On the Campaign Trail with the Romney Boys

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Romney Gains in New Hampshire

In the News

Romney rebounds to lead in N.H.
Candidate gains with steady push

By Lisa Wangsness, Globe Staff


MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Mitt Romney boasted an enviable advantage in the first-in-the-nation primary state when he launched his campaign for president: A governor of Massachusetts, he also owned a house on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. But as recently as February, Granite Staters appeared to harbor little interest in the boy next door. Polls had him lagging far behind John McCain and Rudy Giuliani.
In the last few months, however, Romney has steadily pushed to the head of the Republican pack in New Hampshire, while his major rivals have lost ground. A mid-July poll had him opening up a 15-point lead.
Romney has benefitted from larger forces shaping the race, notably, McCain's difficulties. But he has also run a campaign that might have been lifted straight out of "The Official Guide to Winning the New Hampshire Primary," if there were such a guide to the conventional wisdom. The formula: win over influential activists, advertise early, and lavish New Hampshire with attention.
"It's really no secret what Romney's been doing," said Fergus Cullen, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee, who is neutral in the race. "They have run the most traditional campaign in New Hampshire, characterized by the most visits here and the best grass-roots organization and by running a campaign aimed directly at likely Republican primary voters."
Summer polls rarely predict the winner of the election, however, and Romney's opponents say they have only just begun to fight in New Hampshire.
But with Romney's surge in the polls came a rise in expectations: With McCain seriously weakened and with Romney's early advantages in New Hampshire, it is hard at this point to see a state where he is better positioned to win.
Romney has made 65 stops during 23 official trips to New Hampshire since the last presidential election, according to the Globe's running count, more than McCain and Giuliani combined. Marketing himself as a business leader and family man with a Reaganesque optimism about the future, he has visited all 10 New Hampshire counties, headlining Republican fund-raisers, dropping by ice cream stands, and, more recently, holding town-hall-style forums where he invites locals to "Ask Mitt Anything."
He has had 14 full-time staff members on the ground for about two months, his campaign says, enough to make sure that every visit by the candidate is carefully planned and that Romney is represented whenever Republicans gather.

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Romney in Florida

In the News

Romney appeals to Hispanics

By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ,
Associated Press Writer



MIAMI - Free trade is key to ending Latin American poverty, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Saturday while courting support from the Cuban-American and growing Venezuelan-American communities.


Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, noted that the Bush administration had sought free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Peru, but the Democratic-controlled Congress failed to approve them.


Romney, however, stopped short of endorsing a proposal by Isilio Arriaga, a member of his own National Hispanic Steering Committee, to lower subsidies on U.S. ethanol. Such a move could help boost Brazil‘s production of sugar cane-based ethanol and reduce its competition.


Romney said the United States, as it seeks to become more self-reliant, must look at a variety of options for producing energy from sources such as ethanol, liquid coal, solar and wind.


Romney said Chavez‘s push to nationalize some Venezuelan industries has cooled international interest in Latin American investment, and the U.S. must show its commitment to the region.


Romney also spoke to veterans of the ill-fated 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion at their small museum in Miami‘s Little Havana neighborhood and promised to seek out their intelligence expertise on Cuba if elected president.


"Everyone talks about family values, but Romney has demonstrated them with his five sons and his long marriage," said Adam Roig, 51, who works in medical technology.

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Ames Straw Poll

Ames Straw Poll-August 11th

by Rev. Brian G. Eenigenburg
Editorial

Last night I watched Romney on CSPAN as he spoke to a crowd at a Republican gathering in one of Iowa's counties. When he started his speech, everyone in the crowd looked skeptical. Everyone was very quiet, faces were tight, body language indicated closed up defensive positions.

By the end of his speech, practically everyone was opened up, nodding their heads in agreement, smiling.

At the end of his answers to questions, people were swarming to meet him or get his autograph, and promising him they would be at Ames to support him.

It seems when people see Mitt in action and FEEL firsthand who he really is, as opposed to fearing from afar his Mormonism or the state he lives in, they really join with him.

This was his 38th such county meeting out of 99 counties, but I imagine he is hitting the biggest ones.

Full endeavor in Iowa is gruelling. But it tells the world Mitt would give full endeavor as Republican nominee and as President. A message we can help spread.

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Romney: Americans Angry With Iraq War

In the News
Romney: Americans Angry With Iraq War

AMY LORENTZENA
Associated Press Writer

Breibart.com

ADEL, Iowa (AP) - Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said Friday that the country is angry over the lack of progress in the Iraq war, a stinging assessment of the Bush administration's handling of the conflict from a Republican candidate.

Campaigning in Iowa, the former Massachusetts governor also argued that despite the nation's frustration over the war, voters aren't ready to replace President Bush with a Democrat.
"I know the Democrats are getting all ready, they are measuring the drapes and getting the carpet all ready for how they are going to take over the White House, and I think they are going to get a big surprise," Romney told a crowd gathered at a golf course. "America is not happy with how the war in Iraq is going, and is angry. But America is not about to take a sharp left turn and put somebody in the White House who would turn America into a European-type state."

While Romney supported the March 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and backs Bush's current troop increase, he has repeatedly said the post- invasion period was "mismanaged" with a lack of preparation for the insurgency and adequate planning for a government handover.

Before various New Hampshire audiences on Wednesday, Romney said he would wait until a mid-September report from U.S. generals in Iraq before deciding the next course of action that he would support. He said if the surge succeeds, he believes it will allow U.S. troop withdrawals. He had refused to detail alternate scenarios should insurgent violence continue unabated.
On immigration, Romney adopted a hardline stance.

"I ... don't think it makes sense to have an immigration policy that says that if an illegal couple—a couple that comes across the border illegally—has a child here, that child becomes a U.S. citizen, that then the whole family gets to come in, if you will, through 'chain migration,'" he said.

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Ann Romney - The Next First Lady

In the News

By Sandra Sobieraj Westfall
People.com

Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, finds strength in her family and her horses – and she's emerging as a potent political force this campaign season.

"Ann deserves a lot of credit," says GOP pollster Neil Newhouse. "Politicians talk about family values, Ann and Mitt Romney live them."

Her husband calls her "one of America's great moms" – a description she's "totally satisfied with." Mrs. Romney, 58, invited PEOPLE into the sunshine-yellow sitting room of her Belmont, Mass., home on June 12 to talk about her Mormon faith, raising five boys, living with Multiple Sclerosis – and her designs on the White House.

Here is the complete interview

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GOP Candidates Passing Up YouTube Debate

YOUTUBE, TAKE TWO

Few GOP Candidates Commit to Debate

Four days after the Democratic debate in Charleston, S.C., more than 400 questions directed to the GOP presidential field have been uploaded on YouTube, as Republicans are scheduled to take their turn at video-populism on Sept. 17.

But only Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) and Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) have agreed to participate in the debate, co-hosted by the Republican Party of Florida in St. Petersburg.

"Aside from those two candidates, we haven't heard from anyone else," said Sam Feist of CNN, which is co-sponsoring the debate with the popular video-sharing site.

Rudolph W. Giuliani and Mitt Romney, both with dozens of videos on their YouTube channels, have not signed up. Neither have the rest of the Republican candidates, including Rep. Tom Tancredo (Colo.), whose "Tancredo Takes" on his YouTube channel draw hundreds of views.

Sources familiar with the Giuliani campaign said the former New York mayor is unlikely to participate.

Kevin Madden, Romney's spokesman, said the former Massachusetts governor has seven debate invitations over a span of 11 days in September.
"We haven't committed to any of them yet," Madden said.

In an interview Wednesday with the New Hampshire Union Leader, Romney said he's not a fan of the CNN/YouTube format. Referring to the video of a snowman asking the Democratic candidates about global warming, Romney quipped, "I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman."

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Romney Considering Speech on Role of His LDS Faith

Romney Considering Speech to Discuss Role of His LDS Faith in Politics

LDSLiving.com

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Thursday he'll probably deliver a speech explaining the role his LDS faith plays in his political life, but he argued he's made strong gains among evangelicals despite questions about his religion.

"I have thought about that," Romney said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I haven't made a final decision, but it's probably more likely than not."

During a campaign appearance earlier in the day, Romney was asked about his views on appointing a "God-fearing Mormon" to the Supreme Court. Romney has been asked about such matters frequently in question-and-answer sessions he holds almost daily.

"I'd go after people who will follow the law and I wouldn't apply a religious test either," Romney said.

In the interview, Romney acknowledged the issue crops up often enough that he's pondering dealing with it in a comprehensive manner.

"It's probably too early for something like that," Romney said. "At some point it's more likely than not, but we'll see how things develop."

There is precedent for such a step. When John F. Kennedy sought the presidency in 1960, there was a whispering campaign about his Catholicism and he largely put the issue to rest by going to Texas to deliver a speech about the role that religion played in his life.

Romney said it's too early to decide what he would say in such a speech, largely because he hasn't made a final decision to deliver such a talk.

In March, a Gallup poll found that 46 percent had a negative opinion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant group, considers the LDS church a cult and many other Christian denominations also do not recognize Mormon baptism.

Romney has come under fire from some conservatives — primarily GOP rival Sam Brownback — for switching positions on issues such as abortion and gay rights. Romney said those charges haven't hurt his standing as he competes for the backing of social conservatives, who play a crucial role in Iowa Republican politics.
And Romney was dismissive of the criticism.

"I expect that evangelical Christians who believe in life and family values are going to vote for someone who shares their views and has a real prospect of being nominated by our party and becoming president," Romney told the AP. "The difference between me and Sam Brownback is he has run a uniformly negative campaign."
Romney was clearly annoyed by Brownback's criticism, saying the Kansas senator is alone among the GOP field in going on the attack.

"Virtually all have run positive campaigns, except one," said Romney. "He has run a uniformly negative campaign, which has distorted the truth and been mean-spirited. I think Iowans will reject that."

While rivals like former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani have been at the top of most national polls, Romney has run strong in some early voting states, such as Iowa and New Hampshire.

"There's no question that the folks in the field in Iowa are training their guns toward me because my campaign has been successful here," Romney said. "We have a good level of support from people who are Christian conservatives to people from other faiths, from a cross-section of Iowans. The fact that I've got this support here and a state as far away as New Hampshire suggests that my campaign is connecting and touching people throughout the party and that I have a real prospect of becoming the nominee."

