Talking Points: Preventive Health Services and Religious Institutions

· Today, President Obama announced that his Administration will implement a policy that accommodates religious liberty while protecting the health of women.

· Nearly 99% of all women have relied on contraception at some point in their lives but more than half of all women between the ages of 18 and 34 have struggled to afford it. And the scientists and experts at the Institute of Medicine who first recommended covering contraception without a copay know that there are tremendous health benefits for women that come from using contraception.

· Earlier this year, we pledged to spend the next year working with institutions like Catholic hospitals and universities to find a solution that both protects religious liberty and ensures that every woman has access to the care that she needs.

· Under the new policy we are announcing today, women will still have access to free preventive care that includes contraceptive services - no matter where she works.

· But if a woman's employer is a charity, hospital or other religious organization that has a religious objection to providing contraceptive services as part of its health plan, her insurance company - and not the hospital or charity - will be required to reach out and offer her contraceptive care free of charge.

· The result will be that religiously organizations won't have to pay or refer for these services or provide insurance coverage for these services to employees. And, as has been the case all along and consistent with existing conscience clauses, no religious institution will have to provide these services directly.

· At the same time, women who work at these institutions will have access to free contraceptive services, and will no longer have to pay hundreds of dollars a year that could be going towards rent or groceries.

· As previously announced, churches and houses of worship will be exempt from the requirement to provide coverage for contraception.

· President Obama listened to the concerns of religious organizations and took them seriously. The President began his career working with local churches that sometimes did more good for a community than a government program ever could. He understands how important the work is that faith-based organizations do.

· And he is committed to both preserving religious liberty and protecting women's health. This policy accomplishes these important goals.

· It is critical to note that the identification and inclusion of scientifically identified women's health benefits in any insurance plan is a huge step for millions of American women, who will finally have their health needs covered.

· It's also important to remember that doctors prescribe contraception for medical and health reasons, including helping to reduce the risk of some cancers, serious infections and cysts. And we know that contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent unintended pregnancies, which can be associated with an increased health risks for women. Yet many women skip contraceptive care because of cost.

· This is an issue where people of good will on both sides of the debate have been grappling to find a solution that works for everyone. With today's announcement, we have done that. Religious liberty will be fully protected, and a law that requires free preventive care will not discriminate against any woman, anywhere.

Additional Background

· The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to cover preventive services for women without charging a copay starting on August 1, 2012. These preventive services include well women visits, domestic violence screening, and contraception, and all were recommended to the Secretary by the independent Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science.

· Today, the Administration will issue final regulations that exempt churches and house of worship from covering contraception. The regulations also allow other religious organizations, including those that employ people of different faiths to qualify for a one-year transition period.

· The President also announced that the Administration will propose regulations during the transition year to require insurance companies to cover contraception whenever one of these religious organizations chooses not to.

· There is still more work to be done. The Administration will work with faith based organizations, insurers, and other interested parties to develop policies that respect religious liberty and ensure access to preventive services for women enrolled in self-insured group health plans sponsored by religious organizations.

· We will start in the coming days by convening a series of meetings with faith community leaders to explore solutions. And this policy will be developed collaboratively so that the ultimate outcome works for religious employers, their workers, and the public.

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Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release February 9, 2012

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY

AT LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE ON LET'S MOVE! TOUR

Hercules Dining Facility

Little Rock Air Force Base

Little Rock, Arkansas

2:53 P.M. CST

MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. (Applause.) It's great to be here in Arkansas. And I have to say, you all look really good, really fit. (Laughter.) So thank you for eating your vegetables. We need you strong.

I want to start by thanking Dr. Woodson for that very kind introduction, but also for his leadership on behalf of our men and women in uniform. I also want to thank Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Robert Gordon, General Murrie, Colonel Brian "Smokey" Robinson. Thank you all for your leadership and service to our country.

I am truly proud to be here today as the Department of Defense is making what is a groundbreaking commitment to the health of our troops and their families.

And this is a big day. That's why we brought all these people. It's huge. As Dr. Woodson explained, for the first time in 20 years, the DOD is updating their nutritional standards to include more fresh fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products with every single meal. So that means more DOD installations will offer the kind of fresh, healthy food that the Air Force's Food Transformation Initiative helped bring here to Little Rock.

