Some pundits have been comparing Mitt Romney’s speech about his Mormon faith to John F. Kennedy’s speech (to the Houston Ministerial Association) on his Catholicism. There are a number of important differences.
First, Kennedy was invited to make the speech. The ministers were concerned about Kennedy’s Catholicism and invited Kennedy to come to Houston and discuss his views. Romney invited himself. No one asked him to speak and I’m not really sure who was so concerned about his faith that he felt the need to explain. I guess his internal polling might have seen a problem.
Second, Kennedy’s spoke as the democratic candidate for President. He had already secured the nomination. He made his speech in September before the November election, 1960. Romney is seeking the nomination. His audience is probably a small group of conservative, Republican Christians, who may have been moving away from him to Mike Huckabee.
Third, there were a lot of similarities in what Kennedy said and what Romney said in their respective speeches. But, there was one massive difference. Kennedy said (I believe I have this quote accurately) “I believe that the separation of church and state should be absolute.” Romney said the while he accepted a separation of church and state, he believes that “…some people have carried the idea of a separation between church and state too far.” This is a major difference in philosophy from that expressed by JFK.
He ended his speech, saying that his religion beliefs will “inform his presidential decisions.” And he gave me the impression that Romney believes that a person who is an atheist or agnostic could not hold the values that would permit that person to make appropriate governmental decisions.
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