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| Graham Stand: Romney Strikes Presidential Chord in Speech |
| By Rob Graham |
Published
12/8/2007
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Top Stories , Religion , Publisher's Notes , Political
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Unrated
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Rob Graham
Profession: Attorney, Author, Publisher, and Restraunteur
Business:
Senior Partner: Rob Graham & Associates
Managing Member: Slice of Tuscany, LLC
Education:
Mesa College (Mesa, AZ);
B.A., Brigham Young University;
Juris Doctorate, Brigham Young University.
Service:
Executive Committee (Secretary): Girls and Boys Town of Nevada (2005-2008); Board Member (2005-present)
Meritorious Achievement Award, Metropolitan Police Department, Clark County, Nevada
Faculty Award for Outstanding Leadership, J. Reuben Clark School of Law
President's Award, Clark County Bar Association
LDS Mission, Paris, France (1984-86)
Family:
Married to Linda M. Graham (20 years)
Three children and one barking dog
View all articles by Rob Graham
Romney Sounding Very Presidential in Religion Speech
 | There it was for all to see. Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee appearing on a television commercial in Iowa proclaiming himself the most Christian candidate. The tacit suggestion that Romney was not a Christian was clear.
Drawing upon the irrational fears of some back-woods Evangelicals, Huckabee played the religion card in hopes to out play the poll leader, Mitt Romney. In the end, however, Huckabee may get his job as Reverend Huckabee back sooner than he was anticipating.
Bigotry is not a pretty thing, regardless of whether you agree with someone else's view on religion. One commentator recently correctly pointed out that if the Huckabee Campaign had run this commercial against Joseph Lieberman, who is Jewish, Mike would have been run out of town on a rail. For some inexplicable reason, the folks in Iowa are not phased by this sort of divisive and bigoted rhetoric. That makes you squirm just a little if you live in a state where such language would be called into serious question. If Iowans don't get the subtleties of such words, perhaps Iowas should lose its position as the first-in-time in the primaries.
In response, Mitt Romney had few options but to address the issue of politics and religion in the United States. His forum could not have been more presidential. The George H. W. Bush Library setting was an unmistakable leveling of the playing field by a political veteran. One can almost see George, Sr. and Barbara looking with disgust as Huckabee blew his own Christian horn in an all-time low for Republican candidates.
"George," Barbara would say. "That Huckabee really chaps my hide. How dare he try to hold himself out as the more Christian candidate. In my book, that is not Christian at all. I just can't stand these ministers of politics who wear their religion on their sleeve. The next thing we know he'll be passing the plate!"
"Now Barb," George Sr. would respond. "You know you can't get involved in these things. This is just politics as usual."
"No, George, this is wrong and we need to put it right"
"Well, what do you propose dear?"
"You call up Mitt and tell him that it is time he stand up for himself. Just because we don't agree with him on theology doesn't mean he is a bad man and deserves to be hit below the belt."
"You know, Barb, if he were to come down to the library and give a speech, he would look very presidential. That would make Huckabee look like the circuit preacher that he is in comparison. It might not help in Iowa, but I bet the rest of the country would get the picture."
"You know George," she would respond. "We might just keep some influence in the White House after all!"
A few weeks later, you have Mitt Romney standing under the presidential seal, surrounded by American flags and speaking to an audience ready and willing to clap at every sound bite.
Absent is the liberal Guiliani, the Preacher, the TV star and Pat Paulsen for President aka Ron Paul. Only hardened Republicans fill this room. Those that are serious about winning the White House and maintaining the theme of the Reagan-Bush legacy.
Make no mistake, this was one choreographed scene. Whether it was Barbara's idea or that of George, Sr., the unspoken words were being screamed from the house tops.
"Hear-ye, Hear-ye. King George has anointed the next president of the United States and his name is Mitt Romney."
"But town crier," a man in the crowd yells out. "Isn't he that cult worshiping dog from Utah?"
"Listen Mike," he answers. "No one is buying your name calling. I suggest you beg his King's forgiveness so you don't lose out of the VP spot. You still have an outside shot at it, but not if you keep on calling the front-runner a dog from a cult."
"Got it. I'll lower the rhetoric and keep religion out of it."
"Good idea. And while your at it, keep taking votes away from Thompson. That is helping the anointed one and is certainly improving your chances at the VP spot."
"Do you think I will ever be president?" Huckabee asks.
"If Romney chooses you as his Vice-President and you do everything he tells you, I would say most definitely. If you keep playing the bigot-boy, you will most certainly have a future on the Arkansas School Board."
Hucakbee has pushed about as much as he will be able to push on the religion issue. He has gained about as much as he is going to gain on that push. Now, if he is smart he will take his base of religious conservatives and push for a spot on the ticket with Romney. If he is not smart, he will continue to ram the religion issue and end up with other past stars of the religious right, broadcasting live from the 700 club.
Do America and yourself a favor Mr. Huckabee. Follow the lead of the man who has a library named after him -- and his wife. |
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