(Charlie Neibergall/AP)
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA--Mitt Romney has no plans to deliver a speech explaining his Mormon faith, in spite of signs that skepticism about his religion could dog his second bid for the Republican presidential nomination.During a town hall meeting at the local chamber of commerce, Romney was asked by a women in the audience if he would seek to correct "misinformation" about the Mormon church that has been peddled by those opposing his 2012 bid.
"I don't think so," Romney replied. "I think the great majority of American people want to select the person who's the most capable of getting our country going again, with strong values and a strong economy and a strong military? Among the things that are unique and exceptional about our country is the fact that, in America, we recognize and appreciate differences in faith."
Romney insisted candidates for office shouldn't be subject to a "religious test." But, he added, "I am shaped by the Judeo-Christian values which I have and hope that those will hold me in good stead as they have so far."
His comments come just weeks after Robert Jeffress, a Dallas pastor backing Rick Perry, called Mormonism a "cult" and said it was "not Christian."
Romney's Mormon faith has been a touchy subject for the former Massachusetts governor--especially in Iowa where he was defeated in 2008 by Mike Huckabee, who won with the strong backing of social conservatives in the state. ?While Romney faced problems over his perceived flip-flops on issues like abortion and gay marriage, many conservatives in the state were also openly skeptical about his faith.
In the final weeks before the Iowa caucuses in 2008, Romney tried to answer those concerns with a major speech about his faith at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library in Texas. But he largely avoided specifics about theology. He insisted that while he was influenced by his faith he wouldn't be beholden to church authorities.
"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," Romney declared at the time.
Romney aides were split at the time about whether the speech was the right move for the ex-governor's campaign?in part because of worries it would only call more attention to a sensitive subject for Romney.
A recent Quinnipiac poll found voters nationally are still deeply concerned about electing a Mormon president. Just 45 percent of those polled say they have a favorable view of the religion. Meanwhile, roughly 1 in 5 Republican voters say they wouldn't vote for a Mormon candidate, according to a recent Gallup poll.
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