Personal beliefs can significantly influence political decisions made by elected officials like Mitt Romney. In Romney's case, his deeply held religious convictions played a central role in shaping his conscience and guiding him towards voting according to what he believed was right rather than what was politically expedient. Personal beliefs can serve as moral compasses for politicians when faced with difficult choices that test their values and ethics. These convictions can provide them with clarity of purpose, drive them towards actions aligned with their core principles even if they face backlash or consequences, and ultimately define their legacy as public servants committed not just to power but also ethical governance based on deeply held beliefs.