Barak

Obama Record,

Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice.
Vote on the Nomination -- a YES vote would to confirm Samuel A. Alito,
Jr., of New Jersey, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of
the United States.
Reference: Alito Nomination; Bill PN 1059 ; vote number 2006-002 on
Jan 31, 2006

Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Vote on the Nomination (Confirmation John G. Roberts, Jr., of
Maryland, to be Chief Justice of the United States )
Reference: Supreme Court Nomination of John Roberts; Bill PN 801 ;
vote number 2005-245 on Sep 27, 2005

Abortion

For almost a decade, Obama has been a leader in the Illinois
legislature in the battle to protect a woman's right to choose and
promote equal economic rights and opportunities.

Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com May 2, 2004

Abortions should be legally available in accordance with Roe v. Wade.
Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test
Jul 2, 1998

Spending

Vote to pass a bill that reduces federal spending by $40 billion over
five years by decreasing the amount of funds spent on Medicaid,
Medicare, agriculture, employee pensions, conservation, and student
loans. The bill also provides a down-payment toward hurricane
recovery and reconstruction costs.
Reference: Work, Marriage, and Family Promotion Reconciliation Act;
Bill S. 1932 ; vote number 2005-363 on Dec 21, 2005

African-Americans vote Democratic because of issue stances

I don't think the Democratic Party takes the African-American voters
for granted. I'm happy that the president spoke at the Urban League.
He should have spoke at the NAACP. I want Republicans to compete for
the African-American vote. They're not getting the African-American
vote not because African-Americans aren't open-minded, but because
Democrats have consistently championed those issues-civil rights,
voting rights, concern for working families-that are of greatest
concern to African-American voters. Source: Meet The Press, NBC News
Jul 25, 2004

Supports affirmative action in colleges and government
Indicate the principles you support concerning affirmative action.
Should state government agencies take race and sex into account in the
following sectors?
Q: College and university admissions? A: Yes
Q: Public employment A: Yes
Q: State contracting? A: Yes.
Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1998

Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.
Voting YES implies support for amending the constitution to ban
same-sex marriage. This cloture motion to end debate requires a 3/5th
majority. A constitutional amendment requires a 2/3rd majority. The
proposed amendment is:
Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man
and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any
State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal
incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of
a man and a woman.

Reference: Marriage Protection Amendment; Bill S. J. Res. 1 ; vote
number 2006-163 on Jun 7, 2006

Voted NO on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions.
Amends Federal bankruptcy law to revamp guidelines governing dismissal
or conversion of a Chapter 7 liquidation (complete relief in
bankruptcy) to one under either Chapter 11 (Reorganization) or Chapter
13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income). Voting
YES would:

Reference: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of
2005; Bill S 256 ; vote number 2005-44 on Mar 10, 2005

Battles legislatively against the death penalty
Obama?s most significant contribution has been his legislative battles
against the death penalty, and against in the criminal justice system.
In Illinois, it's been a series of shocking exonerations of innocent
people who are on death row. He was involved very intimately in
drafting and passing legislation that requires the video taping of
police interrogations and confessions in all capital cases. And he
also was one of the co-sponsors of this very comprehensive reform or
the death penalty system in Illinois, which many people say may
trigger the retreat on the death penalty in many other states.
Source: Salim Muwakkil and Amy Goodman, Democracy Now Jul 15, 2004

Battles legislatively against the death penalty
He was involved very intimately in drafting and passing legislation
that requires the video taping of police interrogations and
confessions in all capital cases. And he also was one of the
co-sponsors of this very comprehensive reform or the death penalty
system in Illinois, which many people say may trigger the retreat on
the death penalty in many other states.
Source: Salim Muwakkil and Amy Goodman, Democracy Now Jul 15, 2004

Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation
Principles that Obama supports to address crime:
Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
Increase state funds for programs which rehabilitate and educate
inmates during and after their prison sentences.
Provide funding for military-style "boot camps" for first-time juvenile felons.
Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1998

Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's AMWR.
To remove the establishment of an oil and gas leasing program in the
Alaskan Coastal Plain. The original bill allows for an oil and gas
leasing program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Voteing
YES on this amendment would remove that section, hence barring leasing
in ANWR.
Reference: Bar Oil and Gas Leasing amendment; Bill S Amdt 2358 to S
1932 ; vote number 2005-288 on Nov 3, 2005

Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Vote to adopt an amendment that would strike a provision in the
concurrent resolution that recognizes revenue from oil drilling in the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The amendment says: "To ensure
that legislation that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,
other federal lands, and the Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling
receives full consideration and debate in the Senate under regular
order, rather than being fast-tracked under reconciliation procedures;
to ensure that receipts from such drilling destined for the federal
treasury are fairly shared with local jurisdictions; and does not
occur unless prohibitions against the export of Alaskan oil are
enacted."
Reference: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge anti-drilling Amendment;
Bill S AMDT 168 to S.Con.Res. 18 ; vote number 2005-52 on Mar 16, 2005

Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade.
Approves the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States-Free
Trade Agreement entered into on August 5, 2005, with the governments
of Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, and Nicaragua (CAFTA-DR), and the statement of
administrative action proposed to implement the Agreement. Voting YES
would:
Progressively eliminate customs duties on all originating goods traded
among the participating nations
Preserve US duties on imports of sugar goods over a certain quota
Remove duties on textile and apparel goods traded among participating nations
Prohibit export subsidies for agricultural goods traded among
participating nations
Provide for cooperation among participating nations on customs laws
and import licensing procedures
Recommend that each participating nation uphold the Fundamental
Principles and Rights at Work
Urge each participating nation to obey various international
agreements regarding intellectual property rights
Reference: Central America Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act;
Bill HR 3045 ; vote number 2005-209 on Jul 28, 2005

Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions
Principles that Obama supports on gun issues:
Ban the sale or transfer of all forms of semi-automatic weapons.
Increase state restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms.
Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks with firearms.
Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1998

Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers.
A bill to prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or
continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers
of firearms or ammunition for damages, injunctive or other relief
resulting from the misuse of their products by others. Voting YES
would:
Exempt lawsuits brought against individuals who knowingly transfer a
firearm that will be used to commit a violent or drug-trafficking
crime
Exempt lawsuits against actions that result in death, physical injury
or property damage due solely to a product defect
Call for the dismissal of all qualified civil liability actions
pending on the date of enactment by the court in which the action was
brought
Prohibit the manufacture, import, sale or delivery of armor piercing
ammunition, and sets a minimum prison term of 15 years for violations
Require all licensed importers, manufacturers and dealers who engage
in the transfer of handguns to provide secure gun storage or safety
devices
Reference: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; Bill S 397 ;
vote number 2005-219 on Jul 29, 2005

Believes health care is a right, not a privilege for the few
Obama believes health care is a right for everyone, not a privilege
for the few. He has made affordable health care a priority - he
delivered coverage to an additional 20,000 children and 65,000 parents
in Illinois and sponsored a bill to protect the uninsured from price
gouging. He has proposed a detailed health plan that covers every
child in America, allows those near retirement to buy into Medicare,
and ensures coverage for those losing jobs through no fault of their
own.
Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.org, "On the Issues" Sep 28, 2004

Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision.
Vote to invoke cloture on a conference report that extends the
authority of the FBI to conduct "roving wiretaps" and access business
records. Voting YES would recommend, in effect, that the PATRIOT Act
be extended through December 31, 2009, and would makes the provisions
of the PATRIOT Act permanent. Voting NO would extend debate further,
which would have the effect of NOT extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap
provision.
Reference: Motion for Cloture of PATRIOT Act; Bill HR 3199 ; vote
number 2005-358 on Dec 16, 2005

Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants
Obama supports the folowing principles regarding immigration:
Continue to extend state-funded welfare benefits for legal immigrants.
Use state funds to continue some Medicaid coverage for legal immigrants.
Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1998

Spent time in both Muslim and Catholic schools
In Indonesia, I'd spent 2 years at a Muslim school, 2 years at a
Catholic school. In the Muslim school, the teacher wrote to tell
mother I made faces during Koranic studies. In the Catholic school,
when it came time to pray, I'd pretend to close my eyes, then peek
around the room. Nothing happened. No angels descended. Just a parched
old nun and 30 brown children, muttering words. Sometimes the nun
would catch me, and her stern look would force my lids back shut. But
that didn't change how I felt inside.
Source: Dreams from My Father, by Barack Obama, p.142 Aug 1, 1996

Problems with current Israeli policy
Obama will speak before a Jewish audience and talk about his problems
with Israeli policy in a way that inspires trust, rather than the kind
of disagreement that you often find when that happens.
Source: Salim Muwakkil and Amy Goodman, Democracy Now Jul 15, 2004

