ANALYSIS | Mitt Romney has good reason to omit social issues from his platform. His affiliation with the Mormon church is proving to be a significant disadvantage for him, especially with southern evangelical Christians.
You will find no mention of Mormonism, Christianity or -- in fact -- religion anywhere in his fact-packed bio . Everything else is there -- from his youthful involvement in the boy scouts to his tenure as governor of Massachusetts.
Religion
When Texas pastor Robert Jeffress confided to reporters that "Mormonism is a cult," after introducing rival Rick Perry at the Value Voters Summit, he really let the cat out of the bag, and it's never going back in.
The truth is, this is what evangelical Christians believe. They are nothing if not steadfastly committed to their viewpoint, and nothing Romney does or says will change that.
The best he can do is assume they will vote for someone else -- at least in the primaries, expend his efforts on other voters, and work to focus attention on jobs, the economy and his record as a businessman and governor. This seems to be his strategy.
Romney declined to address the pastor's comments directly, but he made some general comments calculated to place him on the higher ground.
"Poisonous language does not advance our cause. The blessings of faith carry the responsibility of civil and respectful debate," he said. "The task before us is to focus on the conservative beliefs and the values that unite us -- let no agenda narrow our vision or drive us apart."
Gay Rights
At the recent Value Voters Summit , Romney told voters he opposes gay marriage. He has been accused of flip flopping on this issue, but Romney insists his position has not changed.
In a June interview with Piers Morgan, Romney sought to clarify his position on gay rights:
"I've always been in favor of preventing discrimination against people whether they are homosexual or straight. At the same time I said I believe that marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman, and that has not changed."
Romney seems to be playing a game of semantics. Historically, he has supported "civil unions" for couples engaged in alternative lifestyles, with essentially the same benefits as a marriage, but he opposes calling it a marriage.
Roe v. Wade
Romney is on record as saying that, as president, he would work to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
His current support for right to life principals is not at issue. However, Romney's views on this matter have changed over time. He used to be pro choice, and this doesn't sit well with the party's more conservative wing.
In 2002, when he was running for governor of Massachusetts, he vowed to "preserve and protect a woman's right to choose." He further promised not to change any of Massachusetts pro choice laws if elected.
Even more troubling to conservatives is that the Massachusetts Health Care Programs -- commonly referred to as "Romneycare" by Republican rivals -- contain coverage for "family planning," services, including abortions.
Ultimately Romney faces the same ironic challenge as the other Republican hopefuls. In order to win the nomination, he must satisfy right wing conservatives that he will represent their principles in the White House. Yet, he has to remain palatable to independents whose votes will be crucial in this election.
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