Romney dismissed any suggestions that he should be considered the front-runner for the party's nomination.

"I'm far from a front-runner," Romney said. "It would be fun to be front-runner. I hope to be maybe in January of next year."

In the interview, Romney also:

— Argued that rival John McCain remains a formidable foe despite setbacks in his campaign. "I consider him an important contender in the race," said Romney, who was less charitable toward Giuliani. "I think we can't win the presidency without a pro-life, pro-family Republican."
— Defended his stance on the minimum wage, saying he favored "moderate, predictable changes" in the minimum wage linked to other indicators of growth in the economy. "I don't like the big jumps from time to time."
— Jumped into a dispute between Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama over Obama's statement that he would talk to leaders of hostile countries like North Korea. Romney joined with Clinton in criticizing Obama's stand. "Having the president meet with the authoritarian tyrants of the world is remarkably poor judgment."
— Sought to lower expectations for the Aug. 11 GOP straw poll in Ames, Iowa. Having invested the most time and money in the event, many expect Romney to win, but he was far more modest. "I expect to finish in the top two or three," he said.

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Romney Initiative - Kids and Computer Safety

Policy Briefing: Guarding Our Children On Their Computers

Governor Romney's Initiative To Guard Our Children:

Today, In Iowa, Governor Mitt Romney Announced A New Initiative To Prevent Pornography From Reaching Children On Their Computers. Children accessing pornography online is a major problem but one easily solved through determined action. As President, Governor Romney will work with computer and software companies to ensure that every home computer has effective software to filter out unwanted pornography.

- Governor Romney Will Work To Ensure Every Parent Has Access To Software Filters That Guard Their Children From Online Pornography. Numerous software programs exist that prevent unsolicited content from popping up on Internet browsers and filter websites a child may visit. With one in three youths reporting unwanted exposure to sexual material, the challenge is getting these tools into the hands of parents. To that effect, Governor Romney also will work with computer and software companies to make sure all new computers have optional parental control software filters that are ready and easy to use during setup. Governor Romney will also promote and increase awareness of available parental control filtering products for existing computers.

- Responsible Parents Are The First Line Of Defense In Guarding Our Children From Online Pornography. The most important work being done in America today is the work being done by responsible parents inside the four walls of the American home. We need to inform them and give them the tools they need to protect their children, especially while their children use the Internet to communicate with those outside the home.

Governor Romney's Agenda To Protect Our Children: Working To Ensure Parents Have The Adequate Tools To Protect Their Children Is Only One Part Of Governor Romney's Agenda To Guard Our Children Online.

Governor Romney Has Proposed The "One-Strike, You're Ours" Law For Those Convicted Of Preying On Children Using The Internet. As President, Governor Romney will propose new, tougher federal penalties for first-time offenders who use the Internet to sexually assault children, including stiff mandatory jail time to be followed by lifetime tracking by Global Positioning Satellite (GPS). This will represent a "One-Strike, You're Ours" law for child predators.

- By Enacting Tougher Laws, The Federal Government Will Be Following The Lead Of States Across The Country. Governor Romney's "One-Strike, You're Ours" Law will impose on the federal level the same tough sentences that states like Florida and California have put in place with "Jessica's Law." In Massachusetts, Governor Romney successfully fought to put the photos of the state's most dangerous sex offenders on the Internet, and he signed legislation to make it easier to extend the civil commitments of sex offenders. Yet, most federal laws are not tough enough when sentencing a first-time offender for sex crimes against a child.

- The Growing Threat Of Crimes Committed Against Children Via The Internet Is A Disturbing Trend. In February 2006, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched Project Safe Childhood, an initiative designed to protect children as they navigate the Internet. The Bush administration correctly recognized that as technology advances and the Internet becomes more accessible, there is a real danger that computer-facilitated crimes committed against children will continue to rise.

- Every Day We Are Reminded About The Growing Threat Posed To Our Children. A new study suggests that 85% of convicted child pornography offenders have also sexually abused children. Also, according to news reports, MySpace.com identified and removed more than 29,000 registered sex offenders from its online site. Sexual predators are going high-tech and so must our laws.

To read more about Governor Romney's agenda to protect our children, please see: http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Policy_Briefing_Protecting_Our_Children

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The Romney Agenda

"[Democrats] think about big government, big taxes and Big Brother. That's the same course Europe has taken over the last couple of decades that has led to a level of growth far below our own." – Gov. Mitt Romney (Lisa Rossi, "Romney Blasts Obama, Others," The Des Moines Register, 7/21/07)

Romney's Vision Of A Stronger Defense Vs. Defeatist Democrats

Gov. Romney Stresses The Importance Of Winning In Iraq And Defeating Radical Islam Globally. "The congressional debate in Washington has largely, and myopically, focused on whether troops should be redeployed from Iraq to Afghanistan, as if these were isolated issues. Yet the jihad is much broader than any one nation, or even several nations. ... The jihadist threat is the defining challenge of our generation and is symptomatic of a range of new global realities." (Gov. Mitt Romney, "Rising To A New Generation Of Global Challenges," Foreign Affairs, July/August 2007)

But Sen. Hillary Clinton Claims The U.S. Has Already Lost In Afghanistan To Al Qaeda And Bin Laden. SEN. HILLARY CLINTON: "We've got to figure out what we're doing in Iraq, where our troops are stretched thin, and Afghanistan, where we're losing the fight to al Qaeda and bin Laden." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

While Sen. Barack Obama Would Jump At The Chance To Meet With Dictators In Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba And North Korea. YOUTUBE QUESTION: "...would you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?" ... SENATOR BARACK OBAMA: "I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them -- which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration -- is ridiculous." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)


Romney's Vision Of A Stronger Economy Vs. Tax-And-Spend Democrats

Gov. Romney Believes Lower Taxes Lead To A Stronger American Economy. GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "Raising taxes will slow down the economy, will make it more and more difficult to create jobs here. It's the wrong direction. The right direction is always to bring tax rates down. If you believe that the strength of America flows from government, then you want more taxes. But if you believe that the strength of America flows from the American people, you want to hold their taxes down for themselves and for the employers that employ them." (Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes," 4/4/07)

But Sen. Joe Biden Would Raise Taxes, Rolling Back The Bush Tax Cuts. SEN. JOE BIDEN: "First of all, change the tax structure. We are giving people tax breaks who don't need it. The top 1 percent got an $85 billion a year tax break. It is not needed. My dad used to have an expression -- don't tell me what you value; show me your budget. And the budget we have here is we all dance around it. We need more revenue to be able to pay for the things the governor and everybody else talks about. And there's only one way to do it. You either raise taxes or take tax cuts away from people who don't need them. I'd take them away from people who don't need them." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

While Sen. John Edwards Would Create A Big Government-Run Health Insurance Program, Paid For By Taxpayers. SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: "No, because the only way to provide universal coverage is to mandate that everyone be covered. But I want to say, you know, I came out with a universal plan several months ago. A couple of months later, Senator Obama came out with a plan. He's made a very serious proposal, and I'm not casting aspersions on his plan. I think it's a very serious proposal. It just doesn't cover everybody. The only way to cover everybody is to mandate it." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)


Romney's Vision Of Stronger Families Vs. Out-Of-The-Mainstream Democrats

Gov. Romney Believes A Stronger American Family Leads To A Stronger America. GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "How is the American family made stronger? With marriage before children. With a mother and a father in the life of every child. With healthcare that is affordable and portable. With schools that succeed. With taxes that are lower. And with leaders who strive to demonstrate enduring values and morality." (Gov. Mitt Romney, Presidential Announcement, Dearborn, MI, 2/13/07)

But Sen. Barack Obama Supports Sex Education For Kindergarteners, And Wrongly Claimed That Gov. Mitt Romney Does, Too. CNN's ANDERSON COOPER: "Senator Obama, Mitt Romney has accused you this week of saying that 5-year-old children should be getting sex education. Was he right?" SEN. BARACK OBAMA: "Ironically, this was actually a proposal that he himself said he supported when he was running for governor of Massachusetts. ... I've got a 9-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old daughter. And I want them to know if somebody is doing something wrong to them, encroaching on their privacy, that they should come talk to me or my wife. And we've had that conversation, but not every parent is going to have that conversation with their child, and I think it's important that every child does, to make sure that they're not subject to the sexual predators." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

- In Fact, Sen. Obama Specifically Called For Sex-Ed In Kindergarten, Which Gov. Romney Did Not Support. "The Romney campaign is saying there is a difference here. Kevin Madden, Romney's national spokesman says, 'Obama specifically advocated sex-ed for small children in kindergarten.' Undaunted today, Romney said the following in South Carolina about Obama: 'Senator Obama is wrong if he thinks science-based sex education has any place in kindergarten.'" (David Brody, "Kindergarten Cop: Romney Versus Obama," CBN's The Brody File, www.cbn.com/CBNnews/198676.aspx, Posted 7/19/07)

- The Legislation Sen. Obama Voted For In Illinois Went Even Further – Calling For STD Prevention To Be Taught In Kindergarten. Illinois Senate Bill 99, which Obama supported in the 93rd Assembly (2003-2004), reads, in part: "...whenever such courses of instruction are provided in any of grades K through 12, then such courses also shall include age appropriate instruction on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including the prevention, transmission and spread of HIV." (IL General Assembly Website, www.ilga.gov/legislation/, Accessed 7/24/07)

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America is "Romney Country"

What They're Really Saying: About Governor Romney
As He Travels Across America

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Governor Romney "Packs The Room":

Nashua Telegraph: "Judged by a handful of comments and the audience's reaction, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was a hit at Sunday's Nashua Republican City Committee's 'A Summer Luncheon.' That included not pulling punches aimed at his Democratic counterparts, particularly U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y." (Joseph G. Cote, "Candidate Jabs Dems, Outlines Plans," Nashua Telegraph, 7/23/07)

- Nashua Telegraph: "Romney delighted many Nashua-area Republicans by outlining his campaign points, what he called the 'three-legged stool' of a strong America: a strong military, economy and families." (Joseph G. Cote, "Candidate Jabs Dems, Outlines Plans," Nashua Telegraph, 7/23/07)

Foster's Daily Democrat: "About 200 people packed into Town Hall on a beautiful Sunday afternoon seizing their opportunity as first-in-the nation presidential primary voters to ask many questions of Republican hopeful Mitt Romney." (Gretyl Macalaster, "Romney Packs The Room In Exeter," Foster's Daily Democrat, 7/23/07)

