LYNCHBURG, VA — Mitt Romney is set to address the 2012 commencement at Liberty University, the conservative Christian school founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell here in 1971.
Pundits are looking to the speech as a chance for Romney to reach out to evangelical Republicans some oberservers say he has not yet locked up weeks since securing the nomination against opponents with closer ties to the religious Republican community.
The speech comes as Romney tries to shift the focus back to the economy after a week of social issue discussion prompted by President Obama’s decision to back same sex marriage and a Washington Post story that cast the teenage Romney as the ringleader in a high school assault on a gay teen.
The Romney campaign told TPM Friday that gay marriage — which Romney personally opposes, and supports a Constutional amendment to ban — will not be a focus of the speech. Other reports say that Romney’s Mormon faith (thought to still be a bone of contention with evangelicals) will not be a focus either.
Excerpts of the speech distributed Friday show Romney discussing family:
I’m not sure quite why, but lately I’ve found myself thinking about life in four-year stretches. And let’s just say that not everybody has filled these past four years with as much achievement as you have.
That’s a theme for another day, except for this reminder to you and other graduates across our country: Although opportunities seem scarce in this economy, it is not for nothing that you have spent this time preparing. America needs your talent and your energy, all the more now that our country’s in a tough spot. For you and so many young Americans, our current troubles can be discouraging. You are ready for jobs that were supposed to be ready for you. Millions wait on the day when there are jobs for everyone willing to work, and opportunities to match your hopes and your goals. But don’t lose heart, because that day is coming.
In the most practical, everyday terms, the best cultural assets are values as basic as personal responsibility, the dignity of hard work, and, above all, the commitments of family. Take those away, or take them for granted, and so many things can go wrong in a life. Keep them strong, and so many things will go right.
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In this life, of course, the commitments that come closest to forever are those of family. Maybe you’ve heard that Ann and I have a pretty large family, and I’m sure glad I like having grandchildren because every time I turn around there’s more of them. Two more arrived last week, twin boys David and William, which brings us to eighteen grandchildren we have welcomed into the world.
Their great-grandfather, my Dad George Romney, was successful by any measure you’d care to apply. I asked him once, “What was your greatest accomplishment?” Without a moment’s pause, his answer was, “Raising you four kids.” I had his example to follow, and I have never once regretted missing any experience or opportunity in business in order to be with my wife and five sons. Regrets usually come the other way around, from missing moments with your children that don’t come again. The same holds true for time with your parents as the years fall away. Among the things in life that can be put off, being there when it matters most isn’t one of them.
