Des Moines, Iowa
There had been a lot of talk about the major risk Mitt Romney was taking by delivering this morning's speech on religion. The front page of the Des Moines Register features an article - above the fold, top right - with this headline: "Romney takes risk with talk on faith." The lede: "Mitt Romney's address today on his Mormon faith could be the most politically risky speech on religion by a presidential candidate since John F. Kennedy defended his Catholic faith in 1960."
It wasn't. In fact, what struck me most as I listened to the speech was just how safe it was, especially because its intended audience wasn't the one where it was delivered at Texas A&M, but Christian conservatives in early primary states - Iowa and South Carolina in particular. Who is not for religious freedom? How many religious conservatives believe that public officials should set aside their faith when they make important decisions?
The speech was effective for an altogether unpredictable reason. Romney became emotional as he delivered it. One problem many conservatives have had with Romney is that he can seem too programmed, too perfect. His campaign runs like a well-oiled machine, his speeches seem designed to appeal to just the right constituency at just the right time, his hair looks like lego-hair, his family is beautiful. He can come off as something of an automaton.
But his emotion today seemed real, not of the Bill Clinton bite-your-lower-lip variety. And that could end up helping him.