Rita Harrington Of Nashua, NH: "I just thought he was really inspiring for the Republican Party here. ... We went through a lot in the last elections. I liked everything he had to say." (Joseph G. Cote, "Candidate Jabs Dems, Outlines Plans," Nashua Telegraph, 7/23/07)

Chuck Lothrop Of Nashua, NH: "I thought he was pretty awesome all the way through. ... I was pretty impressed with him." (Joseph G. Cote, "Candidate Jabs Dems, Outlines Plans," Nashua Telegraph, 7/23/07)

Ellen Derby Of Peterborough, NH: "I thought he was right on the money. ... What hit me is his emphasis on having strong families." (Joseph G. Cote, "Candidate Jabs Dems, Outlines Plans," Nashua Telegraph, 7/23/07)

Jeanine Notter Of Merrimack, NH: "Everything he said was what we wanted to hear." (Joseph G. Cote, "Candidate Jabs Dems, Outlines Plans," Nashua Telegraph, 7/23/07)

Skip Webb Of Hampton, NH: "I think he did very well." (Susan Nolan, "Romney Charms Crowds," Portsmouth Herald, 7/23/07)

Gaylee Dean Of Newmarket, NH: Governor Romney is "the classiest guy running." (Susan Nolan, "Romney Charms Crowds," Portsmouth Herald, 7/23/07)

IOWA: Governor Romney Draws Standing Room Only Crowds:

Mason City Globe-Gazette: Governor Romney speaks "to a standing room only crowd" in Clear Lake, IA. (Peggy Senzarino, "Romney Visits Clear Lake," Mason City Globe-Gazette, 7/21/07)

Gene Triplett Of Battle Creek, IA: "I was undecided about who I was for before I came in here today. ... But Romney has sold me. I liked Tancredo and Brownback, but this guy impresses me." (Tim Gallager, "Romney Preaches Military Might," Sioux City Journal, 7/23/07)

Elizabeth Mahlberg Of Charter Oak, IA: Governor Romney "seems to have everything I'm looking for in a candidate." (Rob Boshart, "Romney Targets Terrorism, Predators," Cedars Rapid Gazette, 7/23/07)

Alice Eisenhauer Of Fonda, IA: "I feel he really is more strong in what he wants to do." (Lisa Rossi, "Romney Blasts Obama, Others," Des Moines Register, 7/21/07)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Governor Romney Works Up The Party Faithful:

Spartanburg Herald-Journal: 250 People Cram In To Hear Governor Romney. "About 250 people - including the media and campaign staff - crammed into the Beacon's Panther Room for Romney's sixth visit to Spartanburg since early 2005." (Jason Spencer, "'Yankee Governor With Southern Values' Backs Military And Attacks 'HillaryCare,'" Spartanburg Herald-Journal, 7/20/07)

Spartanburg Herald-Journal: "The rhetoric sat well with the party faithful, who clapped and cheered at regular intervals. Romney signs, stickers and DVDs were available at the entrance to the Panther Room." (Jason Spencer, "'Yankee Governor With Southern Values' Backs Military And Attacks 'HillaryCare,'" Spartanburg Herald-Journal, 7/20/07)

COLORADO: Governor Romney "Energized" El Paso County Republicans To "Feverish Applause":

The Rocky Mountain News: "Appearing polished and poised in a dark suit and blue tie, the former Massachusetts governor got all the laughs he looked for and stirred the crowd to feverish applause as he delivered his 32-minute keynote speech at the annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the elegant Broadmoor Hotel." (Chris Barge, "Romney: Dems Shrink From Terror," The Rocky Mountain News, 7/19/07)

Denver Post: "Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney energized a crowd of more than 700 of the party faithful Wednesday night by touting America's strength in fighting a global war on terror, its economy and the country's commitment to family." (Chuck Plunkett, "Romney: U.S. Strength Needed," Denver Post, 7/19/07)

Colorado Springs Gazette: Republicans "Were Surprised Or Pleased By [Governor Romney's] Humor And Straightforwardness." (Ed Sealover, "Romney Talk May Change El Paso Minds," Colorado Springs Gazette, 7/18/07)

- Colorado Springs Gazette: "Many people who came to the El Paso County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner on Wednesday had not made up their minds on Mitt Romney. ... Romney, however, seemed to dispel many of those doubts during a 35-minute address to a 700-person crowd at The Broadmoor hotel." (Ed Sealover, "Romney Talk May Change El Paso Minds," Colorado Springs Gazette, 7/18/07)

Former State Senator Ed Jones: "God, he sounds like Ronald Reagan. ... I really like what I hear, and right now I'm just going to be listening and watching." (Ed Sealover, "Romney Talk May Change El Paso Minds," Colorado Springs Gazette, 7/18/07



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Regarding Tonight's Democratic Debate

In the News

Editorial

One cadet ain’t happy

the shot

"We received the following op-ed from Citadel cadet W Stovall Witte III who writes about today’s Democratic debate held on the Citadel campus.


Whom Do You Think You’re Fooling?

By: W Stovall Witte III


Democrats seeking nomination for the 2008 Presidential election must think the American people are pretty gullible. How else can one explain the location and the format they’ve chosen for their next national debate?
You see, on Monday, July 23rd, the South Carolina Democratic Party is hosting all the candidates at the Citadel. They arranged this knowing that an audience of uniformed cadets would attend, so as to offer the national television audience a tacit military endorsement for their leftist, anti-military positions.
What’s worse is my fellow students at the Citadel won’t even be allowed to ask questions of the candidates. They are to be seen but not heard, as all questions for the debate must be submitted in advance through the internet site YouTube. CNN is televising the debate and will have the prerogative to ignore tough questions, such as the candidates’ views on the military.
Liberals have a long history of undercutting our military recruiting efforts and scuttling every piece of legislation that gives our armed forces the necessary tools to defend America. They do not seem to understand that, regardless how one feels about the current war itself, complete support for the members of our armed forces AND their mission is needed so as not to dishonor anyone in the military. Or, if they do, debating at The Citadel seems distastefully ironic.
Citadel Cadets deserve to hear these candidates answer the questions that concern us, particularly since they are exploiting our school and our distinguished heritage of selfless national service for their own personal political gain.
These candidates all declare to “support the troops,” but we need to examine what they have done to see if these oft-heard words ring true.
While dodging the call to serve during Vietnam, Bill Clinton wrote that he “loathed” the military. Have any of these candidates, particularly Hillary, ever publicly condemned Bill’s statement or his draft-dodging actions?
What about the words of John Kerry, who has stated our armed forces are in the business of “terrorizing kids and children”?
In my opinion, these candidates must publicly condemn the words of their party’s last presidential contender and last president if they expect anyone to buy their supposed “support.” But, beyond their words, what have these candidates actually done to improve our nation’s defenses?
When was the last time they voted to fund modernizing battlefield equipment and increasing the availability of combat replacement parts and supplies?
When was the last time they voted to offer improved military pay and benefits or to reduce, or even eliminate, the taxes paid by members of the armed forces?
What initiatives, such as the Solomon amendment, have they sponsored to strengthen recruiting efforts for our all-volunteer force? Unlike The Citadel, many high schools and colleges nationwide restrict the access students have to meet with military recruiters on campus and refuse to host the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). What have these candidates done to expand our military, such as pushing for a military presence on campus at schools like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford?
If we can all agree that America is the best country in the world, then why can’t we agree that America should be readily protected by the strongest military in the world and that having the strongest military in the world means we need to encourage as many people from as many places as possible to serve voluntarily? Furthermore, can’t we all agree that members of the military should be treated with the utmost respect at all times through words and, much more importantly, deeds?
As America and the Western world continue the long-war throughout the world with radical jihadists, my peers and I are going to need more help, not less, if we expect to be victorious as we step into roles of military and civilian leadership.
If liberals continue to not support the mission, then they will inevitably not “support the troops” by not funding them. Going into armed conflict, knowing that you are not as strong as you could be because of unsupportive people and policies back home, will hopefully be a situation no soldier has to face. Either liberals do not understand how real this possibility is, or they are actively seeking to make it a reality.
My freshman year at The Citadel I learned many things. I was instructed how to shine shoes, how to march in formation, and even how to eat properly. But two of the most important lessons cadets at The Citadel learn are the importance of being completely honest and respecting those who serve in the armed forces. I, of course, hope the candidates in Monday’s debate will learn these lessons while here, but as Ronald Reagan once said, “If history teaches anything, it teaches that self-delusion in the face of unpleasant facts is folly.”
_____________________________________________

A junior at The Citadel, W Stovall Witte III is a student activist with Young America’s Foundation and vice-president of the Cadet Republican Society

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Governor Romney Takes on the Democrats

In the News

Romney Continues Assault on Democrats

By PHILIP ELLIOTT
MyWay.com


NASHUA, N.H. (AP) - Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney took aim at Democratic rivals on Sunday, calling them all unprepared to lead the country and comparing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's economic plan to that of Socialist Karl Marx.


"It would be helpful to have a person leading the country who understands how the economy works and has actually managed something," the former Massachusetts governor told reporters after a GOP fundraiser. "In the case of the three Democratic front-runners, not one of them has managed even a corner store, let alone a state or a city."


Romney, who leads Republicans in New Hampshire, has focused his criticism in recent weeks on Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards rather than rival Republicans. It's a strategy he hopes will help him maintain his lead over Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.


"I wanted to focus on the Democrats," he said. "By and large, the best way to further my interest is to let people know what I would do and to distinguish that from what the Democrats would do."


"Hillary Clinton just gave a speech the other day about her view on the economy. She said we have been an on-your-own society. She said it's time to get rid of that and replace that with shared responsibility and we're-in-it-together society," Romney told the crowd. "That's out with Adam Smith and in with Karl Marx."


He also repeated his criticism of Sen. John Edwards.


"To have someone like Senator Edwards stand up and say there's not a war on terror, that it's a Bush bumper sticker" is unacceptable, he said. "There is a war being waged by the terrorists. If I or any other Republican president is running this country, there will be a war waged on the terrorists."


He attacked Obama's health care plan.