In Case You Missed It: Romney Interviews

In Case You Missed It:  Romney Interviews

Governor Romney on Fox News In case you missed it, Governor Mitt Romney recently discussed several issues with Fox News' Carl Cameron.  Here are some excerpts of what Romney said.  On Life Issues: "Upon a full examination of the sanctity of life and when life begins, there is no question, when you put together all the DNA, you've got life and it's human. And I recognize that every civilized society respects human life. And on that basis, I came out and said, look, I am pro-life. Let there be no ambiguity." On Gay Marriage: "I want gay individuals to have equal rights in housing and equal rights in education. I don't believe in discrimination and I don't believe the American people do. That's a fundamental principle. At the same time, just as fundamental is the principle that marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. And to suggest somehow that those two things can't co-exist, that respecting rights of people who think differently and make different choices in their life that that can't go together with preserving marriage is just not right." On Religion: "The name on my church is actually the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I do believe in Jesus Christ is the son of God. But of course there are many others in our country that don't believe that  They believe in other faiths and whether that's the Jewish religion or Muslim religion or others and they are entitled to do that. Look, the sixth article of the Constitution of the United States got it right. It said no religious test shall ever be required for qualification for office or public trust in these United States." Governor Romney Interviewed by National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez Governor Mitt Romney recently discussed some issues with National Reviews' Kathryn Jean Lopez. Below is a partial transcript; see the full interview Lopez: What did you make of the Iraq Study Group report that was released last week? Gov. Romney: The members of the Iraq Study Group deserve credit for their hard work. But their recommendations read like the product of a flawed process — one more focused on reaching consensus for the sake of reaching consensus. There were a few recommendations that I found especially striking: Suggesting that somehow the Israel-Palestine conflict is a root of sectarian and insurgent violence in Iraq is just wrong. Sunnis are killing Shia and vice versa. Pressuring Israel won't change that. Proposing that we negotiate with terrorist regimes like Syria and Iran — without a rigorous analysis of how our incentives could ever be aligned — is just counter-productive. I have no quarrel with talking, especially if it yields valuable intelligence and insight about an adversary. But that's a far cry from actually negotiating with Iran, which sponsors Hezbollah, has nuclear ambitions, and has been clear in its intention to wipe our ally Israel off the map. And Syria is systematically undermining the sovereignty of Lebanon and funding and arming terrorists. Any suggestion that we might trade something for their help or forbearance is out of the question. When considering a negotiation, one must ask what kind of leverage we have, and recognize that there are situations where we have more to lose than gain by negotiating. Finally, inferring that our troops may be withdrawn from combat positions before Iraq is secure runs counter to my view and to the views I have heard from some of America's most accomplished military leaders. I am not suggesting that there are simple solutions for Iraq. But it is clear to me that some of these recommendations will not meet our objectives in Iraq, or in the broader long war America is fighting today. Lopez: As you know, in recent days the Boston Globe and the New York Times, as well as the Boston newspaper, Bay Windows, have run pieces about your 1994 race against Ted Kennedy and your run for governor that appear to be in conflict with your current position against gay marriage. Are they? Gov. Romney: These old interviews and stories have frequently been circulated by my opponents ever since I took a stand against the Massachusetts supreme-court ruling on same-sex marriage. This being the political season, it is not surprising this old news has appeared again. But I have made clear since 2003, when the supreme court of Massachusetts redefined marriage by fiat, that my unwavering advocacy for traditional marriage stands side by side with a tolerance and respect for all Americans. Like the vast majority of Americans, I've opposed same-sex marriage, but I've also opposed unjust discrimination against anyone, for racial or religious reasons, or for sexual preference. Americans are a tolerant, generous, and kind people. We all oppose bigotry and disparagement. But the debate over same-sex marriage is not a debate over tolerance. It is a debate about the purpose of the institution of marriage and it is a debate about activist judges who make up the law rather than interpret the law. I agree with 3,000 years of recorded history. I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman and I have been rock solid in my support of traditional marriage. Marriage is first and foremost about nurturing and developing children. It's unfortunate that those who choose to defend the institution of marriage are often demonized. Lopez: And what about the 1994 letter to the Log Cabin Republicans where you indicated you would support the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and seemed open to changing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military? Are those your positions today? Gov. Romney: No. I don't see the need for new or special legislation. My experience over the past several years as governor has convinced me that ENDA would be an overly broad law that would open a litigation floodgate and unfairly penalize employers at the hands of activist judges. As for military policy and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, I trust the counsel of those in uniform who have set these policies over a dozen years ago. I agree with President Bush's decision to maintain this policy and I would do the same. Lopez: In a 1994 debate with Senator Kennedy, you said "I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my Mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it." Further confusing matters, the Boston Globe reported in 1994 that "as a Mormon lay leader [you] counseled Mormon women not to have abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother's life was at risk." Governor: What is your position on abortion today? On Roe? How do you account for what is obviously a change — certainly publicly — on the issue? Gov. Romney: My position has changed and I have acknowledged that. How that came about is that several years ago, in the course of the stem-cell-research debate I met with a pair of experts from Harvard. At one point the experts pointed out that embryonic-stem-cell research should not be a moral issue because the embryos were destroyed at 14 days. After the meeting I looked over at Beth Myers, my chief of staff, and we both had exactly the same reaction — it just hit us hard just how much the sanctity of life had been cheapened by virtue of the Roe v. Wade mentality. And from that point forward, I said to the people of Massachusetts, "I will continue to honor what I pledged to you, but I prefer to call myself pro-life." The state of Massachusetts is a pro-choice state and when I campaigned for governor I said that I would not change the law on abortion. But I do believe that the one-size-fits-all, abortion-on-demand-for-all-nine-months decision in Roe v. Wade does not serve the country well and is another example of judges making the law instead of interpreting the Constitution. What I would like to see is the Court return the issue to the people to decide. The Republican party is and should remain the pro-life party and work to change hearts and minds and create a culture of life where every child is welcomed and protected by law and the weakest among us are protected. I understand there are people of good faith on both sides of the issue. They should be able to make and advance their case in democratic forums with civility, mutual respect, and confidence that our democratic process is the best place to handle these issues. And yes, as a private citizen I have counseled women not to have abortions. Lopez: Does that mean you were "faking it" — as one former adviser has suggested — as a pro-choicer in your previous political campaigns? Why should anyone believe you're really pro-life now? Gov. Romney: I believe people will see that as governor, when I had to examine and grapple with this difficult issue, I came down on the side of life. I know in the four years I have served as governor I have learned and grown from the exposure to the thousands of good-hearted people who are working to change the culture in our country. I'm committed to promoting the culture of life. Like Ronald Reagan, and Henry Hyde, and others who became pro-life, I had this issue wrong in the past. Lopez: Will an exposé on Mormon Christmas celebrations hurt you in the primaries? Gov. Romney: This may sound strange to some, but my grandchildren will be eagerly awaiting presents to be delivered to their homes by a bearded man in a red suit led by a pack of flying reindeer. The lead reindeer, by the way, has a red light bulb for a nose — certainly a YouTube scandal waiting to happen. Lopez: Read anything good lately? Gov. Romney: A few of my current favorites are: The Cube and the Cathedral by George Weigel, The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright, America Alone by Mark Steyn, The Places in Between by Rory Stewart, and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, Bill Bryson's latest book.

Paid for and authorized by the Commonwealth PAC Not authorized by any candidate's committee. www.thecommonwealthpac.com

Romney Reading

Romney Books

"What we become depends on what we read after all of the professors have finished with us. The greatest university of all is a collection of books."
** Thomas Carlyle

I've tried to make a list of other books that Romney has read and referenced. I know he liked the John Adams book by Mccullough. What books have you heard him reference?

1. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, by Bill Bryson
2. The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, "But number five, the culture of America is under attack. Now some people say wait, when you talk about culture, Governor, that's not of the same order of magnitude as the things you just mentioned: jihadists and the emergence of Asia, spending too much money, using too much oil. And I disagree. There was a book written some years ago by a fellow named David Landis; he's a Harvard professor. The book was given to me. It's called The Wealth and Poverty of Nations. The jacket cover included an endorsement by John Kenneth Galbraith. I said, oh boy, this is going to be some liberal diatribe. I read through it and found it pretty scholarly. And after about 500 pages, he concludes with roughly these words: If anything can be learned from the history of economic development in the world, it is this--culture makes all the difference."

3. Does anyone know what book he is talking about? When he mentions "Jim" is he talking about, "James A. Phillips". When he says, Paul is he talking about "Paul Weyrich"?  "The sea change applies to our military as well. At one time, we were content with the idea that the military was responsible for winning wars. Increasingly, we find ourselves responsible not only for winning the war, but also for keeping the peace. We play, increasingly, peacekeeping roles; how we prepare for those and train for those is something which Jim and Paul in their book have spent some time talking about." Governor Mitt Romney, Heritage Lecture #904

4. The World is Flat, "Amazingly, these rankings don't even include the countries that are our real competition. India and China, in the words of Tom Friedman's latest book, just brought three billion more people onto the playing field." Governor Mitt Romney, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce Hearing on "High School Reform: Examining State and Local Efforts"

5. Theodore Rex and The Rise of Teddy Roosevelt, "Well, I happen to believe that one of the most important things a president of the United States does is set a culture of integrity, character, vision, patriotism, that the values that a president is known for and lives by live on well beyond some of his or her policies -- I guess all his, at this point. His policies. And, you know, I will go back -- and read a couple of books about Teddy Roosevelt last year, "Theodore Rex" and "The Rise of Teddy Roosevelt," I looked at some of his policies and said, gosh, I have exactly the opposite view today. The Republic Party has a different view then it did back in 1900." Governor Mitt Romney, C-Span Transcript, BRIAN LAMB, HOST

