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Line 86: − ==2008 Presidential Campaign== − ''Main Article: [[Mitt Romney 2008 Presidential Campaign]]'' − − [[Image:Dude and mitt romney.jpg|right|180px]] As chairman of the [[Republican Governors Association]], Mitt Romney spent a lot of time in 2006 campaigning across the country for Republican gubernatorial candidates. 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 about 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." − − Romney won the Michigan primary on January 16th, 2008, with 39% of the vote, edging out McCain with 30% and Huckabee with 16%. Romney was favored to win in the state of his birth, where his father, [[George Romney]] was governor from 1963-1969. After losing both the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary (to Huckabee and McCain, respectively), Romney won a low-publicized Wyoming caucus. On January 19, Romney easily won the [[Nevada]] caucuses by 37 percentage points when there were seven candidates on the ballot, however, on that same day he placed a distant fourth in the [[South Carolina]] primary. After a disappointing performance on Super Tuesday, Romney announced the suspension of his campaign on Thursday 7th February. He expressed his wishes not to divide the Republican party and later endorsed Senator [[John McCain]] of [[Arizona]]. − − − − ==Fundraising== − Mitt Romney had done well in fund raising. During his first fund raiser as a presidential candidate, he raised 6.5 million dollars when his goal was to raise 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. [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/10/16/top_spender_romney_could_soon_run_short/]
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'''Willard "Mitt" Romney''' (born March 12, 1947), Republican governor 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. Romney was an established businessman in [[Massachusetts]], having served as CEO of Bain & Company, a management consulting firm before entering politics. His political start began during the financially unsteady 2002 Winter Olympics. Romney left his career as an entrepreneur to take over as 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 (2002-2007) demonstrated his financial skill, but often was at odds with the state's voters on social issues. As governor, he balanced the budget every year without raising taxes or increasing debt. He also created over 60,000 new jobs and brought [[conservative]] change to the [[liberal]] state of Massachusetts.
'''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.
Romney served one term as governor of Massachusetts (2002-2006), with a moderate record that included fee increases (but not tax increases), a balanced budget, and the nation's first universal healthcare program. He supported abortion and gay rights. Romney was an established businessman in Boston, having served as CEO of Bain & Company, a management consulting firm before entering politics. 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 (2002-2007) demonstrated his financial skill, but often was at odds with the state's voters on social issues. As governor, he balanced the budget every year without raising taxes or increasing debt. He also created over 60,000 new jobs and brought [[conservative]] change to the [[liberal]] state of Massachusetts.
During his campaign for the Republican nomination in 2008, Romney was widely supported as a staunch conservative on many social issues, including abortion and gay marriage. 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 circulated as a potential running mate for McCain as their relationship improved.
During his campaign for the Republican nomination in 2008, Romney was widely supported as a staunch conservative on many social issues, including abortion and gay marriage. 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 circulated as a potential running mate for McCain as their relationship improved.
== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==
[[Image:MittRomneyYouth05.jpg|thumb|Ann Lois Davies and Willard Mitt Romney]]
[[Image:MittRomneyYouth05.jpg|thumb|Ann Lois Davies and Willard Mitt Romney]]
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,<ref>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 </ref> 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 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,<ref>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 </ref> 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.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/08/AR2007060802781_pf.html</ref>
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.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/08/AR2007060802781_pf.html</ref>
Romney is the son of former [[Michigan]] Governor and presidential candidate George Romney, a "Rockefeller Republican,"<ref>Lisa McGirr,Suburban Warriors (book), Copyright 2001, Princeton University Press, p. 141, 222.</ref> who amassed a large fortune as an automobile industry magnate during World War II. <!-- Unusual statement. What exactly is the reason for introducing it as Mass. Republicans? Is there a significance to this? Many Massachusetts Republicans do not connect the father's politics with the son's, much like Presidents [[George H. W. Bush|George Herbert Walker Bush]] and [[George W. Bush|George Walker Bush]].--> 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.
Romney is the son of former [[Michigan]] Governor and presidential candidate George Romney, a "Rockefeller Republican,"<ref>Lisa McGirr, ''Suburban Warriors''(2001) pp. 141, 222.</ref> who amassed a large fortune as an automobile industry magnate during World War II. <!-- Unusual statement. What exactly is the reason for introducing it as Mass. Republicans? Is there a significance to this? Many Massachusetts Republicans do not connect the father's politics with the son's, much like Presidents [[George H. W. Bush|George Herbert Walker Bush]] and [[George W. Bush|George Walker Bush]].--> 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==
==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.
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.
==2008 Presidential Campaign==
''Main Article: [[Mitt Romney 2008 Presidential Campaign]]''
[[Image:Dude and mitt romney.jpg|right|180px]] 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.<ref> Adam Nagourney, "McCain’s Victory in a Party-Only Primary Raises the Hurdles for Romney," [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/us/politics/30assess.html?ref=politics ''New York Times'' Jan. 30, 2008]</ref>
After a disappointing performance on Super Tuesday, Romney suspended his campaign on February 7; he later endorsed McCain and campaigned for McCain and [[Sarah Palin]].
==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. [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/10/16/top_spender_romney_could_soon_run_short/]
== Political Views ==
== Political Views ==
===Civil Unions===
===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]].<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20021218005104/www.romneyhealey.com/issues/3</ref>
Romney is opposed to the idea of [[gay marriage]], however he has voiced support for domestic partnership benefits and equal rights for [[homosexuals]].<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20021218005104/www.romneyhealey.com/issues/3</ref>
===Economic Agenda===
===Economic Agenda===
As President, Governor Mitt Romney promised to pursue a conservative, pro-growth [[economic]] agenda. Governor Romney's 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.
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===
Mitt Romney supports the right of scientists to research on embryos created during fertility treatments.[http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2007/02/11/romneys_stem_cell_view_may_upset_the_right/]
Mitt Romney supports the right of scientists to research on embryos created during fertility treatments.[http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2007/02/11/romneys_stem_cell_view_may_upset_the_right/]
==Endorsements==
==Endorsements==