The DOD is also going to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of every single military base in America to make sure they're serving healthy food not just to those in uniform, but to their families. They'll be looking to improve the food served in dining facilities, school cafeterias, vending machines, snack bars, and any other places where military families purchase food.

So this isn't just a drop in the bucket. I mean, this is really a big splash. This will affect more than 1,000 dining facilities and nearly 1.5 million troops. Simply put, this is an example of America's entire military once again stepping forward to lead by example.

And it's happening because our military leaders know that this is not just a diet issue; it's not just a health issue. This is truly a national security issue. According to a recent Army study, more than a quarter of our nation's 17- to 24-year-olds are too overweight to serve in our armed forces today. And even those who make the cut often struggle in basic training. One Army general told me that after years of inactivity and poor nutrition, many recruits are just out of shape and they're more likely to injure themselves in basic training. As a result, the military is spending more and more money on obesity-related injuries, health problems -- and dental care, which was a surprise to me; the cost of dental care because of poor nutrition has gone up.

So that's why our armed forces are rolling out this very comprehensive strategy to give our troops and their families the healthy, nutritious food they need and, more importantly, they deserve. And I want to emphasize that in doing so, you're not just sending a powerful message throughout the military community. You're sending a message to our entire country. And that's one of the reasons I wanted to be here, because whenever our men and women in uniform step forward, America takes notice. We are all inspired by your courage. We are all inspired by your service and your sacrifice.

So when you make healthy eating a priority in your lives, the rest of us are more likely to make it a priority in our lives.

And that's really what "Let's Move" is all about. It's about mobilizing folks from every sector of our society to address our obesity epidemic. Because there is no one program, there's no one policy that will solve such a huge challenge; no one business leader, no one general, not even a first lady. None of us can wave a magic wand to help us all live healthier lives.

But if we do our part -- if we do our part as airmen, if we do our part as moms and dads, as community leaders and neighbors, we can put this country on a path to a stronger, healthier future. The one thing I say is that our own health is the one thing that we can control. Even in the midst of any kind of chaos, we control what we put in our bodies. So if we have the information and we have the examples, we can teach our kids now how to do what's best for them for the rest of their lives.

And that's why days like today are really so important. A lot of times people think when we talk about health and nutrition, that it's fun and games. But this is a serious problem.

But days like this show me that everyone is willing to step up on behalf of our kids. Because this is really about our kids. They look to you all; they are going to model themselves after you. You have young people in your lives -- your brothers, your sisters, your cousins, your neighbors. When you come home from service, they are in awe. And if you do the right thing, they're going to follow suit.

So we are just thrilled. And this is why I am -- have never been more confident that if we keep coming together like this as a nation, if we keep working together, we can make a real difference for our children, but more importantly, for our entire country. Because if we start kids off right, they will take these behaviors through the rest of their lives, and they'll teach their children something different.

So I want to thank you again for hosting this event here today. I want to thank you all for your service and your sacrifice. This is a model for what we will see throughout the armed forces, which is one of the reasons why we wanted to come to this base. You all are 95 percent in compliance with what is going to be happening already. So you're ahead of the curve. So you should be proud about that; you should feel good that your commanders had the foresight to jump ahead, and they're doing the very best for you, and more importantly, for your families.

So I want to make sure that you tell your families thank you, from me. Tell them that we are proud of them all. We are working hard for them as well, because you all know that as you sacrifice, they are sacrificing right alongside you. So these benefits have to affect them as well.

So we are proud of you all. I want you all to keep eating your vegetables -- (laughter) -- and working very hard. You all are the best that this country has to offer, the very best.

So thank you all. Good luck and God bless. And God bless your families as well. Take care. (Applause.)

END 3:00 P.M CST

Office of the Press Secretary

_________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release February 9, 2012

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND FLEXIBILITY

East Room

1:57 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Please have a seat, have a seat. Thank you so much. Well, hello, everybody, and welcome to the White House.

I want to start by thanking all the chief state school officers who have made the trip from all over the country. Why don't you all stand up just so we can see you all, right here. (Applause.) It's a great group, right here. Thank you. And I want to recognize someone who is doing a pretty good job right here in Washington, D.C., and that is my Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Love Arne. (Applause.)

