At a crowded rally on Hilton Head Island, a woman rose to her feet on Friday evening and said: “Do you believe in the divine saving grace of Jesus Christ?”
“Yes, I do,” said Mr. Romney, a Mormon. “I happen to believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and my savior, but I know other people have differing views, and I respect those views and don’t believe those qualify or disqualify people for leadership in our nation.”
The airwaves here have been dominated by criticism from Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker, who accused Mr. Romney of “looting” companies, and from Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, who suggested that Mr. Romney engaged in “vulture capitalism.” His advisers believe that this criticism could help inoculate him against similar Democratic-led attacks if he becomes the Republican nominee, since the story of Bain Capital could be well-worn by then.
