From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Mitt Romney and religion in America's public life.

Hello again, I'm Warren Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues, Americans care about most. The former governor of Massachusetts said today he does not define his presidential

candidacy by his Mormon religion. He promised that if he's elected, no authorities of his church

will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. On to the point, with a constitutional

ban on religious tests for public office,

is it political bigotry to question any candidate's faith? Or does Mormonism raise specific

questions? Some voters have a right to ask. Did Romney tell them what they wanted to know? On

reporter's notebook later on, two gypsy clans go to court over who controls fortune-telling in Southern California.

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio International Program Fund,

whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation.

Hello again, Mormon-Ialney,

back with To the Point. Mitt Romney said today, no Mormon authority will influence what he does if he's

elected president of the United States. On To the Point, with a religious test prohibited by the

Constitution, should any candidate have to defend his or her religion? Does Mormonism raise special questions? As Romney

provided the answers that some voters think they have a right to ask for? On reporter's notebook,

a dispute over fortune-telling in Southern California provides a rare glimpse into the lives of

gypsies. First, this news update. With anxiety rising about the economy, President Bush today

announced a plan to help

homeowners with sub-prime mortgages. It would freeze the so-called starter interest rate for certain

...