We've also got some outstanding members of Congress who are here who have always been on the front lines when it comes to education reform. But above all, I want to thank all the teachers who are here today. Where are the teachers? Come on, stand up, teachers. (Applause.) There you go. We got some teachers here.

Earlier this week, we hosted our second White House science fair. Some of you may have seen this on TV. I got a chance to shoot a marshmallow out of an air cannon, which I don't usually get to do. (Laughter.) But I met these incredibly talented young people -- kids who are working on everything from portable housing for disaster victims to technology that can detect smuggled uranium before it became a threat; this young man had built a prototype. And I asked him how he came up with this idea, and he said, "I've always just been really interested in nuclear materials, and I collect samples." (Laughter.) And I asked him, "How does your mom feel about this?" (Laughter.) He said she wasn't that happy about it.

But just unbelievable young people. It was extraordinary. And before they left, I gave them some homework. I told them go find a teacher who helped them make it here and say thank you, because every single one of us can point to a teacher who in some way changed the course of our lives. I certainly can; I know Arne can. And the impact is often much bigger than we realize.

One study found that a single good teacher can increase the lifetime earnings of a classroom by $250,000 -- single teacher. A great teacher can help a young person escape poverty, allow them to dream beyond their circumstances.

So teachers matter. And in an economy where employers are looking for the most skilled, educated workers, few people are going to have a bigger impact on that than the men and women who are in our classrooms. And that ultimately is why we're here today. It's about our classrooms, and our children, and what's happening to them and how they can perform.

In September, after waiting far too long for Congress to act, I announced that my administration would take steps to reform No Child Left Behind on our own. This was one of the first and the biggest "We Can't Wait" announcements that we've made, because our kids and our schools can't be held back by inaction.

I want to point out, by the way, the members of Congress who are here, they're ready to act, but we haven't been able to get the entire House and Senate to move on this.

I said back then the goals of No Child Left Behind were the right ones. Standards and accountability -- those are the right goals. Closing the achievement gap, that's a good goal. That's the right goal. We've got to stay focused on those goals. But we've got to do it in a way that doesn't force teachers to teach to the test, or encourage schools to lower their standards to avoid being labeled as failures. That doesn't help anybody. It certainly doesn't help our children in the classroom.

So we determined we need a different approach. And I've always believed that each of us has a role to play when it comes to our children's education. As parents, we've got a responsibility to make sure homework gets done, but also to instill a love of learning from the very start. As a nation, we've got a responsibility to give our students the resources they need -- from the highest-quality schools to the latest textbooks to science labs that actually work.

In return, we should demand better performance. We should demand reform. And that was the idea behind Race to the Top. For less than 1 percent of what our nation spends on education each year, we've gotten almost every state in the nation to raise their standards for teaching and learning. And that's the first time that's happened in a generation.

So when it comes to fixing what's wrong with No Child Left Behind, we've offered every state the same deal. We've said, if you're willing to set higher, more honest standards than the ones that were set by No Child Left Behind, then we're going to give you the flexibility to meet those standards. We want high standards, and we'll give you flexibility in return. We combine greater freedom with greater accountability. Because what might work in Minnesota may not work in Kentucky -- but every student should have the same opportunity to reach their potential.

So over the last five months, 39 states have told us that they were interested. Some have already applied. And today, I am pleased to announce that we are giving 10 states, the first 10 states the green light to continue making the reforms that are best for them.

Each of these states has set higher benchmarks for student achievement. They've come up with ways to evaluate and support teachers fairly, based on more than just a set of test scores. And along with promoting best practices for all of our children, they're also going to be focusing on low-income students, and English language learners, and students with disabilities -- not just to make sure that those children don't fall through the cracks, but to make sure they have every opportunity to go as far as their talents will take them.

So Massachusetts, for example, has set a goal to cut the number of underperforming students in half over the next six years. I like that goal.

Colorado has launched a website that will allow teachers and parents to see exactly how much progress students are making, and how different schools are measuring up. So nothing creates more accountability than when parents are out there taking a look and seeing what's going on.

New Jersey is developing an early warning system to reduce the number of dropouts. Tennessee is creating a statewide school district to aggressively tackle its lowest-performing schools. And Florida has set a goal to have their test scores rank among the top five states in the country, and the top 10 countries in the world. I like that ambition.

