On a campaign stop to the Houston Area Thursday, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said the United States should stay in Iraq until things are stable.

Len Cannon: That’s an open-ended commitment, is it not?

Romney: “We are not going to stand for nations having safe havens for terror to be launched against us, and we continue to be concerned of matters of that nature.”

This was Romney’s seventh trip to Texas this campaign season.

And he comes with an impressive resume. Successful in business and politics as the former governor of Massachusetts.

“He has money, he has youth, has experience and he has charisma,” said 11 News political consultant Bob Stein of Rice University.

But can he capture the ultimate political prize?

Len: A Wall Street Journal poll asked whom people would be most comfortable with as president, you finished fourth, why?

Romney: “Right now I am not terribly well known across the country.”

But there is one thing on his sterling resume that pundits feel could be a problem with voters. It’s his faith.

"It still is a resistant issue when you look at the polls among evangelical Christians, his religion as a Mormon is simply an obstacle,” said Stein.

Romney points out he has done well in straw polls in places like South Carolina.

"In politics you can never say things are fine, but I don't believe my weaknesses will be related to my faith,” said Romney. “I think they will find other places to attack me.”

The primaries begin in Iowa, New Hampshire and Michigan. Places Romney says he has polled well.   

But what happens when the voting starts? When he is judged on issues like immigration?

Len: In a state like Texas, your stance on illegal immigrants, some Hispanic voters might take offense.

Romney: “I think people of all groups recognize we are a nation of laws, and that we should welcome legal immigration.”

Romney’s first major test will come on Super Tuesday in February.

A day that could vault him to party’s nomination or stops his run in its tracks.