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Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family's comments on Republican candidates:

"The video on John McCain hits the Arizona senator for campaign finance reform, his opposition to the federal marriage amendment and his 2000 comments about Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. “You want someone to depend on when you are in a fight, and you never really know where he is going to be,”...

"Huckabee lacks the fiscal and national security credentials needed for a conservative presidential candidate. “The conservatives have been successful in electing candidates, and presidents in particular, when they have had a candidate that can address not only the social issues, [but] the fiscal issues and the defense issues,”...

"So what about Romney? He comes up roses. “He has staked out positions on all three of the areas that we have discussed,” says Perkins. “I think he continues to be solidly conservative.” "  (Time in Partnership with CNN)

Wayne Grudem—
Professor of Bible and Theology at Phoenix Seminary

In summary, Wayne Grudem states Romney is “best qualified”, has “conservative positions”, and has “the ability to win” in the general election. “He hasn't flip-flopped back and forth, he has simply become more consistently conservative.”

Dr. Wayne Grudem is a Research Professor of Bible and Theology at the Phoenix Seminary in Phoenix, AZ

Robert Wolgemuth— Evangelical best-selling author

“Governor Romney has demonstrated that he is the one candidate in both parties who can represent the three pillars of the Reagan coalition - a strong military, a strong economy and stronger families. Most importantly, he has laid out a vision for strengthening American families through championing a Federal Marriage Amendment and defending the sanctity of human life. Governor Romney has the experience, vision and personal values to lead our county as we face ongoing and new domestic and global challenges, and I am proud to support his candidacy.” (Robert Wolgemuth)

Robert Wolgemuth is an evangelical best-selling author and former chairman of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Dinesh D'Souza—
Author of "What’s So Great About Christianity"

“I think that we’re seeing a real maturing of the evangelical Christians. They’re making an important distinction between theology and morality.

“Obviously, evangelical Christians may disagree with Romney on points of theology, but they recognize that Romney articulates a morality, a set of political principles, offers the kind of moral leadership that can unite the country.

“So I think this explains the enormous popularity of Romney. There was initially an anxiety about him, but I think that’s beginning to melt.”

Cal Thomas—
Author, America's #1 nationally syndicated columnist

“If an ambulance hits me, I care less where or how the driver worships than I do about his sense of direction to the nearest hospital,... It troubles me not that a Mormon might be president. It does trouble me a great deal that so many people would think a person’s faith . . . should be the only reason to deny someone the presidency.” (Cal Thomas in a July 2006 article)

Cal Thomas is an evangelical Christian. (Politico.com - April 24, 2007)

"Cal Thomas is America's #1 nationally syndicated columnist. He also writes for USA Today, is an author and speaker and regularly appears on Fox News Channel as well as numerous radio stations with a syndicated commentary."

Mike Gallagher— New York Times best seller, talk show host

Article points out the next president will appoint approximately 200 judges, and states “We're voting for a president, not the new church pastor.”

On Fox News, Mike Gallagher said, “I've interviewed Mitt Romney a number of times. I like his ideology, he's right on the issues.”

Mike Gallagher is an Evangelical Christian who is a conservative radio talk show host with over 3.75 million weekly listeners. He also makes appearances on Fox News Channel programs and has written a New York Times Best Seller.

Maggie Gallagher—
Author of several books on Marriage

" “I believe Mitt Romney may be the only hope social conservatives have in 2008,” says Maggie Gallagher, author of a book defending traditional marriage."

“Mitt Romney is a brave man.

“While the GOP glitterocracy attended the first gay wedding of one of their own, Gov. Romney was in Washington, D.C., making the single most eloquent and articulate defense of our traditional understanding of marriage I have heard from an American politician.

“ "Like me, the great majority of Americans wish both to preserve the traditional definition of marriage and to oppose bias and intolerance directed towards gays and lesbians," Romney began by way of preface.” (Maggie Gallagher)

"Maggie Gallagher is president of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy (www.iMAPP.org), whose motto is "strengthening marriage for a new generation" and whose unique mission is research and public education on ways that law and public policy can strengthen marriage as a social institution.

"Maggie is a nationally syndicated columnist, the author of three books on marriage ... National Journal named her to the 2004 list of the most influential people in the same-sex marriage debate. She appears frequently on major TV and radio and is frequently asked to lecture at colleges, universities and law schools."

(Maggie is of no relation to Mike Gallagher.)

