Peggy Noonan: Mormon in America How Mitt Romney came to give The Speech--and how he did.
Friday, December 7, 2007

Did Mitt Romney have to give a speech on religion? Yes. When you're in a race so close you could lose due to one issue, your Mormonism, you must address the issue of your Mormonism. The only question was timing: now, in the primaries, or later, as the nominee? But could he get to the general without The Speech? Apparently he judged not. (Mr. Romney's campaign must have some interesting internal polling about Republicans on the ground in Iowa and elsewhere.)

But Mr. Romney had other needs, too. His candidacy needed a high-minded kick start. It needed an Act II. He's been around for a year, he's made his first impression, he needed to make it new again. He seized the opportunity to connect his candidacy to something larger and transcendent: the history of religious freedom in America. He made a virtue of necessity. the rest

Mormon theology is striking in its differences - Los Angeles Times

Text of speech and comments at Stand Firm

Christianity Today: What Evangelicals Heard in Romney's 'Faith in America' Speech

First Things: Mitt Romney on Faith in America

Romney speech labeled 'historic,' 'enduring'