"Barack Obama said we're going to have to have the government take over health care. He at least had the integrity to say he wants to raise your taxes," Romney said. "The right answer is not a government takeover, it's not socialized medicine. It's not Hillarycare."
An Edwards spokeswoman said Romney's own vacillations should give voters pause.
"It seems the only thing that Governor Romney has chosen to stand firm on is the misguided, out-of-touch belief that we should continue with George Bush's failed foreign policy in Iraq," Kate Bedingfield said.


Earlier Sunday, Romney was in Washington courting Hispanic voters by extolling the virtues of faith, family values and immigration.


"If you say, name people who are hardworking, seek education, love God, love their families and value freedom - it's Hispanic-Americans, just like other Americans," Romney told a crowd at the Republican National Hispanic Assembly's annual convention.
"I want to make sure we continue an open door in immigration that welcomes people who come here with those kinds of values," he said.


During an Iowa visit last week, Romney struck a hard line on illegal immigration. He criticized Giuliani for making New York "a sanctuary city for illegal aliens" by failing to enforce the immigration laws on the books. Romney also noted that as governor, he had deputized state police to enforce immigration laws and denied driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

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Romney Sunday Sundae Stop in New Hampshire

In the News

A candidate and a cone: Romney to make campaign stop at Kingston ice cream shop

By Margo Sullivan ,
Staff writerEagle-Tribune

KINGSTON, N.H. - At Memories Ice Cream, a hungry customer can find the list of flavors - butter crunch, cotton candy, or Maine blueberry hard yogurt - on a wood sign hanging on the farmhouse porch.On an average Sunday, 1,000 people come to the store for a scoop, a frappe or other concoction, according to owner Marc Brown. They can stay for a while, resting on a pink or purple painted picnic bench, and enjoy the picture-perfect scene, complete with hanging flower baskets spilling over with petunias on the porch and a weather-beaten barn and silo by the fields beyond.

But this Sunday, some of the regulars could find themselves biting into a waffle cone, cheek to cheek with Mitt Romney. The former Bay State governor is expected to step onto the white, wood porch around 3:30 tomorrow afternoon to shake hands with customers and employees.The Kingston stop is part of a busy schedule of campaign appearances, starting in Nashua with a luncheon and speech before the Republican City Committee. Romney will travel on to Salem for a house party and end the day with a Town Hall meeting in Exeter.Brown, who owns the Route 111 ice cream store with his wife, Patty, said the call from Romney's campaign manager came out of the blue.

He doesn't know how the decision was made to put his store on the political map, but he is a Republican and will vote for Romney in the primary - a decision he made before the candidate decided to stop at Memories."I don't know if they checked my voting record," Brown said. "But we think it's great. As a Republican, that makes it all the better." This could be the first time Memories has ever landed on a campaign itinerary.

Brown bought the store in 2003 and does not know if any candidates stopped there under the previous management.But he is no stranger to political heavyweights. He formerly ran Southside 815, rated one of the top 50 restaurants in Washington, D.C. Gen. Tommy Franks and diplomat Warren Christopher were among his patrons. Brown became used to getting calls from the Secret Service in advance of their arrival, he said.But Romney's visit is low-key, Brown said.

The candidate decided to stop at Memories because some campaign staffers said it would be a convenient spot for a so-called retail stop to mix with the public, according to Craig Stevens, Romney's New Hampshire communications director.

Romney campaign interns also are donning town crier costumes in Exeter today as part of the American Independence Festival. But any link between the old-fashioned New England atmosphere in Exeter and the ice-cream stand in Kingston is pure coincidence."I wish I were that clever," Stevens said with a laugh.

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On the Campaign Trail With Ann Romney

In The News

Ann Romney on the Trail

By Michael Falcone
The Caucus


Though Ann Romney darted around South Carolina this week, traveling to five towns in two days on her first major campaign swing without her husband, she wasn’t complaining about the grueling pace.


In fact, Mrs. Romney, the wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, said she was loving it.


“I’ve had way more fun that I should have,” she declared, and added that the scene on campaign bus even seemed a little bit like a “pajama party” at times. Friends and family members, including her daughter-in-law, Mary, and grandson, Parker, joined her on the trail this week.

But as a surrogate for her husband, Mrs. Romney’s visit to South Carolina was designed for a serious purpose – to broaden Mr. Romney’s appeal in an important early primary state that is looking increasingly competitive.


In an interview yesterday while on her way to link up with her husband for a third day of campaigning in the state, Mrs. Romney said that the goal of her solo trip was not to get into the thick of policy issues, but rather to give voters a peek at her husband’s personal side. Eschewing formal speeches and note cards, Mrs. Romney said that she finds it much more effective to speak from her heart: “For whatever reason, it seems to resonate with people.”

But that has not stopped her from paying close attention to the concerns she’s hearing and passing them along to her husband. Immigration, health care and the war in Iraq tend to come up the most often, she said.


On Iraq, Mrs. Romney said she has “noticed a shift in the last couple of months” with voters expressing “a little bit of despair about the war.”
“They’re wanting the troops, they’re wanting to support the president, but they’re feeling frustrated.”


Mr. Romney has sounded similar themes on the war, publicly criticizing President Bush’s handling of it, while reserving judgment about whether the troop surge is working.


Wherever she goes, Mrs. Romney usually fields questions about living with multiple sclerosis. She was diagnosed with the disease in 1998, and speaks openly about how it changed her life.
“I recognize now that everyone has struggles,” she said. “I look into the crowd and I can see right away those people whose eyes start to tear up, or who put their hands over their hearts or who look at me with such earnestness, and I know right away that those people have dealt with real struggles.”


Her fight with the disease, which is now in remission, has also come up in the context of her husband’s position on embryonic stem cell research, which scientists say could help cure M.S. and other illnesses. Both she and Mr. Romney say they oppose it.


Mrs. Romney described courting voters in South Carolina as a long process of relationship building. Her husband, who has visited the state 11 times since the beginning of his presidential bid, has reportedly been beefing up his campaign organization there, apparently hoping to toughen the competition for his rivals.


On the campaign trail Mrs. Romney also seeks to address some voters’ uneasiness about her and Mr. Romney’s Mormon faith. During the trip this week, she said she talked to many evangelical Christians, and expressed optimism that voters who say they wouldn’t support a Mormon for president will eventually come around.


“We’re going to have to get to the point in South Carolina where we push that back, and I believe it’s going to happen,” she said. “Once people know us and see us, it dissolves as an issue.”
Mrs. Romney has also been helping her husband cultivate support among women voters by emphasizing his “family values.” It’s a message that she says is gaining traction.
Though she’s spent part of her life as an advocate on women’s issues, she does draw the line on one question: Is the country ready for its first woman president?


“I’m guessing it probably would be,” she said. “But I’m just hoping it’s not this particular woman president.”

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No Left Turn!

"America's future is brighter than ever...

"America is going to reject the idea of turning left."

~Mitt Romney, campaigning in Iowa

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Mitt Romney Visits With South Carolinans

In the News

'Yankee Governor With Southern Values' Backs Military And Attacks 'Hillarycare'

Spartanburg Herald-Journal

"Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney made a stop at Spartanburg's Beacon Drive-In shortly after noon Thursday, summarizing his presidential platform, taking friendly (and a few not-so-friendly) questions from the audience, and attacking three Democratic presidential hopefuls.

"About 250 people – including the media and campaign staff – crammed into the Beacon's Panther Room for Romney's sixth visit to Spartanburg since early 2005. June Bond, a local GOP activist and a county organizer for the Romney camp, welcomed the candidate and his wife, Ann, as a 'family of faith.'
...

"Ann Romney introduced the presidential contender by using what's becoming a catch phrase on the current leg of her husband's tour: 'He's a Yankee governor with Southern values,' she said with a trademark smile that got plenty of laughs.

"The equally charismatic Mitt Romney summed up most of his platform in the first 10 minutes, noting that he opposes socialized medicine (which he called 'HillaryCare'), raising taxes on corporations or individuals, and amnesty for illegal immigrants. He attacked John Edwards, who has called the war on terror a 'Bush bumper sticker,' saying other countries would disagree with that assessment.

"'There is a war being waged by the terrorists. And as long as we have a Republican president, we're going to have a war on terrorists,' he said."
...

"'After the tragedy of 9/11, we woke up to new threats,' Romney said. 'America is going to change. The question is, in what direction are we going to change? Republicans, like myself, look to the Founding Fathers ... they said, it's the people who were sovereign, and the government was the servant.'

"The rhetoric sat well with the party faithful, who clapped and cheered at regular intervals. Romney signs, stickers and DVDs were available at the entrance to the Panther Room.

"Romney talked a bit about the need to remove pornography from the Internet and then criticized Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, whom Romney said wants sex education taught in kindergarten." ...

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Romney Addresses Colorado Springs Republicans

Romney: Dems Shrink From Terror

By: Chris Barge
Rocky Mountain News

"Mitt Romney told about 750 El Paso County Republicans on Wednesday that all three Democratic presidential front-runners do not understand terrorism and hold European, socialist, tax-and-spend views.

"Appearing polished and poised in a dark suit and blue tie, the former Massachusetts governor got all the laughs he looked for and stirred the crowd to feverish applause as he delivered his 32-minute keynote speech at the annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the elegant Broadmoor Hotel."

...

"Fundamentally, he said, Democrats think in terms of the strength of the United States government, while Republicans rely more on the strength of individuals.

"He took the Democrats to task for their European 'form of socialism' views, and he even worked in a jab at Al Gore as he dismissed the party as a whole.

"'There is an inconvenient truth that they don't want you to hear, and that is, no matter which one of them you elect, they're going to raise your taxes,' he said."

...

"By ending his day at two events in Colorado Springs, Romney, who is Mormon, reinforced his Reagan-esque, 'big tent' message to Republicans living in a hotbed for evangelical Christian beliefs.

"He emphasized his support for a federal ban on gay marriage. And he said his belief in family values would drive him, if elected, to push for a 'one strike and you're ours' policy toward Internet sex predators, giving offenders harsh prison sentences followed by a life of monitoring with ankle bracelets."

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Protecting Our Children

Policy Briefing: Protecting Our Children

"Following the Columbine shootings, Peggy Noonan described our world as 'the ocean in which our children now swim.' She described a cesspool of violence, and sex, and drugs, and indolence, and perversions. ...

