Bob Jones and Romney
Dr. Bob Jones, III, chancellor of Bob Jones University, and Dr. Robert Taylor, Dean of the university's College of Arts and Sciences, received much criticism for their recent personal endorsement of Mitt Romney. Political conservatives criticized their endorsement because of Romney's recent (and politically expedient) conversion to conservatism. Some Fundamental Christians criticized their endorsement because of Romney's Mormon faith.
As a conservative Christian, a politically-involved pro-life activist, and a recent graduate of Bob Jones University, I understand their endorsement of Romney, but I think their trust is misplaced.
Dr. Jones and Dr. Taylor understand that nominating Rudy Giuliani would compromise the Republican Party's commitment to its core principles—especially its opposition to abortion—and would guarantee the election of Hillary Clinton. Many Republicans would feel compelled to support the Republican candidate, whoever he was, and whatever he believed. It would be the worst kind of defeat for Republicans. It would be a defeat from within, an abandonment of the reason that many of us are Republicans.
Just as some Republicans would vote for anyone to defeat Hillary, Dr. Jones and Dr. Taylor appear willing to support anyone remotely conservative who could defeat Giuliani. So these men no doubt looked at the polls, the campaign machinery, and the money of the other candidates, and decided Romney had the best chance to defeat Giuliani. They must think they can trust him, though I don't know why.
I'm sure they considered his Mormon faith. I would prefer to vote for a Christian as would they, but in an increasingly unchristian culture, we don't always have practicing Christians running (this time we do), and I would rather vote for an unbeliever who shares Christian values than an ignorant or incompetent Christian who doesn't understand how Christian values should impact government policy. In short, supporting a Mormon for a particular job, including the Presidency, is not an abandonment of Christianity, as some have claimed.
I am, however, surprised that Dr. Jones and Dr. Taylor trust Romney. His recent support of abortion as governor is well-known. His pledged support for the political goals of homosexual radicals, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), during his senate campaign is also well-documented. He now says he has changed his mind. Will he change his mind on these issues when the political winds blow a different way?
Say what you will about President Bush, but he has never backed down on the right to life or the war on terror. I don't always agree with him—especially on illegal immigration and American sovereignty—but when he has a firm conviction on a matter, he doesn't waver. A president must be ready to stand on principle when even his own party opposes him. Romney is not that kind of man.
Dr. Jones and Dr. Taylor have watched politics long enough that they should know to watch a politician's record more than his rhetoric. Dr. Dobson understands that. Perhaps they think it better to be lied to or betrayed than for the GOP to betray its own principles.
It is better still to support a real conservative. 51% of voters who attended the Values Voters' Summit last weekend thought Mike Huckabee was such a candidate. And for those willing to support conservative candidates with lower poll rankings who best fit their views, men like Wayne Wilson and Duncan Hunter are hard to surpass.
In the primary season, the best candidate to defeat a liberal like Giuliani (and eventually Hillary) is one that conservatives can trust, not Mitt Romney.
Wesley Wilson
Wesley Wilson is the President of Let Her Live, a nonprofit dedicated to saving babies by showing the beauty and value of life to women considering abortion. Please learn more about the Let Her Live pro-life billboard campaign. Donations are tax deductible.
Disclaimer: Let Her Live does not endorse or oppose any political candidates, and political views expressed on this blog represent only the personal views of their authors.
As a conservative Christian, a politically-involved pro-life activist, and a recent graduate of Bob Jones University, I understand their endorsement of Romney, but I think their trust is misplaced.
Dr. Jones and Dr. Taylor understand that nominating Rudy Giuliani would compromise the Republican Party's commitment to its core principles—especially its opposition to abortion—and would guarantee the election of Hillary Clinton. Many Republicans would feel compelled to support the Republican candidate, whoever he was, and whatever he believed. It would be the worst kind of defeat for Republicans. It would be a defeat from within, an abandonment of the reason that many of us are Republicans.
Just as some Republicans would vote for anyone to defeat Hillary, Dr. Jones and Dr. Taylor appear willing to support anyone remotely conservative who could defeat Giuliani. So these men no doubt looked at the polls, the campaign machinery, and the money of the other candidates, and decided Romney had the best chance to defeat Giuliani. They must think they can trust him, though I don't know why.
I'm sure they considered his Mormon faith. I would prefer to vote for a Christian as would they, but in an increasingly unchristian culture, we don't always have practicing Christians running (this time we do), and I would rather vote for an unbeliever who shares Christian values than an ignorant or incompetent Christian who doesn't understand how Christian values should impact government policy. In short, supporting a Mormon for a particular job, including the Presidency, is not an abandonment of Christianity, as some have claimed.
I am, however, surprised that Dr. Jones and Dr. Taylor trust Romney. His recent support of abortion as governor is well-known. His pledged support for the political goals of homosexual radicals, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), during his senate campaign is also well-documented. He now says he has changed his mind. Will he change his mind on these issues when the political winds blow a different way?
Say what you will about President Bush, but he has never backed down on the right to life or the war on terror. I don't always agree with him—especially on illegal immigration and American sovereignty—but when he has a firm conviction on a matter, he doesn't waver. A president must be ready to stand on principle when even his own party opposes him. Romney is not that kind of man.
Dr. Jones and Dr. Taylor have watched politics long enough that they should know to watch a politician's record more than his rhetoric. Dr. Dobson understands that. Perhaps they think it better to be lied to or betrayed than for the GOP to betray its own principles.
It is better still to support a real conservative. 51% of voters who attended the Values Voters' Summit last weekend thought Mike Huckabee was such a candidate. And for those willing to support conservative candidates with lower poll rankings who best fit their views, men like Wayne Wilson and Duncan Hunter are hard to surpass.
In the primary season, the best candidate to defeat a liberal like Giuliani (and eventually Hillary) is one that conservatives can trust, not Mitt Romney.
Wesley Wilson
Wesley Wilson is the President of Let Her Live, a nonprofit dedicated to saving babies by showing the beauty and value of life to women considering abortion. Please learn more about the Let Her Live pro-life billboard campaign. Donations are tax deductible.
Disclaimer: Let Her Live does not endorse or oppose any political candidates, and political views expressed on this blog represent only the personal views of their authors.
Labels: 2008, Bob Jones, Mitt Romney, President, Wayne Wilson
posted by Wesley Wilson at
7:45 PM
2 Comments:
I understand where you are coming from but I think you (and many other evangelical conservatives) are overlooking a couple of critical things.
Bob Jones is one step ahead of you. Clearly anyone who looks into Romney, Romney's life and the Mormon religion can see that he is and always has been ultra conservative in both social and fiscal matters.
I think it's pretty obvious that he adapted his positions to appear more central in order to win an election in ultra liberal Massachusetts.
While I don't agree with his quickness to shift his position back then, I think you should at least consider that his "current" positions and record as governor are likely more indicative of his true feelings. All in all, I think you can trust his conservatism. That said, we should also evaluate his electability given his vulnerability and label as a flip flopper.
Thanks for the feedback.
I just can't agree with your statement that he "always has been ultra conservative" in social matters.
His record shows the opposite.
If you are correct that he adapted his positions to win in Massachusetts, why would he not adapt his position after winning the nomination to appeal to more Democrats? And if elected, why not adapt to the political winds of the time?
I think you are right about his politically-expedient adaptation, and that is why I do not trust him to govern in accordance with the positions he now professes.
I'm not trying to twist what you said. I know that's not the direction you were going with it.
I would trust him to be fiscally conservative, but not socially.
Thanks,
Wesley Wilson
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