Michigan, Iowa, Alabama, and Detroit Photos

Presidential candidate and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney holds a press conference before speaking to Michigan Republicans during the Michigan GOP Convention in Grand Rapids, Mi. on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Adam Bird)

 

Former Massachusetts Gov. and Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, left, and wife Ann listen to the Pledge of Allegiance before his speech at the Missouri Republican Party's 108th Lincoln Days gathering Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)

 

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney addresses members of the Alabama Republican Party, Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Kevin Glackmeyer)

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney listens to Lawrence Johnson, director of the Center for Crops Utilization Research at Iowa State University, after a tour Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Steve Pope)

Republican Mitt Romney meets with the media after addressing the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007. Romney used the first major policy speech of his fledgling presidential campaign to promote permanent tax cuts, portable health insurance and free and open markets. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Obama, Clinton May Skip Early Debates

"Major candidates are complaining that too many states are planning too many debates too early."

What? Too many debates too early? That is the problem with modern politics. We don't have enough debates, soon enough. Also, we don't have the right type of debates.

No one wants to talk to each other; they would rather have their henchmen make 30 second TV commercials about each other. And the debates are not even real debates. They are just scripted formats for them to repeat their campaign slogans. It is a horse and pony show.

How do you tell when a politician is telling lies? His/her lips move. That is why we need to hook politicians onto lie detectors when they debate. If I was a politician I would wear a lie detector. Why should politicians have the right to lie to us? We have the technology to have them hooked up during a debate. You have to pass a lie detector test to go into the CIA, why not to become POTUS?

However, I wouldn't just have a standard lie detector, I would hook the bio-feedback outputs up to the computer that runs the audio and lighting in the debate hall, so it plays atonal experimental academic music and an eerie light show when the candidate is lying.

This will allow honest politicians (like Romney) to REALLY communicate – to really give people a detailed picture of their emotional process. This will make politicians into rock stars. Watching them will be much more entertaining, and educational. Once this becomes mainstream we can start to follow leaders who really say what they believe. There is new cat scan technology that makes lie-detection fool proof. Even the threat of lie detectors will stop people like Hillary from going into politics: like the threat of radar guns stop people from speeding.

If referees in the Super Bowl can use instant replay to ensure that what happens in an un-important (in the big scheme of things) football game, than the people of the United States need technology to help us make the most important decision of the planet's future: who should be the next POTUS.

This product would not be too difficult to make. If the dad in "Meet the Parents" could get a lie detector, I'm sure someone at one of these colleges could bring one by on the night of the debate.

At the very least we need to put the presidential candidates in some sort of "American Political Idle", or "Big Brother - 2008 President"... lock them up and see them duke it out for a week, not for an hour long debate.

Lincoln and Douglas had 7 debates. Each debate had this format: one candidate spoke for an hour and a half, then the other candidate spoke for two hours, and then the first candidate spoke for a half hour. The candidates alternated going first. That is 4 hours each debate, with 7 debates, and a total of 28 hours of debate, for just two candidates . If we only have 4 candidates for 2008, we will need a minimum of 56 hours of debate in order to have each candidate speak as much as Lincoln and Douglas. I will be suppried if there is 12 hours of debate, let alone (my miniumum of) 56. This was just for the Illinois senate seat. Our next election will determine the president of the most powerful country on the face of the planet, in a very difficult time. Much more complicated than 7 score and 9 years ago. The Baby Boomers will start to retire, the deficit will explode. We, as citizens, need to demand at least 56 hours of debate for the 2008 presidency, and everyone who wants to be president needs to show up for each debate. This is a Minimum. I think we also need lie detectors, and need to lock them all in the same building for a month straight, but that is just my opinion.

What do you think? What type of debate would you like to see? What kind of format should we use to determine the next president? What are your feelings about presidential debates? What could we do to improve them? Do you agree, that at a Minimum, we need to have 28 hours worth of debate between the candidates? Do we face more complex questions that Lincoln and Douglas faced when they were trying to be senators for Illinois?

~ Mike

Obama, Clinton May Skip Early Debates

"Major candidates are complaining that too many states are planning too many debates too early."

What? Too many debates too early? That is the problem with modern politics. We don't have enough debates, soon enough. Also, we don't have the right type of debates.

No one wants to talk to each other; they would rather have their henchmen make 30 second TV commercials about each other. And the debates are not even real debates. They are just scripted formats for them to repeat their campaign slogans. It is a horse and pony show.

How do you tell when a politician is telling lies? His/her lips move. That is why we need to hook politicians onto lie detectors when they debate. If I was a politician I would wear a lie detector. Why should politicians have the right to lie to us? We have the technology to have them hooked up during a debate. You have to pass a lie detector test to go into the CIA, why not to become POTUS?

However, I wouldn't just have a standard lie detector, I would hook the bio-feedback outputs up to the computer that runs the audio and lighting in the debate hall, so it plays atonal experimental academic music and an eerie light show when the candidate is lying.

This will allow honest politicians (like Romney) to REALLY communicate – to really give people a detailed picture of their emotional process. This will make politicians into rock stars. Watching them will be much more entertaining, and educational. Once this becomes mainstream we can start to follow leaders who really say what they believe. There is new cat scan technology that makes lie-detection fool proof. Even the threat of lie detectors will stop people like Hillary from going into politics: like the threat of radar guns stop people from speeding.

If referees in the Super Bowl can use instant replay to ensure that what happens in an un-important (in the big scheme of things) football game, than the people of the United States need technology to help us make the most important decision of the planet's future: who should be the next POTUS.

This product would not be too difficult to make. If the dad in "Meet the Parents" could get a lie detector, I'm sure someone at one of these colleges could bring one by on the night of the debate.

At the very least we need to put the presidential candidates in some sort of "American Political Idle", or "Big Brother - 2008 President"... lock them up and see them duke it out for a week, not for an hour long debate.