 

6. The Cube and the Cathedral by George Weigel,
7. The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright,
8. America Alone by Mark Steyn
9. The Places in Between by Rory Stewart, and Bill Bryson's latest book

Average Driver To Save $120 Per Vehicle

Average Driver To Save $120 Per Vehicle

Click here for the story.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Insurance Quotes from Governor Mitt Romney

• "It's time to give our consumers more choice and the advantages that come with safe driving. The goal of the task force is to form a consensus for a fair and smooth transition to a competitive marketplace ."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 04-29-2004 Press Release

• "Residents of Massachusetts currently pay some of the highest insurance costs in the nation. We are saddled with a system that discourages competition, forces safe drivers to subsidize reckless behavior, encourages fraud and threatens lives. With this new law, we are taking a critical step forward in reviving our ailing auto insurance market."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 01-03-2005 Press Release

• "The vast majority of our health care providers are honest and law-abiding. But from now on, for those few who try to cheat the system by participating in auto insurance fraud, they won't just find themselves out of luck. They'll find themselves looking for a new line of work."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 01-03-2005 Press Release

• "With so few insurers doing business here, we can no longer pretend that our system is healthy and benefiting our citizens. This bill brings the flexibility to our system that exists everywhere else. It attacks fraud and excessive treatment costs, gives our good drivers some immediate rate relief and provides insurers with the flexibility to charge rates that reflect drivers' records. We expect our reforms here will yield similar results in the coming years"
• Governor Mitt Romney, 06-01-2005 Press Release

• "An achievement like this comes around once in a generation, and it proves that government can work when people of both parties reach across the aisle for the common good. Today, Massachusetts is leading the way with health insurance for everyone, without a government takeover and without raising taxes."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 04-12-2006 Press Release

• "This would not have been possible without the courageous work of Senate President Travaglini, Speaker DiMasi , providers, insurers, consumer groups and all the other industry stakeholders who recognized an opportunity to do something historic."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 04-12-2006 Press Release

Insurance Press Releases from Governor Mitt Romney

• 04-29-2004; Governor Mitt Romney turns ignition on auto insurance reform
• 01-03-2005; Governor Mitt Romney signs bill cracking down on auto insurance fraud
• 06-01-2005; Governor Mitt Romney files auto insurance reform legislation
• 04-12-2006; Governor Mitt Romney signs landmark health insurancereform bill

Photos

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney listens during a press conference in July 2006. Romney, a businessman and organizer of the Salt Lake City Olympics, has already snagged two of Bush's top former economic advisers, Glenn Hubbard and Greg Mankiw in his preparation to run for president. Photo:/AFP

(AP Photo/Steve Pope, File)

(AP Photo/William B. Plowman)

Was watching Return of the King Last Night...

I think this part applies to our current war...

Denethor: "My sons are spent."

[Denethor steps away from Faramir. Pippin approaches.]

Denethor: "My line has ended."

Pippin (looking at Faramir): "He's alive!"

Denethor: "The house of Stewards has failed."

Pippin: "He needs medicine my lord!"

Denethor: "My line has ended!"

[Denethor wanders to the edge of the courtyard. He looks down to see the orc army.]

Pippin: "My lord!"

Denethor: "Rohan has deserted us."

[Orc catapults fling boulders at the city. People cry and run.]

Denethor: "Théoden has betrayed me."

[More boulders fall.]

Denethor: "Abandon your posts! Flee! Flee for you lives!"

[Gandalf smacks Denethor with his staff, knocking him out.]

Gandalf: "Prepare for battle."

---

[Gandalf rides down to rally the soldiers.]

Gandalf: "Pull them in! To the wall! Defend the wall! Return to your posts!"

[The soldiers return to their posts. Gandalf looks out at the opposing army.]

Gandalf: "Send these foul beasts into the abyss!"

I am greatful for those in the Millitary who have not abandoned their posts!

http://www.tk421.net/lotr/film/rotk/18.html

Romney is Fox News' 3rd political story

POLITICS Headlines

• Army Top General Calls for Thousands More U.S. Troops
• Bush Adds 8 Countries to Fight Against Malaria in Africa
• Gov. Mitt Romney Denies Flip-Flopping on Gay Marriage, Abortion

From: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/index.html

Romney makes 6th story on drudge...

http://www.drudgereport.com/

Agreement permits specially trained State Troopers to enforce federal immigration law

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department State House Boston, MA 02133 (617) 725-4000 MITT ROMNEY GOVERNOR KERRY HEALEY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2006 CONTACT: Eric Fehrnstrom Felix Browne (617) 725-4025 Kelly Nantel (EPS) (617) 727-7775 Paula Grenier (ICE) (617) 565-4216 GOVERNOR ROMNEY, ICE SIGN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT PACT Agreement permits specially trained State Troopers to enforce federal immigration law Governor Mitt Romney and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary Julie L. Myers today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and ICE that will give specially trained Massachusetts State Troopers the authority to administer and enforce federal immigration laws in the Commonwealth. "The scope of our nation's illegal immigration problem requires us to pursue and implement new solutions wherever possible," said Romney.   "State Troopers are highly trained professionals who are prepared to assist the federal government in apprehending immigration violators without disrupting their normal law enforcement routines."  "I am pleased that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has joined this very successful program.  The 287(g) program represents a unique and effective partnership between ICE and state and county law enforcement agencies," said Myers.  "The goal of the partnership is to seek out those who both break our nation's immigration laws and the laws of Massachusetts by engaging in criminal activity."  The ability to enter into this agreement originates from the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, effective September 30, 1996, which added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act.   The section was enacted to enhance the federal government's ability to identify and remove foreign nationals that pose a threat to national security or public safety through closer cooperation and communication with state and local law enforcement. Under 287(g), ICE provides state or local officers with the training and authorization to enforce federal immigration law as necessary in the course of their criminal investigative duties. "This is a program where ICE utilizes cross-designated state and local law enforcement officers to identify and remove criminal aliens.   Here in Massachusetts, we look forward to a partnership with the Massachusetts State Police to reach that goal," said Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Boston. Thirty Massachusetts State Police troopers from five units – the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Squad, the Criminal Investigation Section, the Anti-Gang Unit, the Drug Enforcement Unit and the Community Action Team - have been selected to attend a specialized training course developed by ICE for Massachusetts.   The troopers will begin a five-week training course with ICE early next year. The training focuses on immigration law, civil rights, intercultural relations and the issues surrounding racial profiling.   Once troopers successfully complete the course and pass the related examinations, they receive official certification from ICE that grants them special 287(g) authority.  After certification, ICE will continue to provide supervision and support, working with the troopers as they carry out their immigration enforcement functions. "The Massachusetts State Police are uniquely positioned to assist our federal law enforcement partners in the enforcement of immigration laws here in the Commonwealth," said Public Safety Secretary Robert C. Haas.   "The 287(g) provision provides them with the requisite authority to do so." Under 287(g) authority, when a trained and certified trooper conducting state criminal investigations encounters an individual who is an immigration violator, he or she may question and detain the individual, charge them with a violation of immigration law if appropriate, and place the individual in removal proceedings.   Section 287(g) provides a valuable extra tool to local and state authorities, particularly in cases where the individual is a criminal alien, violent felon, gang member, has been previously deported or is an immigration fugitive. Already, 287(g) has achieved numerous successes in cooperative criminal law enforcement efforts with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Alabama Department of Public Safety and several counties in California and North Carolina.  ###