This is good news for our kids; it's good news for our country. And I'm confident that we're going to see even more states come forward in the months ahead. Because if we're serious about helping our children reach their full potential, the best ideas aren't going to just come from here in Washington. They're going to come from cities and towns from all across America. They're going to come from teachers and principals and parents. They're going to come from you who have a sense of what works and what doesn't.

And our job is to harness those ideas, to lift up best practices, to hold states and schools accountable for making them work. That's how we're going to make sure that every child in America has the skills and the education they need to compete for the jobs of the future and to be great citizens. And that's how we're going to build an economy that lasts.

So to all the educators who are in the room, thank you for what you do every day. We are very proud of your efforts. We know it's not easy. We're proud of you. And working together, I am absolutely confident that year after year we're going to see steady improvement.

I told the superintendents that I met backstage before I came out here, this is not a one-year project. This isn't a two-year project. This is going to take some time. But we can get it done with the kind of determination and the kind of commitment that so many of you have shown.

So I'm proud of you. I'm proud of Arne Duncan. Let's make this happen.

Thank you very much, everybody.

END 2:07 P.M. EST

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release February 9, 2012

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY

AT IOWA "LET'S MOVE" DAY

Wells Fargo Arena

Des Moines, Iowa

11:17 A.M. CST

MRS. OBAMA: This is so cool. Hey! (Applause.) Well, hello, everybody! It's great to be here in Iowa! (Applause.) Happy birthday "Let's Move!" Happy "Let's Move" Day! This is terrific. (Applause.) Wow. I hear you guys have been having some fun, is that right?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: Good stuff. You've got a lot of energy because you all are eating your vegetables and exercising. This is terrific.

Well, let me start by thanking the Governor for all that he's done to make this day possible. I also want to thank Secretary Vilsack. I want to thank Mayor Cownie. I want to thank Coach Hoiberg, who has also done a lot for this day. And all the folks -- because there were so many people who helped make today possible. I want to thank everyone. But most of all, I want to thank all of you amazing, amazing young people for being here. Wow! (Applause.)

This is so cool, isn't it? (Applause.) This is a huge day. It is a huge day. We are celebrating the second anniversary of "Let's Move." And we could have had this party anywhere in the country, right? We could have gone anywhere, but there is a reason why we wanted to come here to Iowa to be with all of you. (Applause.) And that's because I am so proud of what you all are doing to make Iowa the healthiest state in this country by 2016.

I am proud that you guys are starting community gardens, that you're eating your fruits and vegetables. I'm proud that you guys are walking to school instead of taking the bus. I'm proud that you're working hard to get that 60 minutes of activity a day, every day. I'm also proud of your government, and businesses like Hy-Vee, and community leaders across the state who are all coming together to help you guys get healthy, to keep moving.

This is exactly what "Let's Move" is all about. We want every single state in this country to do exactly what Iowa is doing. (Applause.) And so you guys are the model -- you are the model of what every state should be doing. So we're working to make that happen. We're working to get healthier food into your school breakfasts and lunches, as well as into restaurants and on grocery store shelves.

We've invited folks like LeBron James, and Drew Brees, and Carl Edwards. (Applause.) We had the U.S. Women's Soccer Team -- all of them have come to the White House to inspire kids just like you to get up and get active.

And as you saw from that video, right, I've gotten active myself. I have hula-hooped, I've played flag football, I got to dance to Beyoncé, do a little "Dougie" in a flash mob -- that was so cool. I even joined kids across the country to help break the world record for people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period.

And we actually did it. We blew the record out of the water. It was so much fun. So I have been having such a great time on this initiative, and it sounds like you all have been having a little fun, too, right? (Applause.) That is good. Because getting healthy is about having fun. And while we're out there eating our good food and having a good time, it's important to know that we're not just making our bodies stronger, but we are making our minds sharper, too. And that is really key.

I mean, you all probably already know that when you eat healthy foods instead of chips and candy, you feel better and you have more energy. You can run faster, you can play longer, you can perform better out on the basketball court or the soccer field.

But did you know that exercises like running and hiking can actually help your brain work better, too? Did you know that?

AUDIENCE: No!