I'd like to see us clean up the water in which our kids are swimming." - Governor Mitt Romney (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Frontiers Of Freedom Ronald Reagan Gala, Washington, D.C., 4/18/07)

Watch Governor Romney's New "Ocean" Ad Here

Governor Romney's Agenda To Protect Our Children:


Yesterday, In Colorado, Governor Mitt Romney Outlined Several New Initiatives To Protect Our Children

To protect our children, Governor Romney will propose a new "One-Strike, You're Out" law for sexual predators, enforce our nation's obscenity laws, and guard against excessive violence and sexually explicit material in video games. We must clean up the ocean in which our children swim and these are the common-sense first steps in protecting our children.

Protecting Our Children From Sexual Predators: Governor Romney Will Propose A "One-Strike, You're Ours" Law For Those Convicted Of Preying On Children Using The Internet

As President, Governor Romney will propose new, tougher federal penalties for first-time offenders who use the Internet to sexually assault children, including stiff mandatory jail time to be followed by lifetime tracking by Global Positioning Satellite (GPS). This will represent a "One-Strike, You're Ours" law for child predators.

- The Growing Threat Of Crimes Committed Against Children Via The Internet Is A Disturbing Trend. In February 2006, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched Project Safe Childhood, an initiative designed to protect children as they navigate the Internet. The Bush administration correctly recognized that as technology advances and the Internet becomes more accessible, there is a real danger that computer-facilitated crimes committed against children will continue to rise.

- By Enacting Tougher Laws, The Federal Government Will Be Following The Lead Of States Across The Country.

Governor Romney's "One-Strike, You're Ours" Law will impose on the federal level the same tough sentences that states like Florida and California have put in place with "Jessica's Law." In Massachusetts, Governor Romney successfully fought to put the photos of the state's most dangerous sex offenders on the Internet, and he signed legislation to make it easier to extend the civil commitments of sex offenders. In 2006, President Bush signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which significantly strengthened the nationwide sex offender registration system and created new federal crimes and enhanced penalties for other pre-existing crimes. Yet, most federal laws are not tough enough when sentencing a first-time offender for sex crimes against a child.

Protecting Our Children By Enforcing Our Obscenity Laws:

Governor Romney Will Enforce Our Nation's Obscenity Laws.

As President, Governor Romney will require the Department of Justice to enforce our existing federal obscenity laws and ensure that we prosecute producers and distributors of the worst-of-the-worst obscene materials. Even though the interstate trafficking of obscenity is illegal, federal obscenity laws have not been adequately enforced. To protect our children, we need to enforce our current laws.

Protecting Our Children From Excessive Violence And Sexually Explicit Material In Video Games:

Governor Romney Will Punish And Fine Retailers For Selling Excessively Violent And Sexually Explicit Video Games To Minors. While the current system of voluntary self-regulation of video games has improved, we still need to do more to protect our children. There must be strong punishments and fines for retailers that sell violent and sexually explicit video games to minors.

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Ann Winning Romney Supporters

In the News

"Ann Romney's delicate balance wins her admirers"

By Susan Page

USA Today

July 19, 2007 "Ann Romney had met Elizabeth Edwards only once and in passing, but the day after Edwards announced in March that her cancer had recurred in an incurable form, Romney called her.

"'I expressed my gratitude for her for continuing to fight on' in the presidential campaign and for the 'courage she's giving to other people that are struggling,' Romney says. 'And I said, "I totally understand why you're still fighting. I totally get it."'

"When she hung up the phone, Elizabeth Edwards told adviser Jennifer Palmieri she felt a 'special kinship' with Romney. "While the two women don't have much in common politically – Romney's husband is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, Edwards' husband the Democratic one – each is all too familiar with the competing emotions and demands that come with balancing a serious disease and a spouse's political ambitions.

"Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998, Romney, now 58, credits mainstream and alternative therapy with keeping her out of a wheelchair and putting the degenerative neurological disease in remission. As she begins to campaign on her own, she is talking more openly about her struggle and what it has taught her." ...

"While her MS was never kept a secret, Romney hadn't done much campaigning on her own when her husband made an unsuccessful bid for the Senate in 1994, before her diagnosis, or during his successful run for governor in 2002.

"'I decided I was very comfortable with it. Everybody has problems. Everyone has issues. And this happens to be a surprise thing that came in my life, and I didn't count on. Everywhere I go people come up to me, they mob me – anyone who has MS or has a relative with MS – they come up and hug and cry. I don't care what somebody else thinks about it. I know for certain people I'm championing a struggle that they're going through.'" ...

"When she was diagnosed nine years ago, however, she felt 'crushed into dust,' too exhausted even to open the mail and fearful that soon she would be unable to walk. A regimen that included both intravenous steroids and such alternative therapies as acupuncture and reflexology has enabled her to resume much of her life.

"That, and her horse Baron. An equestrian since she was a girl in Michigan, she began to ride again in hopes of regaining muscle tone. Now she competes in dressage competitions with her bay gelding." ...

"On this trip, she's accompanied by daughter-in-law Mary and grandson Parker, 16 months old and exuberant. Mary Romney, 25, is married to Ann Romney's youngest son, Craig. 'She's such a strong woman,' she says of her mother-in-law, but on the road 'I feel I need to protect her.' Mary tries to make sure Ann Romney doesn't have to stand in the sun for an extended period. The two do Pilates exercises together in their hotel room.

"At a campaign lunch in Greenville and the reception in Columbia, Ann Romney talks about other things, of course, touting her husband's record on health care while governor and his role in turning around the scandal-plagued Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002.

"Still, the crowd becomes hushed and attentive as she talks – sometimes matter-of-factly, sometimes with a catch in her voice – about how he stood by her during the worst days of her struggle with MS. She says it's taught her that everyone carries 'a bag of rocks' – some personal challenge or tragedy – even if others can't see it." ...

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Promoting Abstinence Education

A RECORD OF PROMOTING ABSTINENCE

"We teach sex education, but there's no portion of sex education which talks about the advantages of waiting. … We're saying let's provide an opportunity for parents and school districts to add abstinence to the curriculum."

– Gov. Mitt Romney

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A Family Affair

Ann Romney In South Carolina: A Family Affair

By: Sunlen Miller
ABC News

"Family was center stage both literally and figuratively as Ann Romney launched her fist solo bus tour throughout South Carolina Tuesday.

"Oversized blown-up family pictures of the Romney family draped the campaign sites. On display front and center was the real life version: daughter-in-law Mary Romney and grandson Parker Romney whom were by their CFO 'Chief Family Officer?s' side at each event.

"Crowds of mostly women waited eagerly to hear from the mother of five, the grandmother of ten, and the potential next future first-lady of the United States.

"Mrs. Romney served as the perfect spousal surrogate: touting Mitt Romney as a loving husband, valuable father, and successful businessman, volunteer and governor. But she said he's not done yet, 'Wait until he gets his hands on Washington...he's going to tear it up.'" ...

"Professing she's having a 'great time' touting her husband's background and qualifications to win the White House, Mrs. Romney gushed how wonderful it is to have her family by her side. Describing the campaign trail as sometimes 'rough and tortuous' grandma Romney brought a little light-hearted humor into the mix, introducing her grandson Parker as the 'biggest drooler ever' and later making it up to him with an ice cream cone break between events on the trail. "

"Mrs. Romney and clan descend on three more cities Wednesday, as part of the two-day bus tour throughout South Carolina."View Entire Article

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Proven Track Record

Letter To The Editor

Romney Has Proven Track Record In Government

By: Jack and Alice Levanion
St. Augustine

"Editor: We would like the people in St. Augustine and St. Johns City to know Mitt Romney and to be aware of his accomplishments as governor of Massachusetts." ...

"Without raising taxes or increasing debt, he closed a nearly $3 billion budget deficit his first year in office." ...

"He also provided every citizen with affordable health insurance without raising taxes or creating a massive government-controlled system. "He fought activist judges who imposed same-sex marriage on Massachusetts and testified before Congress in support of the federal marriage amendment. And, as governor, Romney has always sided with life in the fight to protect the unborn."

"He represents strong, new leadership. He will transform our nation's capital, governing with conservative principals and innovation, calling upon the strength of the American people to lead a promising, prosperous future."

View Entire Article Here

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"Ocean" TV Ad

What kind of America do we want for our children?

Mitt Romney's new tv ad looks at today's culture in which our children "swim".

Can we clean up the "ocean"?

Watch the 60 second ad and read the analysis below.



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Hugh Hewitt:The Significance Of Romney's "Ocean"

In the News

by: Hugh Hewitt
Townhall.com

Politico's Jonathan Martin reports on Mitt Romney's newest campaign commercial, "Ocean." The new ad comes amid many reports of how much money Romney and all the other campaigns are spending. The breathlessness of the reporting doesn't allow the key questions to be asked: "What are the candidates getting for their dollars?" and "Is the campaign hitting its targets in contributions and expenditures?" In Romney's case we know he's patiently built a small lead in Iowa and New Hampshire, and from "Ocean" we get evidence that he's implementing a new step in a carefully conceived plan and doing so with the sort of innovative appeal that those who have observed his business life expected from the first day of the campaign.

"Ocean" is interesting on a number of levels. First, its substance --a concern for the degraded culture in which American children grow up-- is powerful, and not just for Republican primary voters, but for all parents and people who love kids. Second, its visual approach is unique for the cycle. Over the decades the presidential television spot has become more and more direct, and less and less interesting.

"Ocean's" got a chance at being memorable in the way very very few ads turn out to be. Finally, the ad reminds people that among Romney's achievements is a wonderful family, and that he truly does believe the words he speaks.

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"Women for Mitt" Southern Bus Tour

In the News

Ann Romney kicks off "Women for Mitt" tour


COLUMBIA, S.C. --Ann Romney launches a two-day "South Carolina Women for Mitt" bus tour in South Carolina next week to help her husband's presidential campaign.

Romney will make stops in Greenville and West Columbia Tuesday and in Charleston, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island on Wednesday.

That trip will take her through the areas where former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has shown his greatest fundraising ability in this early voting state. Three quarters of the more than $171,000 Romney raised from South Carolina donors through March came from the Greenville and Charleston areas.

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Romney: The American Home

The Four Walls Of The American Home

By Mitt Romney
Townhall.com

Our nation faces a new generation of challenges that will significantly impact not just our national security, but also the core character of our society and the fabric of our American families.

We face these challenges with an understanding that, at the same time, there is a troublesome convergence of enemies aligned against our democratic institutions whose sole interest is defeating them and destroying the freedoms that we are afforded because of them.

