In Speech, Romney Attempts to Define Lines Between Religion, Politics

JIM LEHRER:

Now, Romney on his religion. Ray Suarez has our story.

RAY SUAREZ:

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney delivered his much-anticipated speech at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. The remarks, titled "Faith in America," were seen as Romney's attempt to ease concerns of Christian conservatives who might be reluctant to support a Mormon for president.

FORMER GOV. MITT ROMNEY (R), Massachusetts: When I place my hand on the Bible and take the oath of office, that oath becomes my highest promise to God. If I'm fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest. A president must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States.

RAY SUAREZ:

Just three weeks ago, Romney dismissed the idea of having to deliver such a speech, saying, "There's no particular urgency because I'm making progress in the states where I'm campaigning."

But recent polls show former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, moving ahead of Romney in all-important Iowa. Huckabee has used his faith to attract voters, with campaign ads such as this.

FORMER GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE (R), Arkansas: Faith doesn't just influence me; it really defines me. I don't have to wake up everyday wondering, "What do I need to believe?"

RAY SUAREZ:

Romney's decision to address his faith drew immediate comparisons to remarks John F. Kennedy delivered to a group of Protestant ministers two months before the 1960 presidential election. Kennedy downplayed the influence Catholicism would have on his policy decisions.

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Former President of the United States: 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 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.

RAY SUAREZ:

But in his speech today, Romney argues religion and civic life should be connected.

MITT ROMNEY:

The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square. We are a nation "under God" and in God we do, indeed, trust.

We should acknowledge the creator, as did the founders, in ceremony and word. He should remain on our currency, in our pledge, in the teaching of our history. And, during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places.

Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our Constitution rests. I will take care to separate the affairs of government from any religion, but I will not separate us from the God who gave us liberty.

RAY SUAREZ:

And Romney sought to reassure Evangelical Christians his faith does not conflict with theirs.

MITT ROMNEY:

Any believer in religious freedom, any person who has knelt in prayer to the almighty, has a friend and ally in me. And so it is for hundreds of millions of our countrymen. We do not insist on a single strain of religion. Rather, we welcome our nation's symphony of faith.

RAY SUAREZ:

It's estimated Christian conservatives will comprise more than a third of Iowa's Republican caucusgoers January 3rd.