Lincoln and Douglas had 7 debates. Each debate had this format: one candidate spoke for an hour and a half, then the other candidate spoke for two hours, and then the first candidate spoke for a half hour. The candidates alternated going first. That is 4 hours each debate, with 7 debates, and a total of 28 hours of debate, for just two candidates . If we only have 4 candidates for 2008, we will need a minimum of 56 hours of debate in order to have each candidate speak as much as Lincoln and Douglas. I will be suppried if there is 12 hours of debate, let alone (my miniumum of) 56. This was just for the Illinois senate seat. Our next election will determine the president of the most powerful country on the face of the planet, in a very difficult time. Much more complicated than 7 score and 9 years ago. The Baby Boomers will start to retire, the deficit will explode. We, as citizens, need to demand at least 56 hours of debate for the 2008 presidency, and everyone who wants to be president needs to show up for each debate. This is a Minimum. I think we also need lie detectors, and need to lock them all in the same building for a month straight, but that is just my opinion.

What do you think? What type of debate would you like to see? What kind of format should we use to determine the next president? What are your feelings about presidential debates? What could we do to improve them? Do you agree, that at a Minimum, we need to have 28 hours worth of debate between the candidates? Do we face more complex questions that Lincoln and Douglas faced when they were trying to be senators for Illinois?

~ Mike

Governor Mitt Romney Speech Transcripts:

I would like to maintain the most comprehensive list of Romney speech transcripts on the internet. If I missed any, and you know the password, please add them to this page:

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Speeches

Or if I missed any, and you have the info, please e-mail it to me.

2007

• 01-23-07; Excerpts from Governor Mitt Romney's Remarks at the Seventh Annual Herzliya Conference

2006

• 09-05-2006; ROMNEY DENOUNCES KHATAMI VISIT TO HARVARD, Declines to provide escort, or offer state support for trip

2005

• 05-17-2005; Oral Testimony of Governor Mitt Romney House Committee on Education and the Workforce
• 06-03-2005; NH Federation of Republican Women's Lilac Dinner
• 09-07-2005; Homeland Security: Status of Federal, State, and Local Efforts

2004

• 05-04-2004; Lessons Learned from Security at Past Olympic Games
• 05-23-2004; Commencement address to the students of Suffolk University
• 05-24-2004; Grading Progress on Homeland Security: Before and After 9/11
• 09-01-2004; Republican National Convention

2003

• 02-25-2003; Governor Mitt Romney's 2003 State of the Commonwealth Address
• 05-13-2003; Deshpande Center Idea Stream Symposium
• 05-15-2003; Investing in homeland security: Challenges facing state and local government.
• 05-15-2003; Statement of Governor Mitt Romney COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS before the GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE UNITED STATES SENATE
• 06-17-2003; "First Responders: How States, Localities and the Federal Government Can Strengthen Their Partnership to Make America Safer"
• 06-02-2003; Testimony on an Act to Reform, Restructure, and Revitalize Government
• 06-17-2003; First Responders: How States, Localities, and the Federal Government Can Strengthen Their Partnership to Make America Safer.
• 10-23-2003; Grading Progress on Homeland Security: Before and After 911

State of the State Speeches

• 01-18-2006; Governor Romney's State of the Commonwealth Address in 2006 State of the Commonwealth speech
• 01-13-2005 ; Focusing on education, calls for more accountability, help in troubled urban districts in 2005 State of the Commonwealth speech
• 01-15-2004, Romney focuses on Education in 2004 State of the Commonwealth speech
• 02-25-2003; Governor Mitt Romney's 2003 State of the Commonwealth Address

DNC attacking Romney

Please help me respond to DNC press releases attaching Mitt Romney.

I am copying DNC press releases about Romney to this location:

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/DNC

As always, I am putting brackets around key words which creates a link to whatever is in the bracket. Here is an example:

http://myclob.pbwiki/"whatever I put between the brackets [  ]"

What I am thinking is that is that we have the text of their press release, but whenever they say something stupid, we respond in parenthesis. Please tell me tell me if you think this will be effective, or if you can think of other ways of responding.

Just ask me for the password, and push the big edit button, and you can put your own responses. And no, the DNC, will not let you respond to their lies, because they are not interested in the truth.

Hopefully the Romney campaign will respond to the DNC attacks (and save us some work) so we can copy and paste, but until then, I think we do need to find some way to respond...

I think the press releases were written by a 3rd grader, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

Between our responses, and the links to the rest of the story, we should be able to help correct misinformation.

Click here for more info.

Governor Mitt Romney and Intelligence

In addition to his work on the Olympics, he has served on the federal Homeland Security Advisory Council, chairing its working group on intelligence and information sharing.

Key Speeches

2007

• 01-23-07; Excerpts from Governor Mitt Romney's Remarks at the Seventh Annual Herzliya Conference

2005

• 09-07-2005; Homeland Security: Status of Federal, State, and Local Efforts

2006

• 09-05-2006; ROMNEY DENOUNCES KHATAMI VISIT TO HARVARD, Declines to provide escort, or offer state support for trip

2004

• 05-24-2004; Grading Progress on Homeland Security: Before and After 9/11

2003

• 05-15-2003; INVESTING IN HOMELAND SECURITY: CHALLENGES FACING STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
• 06-17-2003; "First Responders: How States, Localities and the Federal Government Can Strengthen Their Partnership to Make America Safer"

For Much more go here:

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/intelligence

The U.S. is losing its advantage because of three main factors:

The U.S. is losing its advantage because of three main factors:

The U.S. is losing its advantage because of three main factors:

According to a study by McKinsey & Company, New York (a stratigic business consulting firm)...

"..the U.S. is losing its advantage because of three main factors:

1. The American regulatory framework, particularly Sarbanes-Oxley, is "a thicket of complicated rules, rather than a streamlined set of commonly understood principles, as is the case in the United Kingdom and elsewhere."

Mitt Romney was not just a CEO, he was a CEO of a STRATIGIC BUSINESS CONSULTING firm, Bain & Company. This firm charges companies money, to tell these companies what they should do differently to improve their performance. The most qualified person in the country to help our economy would be the CEO or former CEO of a strategic business consulting firm like Bain, or one of its competitors such as McKinsey & Company or the Boston Consulting Group .

As far as I know Mitt Romney is the only CEO or former CEO of a strategic business consulting firm running for president of the United States. I defy anyone to tell me of someone more qualified to be president of our countries economy than a former CEO of a strategic business consulting firm like Mitt Romney from Bain and Company.

According to the study the 2nd main factors causing the US to loose its advantage is:

2. While New York offers a promising talent pool for its financial services work force, "we are at risk of falling behind in attracting qualified American and foreign workers."

