Mitt Romney Is No Jack Kennedy

The Nation: GOP Candidate's Speech On Faith Fails In Comparison To JFK's Historic Address

(The Nation)  This column was written by John Nichols.

---

There was irony in the fact that George Herbert Walker Bush introduced former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's much-anticipated speech on religion and politics.

Almost four decades ago, the elder Bush's long, slow trudge to the White House was interrupted by his defeat in a U.S. Senate race by a straighter-talking Texan named Lloyd Bentsen.

Bentsen is not well remembered for what he said in that 1970 campaign. But he added a memorable line to the American political lexicon 18 years later when, in another campaign against Bush, he debated his fellow Texan's vice presidential running-mate.

Indiana Senator Dan Quayle's attempt to compare himself with another youthful contender for national office, John Kennedy, brought a stinging rebuke from Bentsen: "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy: I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

A demoralized Quayle whined, "That was really uncalled for, Senator."

But Bentsen stood his ground. "You are the one that was making the comparison, Senator - and I'm the one who knew him well," he told Quayle. "And frankly I think you are so far apart in the objectives you choose for your country that I did not think the comparison was well-taken."

After listening to Romney's passable address at the George Bush Library Thursday, and to the overwrought comparison's of the governor's speech with Kennedy's historic September 12, 1960, address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, it was impossible not to wish that Bentsen were still alive to answer the Republican presidential candidate.

Because, as his speech Thursday confirmed, Mitt Romney does not share Jack Kennedy's courage or the former president's view of the Constitution.

Kennedy told the ministers in Houston, "I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute."

Romney tried to say something like that, but he didn't dare speak so bluntly. Too concerned about offending evangelical conservative voters - who don't believe that separation of church and state is absolute and are abandoning his campaign for the cynical crusade of wily Southern Baptist preacher Mike Huckabee - the former governor could only muster a self-serving pledge not to offend those who do not share his Mormon faith. "If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause and no one interest," Romney squeaked.

Instead of promising the "absolute" separation that Kennedy pledged, Romney attacked those who would follow the lead of the 35th president and, for that matter, of the third president, Thomas Jefferson, who argued that the purpose of the Constitutional reference to freedom of religion had been to build "a wall of separation between Church and State."

Romney told his friendly audience at the presidential library in College Station, Texas, that, "No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God."

Where Kennedy spoke frankly and in great detail about his Catholicism and about Catholics in politics, Romney eschewed a deep discussion of Mormonism or of his family's historic leadership role in the Church of Latter-day Saints.

Kennedy delivered the "profile-in-courage" speech of a statesman back in 1960, and he did so in state where prejudices against Catholicism were barely cloaked. But his comments were addressed as much to Catholics as to Baptists. "I do not speak for my church on public matters - and the church does not speak for me," he declared. "Whatever issue may come before me as President - on birth control, divorce, censorship, gambling or any other subject - I will make my decision in accordance with these views, in accordance with what my conscience tells me to be the national interest, and without regard to outside religious pressures or dictates. And no power or threat of punishment could cause me to decide otherwise."

In stark contrast, Romney gave a political speech that will do little to reassure evangelicals who distrust Mormons or Americans who want their presidents to act in the national interest rather than in response to their religious impulses. "I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it," Romney said. "My faith is the faith of my fathers. I will be true to them and to my beliefs."

To paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen: "Governor, you're no Jack Kennedy."

[skyk-2009]

I will make my decision in accordance with these views, in accordance with what my conscience tells me to be the national interest, and without regard to outside religious pressures or dictates. And no power or threat of punishment could cause me to decide otherwise."

Oh, for a leader like this again.... After watching the way our congress acted like lap dogs to the Religious Reich when interferring in the family of a Brain Dead Woman... wouldn''t someone like this be wonderful today?

[conspiracygirl]

We were all waiting to see that headline. We all know it was written before Romney even gave his speech.

[conspiracygirl]

In fact, this entire article was written before Romney even gave his speech. All that the pathetically lazy John Nichols did was cut and paste a few quotes out of context and insert them into his prejudiced prefab piece where he thought they might fit.

