Today’s Reading List – January 9, 2007

Posted by: John Schroeder at 07:02 am, January 9th 2007 — Comment on this post »

High-tech fundraising apparently pays pretty well.

The AP's Mark Joseph analyzes the question.

While Romney's outreach to such Christian leaders is smart to be sure, if he continues to go into the kind of doctrinal detail that he has been getting into, answering questions on his views of the nature and work of Christ for example, it will create severe strains that could cripple his chances for the presidency by reminding them of their clear doctrinal differences, thereby increasing their discomfort level at a time when he should be focusing on the political issues that unite them. Debating religious dogma and theology will do nothing more than raise the dander of that wing of Christendom which specializes in pointing out the doctrinal errors of others and the results could be messy.

What?!?!?!? Romney has made no public doctrinal statements whatsoever. Joseph's "suggestion"…

"I consider myself a Christian, not a member of a cult. But I understand that millions of Americans feel differently and I respect that and choose not to debate our doctrinal differences. I am not running to be your pastor, but your President. From abortion to gay marriage to social justice and the environment, I am with you. And be assured that when I take the Oath of Office, I will place my hand, as every other president in hour history has done, on the Holy Bible, the book that our Founding Fathers valued and all Americans value."

…is exactly what he has been saying. Is this guy trying to retroactively take credit for the strategy?

Lowell: I think what we're seeing is a pervasive form of bias: MSM reporters describing conservative religious Christians the way the reporters imagine them. Also, since most such reporters are not religious at all, they can't tell the difference between a candidate talking about significant doctrinal points, which is what Joseph thought Romney was doing; and one discussing generic religious common ground, which is what Romney was actually doing.

Pat Robertson's CBN has bent over backwards to say Romney's faith is not an issue. Good for them. But that does not mean they are pro-Romney. Brownback is indeed taking the shot they contend, but he just does not have the organization to compete – Why give him the press?

David Frum, on the other hand, sees yet another reason why Romney has it all over the competition.

Lowell: Frum is a very significant conservative voice. He was a ringleader, for example, in the successful conservative effort to get Harriet Miers' Supreme Court nomination withdrawn. If he's Romney-friendly, that's a huge "get" for the Governor.