I see two problems. Education and the ability to recruit talent from over seas. Romney is the only candidate who is making any sense on either of these issues.

See this site for Romney's record on education:

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Education

And here is just a small quote from Mitt Romney on the recruitment efforts of our country.

"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."

Governor Romney: "We need to make America more attractive for legal immigrants for citizens and less attractive for illegal immigrants. I want to see more immigration in our country, but more legal immigration and less illegal immigration."
(AP, June 23, 2006)

3. The legal environments in other nations "far more effectively discourage frivolous litigation."

What do all of the Democratic candidates have in Common? Hillary was a lawyer for the Rose Law Firm. Barak Obama worked for the civil rights law firm Miner, Barnhill & Galland. John Edwards was a personal injury trial attorney. Mitt Romney graduated cum laude from the Harvard law school, but he did not sell his soal to the law-gods. He made money the old fashioned way, he earned it. John Edwards is the king of frivolous litigation. He made his fortune through corporate negligence and medical malpractice claims. Edwards was criticized for paying himself mostly through subchapter S corporate dividends, rather than a salary, to take advantage of a tax-law loophole that allowed him to avoid paying $591,000 in Medicare taxes.

So who do you think will do better at "discourage frivolous litigation"? Mitt Romney, Harvard Law Degree (cum laude) but chose a business career, or Barak Obama the civil rights lawyer, or John Edwards the corporate negligence and medical malpractice lawyer?

Mitt Romney, the only candidate who has an MBA, let alone a Harvard NBA. The only candidate who has probably ever read the economist, or Harvard Business Review. Mitt Romney in 08!

~ Mike

Title: "Preserving U.S. Advantages: A Business-Strategic Approach to National Leadership"

1. Issue 1: Regulatory Framework

    - The U.S. regulatory system, particularly Sarbanes-Oxley, is complex and less streamlined than other countries like the UK.

    - Mitt Romney, as a strategic business consultant, would have experience in dealing with complex regulatory systems and proposing more efficient alternatives.

    - Relevant Link: [Your Website's Page on Regulatory Reform]

2. Issue 2: Workforce

    - The U.S. is falling behind in attracting qualified American and foreign workers.

    - Education and ability to recruit talent from overseas are highlighted as key problems.

    - Romney's stance on education and immigration reform is presented as a solution.

    - Relevant Links: [Your Website's Page on Education], [Your Website's Page on Immigration]

3. Issue 3: Legal Environment

    - Other countries' legal environments discourage frivolous litigation more effectively than the U.S.

    - The legal backgrounds of Democratic candidates are presented as potential hindrances to this improvement.

    - Romney, with his legal background from Harvard Law, is presented as a more business-oriented candidate who would not be beholden to "law-gods".

    - Relevant Link: [Your Website's Page on Legal Reform]

4. Conclusion: Strategic Business Leadership

    - Romney's business, legal, and educational background positions him as a unique candidate capable of addressing these issues.

    - Romney's credentials include his MBA from Harvard Business School, his experience as a CEO, and his interest in business and economics.

    - Relevant Link: [Your Website's Page on Mitt Romney's Qualifications]

Interested Parties:

    - Business owners and workers interested in regulatory reform

    - Individuals and organizations focused on education and immigration reform

    - Parties affected by legal proceedings and interested in litigation reform

    - Supporters of Mitt Romney and his policies

Key opposing interests:

    - Supporters of current regulatory policies

    - Parties interested in maintaining current education and immigration policies

    - Supporters of Democratic candidates and their backgrounds

    - Those who oppose business-focused leadership in politics

Alternate expressions: #StrategicLeadership #RomneyReform #BusinessMindsetForAmerica

To measure the effectiveness of solutions proposed, consider:

    - Regulatory efficiency: Decrease in time and resources needed to comply with regulations

    - Talent attraction and retention: Increases in qualified workforce and decrease in brain-drain

    - Reduction in frivolous lawsuits: Decrease in the number of non-meritorious legal cases

    - Electoral success: Progress of Romney or similar candidates in political races. 

To encourage commitment to the proposed solutions, strategies might include:

    - Publicizing the issues and potential impacts of current policies on American competitiveness

    - Highlighting the successes of nations that have implemented similar solutions

    - Demonstrating Romney's (or similar figures') leadership skills and results from their business career

    - Conducting public discussions and educational campaigns about the benefits of the proposed reforms

a) Beliefs one must also reject to reject this belief:

   - The U.S. regulatory framework is optimal for business growth and competitiveness.

   - The U.S. has no issues attracting, retaining, and developing qualified workers.

   - The U.S. legal environment efficiently discourages unnecessary and frivolous litigation.

b) Alternate Expressions:

   - #RevitalizeUSEconomy

   - "Regulation, Recruitment, Litigation: A Triple Threat to U.S. Competitiveness"

   - "Addressing the Triad of U.S. Competitive Challenges"

c) Objective Criteria to measure the strength of this belief:

   - World Bank's Ease of Doing Business ranking (for regulatory framework).

   - Reports on talent migration, global skills gap analyses (for talent pool issues).

   - Legal system efficiency indices, statistics on frivolous lawsuits (for legal environment).

d) Shared interests between those who agree/disagree:

   - Interest in U.S. economic growth and stability.

   - Interest in job creation and skilled labor force.

   - Interest in maintaining U.S. global leadership and competitiveness.

e) Key opposing interests between those who agree/disagree:

   - Views on regulatory reform: some might see regulations as necessary for fairness and safety, while others see them as burdensome.

   - Views on immigration and education policy: debates around how to attract and retain talent, how to reform education.

   - Views on legal reform: debates around how to balance discouraging frivolous lawsuits with preserving people's right to seek legal remedy.

f) Solutions:

   - Simplifying and streamlining regulations to support businesses.

   - Implementing effective education and immigration policies to bolster the talent pool.

   - Undertaking legal reforms to minimize frivolous lawsuits.

g) Strategies for encouraging commitment to a resolution:

   - Lobbying for regulatory, immigration, and legal reforms.

   - Building coalitions between businesses, educational institutions, and policymakers.

   - Running public awareness campaigns about the importance of these issues to U.S. competitiveness.

re: "The undoing of a Manchurian Mormon"

Gerald Owen, National Post (The Manchurian Canadian, Gowen@nationalpost.com),

I am responding to your "The undoing of a Manchurian Mormon" article published in the National Post on Friday, January 19, 2007.