[davidtearl]

Mitt Romney is already so much better than Kennedy, even without the nomination. He''s not a life-long politician. He''s not an adulterer. He''s not a drug addict. Mitt is exactly what he appears to be, an honest businessman, loyal husband, wonderful father and the most qualified candidate for President by a wide margin. Thank goodness he is not Kennedy - go Mitt.

[cturner3rd]

I couldn''t care less about Romney''s, or any one else''s, religion. I only care about what kind of a leader he or she is going to be. Romney is a standard-issue Republican who panders to the religious right. He supports the continued occupation of Iraq. He''s made threatening noises about Iran. Therefore, he''s not fit to be president. End of story.

[justice1337]

Ok, so we''re to believe that because Romney didn''t expound on Mormon doctrine ala door-to-door missionary it means that he ''eschews a deep discussion of Mormonism''? He may not have expounded doctrine at this instance, but there''s no evidence to believe that he''s trying to avoid it. The invitation is always open, although it seldom happens with the american voter, to inform himself about a candidate''s personal beliefs as are publicized by the campaign. If people really want to know about mormon doctrine they should go to mormon.org.

However, I do agree with the journalist about one point: comparing Kennedy to Romney is like comparing apples to oranges. In Kennedy''s day, officials weren''t systematically removing the pledge of allegiance from schools because of the word ''God'' (among myriad other initiatives). And therefore, there was scant need for Kennedy to affirm his commitment to preserve public religious expression. The issues today are completely different and any comparison made to Kennedy is sensationalist.

[jerr11]

Too bad Romney is such a neocon lapdog.

His deference to the Halliburton war strategies of the far right makes him a WAR MONGER.

Mitt: Another coward who never served in war.

Another father of coward children who refuse to fight a war their "hawkish" dad supports!

[dustincurrie]

John, you''ve made a naive mistake. Romney is no Kennedy because Kennedy is no Romney. When Kennedy said that the separation of church and state were absolute he was making an oversimplification. Church and state affairs are surely separate, however, religion is not separate from our government. Romney''s speech was a smart exposition on the intricacies of government and faith. The founders surely had faith and they included God in our government. Kennedy''s speech speaks nothing too this, that is why most liberals take his ''absolute'' out of context.

[tejasdemo]

Look, the bottom line is this. Republicans are the party of intolerance and crazy snake handling fundamentalists who have no business trying to decide for the majority of Americans what is best for the them. They barely have any business becoming citizens moreless the former.

Democrats are the party of tolerance and compromise. Therefore progressive or ( progressing, moving forward, learning from our mistakes etc etc).

To vote for anybody other than a Democrat these days means that you are a crazy snake handling nutcase. It''s really that simple.

[JedMerrill]

I was not around for Kennedy''s speech, but from what I have heard of JFK''s theme, Mitt Romney outshone even JFK in his remarks. Atheists and secularists may complain, but Faith in America is a landmark speech worthy of a man who will do more good for the office of President of the United States than anyone since Lincoln.

I have no reservations about Mitt''s faith or his convictions. He has consistently shown that he is fit to be President.

My preference would be a Mitt as President, Mike as VP ticket. I think it would be unbeatable. (Mike is short on funds and experience at this point. He can beat Rudy, but Hillary? Without money? Together they can take the White House.)

Mitt''s actual speech:

http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=718280

[wvelie]

John, where did Mitt compare himself to Jack Kennedy? I read his entire speech and it was very well thought out and delivered. I see nothing wrong with a person trying to live his life to a high standard of morales. Do you?

I certainly feel that it is shameful that two different presidents had to come forth in this great country and re-educate us that we live in a country of religious freedom and that it didn''t come without a price but at the cost of many lives. He seems to love his faith and see the good in others faith while condeming those who force people to believe through murder and fear. I think it is refreshing to see him put his career on the line by not backing down from his beliefs. Sounds very American don''t you think?

[nirak2-2009]

No imagination on Romney''s part.
He had to immitate JFK to give a lousy speech and even crossed his arms in exactly the same position.
Mitt you are no JFK

[quatrops]

I''m interested in Romney''s line, "No religion should dictate to the state."

