EXCLUSIVE: Tim LaHaye clarifies his Washington Times quote on Mitt Romney

On July 29 the Washington Times ran a piece on the Evangelical response to Mitt Romney possibly becoming John McCain’s running mate. One Evangelical leader quoted in the piece was Dr. Tim LaHaye, co-author of the famous Left Behind novels. The paper attributed this quote to LaHaye,

“We [Evangelicals] aren't against Mormonism, but Romney is not a thoroughgoing evangelical and his flip-flopping on issues is understandable in a liberal state like Massachusetts, but our people won't understand that."

Read the full article here: Evanglicals warn against Romney on ticket

Concerned that the quote could be misconstrued –specifically with regard to whether or not Romney is Evangelical– LaHaye thought it best to clarify his position. In a phone interview with Watchman Fellowship on August 1, he succinctly clarified his position with this statement,

“I think Romney’s strong family values are commendable, but in my view, if he were the Vice Presidential nominee he would not inspire the enthusiastic support of Evangelicals behind McCain. And it is on that basis that I do not recommend Romney as a running mate for John McCain. That said I do not oppose Romney because of his religion, but because of his inability to light the enthusiasm of thousands of Evangelical Pastors to urge their members to become registered, informed, and out to vote on Election Day, the way he could if he were an Evangelical.”

Clearly, Dr. LaHaye does not believe nor did he intend to convey the notion that either Mitt Romney or Mormonism is Evangelical.