I have questions as to what exactly you mean by "Manchurian Mormon". You must be confused. Mitt Romney was born in Michigan. Manchuria is region of northeast China comprising the modern-day provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning. Are you trying to say that Mitt Romney is Chinese?

The Manchurian Candidate is a 1959 thriller novel written by Richard Condon, later adapted into films in 1962 and 2004. The central concept of the book and the subsequent 1962 film is that the son of a prominent political family has been convinced into becoming an unwilling assassin for the Communist Party; in the 2004 version, the villain was instead a giant corporation called "Manchurian Global". Are you trying to say that Mitt Romney works for the Communist or "Manchurian Global"?

No you are trying to do something more sinister. You call him the "Manchurian Mormon." Much like Joseph McCarthy, you accuse Mitt Romney of something sinister, without participating in a forum where you present any evidence, or even invite people to respond with reasons to agree or disagree with your conclusion.

You never define what exactly a "Manchurian Mormon" is, because doing so would expose your bigotry. With a wink-wink you label him the "Manchurian Mormon" and let the reader's imagination run wild hysteria of all the possibilities.

Should any Mormon be allowed to participate in the work force? I work for an architecture and engineering firm as an electrical engineer. Should you inform you write my boss about the "Manchurian Mormon" electrical engineers union (MMEE)? We are a secrete organization trying to take over the field of electrical engineers. As Mormons only make up 3% of the US population, we have not done a very good job of taking over the field of electrical engineering. Those darn "Manchurian Jews" and "Manchurian African Americans" are keeping us "Manchurin Mormons" out of power (do you see how bigoted that sounds when you replace Mormons with other groups?)

re: "The Mormonism of Mitt Romney, one of the most plausible candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, has become an issue on church-and-state grounds."

How has this become an issue and with whom?

re: "This issue was raised notably in a New Republic article by Damon Linker, excerpted on these pages a week ago. A back-and-forth debate in that magazine followed."

Mr. Linker did not bring up any separation of "church-and-state issues". He forwarded the belief that Mitt Romney proves his incompetence because he is a Mormon. Mr. Linker did not assert that Mitt Romney would affect any "church-and-state" issues.

re: "The religious views of political candidates should be open to question; they are not merely private, inner matters."

You are very good at stating the conclusions that you have adopted as truth, but you are not very good at stating any REASONS to agree with your conclusion. So where do I began, when you don't even make a case for your beliefs?

Again, you state: "The religious views of political candidates should be open to question; they are not merely private, inner matters."

Mitt Romney has indicated that his beliefs cause him to love his country, love his family, and try to do right by his neighbor. Mitt Romney does not believe in lying, stealing, or killing. Mitt Romney thinks that when he dies he will be judged according to his actions and the intent of his heart with regard to the way that he treated his wife, kids, and those that he came in contact with. What does any of this have to do with politics?

Perhaps there is an overlap of religious and political issues with regard to questions of ethics in government, but you don't want to be bothered by the details and go into these, you would rather engage in insinuation name calling (the Manchurian Mormon).

The only obvious question of where politics and religion overlap would be abortion and gay rights. Mitt Romney, like many others, believes that Abortion should be decided on a state-by-state basis. Atheist and those from every religion agree and disagree with Romney. Romney's religion does not say when life begins, and so his religious views are not an issue when it comes to abortion.

Here is the LDS church's position on same sex marriage.

http://lds.org/newsroom/issues/answer/0,19491,6056-1-202-4-202,00.html

To summarize, the LDS church does not say weather same-gender attraction is Nature, Nurture, a choice, or something someone is born with. The church teaches love, acceptance and tolerance of those with same-gender attraction.

Some high-lights: "The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction. Those are scientific questions — whether nature or nurture — those are things the Church doesn't have a position on."

But the church's teaches don't really matter. The official religion of the largest country on the planet is atheism (China). And in People's Republic of China, same-sex marriage is not allowed. Many ethical atheist believe children deserve both a mother and a father. So religion, really, is not the problem. The advocates of same sex marriage shouldn't change the subject to a person's religion, or practice politics of personal destruction by saying that someone from a particular religion should not be elected president. What they should do is stay on the subject and hand, and try to advance the argument that children advance just as well when they have two mothers or two fathers.

But people don't want to have a logical debate on the issues. Gerald Owen doesn't want to deal with the specific tenants of Romney's faith that he finds objectionable. He would rather operate on the level of name calling. Well two people can play that game. Gerald Owens, is a Bigot. Anyone who brings up Romney's religion as a disqualification for office, without specifically saying which beliefs are objectionable is a bigot. Romney's religion may be so stupid that it should disqualify him for president, but you are a bigot if all you do is say that he is a Mormon, mention some thing or other about "the Manchurian Mormon", and play on people's illogical fears.

Once again, I'm not saying EVERYONE who says Romney's religion disqualifies him from being president is a bigot. Only those who leave the world of logic, and go to the world of name calling and insinuation.

Regards,

Mike

Mitt Romney Interview With Mike Gallagher

Mitt Romney Interview With Mike Gallagher

Mike talks the former Massachusetts governor.

   Length: 00:06:29

Re: Romney retreats on gun control; Ex-governor woos Republican votes, By Scott Helman, Globe Staff, January 14, 2007

Re: "Former governor Mitt Romney, who once described himself as a supporter of strong gun laws, is distancing himself from that rhetoric now as he attempts to court the gun owners who make up a significant force in Republican primary politics."

 

Is this accurate? You be the judge. Lets lay out the time line of Romney's position on Gun Control, and see if Romney has changed or if the Boston Globe is guilty of working for the Democratic party when they assert the above statement

 

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy

According to his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Romney "is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms." July 1st, 2002 Mitt Romney signed a permanent ban on Assault Weapons. "Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts," Romney said, at a bill signing ceremony with legislators, sportsmen's groups and gun safety advocates. "These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people."

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy

2007

• "Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. I'm proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms." - Governor Mitt Romney, 01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry's Trade Show

2005

Also, in 2005, Romney designated May 7 as "The Right to Bear Arms Day" in Massachusetts to honor "the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons, and property and for all lawful purposes, including the common defense."

