Agreement permits specially trained State Troopers to enforce federal immigration law
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Boston, MA 02133Funny Stuff from 2002
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| 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. | ||
A little something from the PAC... sign up for them, and you can get these e-mailed to you too!
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| Volume 1, Issue 6, 12/12/2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Romney and Gay Rights
Sunday, December 10, 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
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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 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, |
| Paid for by the Republican National Committee www.gop.com Contributions to the Republican National Committee are not deductable as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. |
Copyright 2006 Republican National Committee
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:
If he's really on the verge of being"S-MITT-EN", shouldn't he check out our Smitten Store?
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:
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
Mister PowerPoint Goes to Washington:
2008 Hopefuls Wooing Bush Network:
Romney in Beijing:
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.
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.
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)
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