At this critical time in our nation's history, we are confronted by daily reminders of the existence of evil. It would be foolish and irresponsible for us to believe that evil will simply go away. Hatred, as much as we want it to, does not always fade with each generation. To combat those who would perpetuate evil in the world, we must project our strength and our goodness, which rely in part on the strength of our people and culture.

Around the world, our goal should be to employ American strength, courage, fortitude and goodness. Our country leads in not only military technology, but in science, education, health care and innovation. It is time that we apply the things that make America the world's leader to making America a safer, freer, and more prosperous nation. By doing so, we can project America's strength and goodness to the world.

Where does our strength and goodness come from? Many Democrats would say that America is great today because of our great government. While our government is great, it is hardly the source of our strength. The source of America's strength is the American people – hard working, educated, risk-taking, God-loving, family-oriented, sacrificing and freedom-loving people. The American family has always been and will always be the source of American strength.
The fabric of our culture and the strength of the American family depend on our ability as a nation to be both unafraid and optimistic when promoting and protecting these ideals and principles.

I have great faith in the American people and in the American family. I have faith in our children and our grandchildren. At the same time, I am deeply troubled by the culture that surrounds them today. Following the Columbine shootings, author Peggy Noonan wrote a column describing what she called "the ocean in which our children swim." It was a cesspool of violence, sex, drugs, indolence, and perversion. She wrote that the boys who did the shooting had "inhaled too deep the ocean in which they swam."

We need to clean up the water in which our children are swimming. We need to keep pornography from coming up on kid's computers, and we need to keep drugs off the streets. We need less violence and sex on TV when kids are watching and in movies and video games that are marketed to young people. If we get serious about this, we can do a great deal more to clean the water in which our children swim.

Cleaning "the ocean in which our children swim" begins with ensuring that we have strong families. The most important work being done to strengthen America's future is the work that is being done within the four walls of the American home. Children need the guiding hand of responsible parents. As a child swims through our increasingly polluted and turbulent waters, there is no help more sure than that of a loving mother and father. Every child deserves a mother and a father.

At these times, many people feel pessimistic about the future. The new generation of challenges is daunting. Evil confronts freedom on far-flung battlefields, and our children must navigate troubled waters at home. Early in our country's history, Abigail Adams wrote to her son when he was concerned about the future of our democracy that "great necessities call out great virtues." It is the same today. I see these virtues in the American people as I travel across the country. I have seen them throughout my life.

If we are to confront evil, we must strengthen the American people and ensure that our children grow up in strong families. America is a nation of stature thanks to the great and noble men and women serving our country here and abroad. It is why we know that America will rise to face today's challenges. It is why we can be confident that, in the words of one great American, this nation will always remain a "shining city upon a hill."


Mitt Romney served as the Governor of Massachusetts from 2003-2007 and is a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. His campaign website for campaign news and volunteer activities is http://www.mittromney.com/

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Standing for Life

Who will stand for Life? Which candidate is really Pro Life? Who will appoint Pro Life Supreme Court Judges? Where should Pro Life Voters turn in '08?



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Poll Finds Romney 'Most Religious' Candidate

In the News

Poll deems Romney most religious of all White House hopefuls

By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune

WASHINGTON - Many pundits have said that presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Mormon faith will be a hindrance to his 2008 bid, but a new poll shows that voters believe he is more religious than any of the other contenders out there.

A Time magazine poll hitting newsstands this week asked voters whether each candidate is a "person of strong religious faith." One in four voters say that Romney is, more than Barack Obama, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani.

Previous polls have all shown that a distinct swath of voters - especially on the Republican side - say Romney's faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints makes them less likely to support his White House bid. The Time poll shows that 73 percent of GOP voters say his Mormon faith makes no difference to their vote, but 23 percent say it makes them worry.

Still, his supporters are thrilled with the fact that Romney is viewed as a religious person. "Certainly with the Republican primary, being seen as a man of strong faith is helpful," says Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politics and a Romney backer.

Thirty-nine percent of those polled by Pulsar Research and Consulting for Time magazine correctly identified Romney as a Mormon, while 58 percent said they didn't know his religion.

Romney spokesman Kevin Madden said the fact that his boss - the former Massachusetts governor and head of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City - is seen as religious is a reflection of Romney's "focus on strong principles and values."

"The more people see and hear from Governor Romney, they recognize that he has a strong family, he is guided by strong principles and he is someone who is a person of faith," Madden said. "Those things are part of who he is and they're an important part of why people like and trust him."

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Mitt-Mentum

In the News
Hotline.com

Insider Poll: Mitt-Mentum

The results of the latest Insiders Poll are out and Mitt Romney has pulled into a dead heat with Rudy Giuliani as the frontrunner for the '08 GOP nod. Hillary Rodham Clinton continues to lead the Democratic field for her party’s nod.

Following Giuliani and Romney are: Fred Thompson and John McCain, with Newt Gingrich and Mike Huckabee tied for fifth.

In the volatile GOP contest, Romney’s steady rise in the poll is credited to his org. strength in IA and NH, fundraising, and capacity to break into his own wallet if needed. Giuliani continues to confound the skeptics, but some think his apparent strategy for sweeping up delegates in states like CA, IL, NY and NJ is a smart one. Others wonder if he can get there if he doesn’t win early in IA, NH or SC.

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Ann Romney on Family

Ann Romney discusses her family in a new radio ad.





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Romney: At this historic crossroad, the choice is crucial

by Governor Mitt Romney

UnionLeader.com


It is no secret that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that it is time for our country to change our current direction and set a new course to meet a new generation of challenges that affect the future of American families, businesses, military and security. To meet these challenges, there needs to be a change in Washington.

Both political parties claim to represent change, but there are major differences. When Republicans talk of change, we talk about opportunity, freedom and the people who can make these changes. When Democrats talk of change they advocate big government, big welfare, big taxes and big brother. Time and time again, it has been proven that these big government policies do not work, and they take our nation down the wrong path.

Democrats talk about raising taxes on people. We talk about cutting spending by government. For Democrats, it is always government first, people last. In 2011, they plan a record-breaking income tax hike. When you take money out of the pockets of hard-working Americans and give it to government, you slow down the economy.

I propose a different path, one that will grow the economy and address the fiscal problem in Washington. We need to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, kill the death tax once and for all, and make interest on savings, dividends and capital gains tax-free for middle-income Americans. It's the right thing to do for our economy and it is past time to do it.

Conservatives rightly recognize that our fiscal problem is not that Washington is taxing too little, but that bureaucrats there are spending too much. Both parties share responsibility for all the earmarks, waste, duplication and failure to reform entitlements. I will also personally lead a top-to-bottom review of government programs, agencies, procurement and spending.

In addition to pledging to fight tax increases and cutting waste, I have also pledged to cap non-defense discretionary spending at inflation minus one percent, saving $300 billion over 10 years. I will veto appropriations that exceed that cap. Strengthening the American economy starts with cutting wasteful and irresponsible spending in Washington.

Both parties also claim to focus on improving the nation's health care system. There are 45 million people who lack health insurance. The Democrats' solution is government-managed universal health care. On the other hand, conservatives believe we need to provide people with their own private, affordable and portable insurance by insisting on personal responsibility and free market principles. Once again for the Democrats, it is government first.

Beyond our domestic challenges, we face a very different world around us. Asia is emerging as a far more effective economic competitor than we have faced before. In the face of this challenge, Democrats shrink. They believe the American people cannot compete. However, in this global economy, the only choice is to compete. We must charge into the emerging Asian marketplace and invest in our people and technology. Democrats fear the strength of others. Republicans believe in the strength of Americans.

Today's new generation of challenges includes threats to our national security. Violent jihadists are determined to replace moderate Muslim governments with a caliphate or imam. They seek the collapse of our economy, government and military. Most recently they sought to maim and kill innocent civilians in London and Glasgow.

All this talk of jihadists, Salafi Muslims, and the War on Terror makes Democrats like former Sen. John Edwards uncomfortable. He says the War on Terror is only a slogan. Tell that to the people in London, Glasgow, Bali, Malaysia, Pakistan, Lebanon, Tanzania, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Israel, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. If there is a war being waged by the terrorists, there will be war waged on the terrorists and we will win.

This convergence of challenges is why I am convinced that America is at an inflection point in our history that will force us to change. That change will either make us stronger or it will make us weaker.

Conservatism, Republicanism, is a philosophy of strength. We believe in a strong military, a strong economy and strong families and values. The way forward is not to look left, but to look ahead. There is too much at stake to do otherwise.

This is the America our parents chose, and now it is time for us to choose what America will be. Republicans choose a strong America that will always be the land of the free, the home of the brave and the hope of the world.

Mitt Romney is a former governor of Massachusetts and a candidate for the Republican nomination for President.
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Man of Character

In the News

Letter To The Editor: Man Of Character

By: Ashton E. Welch, Concord
Concord Monitor

"Every four years as we prepare to elect, or reelect, our president, we are struck with the thought that this election is perhaps the most important in our history. That's not likely the case in every election, but that thought is not lost on the upcoming presidential primary and general elections in 2008.

"In this post 9/11 era, where words such as 'homeland security,' 'terrorism,' and 'suicide bombings' have become commonplace, our next president will face a world very different than most presidents of recent history. Because I believe our next president needs to be a person of solid character, a person who can and will lead and inspire us; a person who will stand on the world stage and reestablish our country as a respected, strong and worthy world leader; a person who will help us find more common ground in our shared purpose than in our differences - for all these reasons and more I am supporting Mitt Romney."


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Strength in Families

"America cannot continue to lead the family of

nations around the world

if we suffer the collapse of the family

here at home."

~Governor Mitt Romney

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The Romney Agenda

Governor Romney: We Must Continue To Wage War On The Terrorists

Governor Romney Says America Must Work On All Fronts To Defeat The Jihadists.

"In places like Pakistan, America needs to work not just on a military front, he said. Romney proposed putting together a 'Special Partnership Force', a team of CIA agents and Army special forces to work with the local populations. 'Not just to provide guns but to help make sure that they have the rule of law, water projects, bridges built.'" (Susan Spencer-Wendel, "Romney Says Working With Moderate Muslim States Will Help In Mideast," Palm Beach Post, 7/7/07)

Click To Read The Full Article Here.