2004

• "Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts. These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people." Romney said, at a bill signing ceremony with legislators, sportsmen's groups and gun safety advocates. 07-01-2004 Press Release

• "By making this common-sense change to the law we will enable target pistol manufacturers to do business in our state and allow enthusiasts to practice the sport they love." - Governor Mitt Romney, 07-01-2004 Press Release
• "Mitt Romney supports the strict enforcement of gun laws. He is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms." - www.romneyhealey.com/issues/, no longer active, see Web Archive
• "Stun guns have proven time and time again when used by law enforcement officers in other states that they are an effective tool in stopping suspects. It is high time for our men and women in blue to utilize this modern crime fighting technology." Governor Mitt Romney 07-15-2004 Press Release

2002

In 2002, even as he was pledging to uphold the state's strong gun laws, Romney still garnered a "B" grade from the NRA.

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy Press Releases

2004

07-01-2004, Romney signs off on permenent assault weapons ban

• The bill enjoyed the support of Massachusetts gun owners because it also encompassed several measures they favored -- including a lengthening of the terms of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry. (Asked about the bill Friday, Romney described it as a "consensus measure" and a "positive step.")

2006

07-26- 2006, Governor Romney Approves Exemption for Target Pistols

2006

01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry's Trade Show

 

 

David Brody of The Christian Broadcasting Network has the following report:

Let's talk about the war. Not the Iraq war. This war is between Mitt Romney and the anti-Romney grassroots groups in Massachusetts. I've never seen anything like this. My email inbox is scorching hot from the rhetoric flying from both sides.

But here's where it gets real interesting. Normally, groups like Mass Resistance, led by the leader Brian Camenker get minimal attention. But they have been pretty diligent in consistently pounding home this "Romney's a hypocrite" theme. They haven't received too much attention from the mainstream media but the Boston Globe has run with some of their research and the blogosphere is talking about it.

Let's do a reset here. Mitt Romney wants to be President. A Group called Mass Resistance thinks he's a phony. Romney calls himself a true conservative. This group thinks he's anything but citing what they say are his flip flops on gay rights, abortion and a host of other issues. They detail all of their claims in a 28 page report called "The Mitt Romney deception".

So what does the Romney's campaign do? Do they ignore the group? To the contrary. They have come out with an aggressive campaign to discredit Camenker and Mass Resistance. They are fighting fire with fire. Romney's press shop knows that they must stop this group now or risk having their charges gain steam. They are trying to cut this thing off right now.  They actually put out a press release attacking this group and Camenker personally.

It seems to me Romney must be reading the book by Mark Halperin and John Harris called "The Way to Win. Because in that book, it talks about how it's vital for a Presidential candidate to keep control of his image. Don't let others define you. It seems his team is determined to define Romney on their terms, not others.

Mitt Romney won't let democrats get away with playing games

This is an actual Press Release that Mitt Romney released. We are letting the democrats get away, and no one confronts them. Romney would change this.

~ Myclob

July 23, 2004

ROMNEY, DECRYING POLITICS, VETOES SENATE VACANCY BILL

Says Democrats are putting interests of party ahead of the people

Governor Mitt Romney today vetoed a bill that would leave empty the office of U.S. Senator for as much as five months while a special election is carried out in the event of a vacancy.

Romney's veto comes after the Legislature rejected a proposed amendment by the Governor that would have allowed the Senate President and House Speaker a consultative role in an interim appointment.

"The bill deprives the people of Massachusetts from continuous representation in Congress," said Romney. "This would put Massachusetts at a disadvantage relative to every other state and would deny our citizens an equal voice on important issues that affect the Commonwealth and the nation."

Currently, if a vacancy occurs due to a senator's death, resignation or expulsion, state law empowers the Governor to appoint a replacement to hold office until a special election can take place. This is the prevailing practice across the United States.

If the veto is overridden and a vacancy occurs, Massachusetts would be under-represented in the highest lawmaking body in the land for almost half the year, with no ability to participate in votes to declare war, appoint federal judges or decide tax policy.

Romney, a Republican, blamed politics, saying the overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature has put the interests of their party ahead of the people.

"This is partisanship pure and simple," Romney said. "The Democrats would rather not have someone fighting for transportation money, for pollution regulations, to prevent base closures in our state if it means a Republican governor is going to make an appointment."

Since the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913, which provided for the direct election of senators, 174 people have been temporarily appointed by Governors to unexpired Senate terms. Of those, 55 went on to win election; 55 tried but failed to win nomination or election; and 64 people chose not to seek election at all.

Mitt Romney and the Surge

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney, in direct consideration of the proposed increase in troop deployments in Iraq, issued the following statement today putting an emphasis on the need for clear and measurable strategic objectives.

"I agree with the President: Our strategy in Iraq must change. Our military mission, for the first time, must include securing the civilian population from violence and terror. It is impossible to defeat the insurgency without first providing security for the Iraqi people. Civilian security is the precondition for any political and economic reconstruction.

"In consultation with Generals, military experts and troops who have served on the ground in Iraq, I believe securing Iraqi civilians requires additional troops. I support adding five brigades in Baghdad and two regiments in Al-Anbar province. Success will require rapid deployment.

"This effort should be combined with clear objectives and milestones for U.S. and Iraqi leaders.

"The road ahead will be difficult but success is still possible in Iraq. I believe it is in America's national security interest to achieve it."

~ by Myclob

What a great cartoon hu?

You think you're tough, but even my democratic opponents stand behind me to help defeat you!!

Romney, unlike I heart Huckibee, supports Bush. Its not only the democrats pooring A-1.