How does the good governor interpret that when the state makes illegal certain personal, private acts between two consenting adults of the same ***, acts which have no affect whatsoever on the state or on the administration of a just democracy.

Why does the governor not object when certain religions intrude on the state and its laws in this way? Could it be that the governor is lying to us, taking his cue from the current White House occupant?

Davidtearl praises Romney for lacking certain "negative" attributes of Kennedy, leaving out the fact that Kennedy was a respected veteran that risked his life fighting for our country, something that neither Romney nor his sons ever did, nor in all likelyhood will ever do. Thank you, Jack!

[cpaide]

Mitt you are no JFK
Posted by nirak2

You sound like that old *** Lloyd Bentsen, who did nothing notable in his life besides coining that idiotic "put-down". As if being like JFK is some kind of honor.

So does that mean Mutt won''t invade Cuba (or Iraq, etc.) or be brought to the brink of nuclear war with Russia (or North Korea) and won''t start another war with Vietnam (or Iraq, etc.)?

No, ''lil Bush is more like a ''lil JFK than anyone.

[RoyHouse47]

We knew Jack Kennedy. He was a president of ours. Jack Kennedy was no Mitt Romney. I am sorry that JFK got killed but he was a poor president. I think Romney would make a much better one. PS: I met Lloyd Bentsen during a campaign. My impression at the time was that Bentsen was an empty suit with a patrician demeanor. If Romney loses it is because we the people have lost the capacity to recognize a great leader when we see one.

[roger3815]

Mitt and the Huckabee wannabes would like nothing more than to force everyone in America to praise their bi-polar invisible sky god. I''m sorry but I find this group of "candidates" only slightly more desirable than the Mullahs of Iran.

[llab7]

John Nichols must have been listening to a different speech than I heard, "Romeny ''squeaked''".. C''mon on. You may not like the content but that was a speech masterfully delivered. Romney''s problem is not his religion or his message, his problem is his party. The ultra conservative religious right IS the party. If Romney was a Democrat, this religion issue would not be in play. Mormon''s are not a cult. Their beliefs differ from the southern Babtists and Evangelicals regarding the Godhead but they are indeed practicing Christians and are fine people. Mr. Nichols obviously has a strong prejudice either against Mormons or Romney. The speech was on target and was well, well done.

[sweetness230]

Even the mere mention of Mike Huckabee and I tremble. And, the mention of "R" (meaning Republican) is something now so tainted the whole world can''t stand us and see us as some stupid, cowboy bully, guns a''blazin'', ignorant fools.

If you truly want this Southern Baptist Bible thumper in or near the WH, you are a bigger fool and more dumbed down than I even imagined, America. I get a sick feeling right in the pit of my stomach just hearing the name. And just, BTW, I am a Christian, but I would never presume to force my beliefs down your throat so you might choke to death on them. That, to me, is downright sinful - plus the fact it just plain won''t work. Get it anyone?

As to Romney, too much GW wannabe - Iraq, Iran, warmongering, yada, yada. Besides, he''s a Republican making him highly unqualified for anything.

[mbcsmith]

I''m sure that Mitt is happy to hear he is no JFK. Who wants a failed presidency like his. He would be forgotten if not for Oswald.

[random_radar]

"Mitt Romney Is No Jack Kennedy"

Yeah, I heard he has been faithful to his wife for 39 years.

Giuliani, on the other hand, is much more like Kennedy. Aside from the adultery, his agenda fits the Democratic mold a lot better too.

[gretagreen]

I understood that the separation of church and state meant that religion is not supposed to be a basis, or even a factor, in shaping any governmental policy. I think that''s vital for everyone''s religious freedom.

My religion does not say that slavery is acceptable or that life begins at conception, but some religions say that. Whose religion will be used? Religion must be kept out of government or freedom of religion will cease.

[marcodele]

Mitt Romney is no Jack Kennedy. I''m not even sure Mitt Romney is Mitt Romney. I guess it depends on where the polls say he should change his views on certain issues.