Reverend Cecil "Chip" Murray—
Professor of Religion at USC,
Pastor of First AME Church in L.A.

Interviewer: “In two thousand and eight, who do you think will face more opposition in this presidential election, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? Who faces the most opposition, perhaps the most prejudice even today?”

Reverend Murray: “The Mormon. Because America is still growing and hasn't grown, and the question do we want a Mormon?

“Then the ugly conservatives will start reaching into history, try to paint them as a radical sect, try to show that their belief system is alien to what eighty seven- ninety percent of Americans believe. Because that's where we are now.

“Prayerfully, it is not where we will be in 20, 30, 40, 50 years-- we don't know. But I would say Barack would have the advantage. And any time you say a black candidate would have an advantage running for President of the United States of America, Great day in the morning, after four centuries of negative thinking about blacks, then you know we still have a long way to go!”

Interviewer: “So what do you see as Governor Romney's biggest challenge then as a presidential candidate?”

Reverend Murray: “I think he must see himself as a symbol. Symbol of an underdog who must run a good race, fight a good fight, and if and when he loses, walk with his head high, because the victory was not in the victory, but in the struggle. He must hold America to its highest. He must have an agenda with bullet points that are clear to understand so that people can see what he stands for, even as some will see what he stands on-- Mormonism. And thus be led to make choices. He may see himself also as a door opener, because four years from now he may run again, and find a whole new chemistry. Or 40 years from now another Mormon may run and they will see, just as Jessie ran for president and Sharpton ran for president, there was not a chance that they would win. And blacks knew it very well and they themselves obviously knew it, but they were door openers for such as Barack Obama.”

The Reverend Cecil "Chip" Murray led the first AME Church of Los Angeles from 1977 until 2004. Under his leadership it grew from about 300 members to over 18,000. He established the Cecil Murray School for children (Kindergarten through eighth grade) and low cost apartments, some reserved for the handicapped and for AIDS patients. In 2005 he became a Professor of Religion at USC holding the John R. Tansey Chair in Christian Ethics and becoming the senior fellow at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture. "Murray became a household name for his visibility during the 1992 riots following the acquittal of four white police officers accused in the beating of black motorist Rodney King." He worked with and protected fire fighters who came into South Central L.A. to put out the fires and he helped to end the violence and economically rebuild the area. Born September 26, 1929, he was 78 the end of 2007. (Life & Times Transcript, www.usc.edu/about/people/murray.html, NPR, The Internet Movie Database)

Dr. Richard Land—
Head of policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention

DR. LAND: “I thought the speech was such a great speech that Senator Kennedy gave, ... Because it really is a plea for religious freedom, and it is a plea to say - Kennedy said, "Look, don't judge me on my faith. Judge me on my record. I'm not the Catholic candidate for president. I'm the Democratic Party's candidate"...

“I think that President Kennedy did a tremendous service to the country in giving the speech that he gave and reminding Americans that it should be what kind of America a president believes in, not what kind of faith they believe in. And he said, "Judge me on my record." And I think Governor Romney should say, "Don't judge me on what particular faith I have. Judge me on my record. Judge me on my policies. Judge me on my position"...

“John F. Kennedy didn't talk about what Catholicism believed. He talked about the right of a Catholic to run for president. And I hope that the governor is going to give a similar kind of speech in which he is going to say, "The church I believe in should matter only to me. It doesn't belong in a presidential campaign. Judge me on my record"...

“I don't endorse candidates, but his faith... His faith would not keep me from voting for him, as long as he made it clear, as John Kennedy did—John Kennedy said, "I will be—I will be guided by my conscience in the decisions I make." ”

Dr. Richard Land, December 11, 2007:

“I had the privilege of attending Gov. Romney's speech, and sitting on the second row, you could not only see the Governor's emotions, you could feel them. One of his staff members told me, "I've been working for the Governor for six years, and I have never heard him more eloquent."

“I responded, "Nothing generates more eloquence than heart-felt conviction."

“...he made the cogent and correct argument that his faith shapes his character and conscience, informs his public policy positions, guides his performance in public service and inspires his vision for America's future. He asked Americans to judge him on his character, his record, his public policy views and his vision for the nation's future—not on his personal religious beliefs—that would be un-American, unconstitutional—and unfair.

