Mitt Romney

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Mitt Romney
Governor from Massachusetts
From: January 2, 2003 – January 4, 2007
PredecessorJane Swift
SuccessorDeval Patrick
Information
Party Republican
Spouse(s) Ann Romney
Religion The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Willard "Mitt" Romney (born March 12, 1947), Republican governor of Massachusetts and wealthy U.S. businessman, is best-known for his run as a serious contender during the 2008 Presidential Election. If he had been elected, he would have become the first Mormon president. His father George Romney, a governor of Michigan, was a potential candidate in the 1960s.

Before entering politics Romney was an established businessman in Boston, having served as CEO of Bain & Company, a management consulting firm. His political start began during the financially unsteady 2002 Winter Olympics. Romney became President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee and quickly made the games a huge success. He gained popularity in Massachusetts, a state known for its tepid Republican support, and became governor in 2002. His record as governor demonstrated his financial skill, but often was at odds with the state's voters on social issues.

During his campaign for the Republican nomination in 2008, Romney was widely supported as a staunch conservative and ran on his business experience in the private sector. Romney fought a rough battle against Senator John McCain in Florida, Michigan, and other key states, but large losses on the Super Tuesday primaries ended his campaign. Romney dropped out of the race and endorsed Senator John McCain on February 14, 2008. His name was circulated as a potential running mate for McCain as their relationship improved.

Contents

Personal Life

Ann Lois Davies and Willard Mitt Romney

Romney is the scion of an old Mormon family. His grandparents were polygamists who fled the United States in the early 20th century when the Mormon Church repudiated polygamy; his father was born in Mexico. The Romneys returned to the U.S. in 1911 when a violent civil war broke out in Mexico.

Mitt Romney is a devout member of the Mormon Church (the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints) and spent time during his youth converting Catholics and Agnostics to Mormonism in France. In fact, his time as a student and missionary helped defer him from military service during the Vietnam draft,[1] but he stated during interviews that "he had longed to join the soldiers in Vietnam and support the war effort." His father had stated in 1967 that he felt "brainwashed" by U.S. officials over the justification of the prolonged Vietnam war. This statement had been very costly in George Romney's 1968 campaign for President against Richard Nixon.

Romney maintains a stable marriage with his wife Ann, with whom he has five children. Conservatives applaud him for being such a devoted husband and family man. Conservatives also disliked his Presidential competitors, namely John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Fred Thompson, for their divorces.[2]

Romney is the son of former Michigan Governor and presidential candidate George Romney, a "Rockefeller Republican,"[3] who amassed a large fortune as an automobile industry magnate during World War II. George Romney was popular among moderates during his Presidential run and was well-equipped for victory; many of his political advisors had come from Nelson Rockefeller's 1964 campaign.

Business Career

From 1978 to 1984, Romney was a vice president of Bain & Company, Inc. a worldwide management consulting firm, and in 1984, Romney co-founded a spin-off called Bain & Company. He invested in or bought many well-known companies such as Staples, Brookstone, Domino's, Sealy Corporation and Sports Authority. Critics say he advised corporations to cut their U.S. taxes by reincorporating in Caribbean tax havens such as the Caymen Islands, while maintaining their operations in the U.S.

Record as Governor

Mitt Romney's 2002 gubernatorial victory
Romney served one term as governor of Massachusetts (2003-2007), with a generally conservative record that included economic expansion. He balanced the budget every year of his administration with out increasing taxes or increasing state dept. Romney closed a $3 billion budget gap by reducing government spending and created 60,000 new jobs. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 Governor Romney proposed cutting the state income tax from 5.3% to 5.0% [4]. Although the Democratic super majority in the state legislator refused to budge. Romney vetoed an increase in the minimum wage, saying "there's no question raising the minimum wage excessively causes a loss of jobs." [5] Under Governor Romney the state abolished a retroactive capital gains tax that would have forced nearly 50,000 taxpayers to pay additional taxes and fees. [6] Massachusetts Citizens For Limited Taxation Executive Director Barbara Anderson praised Romney, saying "There was no one else out on the horizon and with the legislature almost entirely Democratic, we felt it was necessary to have a grown-up in the corner office. … And we were right to back him. He's been a really good friend to the taxpayers."

However, some of the actions Governor Romney took received criticisms from conservatives, such as supporting moderate fee increases and creating and the nation's first universal health care program. During his 2002 gubernatorial campaign Romney supported abortion, his views evolved and would later take pro-life positions such as vetoing emergency contraception and vetoing stem-cell research that would allow cloning of human embryos. In 2006, Governor Romney testified before the United States Senate to support the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would limit marriage to one man and one woman.