Governor Romney "Top Choice" Among Voters Identifying Terrorism As An Extremely Important Issue To Them.

"Forty percent of likely Republican caucusgoers identified terrorism as extremely important in the Register's May Iowa Poll. No other issue ranked more important to Republicans. Romney was the top choice in the poll, receiving support from 30 percent of likely GOP caucusgoers, followed by McCain with 18 percent and Giuliani with 17 percent." (Thomas Beaumont, "Perception Is The Key In Dealing With Terror," The Des Moines Register, 7/8/07)

Click To Read The Full Article Here.

Governor Romney: "Senator Edwards says there isn't a War on Terror – it's only a slogan. You tell that to the people of London and Glasgow. And to the people in Bali and Malaysia, Pakistan and Lebanon, the people in Tanzania and Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Tell that to the people in New York and Boston and Washington, D.C. One thing you can count on if I'm President or any Republican is President, and that is if there's a war being waged by the terrorists, there will be war being waged on the terrorists." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The 2007 Young Republican National Convention, Hollywood, FL, 7/7/07)

Click To Watch Governor Romney Here.

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A Stronger America

The Romney Vision vs. The Democrats

A STRONGER AMERICA THROUGH STRENGTHENING

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

"Conservatism, Republicanism, is a philosophy of strength. We believe in a strong military, a strong economy, and in strong families and values. We believe in the American people. … And when you need to call on the strength of America, you don't strengthen government, you strengthen the American people." – Gov. Mitt Romney

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Mitt Romney's Tribute to His Dad

Governor George Romney and young Mitt Romney
In the News

"George Romney Was True Man Of Action"


Writing In The [Michigan] Oakland Press, Governor Mitt Romney Remembers George Romney, His Father And The Former Governor Of Michigan, On What Would Have Been His 100th Birthday Today:

By Governor Mitt Romney
The Oakland Press

"On Sunday, George Romney, my father, would have been 100 years old. I expected Dad would be here for the event. I thought that by his sheer, indefatigable will, he would wear death down.

"His will was legend. When he took over American Motors, some bankers had written off the company. Not my dad. He invested everything he had in it. A year later, the company's stock had risen from $7 to $90.

"Dad revolutionized the auto industry by pushing small cars to replace 'gas-guzzling dinosaurs' long before anyone else. "He led one of the most storied turnarounds in corporate history. He did it by building a great team of both managers and labor, by selling his vision of the future and by inspiring them to achieve it.

"As president of American Motors, he turned the company around from an $11.8 million loss in 1957 to a $60 million profit in 1959. "Dad was raised in a family that went bankrupt more than once, and he never received a college degree. But he led a successful fight to write a new Michigan Constitution that remains in effect today. And then he ran for governor and won. He was for the common man.

"As governor, he instituted once-a-week office hours when anyone could stop by and talk with him. They got five minutes each to take their complaint right to the top.

"I remember once when he was told he could not attend a Labor Day picnic, he was barred at the gate. Dad stopped the car down the street, climbed the fence and sat down with a union family for lunch.

"His will could convince even some of his natural opponents. Dad felt that hard-working employees deserved a share of the company's profits - a bonus in the good times and none in the bad. He convinced United Auto Workers chief Walter Reuther that profit sharing was the way forward for the auto industry. Too bad it ended when he left the industry.

"A lot of people remember his campaign for president in 1968. With characteristic courage, he told media, 'When I came back from Vietnam, I'd just had the greatest brainwashing that anybody can get.' He felt misled by President Johnson, Secretary McNamara and the generals, as had many Americans. The media pounced, making his use of the term 'brainwashing' a sin.

"It is unfortunate. He would have been a great president. Not long after his withdrawal from the race, I received a letter from my dad, typewritten, single-spaced, in which he expressed no regrets.

"'Your mother and I are not personally distressed,' he said in the letter. 'As a matter of fact we are relieved. We went into this not because we aspired to the office but simply because we felt that under the circumstances, we would not feel right if we did not offer our service.'

"In 1969, President Nixon invited Dad to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Dad opened the way for manufactured housing, which made homes more affordable for millions of Americans. And he fought for integration in housing - not popular with everyone, even within the Nixon administration, but it was the right thing to do.

"Last year, a friend gave me one of his old campaign fliers. It said 'George Romney - Man of Action.' Boy, they got that right. From most humble roots, he rose to lead an auto company, a constitutional convention, a state and a federal department. "And in each, his will, his integrity and his energy achieved the nearly impossible."

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Thompson vs. Romney

In the News

A Duel: Thompson and Romney

by Jennifer Rubin
humanevents.com


On Saturday Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney ventured to the Young Republicans (YR) convention in Hollywood, Florida and we got a preview of two different types of candidates.

Thompson offered a “red meat” speech-playing to the emotions of the young crowd and pulling out crowd pleasing lines. He intoned: “I'm getting tired of having to apologize for the United States of America around the world. I'm tired of other people's perceptions that we need to apologize.” He thanked Mary Matalin, chatted about Scooter Libby, reminisced about his days as a YR and repeated threw out lines praising America’s greatness, declaring that America is “the greatest country in the history of the world” and we have been a “beacon of hope for the last 200 years.”

He did not however address a single substantive policy issue nor explain a rationale for a potential Thompson campaign. There was no talk of Iraq or the economy or even immigration. As for the Democrats he spent no time addressing Hillary health care or their views on other topics. He did however exhort the crowd, promising that voters would not “turn the keys over to the party of despair and division.” The crowd of youngsters seemed not to mind and cheered enthusiastically.

Romney, by contrast, treated the crowd to vintage Romney: a mix of enthusiasm and optimism with a heavy dose of policy. The speech was structured to compare the Democrats’ vision of change to his. He declared: “"To confront unprecedented challenges, we must change. Both parties claim to be the party of change, and I think both are right. But there's a big difference in the direction their change would take us.”

While explaining the Democrats vision of change is a European economic model he set out his: “I have a different answer. Let's make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Let's kill the Death Tax. And let's have a new tax rate for middle income Americans who want to save their money, who are investing in America. The tax rate on their interest, dividends and capital gains should be...exactly zero!”


On spending he offered, “If I am elected President, I will cap non-defense discretionary spending at inflation minus one percent. That alone will save $300 billion over ten years. If Congress sends me appropriations that exceed that cap, I will veto them.” He also suggested a “top-to-bottom review of government programs, agencies, procurement and spending.”

And so it went as he marched through immigration, health care and the threat of Islamic terror. He also took time out to point out his executive experience, declaring “Cutting waste, streamlining, benchmarking -- this is what I do. I have done it in business, I've done it in the Olympics, and I've done it in state government. I simply can't wait to get my hands on Washington!”

The contrast could not be clearer, at least at this stage in the political race. Thompson offers good cheer, appeals to Republicans’ fear that history may be passing them by and some folksy home charm.

Romney has long since passed the introduction stage in his campaign and focuses on policy, laying out a conservative agenda and getting in a few digs at his Democratic opponents.The straw poll results showed Romney the overwhelming winner but Thompson supporters soon groused that -- horrors -- the event had been packed with Romney supporters and even non-YR members were allowed to vote. This organizational finesse of course is how straw polls are won and should serve as a warning to the Thompson team as they head from testing to running.

Romney’s organization is running on all cylinders and has learned the basics of running an event, corralling its supporters and tabulating a win. Enthusiasm without organization does not win elections.In the days and weeks ahead we will see more duels between these two as they vie for the role of Movement Conservative to take on Rudy Giuliani (who spent the day with a huge NASCAR crowd). Thompson is an exceptionally appealing and in some sense more comforting messenger but Romney has a message and Thompson will need one too plus some nuts and bolts organization if he is going to make the transition to candidate.

mitt romney, ann romney, republican, conservative, 2008 election, romney,GOP,republicans,politics,presidential election

Romney - A Commanding Organizational Lead in Iowa

In the News
By: Jonathan Martin
Politico.com

Romney has gotten up close and personal with Iowans the way few other GOP leaders have.

DES MOINES -- Six months before the Iowa caucuses, Mitt Romney has taken a commanding organizational lead in this traditional kick-off state.


Arizona Sen. John McCain's financial difficulties have forced him to dramatically scale back his Iowa campaign, and it's not clear whether former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani or ex-Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson will fully engage in the Hawkeye State caucuses.


That leaves Romney as the sole representative of the GOP top tier to commit to the traditional Ames Straw Poll and offer himself to voters for up close and personal inspections.

The former Massachusetts governor has 20 full-time staffers, coordinators in most of the state's 99 counties, and a group of about 50 "super volunteers" that has already swept through the universe of likely caucus-goers with initial phone calls and have begun going door to door in key precincts.
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New Hampshire Veteran's Leadership Team Announced

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney announced the Romney for President New Hampshire Veterans Leadership Team comprised of 41 veterans representing all ten counties in the State. The New Hampshire Veterans Leadership Team will play an important role in helping to spread Governor Romney's message of strong, conservative values throughout the State.

"Since the founding of this nation, veterans have played an integral role in defending American values and our nation's security. Their sacrifice and devotion have provided each passing generation the opportunity to continue to spread America's message of hope and freedom. The support of these brave men and women will be crucial to my victory in the Granite State, and I am proud to have them on my team," said Governor Romney.

Leading Governor Romney's New Hampshire Veterans Leadership Team is Mike Moffett. A Marine infantry officer during Desert Storm in 1991, he is a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. From 2001-2002, Moffett served on General Franks' Central Command Operations Staff.

In a statement, Chairman Mike Moffett said, "As Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney served as an invaluable champion of veterans' causes. We know that the Governor will continue to work tirelessly to guarantee that every veteran is honored for their service. He will be a strong Commander-in-Chief, and we will work together to make sure New Hampshire voters know he is the best candidate to lead our nation."

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Romney Speaking on the Mideast

Romney says working with moderate Muslim states will help in Mideast

By Susan Spencer-Wendel
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer


About 100 people turned out this afternoon for an "Ask Mitt Anything" session with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts.


Men and women — some from as far away as Indian River and Dade counties — filled more than two-thirds of available seats in rooms at Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Romney, 60, deftly fielded questions on topics ranging from embryonic stem cell research, health care for soldiers returning from war and what to do in Pakistan.


Romney said he thought in combatting radical jihadists, America should work more with moderate Muslim states, strengthening things like schools and economic policies there.

