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Questions Of Religion Again At Heart Of Politics

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Dec 5, 2007 8:00 pm US/Eastern

Questions Of Religion Again At Heart Of Politics

Bloomberg Weighs In On Romney-Huckabee GOP Tussle

NEW YORK (CBS) ― There's a woman, an African-American and a Mormon running for the 2008 presidency. America has voiced its adamant and insatiable desire for change, but how much change is the nation willing to undergo? The question is dominating the race for the White House, as a Republican candidate prepares to address the issue of his religion head-on.
John F. Kennedy once said, "I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant or Jewish."
Forty-seven years since JFK addressed concerns about his Catholicism, a candidate's religion is once again dominating the presidential race.

 To some, the fact that Republican Mitt Romney is a Mormon isn't a major issue.

 "I don't think anyone's religious beliefs should qualify them or disqualify them from any job whatsoever, including for the president of the United States," said singer Megan Marino.

 But polls show that some evangelical Christians have concerns about Romney's religion. Thursday he will deliver a speech about religion and politics, much as JFK did a half century ago.

 "We do not choose our presidents based on their denomination, but on their vision and their values," Romney said on Monday.

 The timing has been driven by the rise of Mike Huckabee's recent surge. The former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister has emerged from nowhere to challenge Romney's lead in the Iowa caucuses.

Mayor Bloomberg weighed in on the matter on Wednesday.

"If Romney fails to halt Huckabee's rise, the major beneficiary may well be Rudy Giuliani. He sees Romney as his greatest competition for the Republican nomination," Bloomberg told CBS 2 HD.

Romney has his work cut out for him. One poll shows 37 percent of Americans say they wouldn't vote for a Mormon.

Stopping Huckabee's momentum may well depend on how well Romney comes off in his speech.

"Clearly what's happened is that the Christian so-called value voters are seeing in Huckabee some sort of authenticity they can relate to," said professor Ester Fuchs of Columbia University.

Some Mormons in New York City feel uncomfortable he's had to defend his religion.

"It upsets me, but everybody's entitled to their own opinion," said resident Jessica Boud.

Others see an opportunity.

"Maybe our beliefs are misunderstood a bit, and so I think it's good he's getting out there and letting people know what he believes," said Andrew McLaws of Arizona.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.