CD: As a political scientist, what role do you believe an individual’s faith life should play in politics, if any?

MELADY: I would say that [Americans] probably have a right to know about [a candidate’s] fundamental values and what you believe in, and there should be full disclosure, but I think it’s early in the campaign. Some are concerned whether or not the Mormon faith fits into the Christian framework, and I’d say it certainly fits into the framework of believing people, and they produce very solid citizens with strong family values.

CD: And do you think those are values that easily transfer into Romney’s campaign and into politics in general?

MELADY: I think everything will. I think there are questions that American people want to know for any candidate: What are their beliefs, and how does that fit in to the broad scope of American pluralism? I think that [Romney’s] does.

CD: Do you worry that a candidate’s religious beliefs could get in the way of actions he or she may have to take as president or as candidate for president?

MELADY: I’m not an expert in [Romney’s] particular faith, but I can’t see anything in it that would interfere with the ability at all.

CD: One thing Romney has spoken about is his support for pro-life activities. However, a U.S. News and World Reports article stated that he also admitted to being “effectively pro-choice” as little as two years ago. Because of this, some might question the sincerity of his support for pro-life beliefs, just prior to his run for president. Does this raise concerns for you?

MELADY: I accept his word on what he believes in. I’ve never run for office, but I’ve been active in presidential campaigns and foreign policy, and we all believe in evolving positions — an even stronger word would be conversion, but the question is what the man believes in now, and I have no question about his current position.

CD: Romney also supports the death penalty, which the Catholic Church states is virtually unacceptable within the United States. Do you think that, as Catholics who hope to respect the dignity of all human life, we can consider him or anyone who shows an inconsistency in that sense, to be truly pro-life?

MELADY: I just read the statement of the [United States Conference of Catholic] Bishops, [“On Faithful Citizenship”], and I think it’s quite a clear statement, in the broad scope of things and pluralistic America, in the basic amendment of the Church to life, whether its before conception or at natural death, or with regards to the death penalty. When I was ambassador to the Vatican, [John Paul II] came out several times with that, and I think I’m accurate in saying he felt that in modern life, with the ability to build safe prisons, you didn’t have to execute [a dangerous criminal] to protect society. What you have said is that [Romney] says we should continue it?

CD: Yes, he’s in favor of it.

MELADY: I’m sure he qualifies it under provisional law and various circumstances. I suppose in then end, for all people, not just Catholics, there are some cases where you have a very clear and strong candidate, but maybe for others there will be a variety of factors that you’ll consider. But I’m committed to the Catholic teachings, Are there any other candidates that are totally opposed?

CD: To be honest, I’d have to check that out myself. [Editor’s note: Representative Ron Paul (R) is currently the only candidate who is both anti-abortion and opposed to the death penalty under any circumstance.] It is hard to find one, I think, which brings up the question of if, for example, Clinton and Giuliani are nominated, and both presidential candidates are pro-choice. How do you think this might change the elections, in general, and the decisions of pro-life Catholics?

MELADY: Well, I certainly am pro-life. Having read the document of the bishops twice, I think it will be a matter of studying the full document and then coming to a judgment, and by that time we’ll have one candidate from the Republican party and one from the Democratic party, and then it will be a matter of who is closer to this position.