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Evangelicals rallying around Romney?

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    GOP candidate to speak at Liberty University

  • Duration 3:08
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Tomorrow Romney goes up the road a bit to Virginia a hotbed of evangelical conservatives.

Senior national correspondent John Roberts tells us how Romney's Mormon religion will play at Liberty University.

It could be a defining moment for Mitt Romney a huge platform at the nation's largest evangelical university.

And an audience still not sure about his politics or his -- I think they're certainly there are some people out there who had issues with.

The Mormon faith Jonathan Falwell is the son of Liberty University founder Jerry Falwell you know I -- issues with the Mormon faith as a pastor but.

We can still stand together as citizens of the United States were still Americans in the name that he -- thing.

-- Romney might not have been their first choice many evangelicals are now rallying around -- despite deep differences over faith.

Mormonism is a theological -- and I still hold to that Robert -- pastor at first Baptist in Dallas unleashed a firestorm of criticism.

When he called Mormon -- -- a cult at last year's values voters conference.

Now he is urging evangelicals to support the man he once opposed.

Given the choice between.

Christian like Barack Obama who embraces non biblical positions like abortion.

And a non Christian like Mitt Romney who -- biblical values.

I think there's a good case to be made for voting for Mitt Romney in the selection prominent evangelicals say when Mitt Romney takes the stage here at liberty he has an opportunity.

To reach out to Christian conservatives by saying while our theology might be different our values -- the -- he doesn't need to pander.

He doesn't need to restrain any muscle he just needs to go in there and -- down certain markers.

Be authentic about -- years.

It appears Romney will not specifically mention his religion at liberty but he will lay down some markers saying.

The best cultural assets -- values is basic is personal responsibility the dignity of hard work and above all the commitment to family.

-- his Mormon faith become an issue in the fall campaign.

Evangelicals are split I think it will.

Just as much as the -- -- Wright issue became an issue in 2008 I'd hate.

If they bring it up they lose and I think if he brings it up first he loses I believe in my Mormon faith.

And I endeavor to live by in 2007.

-- -- give a speech explaining his -- advisors say it's not likely he'll do one this year.

But some evangelical leaders point out that run the story of family fidelity and personal conduct.

Is more in line with evangelical ideals -- many past presidents it's not just that.

They -- everything Mitt Romney stands far that they believe that every day of the week and twice on Sunday he's far more.

Compatible with their views and what's important to them the liberty speech is an important one to be sure.

But if Romney hopes to energize evangelicals to come out in November says Jonathan Falwell.

This needs to be the starting point of a long conversation that's something that can't be done it once speech with one statement with one phrase that's something he's got to be -- -- all the way up until November in Lynchburg Virginia.

John Roberts Fox --

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