

For example, if a bill dealing with the sanctity of life comes to President Romney’s desk, it won’t matter if he believes in speaking in tongues or continuing revelation. What matters is that he agrees with us that the lives of unborn children should be protected, which indeed he does. Will a different opinion on theosis come into play when addressing our budget deficit or getting a balanced budget amendment passed? Absolutely not. The differences in theological doctrine between evangelical Protestants and Mormons will not result in a differing viewpoint on the tough issues facing our nation today.

Governor Romney’s 42-year marriage to his wife Ann and devotion to his family is a perfect example of the values and morals he possesses. Recent statistics show that almost half of marriages now end in divorce. What a great example it would be to have someone in the White House who has not only talked about family values, but lived it as well. That is something we as evangelicals would be proud of in a President and aspire to in our own lives.

When I attended a campaign rally in 2008, Governor Romney spoke about the importance of marriage before having children so that the child could have the stability and advantage of having both a mother and father present in their life (and also why marriage should be between a man and a woman). Again, something that we as evangelicals can rally behind. A difference in religion does not mean that a difference in morals and values exists. As I have discovered by closely watching Mitt Romney over the past four years, there is certainly not a difference between his values and my own.

Qualifications

Once the connection of shared morals and beliefs with a candidate has been established, it makes sense to look at his or her actual qualifications to become President of the United States. I happen to believe that based on his accomplishments and life experiences in the private sector and as Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney is the most qualified candidate in the race.

If you are an evangelical and a business owner, here is something to consider: when you are looking to hire somebody for your business, do you look to hire the person most qualified to complete the task at hand, or do you narrow your search to only other evangelicals? I’m guessing most would say that they desire to have the most qualified person for the job regardless of religion, because ministry jobs aside, when does simply being an evangelical Christian make you more qualified for a job? It doesn’t (just look at Jimmy Carter’s presidency). The Lord has gifted each one of us uniquely and differently. And just as being an evangelical does not make somebody more qualified to be a sales associate, truck driver, or attorney, neither does it make someone more qualified to be President of the United States.

There’s no question that it’s comforting and exciting to have someone of the exact same religious beliefs running for office, but that by itself doesn’t mean he or she is the best fit for the job. I’m an evangelical, but I can honestly tell you that if I jumped into the presidential race right now I would not be the most qualified person. Far from it! It is equally nonsensical to support someone by looking only at their religious affiliation and not take qualifications into account. If those evangelical business owners we talked about previously hired without considering an applicant’s qualifications, their businesses would likely be in serious trouble.

We as evangelicals shouldn’t be afraid to support someone for President who shares the same morals and values we do and is best qualified to lead this nation, even if he doesn’t subscribe to the exact same faith that we do. Evangelicals have voted for and elected Latter-Day Saints before, without bringing about ruinous results.

It would be a shame to miss out on the opportunity to put Mitt Romney in the White House, who in my opinion has within him the ability to be a tremendous President of the United States, simply because of theological doctrine. There is much more that unites us than divides us.

~Dave P

All eyes on Iowa; eight days to go until it’s caucus time…

Ahead of his three-day Iowa bus tour that begins in eastern Iowa on Wednesday, Romney for President today released a new TV ad that will run in the Hawkeye State.

Mitt Romney Conservative Businessman

Video text

Mitt Romney: “I am going to do something to government. I’m going to make it simpler, and smaller, and smarter.

Getting rid of programs, turning programs back to states, and finally making government itself more efficient.

I’m going to get rid of Obamacare.

It is a moral imperative for America to stop spending more money than we take in.

It’s killing jobs and it’s keeping our kids from having the bright prospects they deserve.

The experience of balancing budgets is desperately needed in Washington and I will take it there.

I’m Mitt Romney and I approve this message.”

(emphasis added)

Tomorrow, Governor Romney will continue reinforcing his New Hampshire lead with stops in Londonderry and Portsmouth. Then, in the evening, he heads to Davenport, IA.

It’s getting exciting now!

► Jayde Wyatt

The race for Iowa is a dead heat at this point, but the man who won Iowa last time, Gov. Mike Huckabee, believes that the victor will most likely be Romney. In an interview this morning on Fox News Sunday, Huckabee said this:

“I would probably say Mitt Romney will end up winning it today. I think again, Ron Paul because of his organization could, and that’s where Mitt is really at a disadvantage. He doesn’t have the devotion. If the weather is good, Mitt Romney is in better shape. If the weather is bad and it’s real tough to get out, Ron Paul will win.”