[marcodele]

P.S. Romney''s quote: "Freedom requires religion" is one of the dumbest quotes in American history.
It means absolutely nothing; makes no sense; he can''t explain it; and it sounds like we have to round up the athiests and agnostics and put them in prison.

He should have found substitute rhetoric for that quote, but he''s stuck with it for life.

[guysdigdirt]

I guess it depends on where the polls say he should change his views on certain issues.
Posted by marcodele

Show me where he has changed his view based on polls or any other reason but his coming to an understanding or seeing things in a different light based on a new point of view.

[guysdigdirt]

he''''s a Republican making him highly unqualified for anything.
Posted by Sweetness230

You are right, if he was a Democrat he could be a moron or an idiot.

[guysdigdirt]

I''''m sorry but I find this group of "candidates" only slightly more desirable than the Mullahs of Iran.
Posted by roger3815

then maybe you would be better of in Iran, seems you thinnk the same way they do.

[guysdigdirt]

Mitt Romney is already so much better than Kennedy, even without the nomination. He''''s not a life-long politician. He''''s not an adulterer. He''''s not a drug addict. Mitt is exactly what he appears to be, an honest businessman, loyal husband, wonderful father and the most qualified candidate for President by a wide margin. Thank goodness he is not Kennedy - go Mitt.

[tbweb]

Kennedy told the ministers in Houston, "I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute."

President John F. Kennedy was awesome, I''m glad I lived during his lifetime and Presidency. Jack Kennedy inspired a generation of Americans in a way that made the Office of the President special. If Jack Kennedy said join the Peace Corps Americans joined, if Jack Kennedy said walk on the Moon Americans did it! Nobody is perfect, but both Democrats and Americans loved him. It seemed like every home I visited had a picture of President Kennedy framed on their living room wall, including my own, he died much too young, some people are one of a kind, rare birds and Pres. Kennedy was one of them! No Mitt, sorry, not even close, don''t go there!

[alanrobisch]

My religion does not say that slavery is acceptable or that life begins at conception, but some religions say that. Whose religion will be used? Religion must be kept out of government or freedom of religion will cease.

Posted by gretagreen at 04:46 PM : Dec 07, 2007

This is totally false. It is the current opinion of many people. The founders did not want a state supported religion or any given religion prefered but religious belief is intrinsic to the way a person acts and where they place there values. so no religions just like atheism or hinduism or secular humanism can be and will be used in deciding on what is the correct course of action. no at least in my bible the choice of abortion is not spelled out in the bible but most people who are believers in some form of religion reject abortion. Let make this clear not all there are people with religious beliefs who accept abortion but this is far from a majority opinion among people who have a belief in god and regularly attend church

[jn122736]

If Mitt Romney WERE a JFK, he would switch parties.

As a matter of fact if he was another Ike, he would run as an independent rather than in today%u2019s republican party.

[for1america]

It is amazing to me to read "between the lines" of John Nichols'' commentary to discover the incredible bigotry exemplified by his article. "Romney''s passable" . . . "Romney tried" . . . "Romney squeaked" . . . as well as the implication of Romney relating to Dan Quayle and "whined". This is presented as a commentary on Romney''s speech,, but is little more than a diatribe by a columnist who has used his limited novelist approach to slam another candidate that doesn''t adopt his views. Why is it that we as a nation can''t be tolerant towards other''s viewpoints unless they perfectly mirror our own? The religious intolerance in America is obviously evidenced by your hidden agenda as manifest in your scathing commentary. I believe even John F. Kennedy would be taken aback by your unabashed attack.

[michellem99-2009]

Pres. John F Kennedy was born New England in 1917. He was/is loved by alot of folks. I was 9 when JFK was shot and it was the last thing we watched as a family as I went back to foster homes. How dare that fool say he is like JFK. Far from it. He told you folks what he wanted you hear about his crazy mormonism. I see him as the anti christ. I know how mormons think and do. He do not have yer interests in mind. Be careful.

[jn122736]

Romney%u2019s mormon religion/church (LDS) was founded by a convicted criminal.
Joseph Smith was convicted of fraud for conning new Yorkers into paying him to find treasure using self claimed psychic powers.

