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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Following Tour with Romney, Kennedy Endorses Temple Steeple
BELMONT, MASSACHUSSETS -- Former Massachusetts senatorial candidate and LDS Church member Mitt Romney took his 1994 rival, US Senator Edward Kennedy, on a tour of the LDS
Church's new Boston Temple on Friday, and following the tour Kennedy
endorsed the LDS Church's plan for a steeple on the building. "I think if
other churches are going to have their expressions in terms of spires this
one should. Fair is fair," Kennedy said.
Kennedy toured the building with Romney for about an hour, and afterwards
both men expressed respect for each other in comments to reporters. They
also told reporters that religion should be kept out of political races,
unlike what happened in their 1994 battle, in which Romney's LDS faith
became an issue. "I really enjoyed my race here. It was a rough and tumble
experience but a great life experience," Romney said. "We come from
different sides of the political spectrum, but respect each other as
individuals."
Kennedy recalled his brother, US President John F. Kennedy's, presidential
campaign, in which he also faced questions over his Catholic religion. "I
think President Kennedy probably said it best, that he wanted to be
evaluated as a president who was a Catholic and not as a Catholic
president," Kennedy said.
Romney also expressed his intention to run for statewide office in
Massachusetts and said he will return to the state following Salt Lake
City's 2002 Winter Olympics, which he presides over. Saying he is looking
for a race to enter, Romney added, "I'm not afraid of running again. I'd
love to run again if I thought I could win,"
Source:
Sen. Edward Kennedy and Mitt Romney tour Mormon temple
Boston Globe (AP) 8Sep00 T2
By Steve Leblanc, Associated Press
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