If Romney gives a speech that never gets past these generalities, it may prompt critics to probe further and discover there are major differences in Mormonism and mainstream Christianity of which they were unaware.
The teasers we've seen so far from Team Romney on "the speech" certainly hint that Romney will not delve into Mormon doctrine. Romney's spokesmen say it will be an opportunity for Romney to share his views on religious liberty, religious tolerance and how his faith would inform his presidency.
But this approach could be problematic for Romney, as well. People might take offense at Romney suggesting they are intolerant or bigoted for considering his religious beliefs to be a factor. What's wrong with considering a candidates' faith -- or lack thereof -- as part of the mix? In fact, isn't Romney inviting that consideration when he says his religion "will inform his presidency"? He can't have it both ways.
Voters factoring in the candidates' spiritual beliefs are exercising their liberties, not encroaching on the candidates'. For Romney to suggest otherwise is the tactical equivalent of Hillary Clinton or Mike Huckabee saying that criticizing their views is tantamount to personally attacking them. Nonsense.
All of this said, I don't believe the voters' exposure to Mormon theology will hurt Romney as much as the troubling perception that he is something less than completely authentic.
I sincerely believe that most evangelical Christians could support a Mormon -- even if they learn Mormonism is different than what they thought -- as long as he is right on the issues and can be trusted. Does he really share their values? Is he really who he says he is -- about religion or anything else? That's what inquiring conservatives want to know.
They love that he professes to be strongly pro-life and an ardent supporter of traditional marriage. But is he really? If so, why did it take him so long to come around to these views? Was it a religious conversion? How can that be when he's been a Mormon for decades? I know he said that wrestling with the stem cell question changed him, but it strikes me as implausible that one could be moved over a Petri dish and not an ultrasound. But I would love to be wrong about this.
In the meantime, I believe the governor should reconsider giving "the speech."