That’s welcome news for camp Romney, especially considering the source.

I think the interesting development lately has been the noticeable thawing of relations between Huckabee and Romney. During the 2008 Republican Presidential race, Huckabee and Romney developed a very strained relationship with one another as they competed for much of the same conservative voting bloc in Iowa and elsewhere. The dislike between the two seemed palpable at times.

Recently, however, several gestures have been made by both men that indicates a warming between the two. For example, Huckabee invited Romney to appear as a guest on his Fox News show. In one interview, Huckabee also defended Romney’s credentials on being pro-life, and later went on to say that the Tea Party may need to get behind Romney because “lets face it, Romney may be the most electable candidate.”

Huckabee has said that he will most likely not endorse any candidate during this election cycle, but the kind words expressed by the two candidates represents a significant warming between the two men.

What do you think? Is Huckabee going to be an ally to the Romney camp, or will the two work together in some way in the future?

~Addendum from Ross

The videos referenced above are now posted below.

For unto you is born this day
in the city of David
a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men.
Luke 2:11

A Christmas message from Mitt and Ann Romney…

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
~Author Unknown

From everyone at MRC

Merry Christmas!

► Jayde Wyatt

~Addendum from Ross
Check out the Christmas cartoon from MittFitts.com below the fold. Read more…

Here’s a call out to a video created by Mike Sage (“xcentricmike”) over at America Needs Mitt blog. This YouTube came to my attention from Joel in the MRC Chat Box — THANKS Joel!

What a great video! As a serious amateur photographer, I love to view photographs that I have not seen before, especially behind-the-scenes-photos of Governor Romney and his family. Over the years, I have seen many photographs of Governor Romney’s family, but I have not seen most of these. Awesome! Great work Mike!

Readers: If you agree with my critique of this video, please forward the URL of Mitt Romney Central to as many people you know — Gov. Romney doesn’t have Zuckerberg in his back pocket as Obama does.

My two favorite photographs in this slide show are of Governor Romney and the little girl with the Santa hat (at 2:44) and of Mrs. Romney at the end.

“What the statesman is most anxious to produce is a certain moral character in his fellow citizens, namely a disposition to virtue and the performance of virtuous actions.” — Aristotle

We have four endorsement treats to share today…

Elected officials from Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin are backing Mitt Romney…

Michigan:

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney has announced the support of Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Congressman Rogers will serve as Special Adviser for National Security Policy.

“Congressman Rogers’ work as a leader on national security issues has been important to the safety of our country,” said Mitt Romney. “Standing up to terrorists around the world, stopping Iran’s nuclear program, and maintaining our relationships with our allies will require the leadership that Congressman Rogers has displayed. I look forward to working with him both in this campaign and in Washington so that we can bring jobs back to our home state and keep our country secure.”

“Mitt Romney has displayed the conservative leadership throughout this campaign and his life that will be needed to fix our economy and maintain America’s standing as the most powerful country in the world,” said Congressman Rogers. “I am confident that Michigan will be on Mitt Romney’s mind every day he is President and he will work hard to get Michigan back on track. Mitt Romney’s plan to restore our country’s fiscal health is important not just for economic growth, but is also vital for our nation’s national security interests. An America that faces economic and budget problems will not be able to project power across the world or contain countries and groups who wish to harm us and our allies.”

Background on Congressman Rogers:

Congressman Rogers Represents Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. Congressman Rogers is the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Rogers has been a leader on issues vital to national security such as fighting the spread of terrorism, containing the Iranian nuclear threat, and protecting Americans from bio-terror attacks. Prior to his election to Congress, Rogers was a member of the Michigan Senate, U.S. Army and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Rogers is co-founder of a small home building company.

Nebraska:

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney has announced the endorsement of Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns.

“Senator Johanns has been a tireless servant for Nebraska and our country,” said Mitt Romney. “In my campaign, I am fighting to grow our economy, lower spending, and reform how Washington works. Senator Johanns has been on the frontline of these fights both in Nebraska and in the Senate. With his help, we can put our country on a prosperous path once again.”

