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'''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.  

'''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 (2003-2007), 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 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.

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 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 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.

== 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 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.

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.

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.