Reuters/Washington
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney assured conservative Christian voters yesterday he would protect families, but denounced fiery rhetoric from those who question the legitimacy of his Mormon religion.The former Massachusetts governor, front-runner in the race for his party’s nomination to oppose President Barack Obama in 2012, promised at the annual “Values Voter Summit” he would oppose marriage rights for homosexuals.But, Romney, who is viewed sceptically by conservatives for his past support for abortion rights and gay rights, kept to a relatively moderate line as he advocated “civil and respectful debate” on contentious social issues.The speaker who immediately followed Romney took veiled shots at the candidate’s religion and said only an “authentic” Christian should be US president.Some evangelicals question the validity of Romney’s Mormon faith, which they do not consider a form of Christianity.“Poisonous language does not advance our cause,” Romney said. “... The blessings of faith carry the responsibility of civil and respectful debate. The task before us is to focus on the conservative beliefs and the values that unite us - let no agenda narrow our vision or drive us apart.”Romney appeared to be responding at least partly to comments to reporters by Texas pastor Robert Jeffress describing Mormonism as a cult. Jeffress, pastor of the 10,000-member First Baptist Church in Dallas, introduced Republican candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry at the conference on Friday.Perry’s campaign rejected the pastor’s views on Mormons. “The governor does not believe Mormonism is a cult,” said Perry spokesman Mark Miner.Perry tried to revive his campaign but got dragged into a religious row and saw a plea to Christian voters drowned out by fast-rising longshot Herman Cain. Perry sought to win over evangelical Christian conservative voters, a crucial bloc in the party nominating contest. His speech to the Values Voter Summit, touching conservative hot button issues including opposition to abortion, political freedoms, limited government, tax cuts and strong defence was politely received by around 3,000 delegates. All of the Republican candidates describe themselves as conservative, and all of the leading contenders agreed to address the conference.Romney holds a wide lead in the early primary state of New Hampshire, with former pizza executive Herman Cain a distant second place, a poll showed.Romney leads the Republican field with 37% support in the poll released late on Friday by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center/WMUR. Cain trails with 12%, followed by Texas congressman Ron Paul at 9% and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman at 8%.New Hampshire’s mostly moderate Republicans had little love for Tea Party favourites Perry and Michele Bachmann.Perry drew just 4%, tied with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Minnesota congresswoman Bachmann lagged at just 2%.