HARRY JACKSON JR. OP-ED: Romney: Pride, Preference, Or Prejudice?

Asks the evangelical conservative commentator: "Romney then explained that he would not be answerable to the Mormon or any other church hierarchy in his role as president. This declaration was designed to assuage the fears of people who are concerned about mystical Mormon oaths and pledges. Much of the rest of his speech focused on the values that he shares with conservative Christians: the importance of faith in God, the value of human life, the importance of the family, his belief in the concept of religious liberty, and his concern that America is becoming too secularized - often opposing public expressions of personal faith. He attempted to say that with these common values he would be a great ally to both conservative and evangelical voters. Using faith based 'code words,' he assured nervous evangelicals that he would be against abortion, but pro-marriage and the traditional family. Romney went to great pains to point out that Europe has lost something by pushing faith out of the public square. He even suggested that faith is needed to achieve the realization of true democracy. This perspective angered many non-religious Americans as they felt that he was pandering to evangelicals. Even some Bible-believing Christians feel that it is presumptuous for leaders to declare that adherence to faith is a necessary ingredient of any successful democracy."

Mr. Jackson Jr. adds: "There was one surprising statement in Romney’s speech - that he believed in Jesus Christ and sees Christ as the Savior of the world. This was a brief departure into doctrine which seemed to be an attempt to put evangelicals’ minds at ease concerning his belief system. Many theologians would take issue with this cloaked statement for worthy, theological reasons. Some evangelical laymen, on the other hand, may unknowingly say, 'He’s one of us!' Religious doctrine aside, many grassroots folks have seen him as either a sophisticated 'used car salesman' or an aging super model in a CEO’s suit. This speech made Romney seem more touchable, approachable, and believable. I believe he will see a change in his national poll numbers. Yet, Romney will have to continue to address three issues as he prepares for Iowa: • The question of flip-flopping • More questions about Mormonism’s practices • Celebrity envy (jealousy concerning his personal fortune). Despite the eloquence of his speech, the citizens of the Iowa may continue to respond to Romney as a cultural outsider. This oratory may be too little, too late to impact them. There may be cause for a glimmer of hope for Romney. Iowa seems open to both the first major female and black candidates on the Democratic side. The first serious Mormon candidate could get the same deference as they have received."