Announcing his support, Senator Johanns said, “The only way we are going to reverse the failures of the last three years is if we have a president who understands the economy. Mitt Romney applied the principles he learned in the private sector to the challenges he faced leading the Olympics and as Governor. These same conservative principles can be used to fix our broken government.”

Background on Senator Johanns:

Senator Johanns Was Elected In 2008. In the Senate, he serves on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Environment and Public Works, Veterans’ Affairs and Indian Affairs Committees. Prior to his election, he was the Secretary of Agriculture under President George W. Bush. From 1999 to 2005, Johanns was the Governor of Nebraska.

Read more…

Music to our ears…

Less than two weeks before Iowa Republicans make their crucial caucus choices on the night of Jan. 3, George H.W. Bush offered words of support, if not an official endorsement, to an old friend, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

“I think Romney is the best choice for us,” former President Bush told the Houston Chronicle this week. “I like Perry, but he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere; he’s not surging forward.”

Bush said he had known Romney for many years and also knew his father, George Romney, a former Republican governor of Michigan who ran for president in 1968.

Bush said he supported Romney because of his “stability, experience, principles. He’s a fine person,” he said. “I just think he’s mature and reasonable – not a bomb-thrower.”

President Bush 41 is not a big Gingrich fan:

Bush’s words of encouragement for the former Massachusetts governor also come at a time when the party establishment – of which Bush is the elder statesman – seems to be increasingly alarmed about the possibility that former Speaker Newt Gingrich might get the nomination.
[...]
Choosing his words carefully, the former president said he knew Gingrich relatively well. “I’m not his biggest advocate,” he said.

“I had a conflict with him at one point,” Bush recalled, alluding to the crucial moment in 1990 when a recession drove him to renege on his “no new taxes” pledge. He needed a bipartisan group of party leaders, including then-House Whip Gingrich, to stand with him.

“He was there, right outside the Oval Office. I met with all the Republican leaders, all the Democratic leaders,” Bush recalled. “The plan was, we were all going to walk out into the Rose Garden and announce this deal. Newt was right there. Got ready to go out in the Rose Garden, and I said, ‘Where’s Gingrich?’ Went up to Capitol Hill. He was here a minute ago. Went up there and started lobbying against the thing.

(emphasis added) Continue reading here.

President Bush, we appreciate your praise for Governor Romney and your insight on Newt Gingrich.

Note: Governor and Mrs. Romney attended the spectacular Points of Light Gala honoring President George H. W. Bush last spring (March 20, 2011) at the Kennedy Performing Arts Center.

► Jayde Wyatt

Iowa has handed a bagful of Christmas presents to Mitt Romney:

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced the support of Iowa leaders including 2 former Speakers of the House, 5 current and former state senators, and 7 current and former state representatives.

“I am proud to earn the support of so many Iowa leaders,” said Mitt Romney. “It is clear they share with me a vision of a “Smaller, Simpler, and Smarter” federal government. Their help will be necessary to spread my message of conservative economic principles to voters both in the Hawkeye state and the rest of the country.”

Announcing his support, former State Senator and Ambassador to Latvia Chuck Larson said, “Governor Romney spent his life as a conservative businessman and has the values, integrity, and stability to lead our country.”

(emphasis, italics added)

Twenty five gifts from Iowa… Elected officials and leaders endorsing Romney:

City Councilman Greg Adamson, Bettendorf
State Representative Chip Baltimore, Boone
City Councilman Shane Blanchard, Waukee
Mayor and Former State Representative Bob Brunkhorst, Waverly
City Councilman Mike Carver, Urbandale
Mayor Josh Chapman, DeSoto
Chair of Dallas County Board of Supervisors Kim E. Chapman, Adel
County Treasurer Jerry Coffman, Muscatine
Former Mayor, member of Iowa Juvenile Justice Advisory Council Jason Dively, Pleasant Hill
State Senator Joni Ernst, Red Oak
Mayor Mitch Hambleton, Dallas Center
State Representative MaryAnn Hanusa, Council Bluffs
Former Councilwoman Sarah Henderson, Cedar Rapids
State Representative and Former Senate Leader Stewart Iverson, Clarion
Former State Senator and Ambassador to Latvia Chuck Larson, West Des Moines
Former State Representative Janet Metcalf, Urbandale
Former State Senator Dave Mulder, Sioux Center
State Representative Steve Olson, DeWitt
Former Republican Party of Iowa Co-Chairman David Oman, Des Moines
Former Speaker of the House Christopher Rants, Sioux City
Former State Senator Donald Redfern, Cedar Falls
City Councilman Charles Schneider, West Des Moines
Former Speaker of the House Brent Siegrest, Council Bluffs
County Supervisor Jeff Sorensen, Muscatine
State Representative Ralph Watts, Adel

Ho! Ho! Ho! Thanks, Iowa!

► Jayde Wyatt

Mitt Romney’s new television ad punctuates his view on the moral calamity of federal deficit spending…

Boston, MA – Romney for President today announced a television advertisement that will run in New Hampshire titled “Moral Responsibility.” “Moral Responsibility” previously ran in Iowa. Our country cannot continue on the same borrowing and spending approach to government. Mitt Romney believes that we have a moral responsibility to be fiscally responsible so that we do not leave future generations with massive debt.

Mitt Romney:

“We have a moral responsibility not to spend more than we take in.

We can’t keep buying and spending and passing on debts to our kids. And I’ll stop it.

My test for the federal government is this: is this program so critical, so important that it’s worth borrowing money from China to pay for it.

It is a moral responsibility to believe in fiscal responsibility.

We do and I do.”

► Jayde Wyatt

Many contrasts exist between Governor Romney and Speaker Gingrich. For example: Romney came to office in a statewide election; Gingrich never has. Romney has been an executive leader his entire career; Gingrich has not been an executive leader in the classic sense of “executive.” Romney’s core values are well known and he has lived them his entire life; Gingrich’s values appear to have shifted and “matured” over time.

Strong leadership traits in our next President are needed in ways this nation has not seen in decades. The longing for a proven, strong leader seems ever-present when we are reminded daily of the leadership void in the Oval Office today — a shame (why does it appear that Mr. Obama is on nothing more than a joy ride to me?).

Many lists exist of character traits most often possessed by a good leader. Following is a very good list, I believe. Rather than draw distinctions myself between Governor Romney and Speaker Gingrich as leaders, please take a moment and read each of the following carefully and think of those distinctions yourself. I have studied both men over many years; I think each man is much different in each of these important traits. As you read these, try to really think of what you know of each man’s past, character, behavior, temperament, actions, support of wife, family, colleagues, etc.

I believe you will conclude as I have, that Governor Mitt Romney is a far superior leader — In fact, I don’t think Gingrich even holds a candle to Romney as a wise, trusted, strong “leader.” I believe Gingrich is weak and not nearly as intelligent as some Americans believe. As I see it, there is no contest here.

Compiled by the Santa Clara University and the Tom Peters Group:

Honest — Display sincerity, integrity, and candor in all your actions. Deceptive behavior will not inspire trust.
Competent — Base your actions on reason and moral principles. Do not make decisions based on childlike emotional desires or feelings.
Forward-looking — Set goals and have a vision of the future. The vision must be owned throughout the organization. Effective leaders envision what they want and how to get it. They habitually pick priorities stemming from their basic values.
Inspiring — Display confidence in all that you do. By showing endurance in mental, physical, and spiritual stamina, you will inspire others to reach for new heights. Take charge when necessary.
Intelligent — Read, study, and seek challenging assignments.
Fair-minded — Show fair treatment to all people. Prejudice is the enemy of justice. Display empathy by being sensitive to the feelings, values, interests, and well-being of others.
Broad-minded — Seek out diversity.
Courageous — Have the perseverance to accomplish a goal, regardless of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Display a confident calmness when under stress.
Straightforward — Use sound judgment to make a good decisions at the right time.
Imaginative — Make timely and appropriate changes in your thinking, plans, and methods. Show creativity by thinking of new and better goals, ideas, and solutions to problems. Be innovative!

What are your conclusions as you thought through the differences of these two men? I could write for hours of the differences I see in each man from just the above 10 leadership traits. How do you see them?

“The greater a man is in power above others, the more he ought to excel them in virtue. None ought to govern who is not better than the governed.” — Publius Syrus