On Education Romney called for the privatization of the University of Massachusetts medical school[7]. In 2004, he established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program, which rewarded the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with tuition-free scholarship to any Massachusetts public university or college.

Political Views

Abortion

"I am pro-life. I believe that abortion is the wrong choice except in cases of incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother. I wish the people of America agreed, and that the laws of our nation could reflect that view. But while the nation remains so divided over abortion, I believe that the states, through the democratic process, should determine their own abortion laws and not have them dictated by judicial mandate." (Boston Globe, Mitt Romney Editorial, July 26, 2005) [8]

Despite having a largely pro-life record as governor, in a 1994 debate with Senator Edward Kennedy, Romney said that abortion should be legal, declaring that "regardless of one's beliefs about choice, you would hope it would be safe and legal." "Many years ago, I had a dear, close family relative that was very close to me who passed away from an illegal abortion", Romney said. "It is since that time my mother and my family have been committed to the belief that we can believe as we want, but we will not force our beliefs on others on that matter. And you will not see me wavering on that."[9]

In his campaign literature for the 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial election, Romney expressed a willingness to defend that State's pro-choice status quo.[10]

Civil Unions

Romney is opposed to the idea of gay marriage, however he has voiced support for domestic partnership benefits and equal rights for homosexuals.[11]

Economic Agenda

As President, Romney promised to pursue a conservative, pro-growth economic agenda. His number one economic priority would be to grow the economy — helping to create good jobs, raise incomes and preserve American strength. He says he would work to rein in excessive government spending and reform entitlements. To ensure America's continued economic growth, he promises to cut taxes — such as the Death Tax, savings taxes, corporate taxes and marginal tax rates.

Romney says he would also promote trade, bring market forces to bear in health care, pursue national tort and liability reform, eliminate excessive regulations that put a burden on our economy and strengthen American families.

Immigration

Immigration has been an important part of our nation's success. The current system, however, puts up a concrete wall to the best and brightest, yet those without skill or education are able to walk across the border. We must reform the current immigration laws so we can secure our borders, implement a mandatory biometrically enabled, tamper proof documentation and employment verification system, and increase legal immigration into America. [1]
On 5/24/07, Romney spoke about how he was tolerant about gays and then he discussed the current illegal immigration bill before Congress:
He expressed less tolerance for illegal immigrants, and said he and President Bush have a difference of opinions on a bill that would provide a path toward legalization for an estimated 12 million people unlawfully in the country. "He has his view, and other people have their views and I have my own," Romney said. "This is for all intents and purposes a form of amnesty in that everyone who is here illegally today will be able to stay under this bill." The bill is unfair to people who are trying to come to the country legally, he said. People here illegally should be able to apply to come to the United States, but under the same terms as everyone else and behind those who have already applied. "I don't think that we're going to round up 11 or 12 or however many million people and bus them out of the country. That's not what I'm talking about," Romney said. "Those who committed felonies, of course, would be deported. Those who require government assistance to stay here would surely need to get off government assistance and ultimately could not remain here on government assistance."[2]

Stem Cell Research

Mitt Romney supports the right of scientists to research on embryos created during fertility treatments.[3]

2008 Presidential Campaign

Main Article: Mitt Romney 2008 Presidential Campaign

As chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Romney campaigned nationwide for GOP gubernatorial candidates in 2006, building up a network of allies and supporters. While he did not run for reelection as governor, in 2004 Romney set up a federal political action committee (PAC) called the Commonwealth PAC, which raised $2.71 million during the 2006 election cycle. On January 3, 2007, his next-to-last day in office as governor of Massachusetts, Romney filed to form a presidential exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission. He officially announced his candidacy for President a month later. Romney was the first candidate in either party to start running television and radio ads. The ads focused mainly on his record as governor, running the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, and his work as a very successful businessman. Romney's five sons had been actively campaigning for their father, traveling around in a campaign bus called the "Mitt Mobile, A Five Brothers Bus."

As a presidential candidate Romney sought the support of the business community and social conservatives. He reversed moderate positions on abortion and gay rights to take a hardline conservative position on them, and on opposition to illegal immigrants. Opponents charged he changed too often. Romney was a leader in fund-raising, augmented by over $35 million from his own fortune. He has sponsored by far the greatest number of TV commercials of any candidate. However he was little known outside of Massachusetts, so his strategy was to play for early wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, then "sling-shot" the momentum into national visibility. After leading in both states the tide turned suddenly and he lost to Mike Huckabee in Iowa and John McCain in New Hampshire, while picking up some uncontested delegates in Wyoming. ("Two silvers and a gold," his spinmeisters announced.) The loss in New Hampshire, a neighboring state where had a summer house, indicated a narrow voter base in the primaries.

