Q&A: Hugh Hewitt

Conservative blogger, political analyst, and radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt on Romney’s bid for the White House.

Conservative blogger, political analyst, and radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt just wrote A Mormon in the White House? (Regnery). The book urges Christians not to reject former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as a presidential candidate for theological reasons. Senior associate editor Stan Guthrie spoke with Hewitt.

Why shouldn’t Christians oppose Mitt Romney because of his Mormonism?

Because the civic religion in America is founded very much on the Constitution’s Article Six premise that there is no religious test. That was to act as a formal impediment to state action and to foster an attitude of Americans—that we love religious liberty, that we are defenders of religious tolerance.

Would any theological beliefs be disqualifying?

Not a theological belief. But if a theological belief resulted in a political position, it could. For example, if a Raelian believed that we needed to embrace cloning, I would say, “I can’t vote for you because you’re in favor of cloning.”

What role should faith play in a President performing his or her duties?

I want a person of great values. Romney and John McCain and Rudy Giuliani all have some values with which I agree. They also have some positions with which I don’t agree. So I look at what they are going to do in office. What are they going to try to implement in terms of the war or judicial appointments? Their personal faith would almost not enter into that conversation about qualifications for office.

I value President Bush’s faith. I think that’s made him quite a good leader, given him strength, courage, and determination in the face of tremendous obstacles. But Lincoln was a “right strawy” theologian and our greatest President. I’m not looking for a pastor. I’m looking for a President.

What is the key political issue for Christians between now and 2008?

The war has to be the first issue for everyone involved in politics, not just Christians. Who can lead the country, if not to victory, then to security?

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Related Elsewhere:

Hugh Hewitt is the editor of Townhall.com, which includes his blog, radio talk shows, and a list of his books.

Weblog has collected the many articles on Mitt Romney’s presidential bid.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

Free at Last

Grace Afar and Near

Practicing Chastity

'Ordinary' Delights

Old Testament Sermon Solutions

Living with the Darwin Fish

Godly Emotion

Grandpa John

Jesus' Sermon for Moderns

A Spiritual Growth Industry

Emerging Monasticism

Leaps of Faith

Images of Mission

Jesus and the Sinner’s Prayer

Atheist Apostle

News

Suffering God

My Conversation with God

News

Quotation Marks

Seeing Both Sides

Editorial

The Slope Really Is Slippery

News

Majority Spoils

Not What It Seems

The Devil's Yoke

Why Isn't 'Yes' Enough?

News

News Briefs: March 01, 2007

News

Amazing Abolitionist

On a Justice Mission

News

Passages

No Spoonful of Sugar

Witness Lee in the Dock

Editorial

What Would Wilberforce Do?

News

Home Sharks

News

Go Figure

Deeper into Terabithia

News

Day of Reckoning

News

Redirected Tithe

Receipt at the Ready

News

Fluid Solution

News

Dividing the Faithful

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In Italy, Evangelicals Wage a Quiet War on Christmas

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The Bulletin

Exalting Every Valley with Charles King

The Bulletin welcomes historian Charles King for a conversation with Clarissa Moll about the modern relevance of Handel’s Messiah

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After Assad: Jihad or Liberty?

A coalition of rebel fighters promises to respect Syria’s religious minorities.

In the Divided Balkans, Evangelicals Are Tiny in Number, but Mighty

A leading Serbian researcher discusses how evangelicals have made a tangible difference.

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