“All Americans of religious faith have a significant stake in the principles Gov. Romney articulated and defended in his speech. As JFK reminded us 47 years ago, while then it was a Catholic who was the victim of "suspicion," "in other years, it has been, and may some day be again, a Jew—or a Quaker—or a Unitarian—or a Baptist." Indeed, as JFK reminded the nation, it was persecution of Baptists in 18th century Virginia which inspired Thomas Jefferson's "statute of religious freedom." In other words, discrimination against a person of any faith opens the door to discrimination against people of all faiths.

“Whatever the outcome of the 2008 election process, and I do not endorse candidates as a matter of policy, Governor Romney helped himself with his Dec. 6 speech. More importantly, he helped the country and the cause of religious freedom even more.”

Biography:

"Richard Land has served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission since 1988. During his tenure as a spokesperson for the largest Protestant denomination in the country, Dr. Land has represented Southern Baptist and other evangelicals' concerns inside the halls of Congress, before U.S. presidents, and as a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. In 2005, Land was named one of "The Twenty-five Most Influential Evangelicals in America" by Time magazine. Educated at Princeton and Oxford, Land has worked as a pastor, theologian, and public policy maker addressing social and cultural issues. A pro-family advocate, he is a regular columnist for the Internet spiritual website Beliefnet, As host of the radio program, For Faith & Family, Land is heard by more than 1.5 million listeners each week."

"Afterward [after giving the speech], conservative Christian leaders responded favorably. “He will get a second hearing or a second look from a lot of Southern Baptists,” said Richard Land".

“Well Mitt is a very attractive person in many ways, and I think that if Mitt Romney were the nominee there wouldn't be a third party candidacy because Mitt is prolife... So Mitt Romney would be a perfectly acceptable candidate to most pro-life voters.”

" “Our discussion was open and frank,” says Richard Land, who heads the policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention.

“Evangelicals know that they're not electing a theologian in chief, but a commander in chief. If they agree with Romney on social issues, his Mormonism won't be a hindrance, especially if he's the only viable social conservative in the mix,” he says."

Frank Page—
President of the Southern Baptist Convention 2006-8

"Frank Page, the president of the Southern Baptists and the pastor of a large church in Taylors, S.C., did not attend the Belmont meeting but echoes Land’s sentiments: “I have a deep disagreement with Romney’s theology, but I won’t rule him out. Among the presidential candidates who have surfaced, he’s the closest to the Southern Baptists in his social and moral beliefs.” "

Dr. Frank Page has been the President of the Southern Baptist Convention since 2006, and is pastor of a 4,300+ member church. (sbc.net - April 2008)

Franklin Graham—
Son of the late Billy Graham

"Franklin Graham, the son of Billy, told Romney that he “didn’t have a problem” with the governor’s Mormonism... “I appreciate his strong stand on issues which I consider to be important,” said Graham in a statement to NR. “I believe every voter who claims to follow Jesus Christ ought to judge a candidate on where he or she stands on issues that are important to people of faith.” "

Franklin Graham (William Franklin Graham III), is President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, in which he has preached to millions of people around the world (BillyGraham.org - 2008) and of Samaritan's Purse, which has met the needs of poor, sick, and suffering people in more than 100 countries. (SamaritansPurse.org - 2008)

Pastor Joel Osteen— The most popular pastor on T.V.

“Mitt Romney seems like a man of character and integrity to me, and I don't think he would — anything would stop me from voting for him if that's what I felt like.”

“...from what I've heard from Mitt, when he says that Christ is his savior, to me that's a common bond.”

"Joel Osteen has been called the most watched inspirational figure in the country. Almost 50,000 people attend his Lakewood Church in Houston every weekend, and his sermons are broadcast to millions across the nation... he's now pastor of America's largest congregation." He preaches in a former basketball arena that seats 16,000 people. He's the most popular preacher on T.V. and his books are best-sellers.

Jerry Falwell

"...as the late Rev. Jerry Falwell said about him shortly before his death, “we are not being asked to vote for a Bishop. I could not vote for a Mormon as Bishop, but I think I can vote for a Mormon as President.” "

"Says Falwell: “There's no question that there are strong feelings about Mormonism. But we're not electing a Sunday school teacher, we're electing a president. I do not believe [Romney's] church affiliation will hinder his being a viable candidate among evangelicals.” Mormons are fiscally and socially conservative, and 95 percent of them voted for Bush in the last election."

FALWELL: “I would rather have an atheist who is a neurosurgeon of excellent talents operating on me if I ever need a brain surgery than to have the best Sunday school teacher in the world who doesn't know a thing about it. I'd much rather have the atheist if that is his specialty.