Governor Mitt Romney and Islamist

• "The key issues we face, of course, are first, the conflict with the jihadists. This is a conflict which is going on within the world of Islam, and the jihadists are attempting to overcome the moderate, modern factions of Islam and replace them with a caliphate. It's going to require the involvement of the U.S. as a leader of the world to help move Islam away from that kind of extremism and violence."
• Governor Mitt Romney, Q&A: Mitt Romney Discusses Iraq War, Reagan's Influence and Gay Marriage

• "The defeat of this radical and violent faction of Islam must be achieved through a combination of American resolve, international effort, and the rejection of violence by moderate, modern, mainstream Muslims. An effective strategy will involve both military and diplomatic actions to support modern Muslim nations. America must help lead a broad-based international coalition that promotes secular education, modern financial and economic policies, international trade, and human rights."
• Governor Mitt Romney's, PAC

• "Romney wants the public to know that Jihadists are not an 'armed group of crazed maniacs in the hills of Afghanistan.' Rather, Romney says the United States is facing a 'far more sinister and broad-based extremist faction' with a 'very 8th century view of the world.'"
• Governor Mitt Romney, ABC News, April 30, 2006

• "The jihadists are waging a global war against the United States and Western governments generally with the ambition of replacing legitimate governments with a caliphate, with a theocracy."
• Governor Mitt Romney, Omaha World Herald, January 23, 2006

• "The president is right to point to an international jihadist movement aimed at the collapse of the United States. He has gone after that threat in the right way and with great energy and vigor, and I applaud the fact that he has taken it on very seriously and has not considered it just a criminal action but instead a war action, which requires a military…response."
• Governor Mitt Romney, A Mitt Romney candidacy would test the religious right, BY JAMES TARANTO, Saturday, December 31, 2005

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Islamist

Cartoon and quote of the day.

• "The easy way to fix any problem is to go to the people and say you have to pay more money, but that's not what the job of management is. The job of management is to find ways to permanently and structurally change the costs of our structure such that we can have a balanced budget without always raising taxes every time people think there's a need."
• Governor Mitt Romney, Boston Herald, March 22, 2002

Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, talks with former President George H.W. Bush while his wife, Ann, listens during a tour of the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Jan. 12, 2007. Gov. Romney has formed a presidential exploratory committee for the 2008 election. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

 

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, center, talks with Mike Ballew, left, of Raton, N.M., while his wife, Ann, listens during a tour of the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Jan. 12, 2007. Gov. Romney has formed a presidential exploratory committee for the 2008 election. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, and National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre talk with attendees while touring the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Jan. 12, 2007. Romney has formed a presidential exploratory committee for the 2008 election. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Romney is a conservative on marriage.

Reasons to agree

1. Romney is the only viable presidential candidate to not have "upgraded" once he made it to the big time.
2. 01-21-2004, Romney details mandatory parental prep plan
3. 02-11-2004, Romney statements regarding constitutional convention
4. 02-24-2004, Statements of Governor Romney on the Federal Marriage Amendment
5. 03-12-2004, Statements of Governor Mitt Romney on Constitutional Convention
6. 06-22-2004, "Preserving Traditional Marriage: A View from the States"
7. 04-20-2006, Romney announces award of abstinence education contract
8. 05-31-2006, Romney files bill to promote parental responsibility

Romney is a conservative

These are beliefs that I have worked a little bit on (during my lunch break).

1. Romney is conservative on abortion.
2. Romney is a conservative on abstinence education .
3. Romney is a conservative on English immersion .
4. Romney is a conservative on schools.
5. Romney is a conservative on school choice .

6. Romney is a conservative on the family .

7. Romney is a conservative on abstinence education .

These are some beliefs that I am going to work on tonight after my kid goes to sleep.

1. Romney is a conservative on ESL.
2. Romney is a conservative on taxes.
3. Romney is a conservative on debt.
4. Romney is a conservative on the war on Terror .
5. Romney is a conservative on the media .
6. Romney is a conservative on marriage .

Please help me find other issues that determine if someone is a "conservative" or not.

Mitt Romney: A Massachusetts Liberal for President?

Selwyn Duke (SD@SelwynDuke.com),

 

re: http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/01/mitt_romney_a_massachusetts_li.html

Can you define someone is a "Liberal" with two issues issues? Is that how "American Thinkers" debate? Do you think you were accurate in your description of Romney? What did you add to the conversation that could not be found,

 

more accurately here:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governorship_of_Mitt_Romney#Abortion

 

and here

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governorship_of_Mitt_Romney#Same-sex_marriage

 

?

 

I have never seen a less accurate quote of someone in my life. You say, "Thus, it's no wonder that while campaigning against Ted Kennedy in 1994, Romney said that anti-marriage "is not appropriate at this time."  My guess is that the time will be right when the electorate is left." What is anti-marriage? You represent the "American Thinker"? That is a sad comment on the state of thought in America.

 

Are you a liar or are you just stupid?

 

During his 1994 campaign against Senator Edward Kennedy, Romney said that same-sex marriage "is not appropriate at this time" and pointed out that marriage was regulated under the jurisdiction of state laws. He also said his voice, as a Republican, would carry more weight on lesbian and gay issues than Kennedy's, even if they took the same position on issues like allowing gays and lesbians in the military. When seeking the campaign support of the Log Cabin Club of Massachusetts, he said, "We must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern". ^{[47] [48][49] [50]}

 

I think you are a liar. Why don't you allow track backs, and responses on your site? Is that how American thinkers carry on conversations, with their ears closed?

 

You accuse Mitt Romney of flip-flops. Please check out these site, and tell me what you think:

 

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/flip-flop

 

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Romney%20changed%20his%20position%20on%20abortion

 

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Romney%20changed%20his%20position%20on%20gay%20marriage

 

Regards,

 

Mike

Live from My Man Mitt

Click Here for More

Romney's new Sr. Advisor making some news...

You can see hear:

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Governor Mitt Romney Announces Two New Senior Advisers

01/05/2007

Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Colorado Governor Bill Owens (R-CO) and U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) will serve as senior advisers to the Romney for President Exploratory Committee, Inc.

View Article »

That Mitt Romney's new senior advisor is making some news...

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Why Is Colorado's Governor Calling PETA "A Bunch Of Losers"?
And Why Don't Snowbound Cattle Deserve "Animal Rights"?

Last Wednesday, on Denver radio station KRFX, Colorado Governor Bill Owens leveled words like "losers" and "frauds" at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) , an organization that's no stranger to controversy. Owens told listeners: "What a bunch of losers. Don't give your money to PETA."

Why did the elected leader of the 8th-largest U.S. state unleash his feelings about the animal rights group? As many as 340,000 cows and steers were stranded by southeastern Colorado's latest snowstorm. National Guard units have been mounting a frantic bid to save the freezing animals. Faced with 15-foot snowdrifts, rescuers airlifted bales of hay and hoped for the best.

And when local media asked PETA for help … well … let's just say the wealthy activist group wasn't enthusiastic about "saving" future T-bones and rib roasts. On the air, a PETA spokeswoman sniffed: "I don't know that it's really the most noble cause."

