Reax To Romney's Speech

Update: Below is the speech:

You can see a recording of the Romney speech here. Michelle Malkin seems to be soliciting reactions, so there may be a round up of reax here. Allah has some up now. As his Mormonism isn't really an issue for me, I'll say this, with all due respect to President Bush: wouldn't it be great to have a Republican President who has committed to basic conservative principles and can get in front of a camera and offer a compelling explanation, or defense of them, as required?

Without unfairly dismissing the individual as dumb, which they did and do to Reagan and Bush, I'm not sure the Left would even have much of a response that didn't expose them as the often misguided, petty ideologues that many of them are.

Hugh Hewitt raves:

Mitt Romney's "Faith in America" speech was simply magnificent, and anyone who denies it is not to be trusted as an analyst.

I liked the speech, but let's extend some of that tolerance to pundits, too, Hugh! heh!

Ed at Captain's Quarters thinks it will help:

However, I believe the speech will be a net positive for Romney and his campaign.

Adroitly, Romney avoided apologetics except on the nature of Jesus Christ. He then specifically denounced calls for apologetics on any faith being part of a political campaign, whether willingly or compelled.

Mary Katherine Ham thinks it went over well:

All in all, I think he looked Presidential, sounded serious and hit a lot of good refrains about faith in America that will play well with plenty of voters. I can't imagine the snippets on the evening news could hurt him, and it will likely serve to make questions about his religion seem petty from here on out.

Comments

[Bob Howie]

I stopped believing in Santa Claus and God when I was about 10 years old. I stopped believing in the Republican Party about 10 years ago (after 20+ years of membership and cash support) when Bush (43) tried to bring his religious ideologies into the White House. Romney's eloquent speech tonight convinced me that he is an American running for President (not a Morman running for President). I will proudly vote for him if nominated (and rejoin the Republican Party), and I hope enough Christian conservatives do the same so that Romney becomes our next President. America cannot risk or afford the alternative.

[narciso]

Bob, 10 years ago, Bush wasn't even Governor of Texas; another sanctimonious Ivy Leaguer from a border state was President. You know the one who gave Monica Lewinsky a security clearance.
Who was half hearted at his response to the UBL threat; as the December 1998 PDB proved, with much more details than the August 1998. Who allowed Enron accounting measures to shape budget projections. Who bent over backwards to accomodate Arafat; in all his schemes. Who slashed US military by 1/2; allowed the CIA to hemorrage funds and personnel.

[Allen Blevins]

I was a Newt for president guy like Chuck Norris was. Newt clearly thinks outside the box. Romney is not a mainstream politician and thinks much the same way. I really was moved by his speech today with tears of gratitude streaming down my cheeks for those of our founding fathers who pledged their all to our cause of liberty and freedom. What a nation of debtors we are, not only to God, but to Jefferson, Madison, Washington, the men who fought under Washington, a man like my uncle who served under Patton to liberate not conquer, Bush senior, todays men and women in the military! Thank you Mr. Romney for making me a more grateful American this day. Win or lose, this speech will be in my heart forever. Powerful and presidential. I will not vote for a Mormon nor a Baptist, but I will vote for a candidate with strong values and a belief in this country. I will vote for Mitt the man, not Mitt the Mormon.

[God Voters.org]

Having heard Governor Romney's speech on faith, we are issuing the following rating on his candidacy for President: http://www.godvoter.org/Mitt-Romney-rating.html.

The answers from the other candidates to our 30 questions will be posted online along with our ratings within the next 48-hours.

GodVoter(s).org