Mitt Romney tells Values Voter Summit that 'culture matters' [View all]

[cali]

By Michael A. Memoli

September 14, 2012, 3:01 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- In remarks to a prominent gathering of religious conservatives, Mitt Romney vowed to be a president who shared their “commitment to conservative principles,” and said a strong economy was rooted in “strong communities and strong families.”

Romney addressed the annual Values Voter Summit in Washington via a recorded video message, surprising attendees who had not expected to hear from the Republican nominee. His running mate, Paul D. Ryan had spoken to the gathering just hours earlier before heading to a campaign stop in battleground Virginia.

Romney said that his travels in the past year have underscored the “great strain our troubled economy has put on families,” and he aligned himself with the many who are “proud to cling to their religion and to the Constitution,” a reference to remarks President Obama made as a candidate in 2008.

<snip>

“In short, culture matters,” Romney said. “And as president I will protect our culture and preserve the values of hard work, personal responsibility, family and faith.”

<snip>

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-romney-values-voter-20120914,0,5036054.story