After the unexpected defeats Romney changed strategy and focused on caucus states, where his financial advantage could be used to hire local organizers to turn out upscale voters who attended caucuses. Romney changed his rhetoric and began denouncing Washington, emphasizing his business skills, and promising large-scale federal help to the troubled Michigan economy, where the domestic auto companies have been doing very poorly. He avoided collapse by a decisive over McCain in the Michigan GOP primary on Jan 15, with 39% of the vote, beating McCain with 30% and Huckabee with 16%.

Religion was a negative factor for evangelicals who saw Mormonism an un-Christian cult. Romney, a former bishop, spoke in Texas on the need for religious tolerance. While his religion generally hurt his vote totals, it was a boon for him in Nevada, where one-fourth of the GOP caucus electorate was Mormon, and Romney won better than 90% of them against Ron Paul. Likewise it helped him sweep the Utah primary. Romney outspent the field on TV ads in South Carolina and Florida. When he discovered he was doing poorly he pulled his advertising out of South Carolina and concentrated on Nevada, where the main contenders did not appear. Romney came in fourth place in South Carolina. His decisive defeat came in the South. He lost to McCain in Florida, 36% to 31%, ceding the momentum to McCain. Then Huckabee and McCain contested the remaining southern primaries, leaving Romney a poor third in the nation's conservative stronghold.[12]

On Tsunami Tuesday Romney did well in caucus states, where his high-spending organizational efforts paid off amidst very low turnout. However, he did poorly in the primary states, notably California, where his $10 million advertising blitz was pushed aside by McCain, who ran only a few radio ads. The main base of the GOP is the South, but Romney ran a weak third in the region, as Huckabee captured the evangelical vote. The Romney campaign underwent repeated transformations, with new themes and new campaign slogans, new ads and new message strategies designed to reach the conservatives who listen to talk radio. One after another Romney sought an identity as the candidate of true fiscal, social and national security conservatism. He has portrayed himself as Mr Efficiency--as the corporate executive candidate who understands the economy "in my DNA." He then attacked illegal immigrants, an issue that had little traction.[13] His last transformation came in February, with his claims to be the candidate of change, who will defeat the Washington insiders and elites, whom he links to McCain. On Tsunami Tuesday, Time magazine reports, his rhetoric took on a previously unseen, almost Trotskyite tenor: "It's time for the politicians to leave Washington and for we, the people, to take over!"[14]

After spending $110 million, much of it from his own fortune, Romney closed his campaign two days after his disappointing showing on Tsunami Tuesday; he endorsed McCain as commentators speculated on his chances for a return effort in 2012.

Fundraising

Mitt Romney had done well in fund raising. During his first fund raiser as a presidential candidate, he raised $6.5 million dollars compared to an original goal of only $1 million. During the first quarter Romney raised more money then any other Republican presidential candidate with $23 million. However, a substantial portion of his funds ($17 million) came from his own personal wealth. [4]

Endorsements

Congressional

Governors

Talk Radio

References

  1. ↑ Michael Kranish, "The Making of Mitt Romney: Mormon church obtained Vietnam draft deferrals for Romney, other missionaries" June 24, 2007. The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/romney/articles/part1_side_2/?page=1
  2. ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/08/AR2007060802781_pf.html
  3. ↑ Lisa McGirr, Suburban Warriors(2001) pp. 141, 222.
  4. ↑ http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2007/08/mitt_romneys_record_on_economi.php
  5. ↑ Telegram & Gazette, 08/01/06
  6. ↑ http://www.americansformitt.com/
  7. ↑ Telegram & Gazette, 02/27/03
  8. ↑ America's Culture and Values mittromney.com
  9. ↑ http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/07/03/clarity_sought_on_romneys_abortion_stance/?page=2
  10. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20021218005104/www.romneyhealey.com/issues/4
  11. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20021218005104/www.romneyhealey.com/issues/3
  12. ↑ Adam Nagourney, "McCain’s Victory in a Party-Only Primary Raises the Hurdles for Romney," New York Times Jan. 30, 2008
  13. ↑ In California Romney did much worse than polls predicted (the polls had him tied with McCain but he lost by 8 points). In the closing days he banked heavily on the anti-immigrant argument with intense TV commercials. Romney did well among the 28% who saw illegal immigration as the top issue, beating McCain by 50%-26%. However he lost heavily among the 60% who were more tolerant of immigrants (McCain won them by 50%-28%). Asians and Latinos comprised 19% of the GOP vote in California; most are immigrants or children of immigrants and they voted for McCain over Romney by 48%-21%.
  14. ↑ Michael Scherer, "Romney's Big Push Nets Little," Time Feb. 06, 2008
  15. ↑ Endorses Romney Limbaugh Endorses Romney, Melanie Hunter, CNSNews, February 05, 2008

External links

Blogs

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