ORLANDO — The Faith & Freedom Coalition, run by longtime social conservative leader Ralph Reed, held a gathering Thursday afternoon just before the Fox News-Google Republican debate here in Orlando. Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann — in all, seven GOP candidates addressed the group, many emphasizing themes of particular importance to social conservatives.
“People of faith all across the country are coming together as never before,” said Bachmann.
“Our precious freedom, guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, ensures that men and women of faith do not have to abandon the values of their faith at the public square,” said Perry.
And Romney? After a brief introduction, Romney began his remarks with: “Is there anybody in this room that thinks President Obama has a clue on how to turn this economy around?”
Romney’s remarks continued in that vein. “I’m a business guy,” he said. “I’m a conservative businessman. There are plenty of people who are running who are politicians…I think it helps to have somebody who’s had a job to create jobs for the American people….It’s inexcusable that we have a president that doesn’t understand how to put Americans back to work.”
Romney made the occasional nod to social issues, but overall such topics were remarkably absent from his remarks, given his audience. Part of that is understandable. Romney is a Mormon, and there are some evangelical Christians who are uncomfortable with Mormonism, although it is not clear how many there are and whether they would oppose Romney on those grounds. But Romney’s remarks Thursday afternoon may be a stronger indication of the discipline of his campaign. Romney has long ago decided that the economy is the first-, second-, and third-most important issue in the race, and that he will stay on topic no matter his audience. Thursday afternoon in Orlando was no exception.
