The Values
Voter Summit that took place over the weekend in Washington has been making headlines
for various reasons. The summit was a gathering of social conservatives that
included speeches from Republican nominees like Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, and
Rick Perry. The summit highlighted the nominee’s views on important issues like
abortion, marriage, and family rights. These issues are significant to various Christian
organizations as well as evangelical voters.
Focus quickly turned to former Governor Mitt
Romney and his views on these types of issues as well as his own religion. On Friday,
a famous Baptist minister Robert Jeffress and Rick Perry supporter was quoted
calling the Mormon religion a “cult”. At the Values Voter Summit, Jeffress also
introduced Texas Governor Rick Perry. Evident in the video above, Pastor
Jeffress referenced Perry as a “genuine follower of Jesus Christ”, further
implementing the Mormon issue. The statements by Jeffress will no doubt form a
wedge between both Perry and Romney. The reasons for Jeffress’ comments are no
doubt to sway evangelical voters in favor of Perry. Although some Republicans
believe that this group of voters is small and may not make a difference in the
long run.
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| Mitt Romney speaks at the Values Voter Summit in Washington. Source: NYTimes |
Romney’s religion is not the only
issue at hand. Also brought up in conjunction by evangelical voters are the
former Massachusetts Governor’s stances on socially conservative issues. His
track record in flip-flopping on abortion and same-sex marriage is significant
and has been very public. For example, he once called himself “pro-choice” and supported
Planned Parenthood only to renounce the stance once elected Governor of Massachusetts.
Since then he has been against stem cell research and referred to his stance as
“pro-life”. In 1994 Romney also wrote a letter to the Log Cabin Republicans, a
gay advocacy group, calling for more reform in favor of gay rights. This letter
was sent out during Romney’s run for a Massachusetts seat in the Senate and
since then has again flip-flopped. He was even supported an amendment to the
Massachusetts Constitution that would ban same-sex marriage. Romney also signed a pledge to create an amendment
to the federal Constitution legally defining marriage between a man and a
woman.
The hazy stance of Romney on such
important issues to Christian voters is the main reason for the statements made
by Pastor Jeffress. Statements including
“do we want a candidate who is a conservative out of convenience or one
who is a conservative out of deep conviction?” said as Jeffress introduced his
favored candidate Perry.
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| Representative Ron Paul, Source: Google Images |
The Values Voter Summit also
resulted in a rather surprising poll winner. Texas Representative Ron Paul came
in first with 37 percent. Herman Cain wound up at second with 23 percent with
Rick Santorum at third receiving 16 percent. Tied for fourth with 8 percent
each was Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann.
Last was Jon Huntsman that received a whopping 0 percent. The most
likely reason for the lack of support for Huntsman may be because of his Mormon
religion. Ron Paul, who has traditionally done well in straw polls, was
successful at the summit because of his large and enthusiastic fan base.
The issue of social conservatism
will no doubt be an issue in the upcoming republican primaries. Estimated to
begin in early January, voters are now trying to establish a candidate to
support. Many believe that the values and beliefs of candidates are the most
important while campaigning. It should be interesting to see how they will play
out during the race to the 2012 election. Also interesting is the fact that
there has been no strong backlash from the Republican Party or Rick Perry in
regards to Pastor Robert Jeffress’ comments. Back in the 2008 election much
attention was given to Obama’s reverend Jeremiah Wright and his comments about
racial matters. I do not believe that the same reaction has been given to
Pastor Jeffress even though he has denounced another religion. Nonetheless, Romney must face the struggle
within his own party to prove he has the same belief system as most social
conservatives.
Sources:
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