Later, he supposedly found, or was guided by a supernatural deity to, some golden plates containing the scriptures he later had his wife and others copy as he %u201Cread%u201D them by using a couple of rocks in his hat. There is no Official record or pictures of the plates.

He was quoted at one point saying that if anyone other than himself saw the plates they would instantly die, but later %u201Cfound a few trusted people to sign a statement saying that they had indeed seen the plates.

As far as I can find out the Mormons still believe in polygamy. The reason they stopped practicing it was to gain statehood. Some (FLDS) still practice it.

This is the %u201Cfaith%u201D Romney has pledged his life to and intends to lead the country by.

The above are not exact quotes but everything I list here can be found by searching %u201Cjoseph smith%u201D.

[gretagreen]

Why would anyone think it is o.k. to allow religion to shape our governmental policies? Doesn''t the separation of church and state mean anything any more?? A person''s ideas may be shaped by their religion/faith, but that is not the same as allowing religion to dictate or influence policy. A person''s ideas may be shaped by many other things, as well: science, experience, etc.

I do not want a leader who RELIES on his or her religion to make a decision. We go down a dangerous path if we embrace government of religion.

[logicanada]

A greedy Mormon Republican trying to emulate a selfless Catholic Democrat to impress the Judao-Christians in order to profit from and to secure the office of a dictator(decider).
Only in the U.S.
LOL!

[erpcat]

this guy is a snake in the grass, he would say anything if he thinks it would get him elected. how can or should i say, why a repuglicain would use a DEMOCRATIC candidate format to convey his faith? are not democrats low life, secular and uneducated? like i said, this slimeball (yuck) will say & do anything to get elected.

[quatrops]

In his 5:28, robisch either (1) just got up from a nap, (2) forgot his meds, or (3)OD''d.

E.g., "Let''s make this clear not all there are people . . ." ? ? ? ? With an opening like that, I''m supposed to understand the rest of the sentence? And if you''re doing e.e.cummings, be consistent. Lastly, "their" is a possessive pronoun, not to be interchanged with "there".

Now that I''ve done the picky snob number, let''s take a look at what robisch appeared to be saying. When gretnagreen said (essentially) that some religions accepted slavery and said that life began at conception, he did not specify which, nor did he identify his own affiliation (if any).

Yet you open with "This is totally false"! WHAT is totally false, Alan?

Have 2 cups of black coffee (caffinated), read over your comment, and try again. It''s no fun debating with someone who''s not making sense!

[lisann326]

Come on people. This era has different problems than when JFK was in office. If you want an in depth discussion on Mormonism have some missionaries come to your house. There is still freedom of religion in this country and that includes Mormonism. Look at the guy, his family and his political history. He is no snake. Vote for who you think is the best candidate, but stop being against someone because of their faith. He at least practises his if you are going to get personal. Presidents are people and drank too much and had illegimate children, etc. one of the best didn''t want the public to know he was in a wheelchair. Can the guy run the country. Vote for his political views. It scares me to have an evangelical zealot in the office, but that''s just me.

[rushlimpdrug]

He''s gotta be kidding. He''s just another republican wanting to continue the destruction of this country. He and his crooney Bush pal can go to helll for their deceiving the American people.
He is no Kennedy, rather he''s more like Hugh Hefner, since it was the mormoons that help build Las Vegas.
Bye Mitt, now go wash those sacred underwear.

[michellem99-2009]

I was a mormon and demanded out as it is lies. I have to tell them mormons to get lost. I have seen their dark evil side, Lass/lad.

[logicanada]

your electoral process belongs on Jerry Springer.
What a bunch of trailer trash commentary.

[guysdigdirt]

I was a mormon and demanded out as it is lies. I have to tell them mormons to get lost. I have seen their dark evil side, Lass/
Posted by MichelleM99

Michelle, All due respect but your posts in the past have made you seem likeyou cheese is not all the way on your cracker. Enlighten us and tell us how it is they are not a good people, what is their dark side I know a lot of Mormons, they seem to be good upstanding people who are honest, fair and moral. I have not seen their dark side and based on what i have seen from them and what I have seen from you here, I will choose to believe them.

