Obama Campaign Targets Santorum

MITT ROMNEY IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT HIS FAITH SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

I am an evangelical supporting Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination. My rationale is that Mitt Romney would make a great President for many reasons too myriad to mention. When a pastor is chosen by a congregation his doctrinal views are carefully examined prior to his approval as a pastoral candidate. Since I have personally endorsed Mitt Romney in his candidacy for President, being an evangelical an explanation is warranted. I am not in agreement with his differing views of my religious doctrinal positions. Yet the summary of my position is simple and easy to understand. Mitt Romney is running for President not Pastor, his theological views are not being examined in his quest for office.

John Kennedy faced this challenge as a Catholic seeking the same office in 1960. Reverend Herbert Meza, a Presbyterian chaired nominee Kennedy’s appearance before some 300 ministers and a similar number of observers. His speech was honestly presented and dealt with this question comprehensively for all present to hear. His response in as relevant today as it was in the past. “I believe in an America where the separation of Church and State is absolute-where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be a Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote-where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference-and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him…

That is the kind of America in which I believe-And it represents the kind of Presidency in which I believe-a great office that must be neither humbled by making it the instrument of any religious group, nor tarnished by arbitrary withholding its occupancy from members of any religious group. I believe in a President whose views on religion are his own private affairs, neither imposed upon him by the nation or as a condition to holding that office…

If my church attempted to influence me in any way which was improper or which affected adversely my responsibilities as a public servant, sworn to uphold the Constitution, then I would reply to them that this was an improper action on their part, that it was one to which I could not subscribe, that I was opposed to it, and that it would be an unfortunate breech-an interference with the American political system. I am confident there will be no such interference.” Kennedy further stated if he found any conflict between his conscience and the responsibility of the Presidency, he would resign the office. John F. Kennedy was running for President.

Alan Phillips, Sr.

Bloomington, IL

Alan G Phillips of IL 10:46AM February 22, 2012