In fact, his speech was necessitated by small-minded anti-Mormon evangelical political operatives, spearheaded by the official organ of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist Press, which “just happened” to run an “informative” series on Mormonism the very week of his speech (Dec 6 2007). To boost Huckabee's surge in Iowa, the BP made sure that its readers understood that Mormonism is “false,” “unbiblical,” and “not Christian.”

Had Romney wanted to pander to these bigots, he would not have specifically mentioned things he admires in Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam. So much for the “Christian nation” smear.

For those who read to comprehend rather than to seek fault, Romney did, in fact, throw a bone to unbelievers, which they ignored with contempt:

“In such a world, we can be deeply thankful that we live in a land where reason and religion are friends and allies in the cause of liberty, joined against the evils and dangers of the day.”

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

BTW, our worst enemy is Islamofasicm, which teaches hatred of women, non-Muslims and homosexuals. It's evil ideology is the enemy of all freedom and liberty loving people everywhere; it's in Afgahanistan, Pakistan, Algeria, Eygypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Jordan, Morocco, France, England, Canada, Iraq, US, etc; it has no geographic bountries.

What Obama said was very brave (and he often puts himself on the line, having some unpopular positions). Many politicians like to talk big and say they need to be tough (think Bush and his cowboy attitude) but they really have no power.

Bush is the most protected man on this planet but tells his enemies to, “bring it on”. He says that the US doesn't torture, then finds justification for the few we do torture. He says the US is a law abiding country, but then issues signing statements (line item vetos in essence) which get around the laws congress passes. And let us not forget that Bush has trampled on the constitution in the name of “national security” and hides behind his lawyers, never admitting he nor anyone in his administration made a mistake.

What I'd like is a president who backs up his words with effective actions. Bush had a really good chance to continue his hunt for bin Laden (our nation's worst enemy) in Afghanistan/Pakistan but instead went after a castrated leader who posed no threat to the US.

Anyway, Obama taught constitutional law and clearly stands up for what he believes in. He's a new kind of leader which can bridge many gaps. He even acknowledged in his speech that the problem of race won't be fixed by one president.

Wright's words of hate about this country are almost indistinguishable from Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, Ahmedinejad and many other enemies of this country.

Also, I feeled lied to by Barack. On Friday he said that he was unaware of the divisive statements Wright had said, yet in his speech today he said yes that he had heard those kind of statements in church.

Unfortunately, this whole ugly episode will be added to the very divisive incidents of this countries past like the OJ trial, the Rodney King, etc and has done nothing to heal wounds of the past.

Begins with P? [evil grin]

Race and gender are represented in this campaign. How much longer before buddhists, muslims atheists and others can achieve as much?

When you say “the only one who I see regularly include non-believers in his speeches on religion is Obama,” can you give an example, I haven't really seen where he mentions non-believers in this speech or elsewhere.

No, while I aknowledge that Romney was not bigoted in his speech, he used themes that non-believers are all to used to, and all to tired of hearing. Curiously enough, though I think that the least religious candidate is Clinton, the only one who I see regularly include non-believers in his speeches on religion is Obama.

The only weak part of it was the Ashley section at the end…which seems too much the work of a speech writing committee wanting to end on an uplifting “human interest” note.

I don't know how much further Obama could go in disavowing Wright without alienating the Black community (I gather from CNN that some Black pastors have been angry with him for not defending Wright).

I suppose time will tell if Obama has quelled the stormy seas.