Romney's commencement address @ Liberty University

[whitewolf]

Liberty University-- isn't that a Dominionist cesspool? As if I didn't side-eye Romney enough already... And anyway, why is this shit good fodder for a graduation speech? Can't you just wish the people well and talk about the faith and family part without the political aspects of gay marriage and how much Obama sucks? Gross.

Mitt Romney doubled down on his position against same sex marriage, telling graduates at Liberty University Saturday that marriage between "one man and one woman" is an "enduring institution" that should be defended.
Coming just days after President Obama endorsed the right of gays and lesbians to marry, the comment earned Romney a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 30,000 people—the largest crowd Romney has ever addressed as a political candidate--but it was his only mention of the hot button social issue.

Instead, the presumptive Republican nominee used his commencement address at that evangelical university to emphasize the importance of faith and family—and take some slight digs at President Obama's handling of the country, though he didn't name his 2012 opponent.

"Lately, I've found myself thinking about life in four-year stretches. And let's just say that not everybody has achieved as much in these last four years as you have," Romney said. " But that's a theme for another day."

Indeed, Romney touched only fleetingly on issues that could be potentially controversial. His visit to Liberty, a Christian university founded by the late televangelist Jerry Falwell, was an overt appeal to social conservatives who have been wary about his White House bid. But his appearance had generated protests by some Liberty students, where the curriculum has described Romney's Mormon faith as a "cult."


Romney did not use his Saturday address to specifically defend his Mormon faith. But he did speak at length about the importance of faith in his own life—a riff that was clearly an attempt to discourage suspicion about his personal beliefs. He argued that people, no matter what they believe, could agree on faith and moral service to the country.

"People of different faiths, like yours and mine, sometimes wonder where we can meet in common purpose, when there are so many differences in creed and theology." Romney said. "Surely the answer is that we can meet in service, in shared moral convictions about our nation stemming from a common worldview."

He argued that faith and belief in God was more important than "trivial things"—but acknowledged that he, like others, had occasionally lost sight of that. He urged the graduates to always turn back to faith.

"What we have, what we wish we had--ambitions fulfilled, ambitions disappointed; investments won, investments lost; elections won, elections lost--these things may occupy our attention, but they do not define us. And each of them is subject to the vagaries and serendipities of life," Romney said. "Our relationship with our Maker, however, depends on none of this…The best advice I know is to give those worldly things your best but never your all, reserving the ultimate hope for the only one who can grant it."

While Romney aides insisted the former governor's remarks would not be a "policy" speech, he gave a shout out to his former rival Rick Santorum, saying that he agreed that America's greatness was defined by its "culture" and "values." And he also argued for the protection of "religious freedom," saying it's become a "matter of debate."

"It strikes me as odd that the free exercise of religious faith is sometimes treated as a problem, something America is stuck with instead of blessed with," Romney said. "Perhaps religious conscience upsets the designs of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government. "

On a lighter note, Romney paid homage to Truett Cathy, the founder of the fast food chain Chick fil-A, who was given an honorary degree just moments before Romney took the podium.

"The Romney campaign comes to a sudden stop when we spot a Chick-fil-A," the Republican candidate said. "Your chicken sandwiches were our comfort food through the primary season, and there were days that we needed a lot of comforting. "

[emisi]

Daring place to give an anti-gay-marriage speech, a school that banned the College Democrats group. Also, lol at the founder of Chik-fil-a getting an honorary degree before Romney spoke. A dig at Michelle Obama, maybe?

[gpw]

Look, I'm reasonably sure I'm not voting for the guy, but I don't understand what the benefit is for him to keep this issue fresh. I think it makes him look a little (more) turd-ish.

Isn't it established that most Americans agree that gay marriage should be legal? Also, certainly he won't be running on this issue. Why keep it out there like that? How does that help him?

[druidp]

Aw, poor Mittens - at least he's getting practice before large crowds. (Cough, cough, Ron Paul who garners thousands of attendees at his appearances.)

Talk about preaching to a narrow-minded choir...

[basilosaurus]

Do you think that somewhere deep down he realizes he's sold his soul to pander to people who consider him a cult member?

[g]

"It strikes me as odd that the free exercise of religious faith is sometimes treated as a problem, something America is stuck with instead of blessed with," Romney said. "Perhaps religious conscience upsets the designs of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government. "

The free exercise of religious faith also means the free exercise of no religious faith and just because someone does not follow a religion does not mean that their source of wisdom and authority comes from the government.

While I do not think that Mittens is nearly as conservative as he wants people to believe, the depths to which he goes to pander to the far right make me want to vomit.

[soontobeka]

May 12, 2012 21:10:39 GMT -5 @g said:

"It strikes me as odd that the free exercise of religious faith is sometimes treated as a problem, something America is stuck with instead of blessed with," Romney said. "Perhaps religious conscience upsets the designs of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government. "

The free exercise of religious faith also means the free exercise of no religious faith and just because someone does not follow a religion does not mean that their source of wisdom and authority comes from the government.

While I do not think that Mittens is nearly as conservative as he wants people to believe, the depths to which he goes to pander to the far right make me want to vomit.

I wrote the above but was not signed in.

[dev22]

Wow, talk about pandering to the far religious right. Liberty U is Jerry Fallwell's college he founded....blech.

[emmybean]

When a "cult member" (as one of the Liberty students so fairly claimed him to be to CNN on Friday morning) speaks at a super-fundie bible college, they have no choice but to pull out all the stops:

No marriage for The Gayz?
Check
Morals and Family Values and Jesus should guide this country?
Check
Obama, like Beetlejuice, shant be named?
Check
Overtly religious, homophobic and racist fast food chain as point of pander
Check check and CHECK.

[emisi]

May 13, 2012 10:51:18 GMT -5 emmybean said:

Overtly religious, homophobic and racist fast food chain as point of pander
Check check and CHECK.

I've known this for a while... but I still really like their chicken strips and the Chik-fil-a sauce.