National Journal Rankings

Romney is still strong at #2 in the National Journal 2008 rankings. According to Chuck Todd:

Watch for Romney's CommPAC staff to grow, leading to more daylight between him and other Republicans.

Well they finally got their website up, that ought to be worth a few points. I'm not sure they realize that George Allen's mom is French; he's still at #3.

The Victories Keep Piling Up!

I wrote about this story in February here. Looks like it's been resolved.

In a victory for Governor Mitt Romney , the state's public health commissioner announced yesterday that hospital maternity wards in Massachusetts can continue to hand out gift bags with samples of infant formula. Last winter, the Public Health Council had imposed a ban on the bags, but then, at Romney's urging, it reversed its decision and ordered further study.

I really have nothing more to add.

Floods Give Romney Chance to Play up Leadership Role Nationally

"For Gov. Mitt Romney, the flooding of 2006 is turning out to be a kind of mini-Katrina, a chance to show the state -- and voters far from Massachusetts -- that when it comes to handling a natural disaster, he's no slouch.

And no President Bush."

Indeed, this may shape up to be a campaign where the GOP candidates spend a lot of time distancing themselves from the prior candidate, much like Al Gore tried to distance himself from Clinton a bit in 2000.

"I do not have to moderate my theological differences with Mormonism one iota to vote for Romney"

No one doubts that there are theological differences between Mormon belief and that of other Christian churches. Why should this be a stumbling block for other Christians voting for a Mormon candidate though? I came across an interesting blog post today by a (presumably) evangelical Christian on this very topic. John Mark Reynolds, professor at the Christian Biola University in La Mirada California, writes:

I think the question of whether mainstream Americans will vote for a Mormon is an odd one. The President is not our pastor or our chief theologian. I do not have to moderate my theological differences with Mormonism one iota to vote for Romney. These differences are great and are not getting smaller. At the same time, I have shared common cultural cause in intellectual arenas with Mormons. . . for example at a conference at Cornell University. . . and did not feel my religious commitments shrinking as a result. Part of growing up mentally is learning to agree where you can and disagree where you really do.

I'm hoping that this becomes a prevailing view among religious voters who disagree with Romney theologically.

Sink or swim? In national spotlight, Mitt has chance to shine - or blow it

Flooding In New England

Massachusetts braces for more rain and major river flooding

I'm watching Mitt Romney on CNN right now talking about the flooding in Massachusetts. Not to focus on cold political calculations, but he seemed to be doing well. Regardless of what your political ideology is I think you have to feel somewhat reassured to have a person like Governor Romney in charge. Who better than an experienced executive. Imagine how things might have been different if he had been Governor of Louisiana or mayor of New Orleans during Katrina.

Church Urges Alternatives for Nuclear Waste

While I have failed to find anything that Mitt has said about Skull Valley or Yucca Mt., I am posting this link to this statement from the LDS newsroom for two reasons. 1st, nuclear waste disposal is a national issue, not simply a Utah-Nevada concern and 2nd, it is not typical of the church to make such statements so policy oriented without direct moral implications. It will be interesting to see how other LDS elected leaders such as the formerly vocal supporter of the Skull Valley facility, Senator Orrin Hatch and, of course, Mitt respond.

Romney to Address Mormon Faith if He Runs

Mass. Republican Gov. Mitt Romney Says He Will Address His Religion if He Goes National

It seems that the JFK approach to religion worked better for him as a Catholic than it will for Mitt as a Mormon largely because of the public familiarity factor. Writing about his vision for this blog, David Kennedy said that he hopes Mitt's candidacy helps Mormons think more about their beliefs and be a bit more robust in their reasoning. "I think [Mitt's candidacy for president] will force the [LDS] church to examine itself like it hasn't had to do in over a hundred years."

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I do not believe that President Kennedy was expected to answer questions about the Inquisition or the details of the doctrine of transubstatiation. Mitt, on the other hand, has been and will be further questioned about these "examination" issues that Dave referred to such as polygamy and the only recent universal ordination to the priesthood of all worthy males. I do not mention this to suggest Mitt is unfairly picked on, but because of this, Mitt may not be able to employ President Kennedy's strategy with the same relative ease that he has suggested in recent interviews.