PETA, famous for lobbing rhetorical grenades at hunters, had no sympathy for Colorado's wildlife either. Asked if her group would intervene to save deer, elk, and other wild animals, the PETA spokeswoman snapped that "there's really nothing to be done."

Does PETA care more about hurting ranchers and crippling the beef industry than about "saving" flesh and blood animals? Did Governor Owens finally say out loud what most Coloradans are thinking?

The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) keeps tabs on the lunacy of today's animal rights movement. On the CCF website, you can listen to interviews with PETA's spokeswoman, and hear Governor Owens in his own words.

And at PetaKillsAnimals.com, you can also learn about two PETA employees who will face felony Animal Cruelty charges later this month (yes—you read that right) in North Carolina . They allegedly killed dozens of healthy, adoptable animals in the back of a PETA-owned van, and tossed the bodies into a rural trash dumpster. According to government records, PETA killed more than 14,000 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens between 1998 and 2005.

The Center for Consumer Freedom covers the animal rights movement, nutrition enforcers, meddlesome food regulators, and environmental do-gooders who want control over what you eat and feed your family. Subscribe today to CCF's Daily Headline service (it's free!), and consider making a New Year's resolution to support their important work.

Governor Mitt Romney and the Family

Quotes from Governor Mitt Romney on the Family

Welcome to the site! Please help me maintain a comprehensive list of quotes and actions from Governor Mitt Romney regarding the family. Just ask me for the password, and I'll give it to you.

• "America cannot continue to lead the family of nations around the world if we suffer the collapse of the family here at home."
• Governor Mitt Romney

• ""Experience shows that kids have a far better chance of succeeding if they have a mother and a father at home. Of course, divorce or death means that there will always be many, many single parents; these single parents often make huge sacrifices and their kids can indeed succeed. But let's do everything we can to encourage our kids to have their kids after they've married, not while they're single and in school. We have sex education in our schools. Let's also have abstinence education in our schools. Marriage and two parent families are fundamental to the development of children and to our success as a culture. We cannot afford to shrink from the timeless, priceless principles of human experience."
• Governor Mitt Romney

• "We can praise the virtues of parental involvement all day, but until we actually get parents to follow through we are simply singing to an empty music hall. Voluntary programs will not get the job done. It is essential that mandatory training be put in place."
• Governor Mitt Romney 01-21-2004 Press Release (click on the link to read the whole press release)

• Today, you are witnessing democracy in action. On issues of fundamental importance affecting all of the people, it is ultimately up to the people to decide. That is what this Constitutional Convention is all about. It serves as an important reminder that no one person and no branch of government is above the voice of the people. This is as it should be. Amending the constitution is a serious matter and any changes to the document itself should be finely and narrowly drawn. I recognize that the Senate President and the Senate Minority Leader are trying to find a compromise that will satisfy people on both sides of this issue, but their proposed amendment goes too far. The Constitution should not be used to legislate new social policy. A constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman is not a new proposal but rather a codification of longstanding policy and tradition. Civil union language is best left to the legislative process. My hope is the Constitutional Convention will approve an amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman. If we do that, we will have taken an important step toward restoring the people's voice in their own government.
• Governor Mitt Romney 02-11-2004 Press Release

• I agree with the President on the need for a federal marriage amendment that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. As I've said before, amending the U.S. Constitution may be the best and most reliable way to prevent a patchwork of inconsistent marriage laws between states and to guard against overreaching by the judicial branch. Acts of lawlessness in San Francisco bring into even sharper focus the need to proceed with the process of amending the Constitution. I don't think anyone ever imagined that we would have courts and local officials defining marriage in a way that has no historical precedent whatsoever, and claiming it's been in the Constitution all along. Of course, we must conduct this debate with decency, tolerance and respect for those with different opinions. The definition of marriage is so fundamental to society that it should not be decided by one court in Massachusetts or by one mayor in San Francisco. In America, the people should decide. In America, the people are fair and tolerant. Let the people decide."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 02-24-2004 Press Release

March 12, 2004

STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ON CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Good afternoon.

Our elected representatives met yesterday and took the first steps toward passing an amendment to the state Constitution that defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman.

I applaud Senate President Travaglini, Speaker Finneran and all the members of the Legislature for conducting a respectful and thoughtful debate. As we saw, some people feel that the amendment changes the Constitution; I, and many others, feel that it preserves the Constitution.

This amendment process began after the state Supreme Judicial Court redefined marriage, setting aside thousands of years of recorded history and legal precedent.

The Court directed the Legislature to take action as it deemed appropriate. That's just what the Legislature did yesterday.

The Legislature is now on a track to put this issue before the voters. Ultimately, this is as it should be: the people of our state will decide.

I know there are deeply held personal convictions around this issue. There are real people and real lives that are affected. On a matter of such significance and with such tender sentiment involved, I would ask that we continue to show respect and consideration for those of differing views.

For all of us, the rule of law is bedrock. We've seen the lawlessness that has erupted in other states and how it undermines the higher purposes we all seek to preserve.

I know there's been a lot of speculation about what action I will take as Governor of the Commonwealth. Until the Legislature completes its work at the end of this month, I will have no comment on the options before me.

But let me state clearly that whatever I do will be within the bounds of the law. Just as the Legislature is working within the constitutional and legal structure of our state, I will do the same.

The Legislature has taken the first step. As the process continues, let us hope the final step will be taken by the people.

Thank you.

• Governor Mitt Romney, 03-12-2004 Press Release

June 22, 2004

"Preserving Traditional Marriage: A View from the States"

Testimony of Governor Mitt Romney Before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee

Mr. Chairman, Senator Leahy, Senator Kennedy, distinguished members of the Committee, thank you for asking me to join you today.

First, I ask that my written remarks be inserted into the record of this hearing.

You have asked for my perspectives on the recent inauguration of same sex marriage in my state. 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.

Given the decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Congress and Americanow face important questions regarding the institution of marriage. Should we abandon marriage as we know it and as it was known by the framers of our constitution?

Has America been wrong about marriage for 200 plus years?

Were generations that spanned thousands of years from all the civilizations of the world wrong about marriage?

Are the philosophies and teachings of all the world's major religions simply wrong?

Or is it more likely that four people among the seven that sat in a court in Massachusetts have erred? I believe that is the case.