Funny Stuff from 2002

main news history schedule get involved chicken cam quotes donate		Dear Massachusetts Voters, I'm just a chicken, but I know one thing: it's time for new leadership that works for the people of Massachusetts. And I know a chicken when I see one, which is why I'm furious at Shannon O'Brien and the other Beacon Hill insiders who tried to cancel this election by knocking Mitt Romney off of the ballot. What a bunch of chickens. The good news is there will be an election. It will be a choice between "business as usual" and change. Shannon O'Brien tried to take that choice away from the people of Massachusetts by using legal chicanery to keep Mitt off the ballot, but her legal tricks backfired and became a fiasco. She's nothing but a scared, little chicken. And I should know because I'm a chicken. I'll be hitting the streets to tell Massachusetts voters everywhere about Shannon O'Brien's attempts to deny voters an election this year. When the feathers start flying, I'll be there. This residency challenge won't be the only battle Mitt Romney will fight to clean up the mess on Beacon Hill. To be sure, there will be other battles. But Mitt's no chicken, and he'll win those battles, too. See you on the campaign trail. Sincerely, The Chicken
		David Carl, Chairman - Zachary Spilman, Treasurer - MA College Republican Political Action Committee. Paid for by MACR PAC and not authorized by any candidate or campaign committee. Contributions to the Massachusetts College Republican Political Action Committee are not tax deductible. To comply with State law, we must use our best efforts to obtain, maintain, and submit the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 per calendar year.

B.O. ()

Read Amanda Carpenter's report on Obama and his conflicting rhetoric .

 

Barak Hussain Obama

A little something from the PAC... sign up for them, and you can get these e-mailed to you too!

Volume 1, Issue 6, 12/12/2006

Three Named To PAC's Florida Steering Committee December 7, 2006 - Governor Mitt Romney's Commonwealth PAC today named three key individuals to its Florida Steering Committee. Florida's current Lt Gov Toni Jennings, former Florida House Speaker Allan Bense, and former Florida GOP Chairman Al Cardenas all join the Commonwealth PAC team as advisors. Read more Governor Blunt to Lead PAC Advisory Council December 5 , 2006 - Governor Mitt Romney's Commonwealth PAC today announced that Governor Matt Blunt (R-Mo.) is the chairman of the PAC's Governors' Advisory Council. Matt Blunt's leadership has made a real difference in Missouri, Romney said.  His leadership has led to healthcare reform, hundreds of millions of dollars in new money for Missouri's schools and a balanced budget without raising taxes. As the PAC focuses on helping state and local Republican organizations, I appreciate his willingness to lead our Governors' Advisory Council. Read more Romney, the Real Deal (Red County) Mister PowerPoint Goes to Washington (The American) Romney: Protecting Marriage (National Review) PAC Assembles Wide Ranging Team (The Salt Lake Tribune) Highlighted Photo Governor Romney addresses the crowd during a November 19, 2006 rally to defend traditional marriage in Massachusetts. Weekly audio/video from Governor Mitt Romney. 12/3/2006   Governor Romney discusses taxes and the economy during Republican Governors Association . Watch (3.76 MB QuickTime Movie)     From the Great Wall to the DMZ December 12, 2006 - Last week, Governor Romney took a multi-nation tour through Asia, taking him to Japan, South Korea and China. In each of the three countries, Romney addressed the American Chamber of Commerce and visited with several foreign and U.S. officials. Kicking off the tour in Japan, Romney met with Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Finance Minister Koji Omi. In South Korea, he observed the De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, and met with General Bell of the United States Forces in Korea. In addition, Romney met with South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Cho Jung-pyo, Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, and Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok to discuss human rights and political issues in the region. In China, Romney discussed business, politics and international relations with the students of China's Tsinghua University. Drawing on his own experiences during the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, Romney met with Olympic officials there who are planning the 2008 Summer Games.  Romney was also able to meet with State Councilor Tang Jaixuan, Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, Ambassador Clark Randt, Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei, and Ambassador Yang Wenchang of Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.  Wrapping up the tour in China, Romney visited China's best-known landmark: the Great Wall of China.

Paid for and authorized by the Commonwealth PAC Not authorized by any candidate's committee. www.thecommonwealthpac.com

Romney and Gay Rights

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Romney and Gay Rights, 1994 - 2006

Posted by Dean Barnett  | 5:36 PM

It's a long-forgotten moment, but it was a poignant and revealing one. In the wake of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's discovery of a right to gay marriage that had been long–hidden in the Commonwealth's John Adams penned constitution, Governor Mitt Romney had vigorously protested both the substantive result and the judicial arrogance that led to the result.