MRS. OBAMA: Well, believe it or not, if you eat healthy food, you're actually more likely to pass your tests and to get good grades in school. It is absolutely true. Because being active and eating healthy are a big part of reaching all of your goals, both on the playing field and in the classroom. That's why this is so important. This is so important for you all.

So just look at some of your role models -- basketball players like Grant Hill. I mean, long before he was a seven-time NBA all-star or an Olympic gold medalist, he was just a kid like many of you, always outside playing soccer or basketball with his friends. And as he says -- and this is his quote -- he says, "Instead of playing" -- "Instead of staying home alone on the couch," he wants you to be outside having fun.

Or take Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan -- you guys met Michelle earlier, right? (Applause.) She said that when she was a teenager, she stopped eating so much junk food, and as a result her skating improved immediately -- immediately. And today, what she says is, "If you don't eat right, you don't perform well." Plain and simple.

And that's true for me as well. I mean, one thing I know is that when I exercise and I eat right, I always feel better, and I always have more energy. And my husband is the same way, too. You heard of my husband, right? That guy, the President? (Applause.) Well, it's important for you all to know that he works out at the gym almost every day before he heads to the Oval Office. Every day. That's right -- the President of the United States exercises almost every day. So if the President of the United States can do it, we can all do it. And he plays basketball with his friends whenever he can.

But let's be clear, you do not have to be the President of the United States, you don't have to be an Olympic athlete to make exercise a regular part of your life. You don't even have to play a sport. I mean, this is important, because a lot of kids think they have to be athletes to keep moving, but you don't. You can just turn on the radio and dance until you sweat. You can take a walk, you can ride a bike after school instead of sitting in front of the computer. You can just get a bunch of friends together and do the "interlude dance" or throw a Frisbee or play capture the flag.

When it comes to eating right and exercising, you guys, it's important for you to know that all of you are old enough -- you're at an age where you can make good choices for yourselves in your lives. You guys are in the position to do that now. You're already starting to decide so much about your lives, right? You don't want your mother telling you what clothes to wear or who to hang out with, right? You guys are making those decisions about what clubs and sports you're going to join, right? So you can also choose to eat healthier. That's your decision. You can make the choice to be more active in your lives.

And in fact, that's what young people just like you are doing every day all across this state. For example, at Indianola Middle School -- (applause) -- there they are! You know what they're doing there? Students have joined their school's nutrition and wellness committee, so they're helping to design and launch programs like healthy grab-and-go breakfasts, and they have open gym time at their school. Way to go, you guys! (Applause.) And at South Winneshiek High School -- we have any South Winneshiek High School people here? (Applause.) They organized a 5K fun run. And then, at Westridge Elementary School in West Des Moines -- (applause) -- Westridge, are you guys here? (Applause.) Students there are wearing pedometers to track how far they've walked. And today, they've walked more than 33,000 miles. Very cool. (Applause.)

So today, I want to challenge all of you -- all of you here to be leaders just like that in your own schools, in your own communities. I want you guys to take the lead. I want you to think about ways that you can get your friends and your classes and your classmates involved. You can do anything, from starting a school garden club; you can organize hikes or weekend basketball tournaments over the summer. You can start a committee to make healthy recommendations for your school lunches or for your vending machines.

But the thing that is important to know: If you all start doing this, if you make the decision to be healthier, you're going to not just make your school and your community healthier, but you're going to help to make the entire state healthy.

And all you have to do is get to work. And you all are doing such a great job. You've gotten off to such a great start. But I know that we have a lot more work to do. We have a lot more work ahead if we're going to make Iowa -- and all our states -- the healthiest that they can be. It's going to take every one of us working together to achieve that goal, and we're going to need all of you. Again, that's why we wanted you to come. We're going to need all of you to help lead the way.

So my last question for you guys is, are you ready to do that?

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA: Wait, I can't hear you. Are you ready to do that?

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA: Well, all right! Then "Let's Move!" (Applause.)

END 11:29 A.M. CST

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Obama's list spans musical tastes and generations, with oldie standards including Earth, Wind and Fire's "Got to Get You in My Life" to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," which Obama crooned a few bars of to much acclaim recently, to hits by James Taylor and Bruce Springsteen.

Candidate rally songs are in the news as analysts are stepping up to decode them--as sort of musical/political Rorschach tests--to figure out what they say about the contender.