And I believe their error was the product of seeing only a part, and not the entirety. They viewed marriage as an institution principally designed for adults. Adults are who they saw. Adults stood before them in the courtroom. And so they thought of adult rights, equal rights for adults. If heterosexual adults can marry, then homosexual adults must also marry to have equal rights.

But marriage is not solely for adults. Marriage is also for children. In fact, marriage is principally for the nurturing and development of children. The children of America have the right to have a father and a mother.

Of course, even today, circumstances can take a parent from the home, but the child still has a mother and a father. If the parents are divorced, the child can visit each of them. If a mother or father is deceased, the child can learn about the qualities of the departed. His or her psychological development can still be influenced by the contrasting features of both genders.

Are we ready to usher in a society indifferent about having fathers and mothers? Will our children be indifferent about having a mother and a father?

My Department of Public Health has asked whether we must re-write our state birth certificates to conform to our Court's same-sex marriage ruling. Must we remove "father" and "mother" and replace them with "parent A" and "parent B?"

What should be the ideal for raising a child: not a village, not "parent A" and "parent B," but a mother and a father.

Marriage is about even more than children and adults. The family unit is the structural underpinning of all successful societies. And, it is the single-most powerful force that preserves society across generations, through centuries.

Scientific studies of children raised by same sex couples are almost non-existent. And the societal implications and effects on these children are not likely to be observed for at least a generation, probably several generations. Same sex marriage doesn't hurt my marriage, or yours. But it may affect the development of children and thereby future society as a whole. Until we understand the implications for human development of a different definition of marriage, I believe we should preserve that which has endured over thousands of years.

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.

But there is a difference between individual rights and marriage. An individual has rights, but a man and a woman together have a marriage. We should not deconstruct marriage simply to make a statement about the rights of individual adults. Forcing marriage to mean all things, will ultimately define marriage to mean nothing at all.

Some have asked why so much importance is attached to the word "marriage." It is because changing the definition of marriage to include same sex unions will lead to further far-reaching changes that also would influence the development of our children. For example, school textbooks and classroom instruction may be required to assert absolute societal indifference between traditional marriage and same sex practice. It is inconceivable that promoting absolute indifference between heterosexual and homosexual unions would not significantly effect child development, family dynamics, and societal structures.

Among the structures that would be affected would be religious and certain charitable institutions. Those with scriptural or other immutable founding principles will be castigated. Ultimately, some may founder. We need more from these institutions, not less, and particularly so to support and strengthen those in greatest need. Society can ill afford further erosion of charitable and virtuous institutions.

For these reasons, I join with those who support a federal constitutional amendment. Some retreat from the concept of amendment, per se. While they say they agree with the traditional definition of marriage, they hesitate to amend. But amendment is a vital and necessary aspect of our constitutional democracy, not an aberration.

The constitution's framers recognized that any one of the three branches of government might overstep its separated powers. If Congress oversteps, the Court can intervene. If the Executive overreaches, Congress may impeach. And if the Court launches beyond the constitution, the legislative branch may amend.

The four Massachusetts justices launched beyond our constitution. That is why the Massachusetts legislature has begun the lengthy amendment process.

There is further cause for amendment. Our framers debated nothing more fully than they debated the reach and boundaries of what we call federalism. States retained certain powers upon which the federal government could not infringe. By the decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, our state has begun to assert power over all the other states. It is a state infringing on the powers of other states.

In Massachusetts, we have a law that attempts to restrain this infringement on other states by restricting marriages of out-of-state couples to those where no impediment to marry exists in their home state. Even with this law, valid same sex marriages will migrate to other states. For each state to preserve its own power in relation to marriage, within the principle of Federalism, a federal amendment to define marriage is necessary.

This is not a mere political issue. It is more than a matter of adult rights. It is a societal issue. It encompasses the preservation of a structure that has formed the basis of all known successful civilizations.

With a matter as vital to society as marriage, I am troubled when I see an intolerant few wrap the marriage debate with their bias and prejudice.

I am also troubled by those on the other side of the issue who equate respect for traditional marriage with intolerance. The majority of Americans believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but they are also firmly committed to respect, and even fight for civil rights, individual freedoms and tolerance. Saying otherwise is wrong, demeaning and offensive. As a society, we must be able to recognize the salutary effect, for children, of having a mother and a father while at the same time respecting the civil rights and equality of all citizens.

Thank you.

• "In my service as Governor, I've never had anyone complain to me that their kids are not learning enough about sex in school. However, a number of people have asked me why it is that we do not speak more about abstinence as a safe and preventive health practice," said Romney. " Abstinence education gives young people the support they need in making the decision to postpone sexual activity until they are mature enough to handle the emotional, moral and financial responsibilities of parenthood," he said. "This is more than teaching kids to say no – it will help them preserve self-esteem and build character."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 05-31-2006 Press Release

Governor Mitt Romney's Family

Governor Mitt Romney has been married for 36 years with five sons and nine grandchildren. Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998.

Mitt Romney and Family Debate

Mitt Romney is a strong supporter of the family.

Mitt Romney has a great Family.

Reasons to agree:

1. His wife, Ann Romney, is great.
2. His dad, George Romney, was great.

Others on Governor Mitt Romney and the Family

• "I don't see such moral clarity anywhere else in the political spectrum, even on the conservative side among some very good people. Mitt sees into the core of things and confronts moral obfuscation by redirecting the focus back to fundamental truths. No punditry, no ambition for power, no licking of the finger to feel which way the wind is blowing".
• George Schultz, 2006

Press Releases from Governor Mitt Romney on the Family.

2003

01-21-2004, ROMNEY DETAILS MANDATORY PARENTAL PREP PLAN
02-11-2004, ROMNEY STATEMENT REGARDING CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
02-24-2004, STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR ROMNEY ON THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
03-12-2004, STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ON CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
06-22-2004, "Preserving Traditional Marriage: A View from the States"

2006

04-20-2006, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES AWARD OF ABSTINENCE EDUCATION CONTRACT
05-31-2006, ROMNEY FILES BILL TO PROMOTE PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

• The Children of Divorce 11-13-05

Links

• http://myclob-family.blogspot.com/

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Family

Also see:

1. Children
2. Fathers
3. Gender
4. Mothers

For More Click Here:

Family on Elect Romney in 2008