On the day the decision went into effect, dozens of gay couples descended on Massachusetts' city and town halls to get married. The TV cameras sought out Governor Romney for his response to the day's events. The media no doubt expected him to toss some red meat to the knuckle-dragging conservatives that Romney was courting in anticipation of a presidential bid. Instead, Romney pleaded that the public and gay marriage critics in particular bear in mind that this was a happy and joyous day for many individuals, and act respectfully and accordingly.

If you saw him deliver that sentiment on the news, you could see it was heartfelt. You could also see that Mitt Romney would not square with the stereotypical (and of course mistaken) view of a gay marriage opponent. He was not a hater and not a homophobe. Rather, he was a decent man who thought the policy of gay marriage was an unwise one and, regardless of the policy's wisdom, was disappointed in the judicial overreach that brought it into being.

I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THAT MOMENT in recent Romney history while assorted pundits have been trying to sort through the Romney record when it comes to gay rights issues. Of special interest this week is a 1994 interview Romney gave where he was extremely generous on matters of interest to the gay community. Because I was volunteering for him in 1994 and spent considerable time with him, I think I can help shed some light on this latest "scandal."

When he ran for Senate in '94 against Ted Kennedy, the opinions of Mitt Romney's church was a recurring subject of discussion, thanks largely to the efforts of the Boston Globe. One of the things that the theologians at the Globe noticed is that the tenets of Mormonism regarding homosexuality weren't particularly accepting or tolerant. The Globe kept implicitly pressuring Romney to make the choice – gays or his church. (Oddly, Ted Kennedy's Catholic faith didn't trigger any similar demands or curiosity on the Globe's part.)

Romney spent a solid chunk of the '94 campaign expressing his tolerance and acceptance for homosexuals. Naturally, nothing he could say in this regard would satisfy his critics. If he didn't explicitly condemn the teachings of his church, his critics would continue to bray. And bray they did, from practically the first day of his campaign until the last.

It was in this context that Romney made his now-famous comments in a 1994 interview with Bay Windows, a Boston newspaper that caters to the gay community. Among his observations were these:

I feel that as a society and for me as an individual, it's incumbent on all of us to respect one another, regardless of our differences and beliefs, our differences in sexual orientation, in race and that America has always been a place, and should be a place, to welcome and tolerate people's differences.

I personally feel and one of my core beliefs is that we should accept people of all backgrounds and recognize everyone as a brother and a sister because we are all part of the family of man.

Fueling the current controversy is the question, How could so vocal a supporter of gay rights in 1994 be such a prominent opponent of gay marriage in 2006?

FORGET THE PART that in the same interview, Romney also said, "Bill Weld does not feel at this time that he wishes to extend legalized marriage on a same-sex basis, and I support his position." Those looking for a scandal here certainly have.

The question itself regarding Romney's putatively shifting views suggests Romney has a penchant for flip-flopping with such audacity that John Kerry should be envious. There is, however, an answer to the question and it's not a particularly complex one. I spent a decent amount of time with Romney in '94, and got to know him reasonably well. He's not a hater. He's not a bigot. He's not a homophobe. No one who has worked with him or who actually has known him in any capacity says otherwise. And this is a man who has led a prominent and powerful business life.

Romney is also a traditionalist. He does not believe that institutions such as marriage should be mucked with. And he certainly doesn't believe that such institutions should be playthings for a gaggle of unelected officials who happen to wear black robes for a living.

In other words, his opposition to gay marriage is based on good faith differences with gay marriage proponents regarding where a particular legal line should be drawn. And by good faith, I mean that he arrives at his position not out of hate, bigotry or political calculation, but out of a true sense of moral conviction regarding what is best and noblest for our society.

On where the legal line should be drawn on gay marriage, he and I happen to differ. Unlike Romney, and unlike most of the readers of this site, I have no problem with legalizing gay marriage. But unlike Romney's critics, I know that the difference is a good faith one, and not the result of those I disagree with making venal calculations or indulging their prejudiced natures.

The preceding is the part that some narrow-minded gay marriage proponents just can't get. They think that if you're against gay marriage, you are necessarily a hater and by definition a homophobe. That's just not so.

Another thing regarding Romney and gay marriage warrants mentioning: This was not a fight he sought. Even given the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's prior reckless disregard for precedent and the democratic process, no one foresaw the SJC discovering a pre-existing right to gay marriage in the Commonwealth's 220 year old Constitution. Even by the SJC's own lofty standards for such things, it was a stunning piece of judicial arrogance. In short, it was not part of a Romney master-plan to be the anti-gay marriage candidate.

Critics of Evangelicals and Fundamentalists think the key to winning their support is to be the most-narrow minded and hate-filled candidate in the field. These critics chronically lament the bigotry of these specifically identifiable communities while crudely and cruelly caricaturizing them; it is a perverse credit to these critics that they never betray any sense of irony while doing so.

One of the reasons Mitt Romney will be increasingly successful as more people get to know him is because he is the real deal – Mitt is a good, honest and decent man. And those are far from his only virtues. But those are the virtues that Republicans of all religious and ethnic affiliations hunger for most in their '08 standard bearer.

Compliments? Complaints? Contact me at Soxblog@aol.com.

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Deadline Approaching: 2007 RNC Calendar is Running Out

	Dear Michael, Don't wait a minute longer to get your 2007 RNC Calendar - - copies of this limited edition are going fast.  In order to receive your calendar by Christmas, orders must be placed no later than this Thursday, December 14. Your limited-edition 2007 RNC calendar includes monthly photos of our President, Vice President, and First Lady, and features little-known facts about our Party and the American Presidency. You can preview each month by going to our special 2007 Calendar Web page.   The holidays can be a hectic time of year for us all - - cross one more item off your to-do list by purchasing this limited edition calendar as a gift for your friends and family today.  Not only will they enjoy this special commemoration of our President and our Party, but your gift will help the RNC close the books on 2006, and enter into the 2008 election cycle on strong financial footing. As a great supporter of our President and our Party, don't miss this last opportunity to get your RNC calendar in time for holiday gift-giving.  Click Here to order your calendar before Thursday's deadline. Thank you for your continued commitment to our cause.  Best wishes to you and your family in 2007.  Sincerely, Sue Gazdo RNC Membership Services Director

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From Nathan

Dear Americans for Mitt Members,

 

As you may have noticed, there has been an onslaught of misleading attacks on Governor Romney's record over the past few days.   The folks over at  www.evangelicalsformitt.org have done a great job of responding to the allegations.  Give them a visit and check out all the great information they provide.  Yours truly got involved by responding to a specific attack from a group called Right March PAC: http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/front_page/marching_all_over_the_facts.php.