“We've got to elect a president who, whether he or she goes to church or which church or whatever, understands the issues. And the top issue today in our culture is survival.”

ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: “Because I think he (Jerry Falwell) understood that where we are in America right now, national security, is absolutely important. What he also said, I said, well you know, we did have a president who taught Sunday school. He said yes, he was one of the worst. He was speaking, of course, of Jimmy Carter, who he did not think very highly of.”

The Rev. Jerry Falwell seemed to be sending evangelicals a message, comparing Gov. Romney to evangelical alternatives, citing President Carter as an example of how much better Romney would be, stating he would much rather have a skilled surgeon operate on him than a Sunday school teacher. He implied Romney is the skilled surgeon then states one of the critical operations that was needed is defeating terrorism. Romney had strong credentials and support on the terrorism issue as noted here: Romney and Anti-Terrorism

"Reverend Falwell (July 28, 2006): “I have no problem voting for a person who is not of my faith as long as he or she stands with me on the moral and social issues. Mitt Romney may be a candidate for president. He’s a Mormon. If he’s pro-life, pro-family, I don’t think he’ll have any problem getting the support of evangelical Christians.” " (in an interview with the Clarion-Ledger, a Mississippi newspaper)

"Mr. Falwell told The Associated Press “where he goes to church will not be a factor; how he lives his life will be.” "

Dr. Jerry Falwell, who died May 15, 2007, was co-founder and leader of the Moral Majority, founded in 1979. "During the first two years of its existence, the Moral Majority attracted over 100,000 pastors, priests, and rabbis and nearly seven million religious conservatives who mobilized as a pro-life, pro-family, pro-Israel, and pro-strong national defense lobbying organization. The Moral Majority chose California Governor Ronald Reagan as "their candidate" for President in 1980, registered millions of new voters, ... and helped elect Ronald Reagan and many conservative congressmen and senators."

Dr. Falwell founded Liberty University, he founded a 24,000 member mega-church in Virginia, and Old-Time Gospel Hour, a radio and T.V. program "seen and heard in every American home and on every continent except Antarctica. Through the years, over three million persons have communicated to the Falwell ministries that they received Christ as Lord and Savior as a result of this radio and television ministry... Falwell was also publisher of the National Liberty Journal, a monthly newspaper which is read by over 200,000 pastors and Christian workers, and the Falwell Confidential, a weekly e-mail newsletter to over 500,000 pastors and Christian activists."

When the Reverend Jerry Falwell died, Gov. Mitt Romney made the following statement:

“An American who built and led a movement based on strong principles and strong faith has left us. He will be greatly missed, but the legacy of his important work will continue through his many ministries where he put his faith into action. Ann and I have had the honor to talk and meet with Reverend Falwell and get to know him as a man of deep personal faith and commitment to helping those around him. He will be forever remembered.”

Jonathan Falwell—
Senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church

The Pastor Jonathan Falwell, Rev. Jerry Falwell's son, who is the senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church (which has had "over 1,700 people that have come to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior in the last six months"), had similar sentiments about Gov. Romney, stating:

“While certainly I would have to say that there are some doctrinal differences that he and I would have in our beliefs and his beliefs; we're not electing a pastor in chief. We're electing a commander in chief. And we have to look to the person that might closely represent what we believe, and to pull that lever for that person.

“If I were trying to find a person that would agree with me 100 percent of the time, I think I'd probably end up having to vote for myself, and I'm not running for president this year... if Governor Romney gets the nomination, and he's running against Barack Obama or running against Hillary Clinton, you know, using the test that I just shared with you, there's no question that I could support Mitt Romney”.

Tony Campolo: “I hope that Romney has helped to set this thing behind once and for all. Kennedy did a good job. I think Romney hit the ball out of the ballpark today in separating his religious convictions from the role that he would play if elected president... The Mormons I have known have been good Americans, decent living people, and Evangelical Christians ought to be ashamed to raise this issue.” (Dr. Tony Campolo is the president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, an Eastern University professor and author of "Red Letter Christians.")

Alan Colmes: “I wonder if you, Jonathan, agree with that? Here's a guy, who if -- I'm not a Romney supporter. I don't agree with him politically. I would not vote for him if he ran against the people you said you would not vote for. Nevertheless, look at his values, look at his family, look at the way he lives his life, certainly that comports with the things that you as an Evangelical Christian have preached for a long time.”