"We have to strengthen those lands so those people will choose us," he said.

In places like Pakistan, America needs to work not just on a military front, he said.

Romney proposed putting together a "Special Partnership Force", a team of CIA agents and Army special forces to work with the local populations.

"Not just to provide guns but to help make sure that they have the rule of law, water projects, bridges built."

Romney said such effort was successful in sapping jihadist efforts in the Phillipines.

When asked if he would consider breaking with Bush administration policy on Iraq as other Republicans have now done, Romney said he was willing. He said he would keep his eyes open on what course to take and said it is too early to gauge the success or failure of the recent troop surge there.


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Reasons to be sMITTen

In the News

The Economist

He looks presidential. In some ways, he is the most accomplished candidate...


You can't accuse Mitt Romney of skirting the tricky issues. Addressing the National Right to Life Convention in Kansas City on June 15th, he said: “I am humbled to be standing among the many who have toiled for the pro-life movement for so long, when I arrived at this place of principle only a few years ago.” In the circumstances, humility was his only option.

Of the main declared contenders for the Republican presidential nomination, Mr Romney is the most socially conservative. Abortion, gay marriage, foetal stem-cell research—he's against them all. But in 2002, when he ran for governor of Massachusetts, he said that while he personally opposed abortion, he thought it should be a private choice. That helped him win in one of America's most liberal states. Now, as he faces Republican primary voters, he says he has changed his mind.

His explanation is that while he was governor he had to grapple with the issue of cloning human embryos. He spoke to scientists who said they created “racks and racks” of embryos to experiment on, and then destroyed them. He realised, he says, that “the harsh logic of an absolute right to abortion had cheapened the value of human life to the point that rational people saw a human embryo as nothing more than mere research material.”

So now he wants to overturn Roe v Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that created a constitutional right to an abortion. Pro-life Christians are receptive to the idea of conversion: Ronald Reagan did it, after all. Mr Romney got a standing ovation in Kansas City. Granted, it was not as ecstatic as the applause that greeted Sam Brownback, another presidential wannabe whose pro-life credentials are beyond question. But Republicans are practical folk. They want a candidate who can win. Mr Brownback cannot. Mr Romney just might.

Reasons to be sMITTen...

Willard “Mitt” Romney is the most under-rated of candidates. As recently as February, barely half of Americans had heard of him. Political junkies know who he is, but often assume his bid for the White House is doomed because he is a Mormon. That is certainly a handicap: one-fifth of voters say they would not vote for one. But Mr Romney thinks that once they get to know him, they will change their minds.

He may be right.

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Still The One to Watch

And finally, check out the "UltiMitt" website. We would love to have you join with us. We will be 500 strong by Monday, and that's just the beginning. This site is a meeting place and planning location for all Mitt Romney supporters and also for those who just want to learn more about Mitt Romney and what he stands for. With an online discussion group, over 50 specialized member run Teams and up-to-date news and commentary, "UltiMitt" has something for everyone and all members are encouraged to contribute in whatever way they feel inspired. Come check it out and Get Involved!

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Florida Newspaper Endores Mitt Romney

"Mitt Romney Best Choice For President"

New Smyrna Beach Observer

Editorial

"Although the Florida primary is more than six months away, we believe it is important to get behind the candidate we feel is best suited to be the next president of the United States: Mitt Romney.

"We feel his vision and leadership are vital to providing for our national interests as well as economic stability and growth in a shrinking world market. "Romney is not the frontrunner in the Republican Party, but he is the clear candidate of choice in looking at former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's liberal politics and Sen. John McCain's old-school Washington insider status." ...

"So why now? Why not wait until the primaries? "The answer is simple.

"We've seen and heard enough from the debates to know that McCain is yesterday's news and outside of his 9/11 heroics, Giuliani doesn't have a national platform.

"Romney has a strong campaign base. "The fact that Romney won the governorship in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the most liberal of all the states, speaks volumes about his broad appeal – his Reaganesque appeal, something this country vitally needs.

"With a war raging in Iraq, instability among the [Palestinians] and Israel and Iran's veiled threats and nuclear program, the nation needs to get behind the strongest candidate. "That candidate is Mitt Romney.

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Ann and Mitt

Mitt and Ann Romney have been married for 38 years and are still best friends.



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Romney Leaves No Primary Voter 'Unturned'

Romney's Data Cruncher

By Chris Cillizza
Washingtonpost.com Staff Writer

A pioneer in 'microtargeting,' he sounds part marketer and part
political strategist....

In late 2002, Alex Gage sold his share of a well-established polling firm and set about convincing Karl Rove that he had the answer to ensuring President Bush's reelection.

His pitch was simple: Take corporate America's love affair with learning everything it can about its customers, and its obsession with carving up the country into smaller and smaller clusters of like-minded consumers, and turn those trends into a political strategy. The Bush majority would be made up of thousands of groups of like-minded voters whom the campaign could reach with precisely the right message on the issues they considered most important.

Now Gage is working for another Republican presidential candidate entranced by the possibilities of microtargeting -- Mitt Romney. A Harvard Business School graduate who went on to head Bain Capital, Romney has made a point of adapting modern business techniques to politics, and it was in his successful 2002 campaign to be governor of Massachusetts that Gage's methods were first tried.

"The governor believes in accountability, benchmarks and metrics," said Beth Myers, Romney's campaign manager, explaining his interest in microtargeting. "He believes in using data when it comes to making decisions."

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Romney "Net-ing" Election Attention

In the News

by David A. Utter
webpronews.com

The run-up to the Presidential primaries involves a lot of fund-raising for US Presidential candidates. They do not want to leave any stone unturned, as money could be under one.

The Internet has been an area of interest from politicians ever since Howard Dean received millions in contributions through a largely grass-roots, online effort. Though he did not make it out of the primaries, Dean influenced the current crop of candidates for the White House.

Measurement firm Compete said in its assessment of who's receiving the most attention that the web has become an indispensable tool for the candidates to solicit funds and build their networks of support. Those candidates have received various levels of attention.

Republican candidate Romney has easily outpaced John McCain and Rudy Giuliani in the daily attention metric measured by Compete. "The spike in mid May coincides with his (Romney's) 'Sign Up America' drive that reportedly netted over 30,000 new supporters in 24 hours," Compete's Matt Pace wrote.

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America ~ The Hope of the World

Press Release

Governor Mitt Romney On The Fourth Of July

Boston, MA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement celebrating the Fourth of July:

"For more than two centuries, the United States has stood for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our freedoms have not been easily won. Today, brave men and women are fighting to preserve those freedoms. As we gather with friends and family, let us resolve to keep America strong. We will always be the hope of the world and a beacon of light to liberty-loving people everywhere."

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Happy Birthday America! God Bless America!

Happy Birthday America!!! Enjoy this rousing and beautiful version of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" by "America's Choir", most likely the choir which will play at Mitt Romney's Presidential Inauguration in January of 2009. Happy Birthday America on this 4th of July 2007.....the best is yet to come.



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Parades, MittMobile and UltiMitt

Mitt Romney has scheduled four appearances in less than 24 hours, in Iowa tomorrow, at four different 4th of July parades.


Also look for the "MittMobile" the Five Brothers bus which will be making its debut in the Iowa parades.


And if you are looking for ways to help Mitt Romney become President Romney in 2008, please join UltiMitt. I am working with this project and I'd love for you to join in. We are signing up 500 members by July 9th, and we are almost there. This group was just officially launched on July 2nd. We could potentially have over 1,000 members by the end of July!

The purpose and only goal of UltiMitt is to see Mitt Romney elected President in 2008.

YOU can help!

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"Romney the man to beat"

Mitt Romney Makes His Case

Ex-Massachusetts Governor Talks With Hannah Storm About His Run For President

PELLA, Iowa, July 3, 2007


(CBS) In the Republican presidential primary contest, some experts say former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is the man to beat.

He is leading in key early state polls, led the GOP field for first-quarter fundraising and has the personal wealth to ensure he can match any opponent dollar for dollar.

Romney is campaigning for president the same way he has conducted his entire life: methodically and taking nothing for granted.

Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm spent the day with Romney and his wife, Ann, on the campaign trail in Pella, Iowa, for the first of a two-part series.

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Video of Interview

mitt romney, ann romney, republican, conservative, 2008 election, romney,GOP,republicans,politics,presidential election

Romney at Iowa Forum

Republicans Stress Conservative Credentials At Iowa Forum

By: Todd Dorman
Sioux City Journal

"Six Republican presidential hopefuls pledged allegiance to tax cuts and traditional marriage Saturday as they courted Iowa conservatives who play a big role on caucus night.

"The candidates gathered for a forum sponsored jointly by Iowans for Tax Relief and the Iowa Christian Alliance. Roughly 800 activists picked politics over summer sunshine and heard a series of speeches in a cavernous downtown convention hall."

... "Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney warned that the country would take a 'sharp left turn' if Democrats prevail in next year's election.

"'I don't have to tell you what they'll do with family values,' Romney said. 'It is essential that we have a Republican president who is pro-life and pro-family, pro military and pro-strong economy.'" ...

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Power to Defeat the Jihadists

Last Week, Governor Romney Outlined His Global Initiative For Values And Freedom.

To defeat the global Jihadist threat, Governor Romney believes we must have a truly global strategy that combines our efforts with others, brings more tools of our national power to bear and implements specific, tailored strategies for every nation at risk. The Global Initiative for Values and Freedom is a comprehensive strategy to defeat radical Jihad, ensure American security and advance freedom and human rights across the globe.


Governor Romney Will Create The Special Partnership Force (SPF) To Mobilize All Elements Of Our National Power To Defeat Jihadists.

To meet today's challenges, we must mobilize and integrate all elements of our national power in unstable areas where traditional civilian agencies cannot operate effectively and traditional military power alone cannot succeed. The Special Partnership Force will integrate all elements of national power under a new force with leadership drawn from a core group of our Army Special Forces trained to work with civilian governments and intelligence personnel. The SPF Will Build On A Long History Of Successful Efforts Against Terrorists And Insurgent Groups. Although a new capability, this force draws on the lessons learned from a long history of successful efforts against terrorist and insurgent groups, including U.S. efforts under the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in World War II, post-9/11 efforts in Afghanistan, and recent Special Forces efforts in the Philippines.

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mitt romney, ann romney, republican, conservative, 2008 election, romney,GOP,republicans,politics,presidential election