 

Also, Warren Bell, a contributor on National Review Online, offers his recap of a Romney event last night.  Further proof that when people get to know Governor Romney, they like him! Check it out here:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MmIwZmMyODMwMTU2Y2U4YWYxMGMyNDgxZTRhN2ZmM2E

 

If he's really on the verge of being"S-MITT-EN", shouldn't he check out our Smitten Store?

http://www.cafepress.com/smitten08

 

GOPBLOGGERS have launched another version of their 2008 GOP Primary Straw Poll.   Governor Romney has done very well in this poll in the past, so give them a visit and vote for Mitt:

http://www.gopbloggers.org/mt/archives/004517.html

 

Additional links to recent articles are below.  Remember to visit www.americansformitt.com for all the latest news, articles, and updates!  And please encourage your family and friends to join our e-mail list!

 

Thanks,

Nathan Burd

www.americansformitt.com

 

 

Mister PowerPoint Goes to Washington:

http://www.american.com/archive/2006/december/mitt-romney

 

2008 Hopefuls Wooing Bush Network:

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-mantle11dec11,0,7194078.story?coll=la-home-headlines

 

Romney in Beijing:

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2006/12/romney_gets_sni.html

Incoming House intelligence chief botches easy intel quiz

 

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, who incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tapped to head the Intelligence Committee when the Democrats take over in January, failed a quiz of basic questions about al Qaeda and Hezbollah, two of the key terrorist organizations the intelligence community has focused on since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

When asked by CQ National Security Editor Jeff Stein whether al Qaeda is one or the other of the two major branches of Islam -- Sunni or Shiite -- Reyes answered "they are probably both," then ventured "Predominantly -- probably Shiite."

That is wrong. Al Qaeda was founded by Osama bin Laden as a Sunni organization and views Shiites as heretics.

Reyes could also not answer questions put by Stein about Hezbollah, a Shiite group on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations that is based in Southern Lebanon.

Mister PowerPoint Goes to Washington

Mister PowerPoint Goes to Washington

By Matthew Rees
Friday, December 01, 2006
Mitt Romney, Massachusetts governor and Olympics savior, aspires to the White House. What does his background as a Bain consultant and hyper-successful venture capitalist tell us about how he'll perform? MATTHEW REES has the answers.

Click here for the full article:

and some of the most clever Romney art to date:

The episode highlights what would become the defining characteristic of Romney's career as a venture capitalist—and later as a government executive. He was willing to pursue—and analyze—data that others wouldn't bother to chase down. His dogged persistence paid off. During the 14 years Romney headed Bain Capital, the firm's average annual internal rate of return on realized investments was a staggering 113 percent. At that growth rate, a hypothetical $1,000 investment would grow to $39.6 million before fees. Few, if any, VC firms have ever matched Bain Capital's performance under Mitt Romney.

This article is one of the best 5 articles on about Romney. I consider myself an expert, but there were major things about Romney that I had not yet known in this Article.

I like the story were:

True to form, Romney became deeply immersed in crafting the health-care proposal. Moffit recalls that when he was asked to brief Romney, he found the tables turned. Romney was the one who gave Moffit the comprehensive PowerPoint presentation. "In 25 years of briefing elected officials and senior government executives, this was the first time I was the one who got briefed," Moffit says. "It was like being in a private class with a very high-energy professor, and Romney was the professor and I was the student."