The Washington Post on Thursday has a story about Mitt Romney and other GOP hopefuls campaign songs--his main one is "Born Free" by Kid Rock. Read the Post story by David A. Fahrenthold HERE.

The Sun-Times Allison Horton reported last month about a federal lawsuit filed in Chicago by a firm owned by Frank M. Sullivan, the co-writer of Survivor's 1982 hit, "Eye of the Tiger." The suit by Rude Music in Palatine, owned by Sullivan, was filed against Newt Gingrich's 2012 campaign, Gingrich and the American Conservative Union after the defendants used "Eye of the Tiger" without permission. Chicago attorney Annette McGarry is representing Rude Music. Read Horton's Sun-Times story HERE.

THE OBAMA 2012 OFFICIAL PLAYLIST

1. Different People - No Doubt
2. Got to Get You in My Life - Earth, Wind & Fire
3. Green Onions- Booker T & The MG's
4. I Got You - Wilco
5. Keep on Pushing - The Impressions
6. Keep Reachin' Up - Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators
7. Love You I Do - Jennifer Hudson
8. No Nostalgia - AgesAndAges
9. Raise Up - Ledisi
10. Stand Up - Sugarland
11. This - Darius Rucker
12. We Used To Wait - Arcade Fire
13. You've Got the Love - Florence and the Machine
14. Your Smiling Face - James Taylor
15. REO Speedwagon - Roll with the Changes
16. "Everyday America" - Sugarland
17. "Learn to Live" - Darius Rucker
18. "Let's Stay Together" - Al Green
19. "Mr. Blue Sky" - Electric Light Orchestra
20. "My Town" - Montgomery Gentry
21. "The best thing about me is you" - Ricky Martin ft. Joss Stone
22. "You are the Best Thing" - Ray Lamontagne
1. Keep Marchin' - Raphael Saadiq
2. Tonight's The Kind of Night - Noah and the Whale
3. "We Take Care of our Own" - Bruce Springsteen
4. Keep Me In Mind - Zac Brown Band
5. The Weight - Aretha Franklin
6. Even Better Than The Real Thing - U2
7. Home - Dierks Bentley

WASHINGTON--Chicago civil rights lawyer Bob Howard--a fixture on the local scene years and years before anyone ever heard of Barack Obama--stars in a video reminding 2008 voters why they need to back Obama again in 2012. A video of this sort seems designed to guard against an enthusiasm gap and to deal with disillusioned Obama backers--especially with progressive voters.

The video focus is on Obama's opposition to the Iraq war--and his 2002 speech against it in Chicago, which Howard was at--with a shot of Howard in the only video clip of the speech that exists. Howard puts on the same shirt he wore at the 2002 rally for this 2012 campaign video.

From CPAC: "Based on this year's theme, "We STILL Hold These Truths", CPAC 2012 will feature grassroots training and strategizing to strengthen the conservative movement and ensure conservatives have the resources and tools necessary to defeat the Obama agenda in November. You can now view the full CPAC 2012 Agenda at www.cpac.org.

The American Conservative Union is America's oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization and was founded in 1964. The ACU has hosted CPAC in the Nation's Capital since 1973."

MARY ANN GLENDON: "PEOPLE OF ALL FAITH WON'T FIND A MORE ARDENT OR EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE THAN MITT ROMNEY"

Boston, MA - Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, Founder of Women Affirming Life and Chair of the Board of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty as well as the Canterbury Medal recipient in 2003, made the following statement on Mitt Romney's defense of religious liberty:

"The charge that Mitt Romney has not stood tall to defend freedom of religion is preposterous. The truth is that Mitt Romney has been fighting assaults on religious freedom for a long time, and at moments and in places where it was not popular, to say the least. When Catholic Charities in Massachusetts was being forced out of the adoption business because they were trying to provide adoption services for needy children while staying true to their beliefs, it was Governor Mitt Romney who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Catholic Church and filed a bill to protect religious liberty. It was precisely for his courageous efforts in defense of religious freedom that the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty awarded him its prestigious Canterbury Medal in 2008. At this moment when religious liberty is under attack from many quarters, people of all faith won't find a more ardent or effective advocate than Mitt Romney. He has shown backbone on every critical issue at every juncture when it counted."

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