Jonathan Falwell: “Again, that's what I said earlier. It's about values, about what you believe in... Again, I'm never going to find somebody who agrees with me 100 percent. But I will always look to the person who most closely resembles what I believe, the values that I stand for, the values of being pro life, standing up for truth, protecting our borders, standing up for the troops that are over there in Iraq, and all of those types of things. That's the test that I will apply to find the person that most closely resembles what I believe.”

Jonathan Falwell was unanimously voted to be senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in the place of his father, after Jerry Falwell died. He is the executive V.P. of Spiritual Affairs at Liberty University and "oversees the School of Religion and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary programs... Rev. Falwell preaches on television weekly on numerous national television outlets as well as through satellite and internet delivery formats."

Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson—
Founder & President of BOND
Pastor with a Sunday T.V. Show & Radio Show

“I have never before endorsed a candidate for President of the United States, but the circumstances that have been placed upon us and the gravity of this election have caused me to come forward at this time.

“Love of God, family and country are the most important values in my life. All are under attack in America as never before. I believe that Governor Romney, though not without flaws in his record, is a decent, highly capable man who believes in these same values...

“My endorsement of Governor Romney is personal. I am in no way speaking on behalf of my organization, BOND. America is the greatest country in the world. I am committed to preserving and protecting it for future generations, and I believe today’s endorsement is in keeping with that commitment.”

Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson founded BOND (Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny), a nondenominational Christian organization, in 1990, dedicated to "Rebuilding the Family By Rebuilding the Man." It also has the BOND Home for Boys. He is an author of two books, and is "host of a nationally syndicated radio and TV talk show... After experiencing a personal transformation, he started BOND to help black men to find the truth that had set him free."

Pat Robertson—
Founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network

"Robertson asked Romney to speak [as the keynote speaker in Regent University's May 2007 commencement to over 5,000 people and 1,000 graduates] because Romney is a proven leader and “leadership is a primary force here,” school spokeswoman Judy Baker said."

"Robertson, Regent's chancellor, introduced Romney as a highly educated “person of great distinction.” "

Pat Robertson is the founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and the founder and chancellor of Regent University, established in 1978, and which has approximately 5,000 students.

"Robertson, who has not endorsed any of the 2008 presidential candidates, called Romney an “outstanding American.” "

(USNews.feedroom.com - video of Mitt Romney's address to Regent University - 5/5/07)

Pat Robertson in Nov 2006: “The next presidential election is just two years away in case you haven't been watching any news for the last year, and pollsters and pundits are already dropping the names of potential candidates. One name you may not have heard is Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.”

Terry Meeuwsen, 700 Club Co-host: “... as David Brody reports, Mitt Romney has always lived for a challenge.”

Christian Broadcast Network (CBN) clip:

David Brody: “... The New York Times calls him "A turn-around specialist",... He was the successful founder of a capital investment group in the 1980s. In the 90's he took over the Salt Lake City Olympics, plagued by corruption and a four hundred million dollar deficit. He turned a hundred million dollar profit, and the games went down as one of the best ever. Fast forward to today, he's the conservative governor of Massachusetts, facing a state legislature made up mostly of democrats... On day one Governor Romney inherited a three billion dollar deficit. He was determined to fix it, even while saying "I will not raise taxes". After cutting spending and finding plenty of government waste, today there's a budget surplus...

“If Romney enters the presidential race, he'll be faced with questions about abortion... in his 1994 senate race against Ted Kennedy, Romney wanted abortion safe and legal... He says his views changed in part by the debate in his state over a stem cell cloning bill, which convinced him that life begins at conception. He vetoed that bill and he also vetoed an emergency contraception bill... The pro life Romney now seems to have the entire social conservatives value package. He's also for a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage and he's not pleased with activist judges... David Brody, CBN News, Boston, Massachusetts.”

Robertson: “Amazing story. Mitt Romney's father George Romney ran the Rambler company - later became American Motors, and then became Governor of Michigan. He did an excellent job, ran for president and he made one slip of the tongue, and that was all it took. He said that he was quote brainwashed about Vietnam and that was it. It's a pretty cruel world out there, but it sounds like his son has gotten through those gaffes, is a very polished performer.”

Dozens more quotes and endorsements

MORE EVANGELICAL FAVORABLE STATEMENTS AND ENDORSEMENTS INCLUDE: