Live-blogging The Mormon Speech
A few takeaways from FPL folks who were being less stenographic and more analytical than yours truly:
Jen – On one level it was very bland, so I don’t know how conservative evangelicals are going to respond. Did he reach the constituency that he wanted to reach? I’m not so sure. The most interesting thing was the applause to the praying founders rhetoric. That’s probably going to be the primary way in which he tries to connect with conservatives.
Beth – If I didn’t know his political record, I think I’d agree with a lot of what he said, but he didn’t get down to the policy level, so it doesn’t really say a lot to me. He seemed to say a few things that would offend conservative evangelicals, and a few others that could anger progressives, so he might’ve hurt himself by trying to appeal to everyone. Also, the speech was kind of sexist.
Barely any focus on Mormonism. If your phone rang at the wrong moment, you might not’ve heard that he’s LDS.
The previews to this speech all emphasized that Romney would focus on America’s religious heritage, and it turns out Romney wasn’t shining them on about that. The founding fathers, the wars of the 20th century, the colonial era, abolition, Kennedy and (I think) civil rights all discussed.
“Any person who has kneeled in prayer to the almighty has a friend in me.”
On the other hand, he doesn’t put the rose colored glasses about religious persecution in American history.
“Liberty is a gift of god, not an indulgence of government” gets strong applause, leads into the conservative rhetoric about America the exceptional warrior for liberty. This sounds nice, of course, but it’s a dangerous gloss on what war really is, and being that it’s become the mantra of neo-conservatism, it’s more than a wee bit troubling.
His separation of church and state starts off well, and he delivers the faith-in-the-public-square vs secular square boilerplate with clarity. Edges perilously close to War on Christmas, though.
Classy shout-out to diverse faiths. Respectful, respectable.
Whoa, he’s going a little doctrinal. “Religious tolerance would be a shallow doctrine indeed if it only applied to faiths with which we agree.”
Says “so be it” to the prospect of losing because of his religion.
On-screen graphic of LDS’s most controversial historical aspects.
Draws very explicitly on Kennedy’s 1960 speech, and says his governorship of Mass. wasn’t controlled by faith.
“FREEDOM REQUIRES RELIGION.”
Religious liberty is “fundamental to American liberty,” but religious faith is fundamental to America’s destiny and identity.
A tepid introduction by HW Bush. Muted smile on Romney’s face as he’s greeted by meaty applause.
In pre-speech commentary Ralph Reed says healthcare for everyone without government bureaucracy is a Christian value. News to me.
Three minutes ’til scheduled start time. I’m really anxious to hear this speech, and I’m really glad the Mormon Speech storyline will finally get beyond the speculation phase.
I’ll spare you any prognostication. Your guess is as good as mine.