I think that it is pathetic that "22 percent said they would not vote for an evangelical Christian; 14 percent would not support a Jewish candidate; and 9 percent, a Catholic candidate."

~~~Mike

Romney reaching to right?

The following is a brief responce to an article by SARAH LIEBOWITZ

Here is the full path.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061210/REPOSITORY/612100304

Everything she says can be refruted by a quick 30 second Romney Google Search.

re: "The Mitt Romney who twice ran for statewide office in Massachusetts is a different politician from the Romney who will likely court New Hampshire voters in the 2008 Republican presidential primary."

He is the same man. You keep keep saying he changed, but the people of the United States, in general, want slightly different things than the people of Massachusetts. If Romney's job is to represent the people who vote for him, and listen to what they want, do you think he would advocate the exact same things for the citizens of Massachusetts and the larger United States?  Abortion is the only stance which has changed, so stop  making yourself look un-educated by overgeneralizing.

re: " As a Massachusetts candidate, Romney pledged to keep abortion "safe and legal."

He did keep abortion safe and legal in Massachusetts. He said that he believed in the Rule of Law and that he knew Massachusetts had decided on Abortion. We wants to let every state decide.

re: "He called on the Republican Party to provide "more support" for the gay and lesbian community and won the support of many gay Republicans."

He still says the exact same thing. On Octover 16th, 2006 Romney said the following.

"In fact, as Americans, I believe that we should show an outpouring of respect and tolerance for all people. I believe God loves all of his children, that no one is abhorred -- that regardless of the differences and different choices, we should show that same respect. As Americans, we must vigorously reject discrimination and bigotry."

re: "In recent months, he has made headlines for his efforts to overturn same-sex marriage in the only state that allows it."

This is exactly what Romney, the candidate, said he would do. When he ran for governor in 2002, Romney declared his opposition to both same-sex marriage and civil unions. [6] "Call me old fashioned, but I don't support gay marriage nor do I support civil union," said Romney in an October 2002 gubernatorial debate. He also voiced support for basic domestic partnership benefits for gay couples.

Photos

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney stands on stage at a rally with opponents of gay marriage at a rally at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, November 19, 2006. Romney is considering a bid for the Republican nomination for President of the the United States. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES)

 

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, center, talks during a press conference as Nevada Gov.-elect Jim Gibbons, left, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt look on at the Republican Governors Association 2006 Annual Conference in Miami, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2006.(AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

 

 

Romney in Asai

Romney gets snickers, raves from Beijing college students Boston Globe, United States - 21 hours ago By Jehangir S. Pocha. BEIJING — Governor Mitt Romney's weeklong trip to Asia took him to the renowned Tsinghua University here ...

Romney gets mixed reaction in China Eyewitness News, RI - 7 hours ago BOSTON Governor Mitt Romney is getting a mixed reaction from Chinese university students as he wraps up his week-long trip to Asia. ...

Romney tries political hand in China Boston Globe, United States - 16 hours ago By Jehangir S. Pocha, Globe Correspondent | December 9, 2006. BEIJING -- Governor Mitt Romney's weeklong trip to Asia took him to ...

The stupidity has gone too far

* "This is a subject about which people have tender emotions in part because it touches individual lives. It also has been misused by some as a means to promote intolerance and prejudice. This is a time when we must fight hate and bigotry, when we must root out prejudice, when we must learn to accept people who are different from one another. Like me, the great majority of Americans wish both to preserve the traditional definition of marriage and to oppose bias and intolerance directed towards gays and lesbians."
o Governor Mitt Romney, 06-22-2004 Press Release

* "Preserving the definition of marriage should not infringe on the right of individuals to live in the manner of their choosing. One person may choose to live as a single, even to have and raise her own child. Others may choose to live in same sex partnerships or civil arrangements. There is an unshakeable majority of opinion in this country that we should cherish and protect individual rights with tolerance and understanding. "
o Governor Mitt Romney, 06-22-2004 Press Release

I am trying to respond to this article, but I will do a better job later...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/09/us/politics/09romney.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Governor Mitt Romney and Evangelicals are together on this. They have never tried to advance families with both Mothers and Fathers by discriminating against gays. Saying that children need both a Mother and a Father is not discrimination, it is siding with the child, who needs both a mother and a father more than the gay couple need children.

Evangelicals teach that you need to love the sinner, but hate the sin. Evangelicals agree with Romney. You don't advance families with a mother and a father, by allowing gays to be discriminated against in the work place. They are two separate issues. We need to stop bigotry towards gays, and we need to preserve the right for catholic charities to provide houses for needy children, even though they do not give children to gay couples. We should all be able to agree on this.

You read in this article by ADAM NAGOURNEY and DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK of the New York times that "Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, who had praised Mr. Romney as a champion of traditional values at the group's conference in late September. "This type of information is going to create a lot of problems for Governor Romney. He is going to have a hard time overcoming this."

Is this quote from Adam or David taken out of context, because WHAT EXACTLY is Mitt Romney going to have to overcome? The belief that people should be treated with respect? Does the New York times think that this will become an issue with southern voters? The New York times keeps saying that it is Southern Evangelical voters that will not vote for a Mormon, but it is Liberal Democrats, who according to actual surveys who would never vote for someone who attends a Mormon church on Sunday. The New York times keeps implying that southern evangelicals who think children deserve both a Mother and a Father hate Gay people. It is liberal people at the New York Times that hate and demonize those that disagree with them.

<blockquote>Paul Weyrich, a founder of the modern conservative movement, said: "Unless he comes out with an abject repudiation of this, I think it makes him out to be a hypocrite. And if he totally repudiates this, you have to ask, on what grounds?"</blockquote>

People keep accusing Mitt Romney of Hypocrisy because he dares asserts that we should be nice to gay people but he does not define niceness by puting their rights to have children over the rights of children to have a mother and a father.

<blockquote>"But I believe we can and must do better. If we are to achieve the goals we share, we must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern. My opponent cannot do this. I can and will."</blockquote>

What is so wrong with this? It is the truth. Romney's dad always said that it hurts to be right too early, but this will not hurt Romney. It is not too early. Everyone knows that southern republicans will not want to listen to Ted Kennedy (the man who has killed more people with his car, than my gun has killed) preach to us about how we need to show gay people respect. But southern republicans will listen to someone who stood up for the right of catholic charities to participate in the adoption process, Southern republicans will listen to a man who thinks the rights of children are more important than the rights of adults, say to them that they need to show respect to gays. We can make this not just be an issue between the parties.

Joseph Mccarthy said that communism should not be made an issue between republicans and democrats. He said, and I think this is one of the times he was right, that if we made it a contest between our two great parties, that we will see one of the parties disappear of the face of the earth, and that would be bad for America. The New York Times is trying to make this an issue BETWEEN the parties. They are trying to make it look like everyone in the Republican Party hates gays. This is not the truth. We don't hate gays. We just think the rights of children are more important than the rights of adults.

Most gay people will tell you that they love both their mother and father, and they will tell you that they are glad they had parents representing the two great genders: Women and Men. Lets not make this an issue between the parties, were one party is assumed to hate gays.

There is nothing in Romney's statements that a red blooded American who is comfortable with his or her own sexuality has to be embarrassed of. Romney said that both parties should be nice to gays, show them respect, and hire them in the work place.

When he ran for governor in 2002, Romney declared his opposition to both same-sex marriage and civil unions. "Call me old fashioned, but I don't support gay marriage nor do I support civil union," said Romney in an October 2002 gubernatorial debate. He also voiced support for basic domestic partnership benefits for gay couples.

<blockquote>But his emphasis has shifted in the last two years. As he moves into this new phase of his career, Mr. Romney rarely talks about the need to protect gay men and lesbians from bias, instead presenting himself as a conservative stalwart in the fight against same-sex marriage, arguing that legally recognizing same-sex unions endangers the cultural support for heterosexual families.</blockquote>

This is about the stupidest thing I have ever read. Look at the dates for this quote: OCTOBER 16th 2006

In fact, as Americans, I believe that we should show an outpouring of respect and tolerance for all people. I believe God loves all of his children, that no one is abhorred -- that regardless of the differences and different choices, we should show that same respect. As Americans, we must vigorously reject discrimination and bigotry.

These people at the New York Times are some of the stupidest people I have ever read. They say stupid stuff, like Romney is a hypocrite without giving any example of hypocrisy, and they say that he doesn't talk about equality any more, when it took me 30 seconds to find a great quote that shows how consistent Romney has been.

I would really like to cuss at them right now, but I won't.