[guysdigdirt]

He is no Kennedy, rather he''''s more like Hugh Hefner, since it was the mormoons that help build Las Vegas.
Bye Mitt, now go wash those sacred underwear.
Posted by rushlimpdrug

Rush, you seem to be a g a y pervert with so much attention to other peoples underwear. The Mormons built Vegas? You are a crack pot as well as a pervert.

[guysdigdirt]

this slimeball (yuck) will say & do anything to get elected.
Posted by erpcat

It is said that we all look at the world thru the glasses of our own self. Just because you are so full of guile and dishonesty does not mean everyone else is also.

Do not look at his religion, or any other canidates, look at what they have done in their careers, judge them by their works.

[guysdigdirt]

logicanada,
Make something of yourself and your country and then ridicule the US. You are all just posers and wannabes. If you could trade places with Romney you would do it in a heart beat and you know it, silly canadian.

[guysdigdirt]

Mitt is not JFK. Romney keeps his clothes on in the conpany of other women. He is honest, ethical and moral and as much as I respected what JFK spoke about, Romney will follow up his words with actions as he always has.

[cfin5]

Mitt Romney''s speech on religions involvement in our nations birth was historically correct. It did in fact trump anything I ever read that JFK said. The point I''m trying to make is,......can Americans "AFFORD" to gamble on a good speech writer whose voting record is "close" unto his speech?.......Or should Americans trust Ron Paul''s "voting record" which mirrors perfectly the things that Mitt Romney said in his speech. Mitt is a CFR member [an un-sovereign globalist] and never heard him say boo about it either. Ron Is not a CFR member, nor will he ever be with his understanding of our Constitution. So think well people, and remember the soothing campaign speeches and promises made every election cycle by politicians whose voting record walk "doesn''t" match their campaign "tongue"........If you love our Constitution, why not vote for the one whose voting record "loves" it the most?......Ron Paul, proven student of the Constitution in 2008! GO USA!!!

[quatrops]

Some commenters seem SO anxious to get in their "two cents worth" (and that''s often a correct dollar value) in multiple posts that they engage in "stream-of-consciousness" keyboarding and don''t read over what they have entered before hitting "publish".

Guysdigdirt @ 2:16 is the latest example. "Romney keeps his clothes on in the company of other women."

Slow down and tell us what that was SUPPOSED to mean. While you''re at it, explain why someone who mentions underwear is a "*** pervert".

[guysdigdirt]

Guysdigdirt @ 2:16 is the latest example. "Romney keeps his clothes on in the company of other women."

Slow down and tell us what that was SUPPOSED to mean. While you''''re at it, explain why someone who mentions underwear is a "*** pervert".
Posted by Quatrops

If you were to read the entire post including the copied comment from another person''s post you would find that I was refering to the fact that Romney is not like JFK in that he is not a womanizer, unfaithful to his wife, his vows or his commitments.

As far as someone commenting on underwear, there is not harm or perversion in that. But when you fixate on what underwear another man is wearing, it is not a normal or healthy fixation.

I hope that was elementary enough for you to understand. If not ask your 2nd grade teacher to explain it to you.

[quatrops]

I suggest guysdigdirt ask any Morman why the reference to underwear would be humerous, or minimally, an inside joke. But then he wouldn''t be able to express his homophobia.

When I was IN 2nd grade, or thereabouts, I was taught that in a phrase such as "in the company of OTHER women" as you used it, the "other" would refer to the subject noun, in this case, Romney. The sentence could have been written by someone who, sarcasticly, was trying to put Romney down by suggesting he was too feminine. But if you like it that way, go for it. I thought you''d like to know how silly it sounds.

You seem fixated on JFK''s alleged adultery. How do you feel about the alleged adultery of Reagan, FDR, or Jefferson? One oath that JFK definately kept was to protect and defend the US when he was sworn in to the military. Neither Romney nor his sons put themselves in a position to TAKE that oath