  View larger image | | ADEL, Iowa (AP) - Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said Friday that the country is angry over the lack of progress in the Iraq war, a stinging assessment of the Bush administration's handling of the conflict from a Republican candidate. Campaigning in Iowa, the former Massachusetts governor also argued that despite the nation's frustration over the war, voters aren't ready to replace President Bush with a Democrat. "I know the Democrats are getting all ready, they are measuring the drapes and getting the carpet all ready for how they are going to take over the White House, and I think they are going to get a big surprise," Romney told a crowd gathered at a golf course. "America is not happy with how the war in Iraq is going, and is angry. But America is not about to take a sharp left turn and put somebody in the White House who would turn America into a European-type state." While Romney supported the March 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and backs Bush's current troop increase, he has repeatedly said the post- invasion period was "mismanaged" with a lack of preparation for the insurgency and adequate planning for a government handover. Before various New Hampshire audiences on Wednesday, Romney said he would wait until a mid-September report from U.S. generals in Iraq before deciding the next course of action that he would support. He said if the surge succeeds, he believes it will allow U.S. troop withdrawals. He had refused to detail alternate scenarios should insurgent violence continue unabated. On immigration, Romney adopted a hardline stance. "I ... don't think it makes sense to have an immigration policy that says that if an illegal couple—a couple that comes across the border illegally—has a child here, that child becomes a U.S. citizen, that then the whole family gets to come in, if you will, through 'chain migration,'" he said. ____ On the Net: Mitt Romney for President 2008: http://www.mittromney.com/
Governor Romney on Iraq
Gov. Romney Stresses The Importance Of Winning In Iraq And Defeating Radical Islam Globally. "The congressional debate in Washington has largely, and myopically, focused on whether troops should be redeployed from Iraq to Afghanistan, as if these were isolated issues. Yet the jihad is much broader than any one nation, or even several nations. ... The jihadist threat is the defining challenge of our generation and is symptomatic of a range of new global realities." (Gov. Mitt Romney, "Rising To A New Generation Of Global Challenges," Foreign Affairs, July/August 2007)
Iraq Questions for Governor Mitt Romney
Governor Mitt Romney on Iraq
ABC'S GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: "National security, you're a management consultant again. You've come into the United States looking at the commander-in-chief. Do you keep him or let him go?"
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "Well, you have to look at Iraq and Iraq was superbly executed in terms of taking down Saddam Hussein's government. But I think everybody recognizes, from the president to Tony Blair to Secretary Rumsfeld that post the period of major conflict, we had major problems in the way we've managed the war in Iraq, and that has contributed to much of the difficulty we have today. It was under-planned, under-prepared, under-staffed, too low a level of troops, under-managed."
STEPHANOPOULOS: "But how do you explain why all that planning wasn't done? President Bush is a Harvard MBA, too."
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "Well, everybody has their own management style and their own approach and I respect enormously the approach other people. Mine is just different. And if you read "Cobra II" and "Assassins' Gate" and "Looming Tower" and some of the reports of the events leading up not only to 9/11, but to the conflict itself, there's a sense that we really weren't ready for the post major conflict period. And that has resulted in a blossoming of the sectarian violence, of insurgents within the country and from without, and a setting which is a very troubled, difficult position."
STEPHANOPOULOS: "Yet, you support the president's decision to send more troops right now."
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "Yeah."
STEPHANOPOULOS: "How much time do you give it to work?"
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "Well, it's not years. I think you're going to know within months."
STEPHANOPOULOS: "Mayor Giuliani said the other night he's not confident it's going to work. Are you?"
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "Well, you know, I think it's hard to predict whether this troop surge will work, but I'm absolutely confident it's the right thing to do."
Press Releases
Quotes
2007
2006
"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."
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Jul 27, 2007
Romney: Americans Angry With Iraq War
Jul 26, 2007
PEOPLE EXCLUSIVE: Ann Romney Opens Up
PEOPLE EXCLUSIVE: Ann Romney Opens Up
| Ann Romney Photo by: Ben Baker |
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"Ann deserves a lot of credit," says GOP pollster Neil Newhouse. "Politicians talk about family values, Ann and Mitt Romney live them."
Her husband calls her "one of America's great moms" – a description she's "totally satisfied with."
Mrs. Romney, 58, invited PEOPLE into the sunshine-yellow sitting room of her Belmont, Mass., home on June 12 to talk about her Mormon faith, raising five boys, living with Multiple Sclerosis – and her designs on the White House.
Here is the complete interview:
What do you most want people to know about you?
The thing people are most curious about is that I have MS and then the fact that I've overcome it. When you're used to being healthy and strong and vibrant and everything and then – bang – overnight you're desperately ill, it's frightening. People liken it to the same stages you go through grieving a death, where it takes a long time to accept it. Now that I've had it a number of years, I spend a lot of time on the phone privately talking to people who have just been recently diagnosed. That's my way of helping others. I always recommend going to a good doctor, doing the right medicines and then combining that with holistic [treatments.]
Opens Up
| Ann Romney Photo by: Rob Carr / AP |
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I had a very aggressive deterioration where I went from a matter of – October to December [1997] – of my whole right side going completely numb and being completely weakened and, I mean, I don't want to get that graphic about what happens, but you lose bowel and bladder control. It's so scary, you can't even imagine. I thought it was moving so fast it was going to kill me. But for me, I was put on [a 9-month course of] intravenous steroids and that worked like a charm. The thing is, you want to caution that everyone's diagnosis is different and everyone's treatment is different. I was having enormous fatigue and that's where the holistic part helped me. So, the steroids worked for stopping the progression and the holistic part helped me with energy.
You used horseback riding as therapy?
This enormous joy and passion that I had with riding horses got me out of bed, got me motivated, got me physically moving again, removed me to a very happy place and I would have so much joy and happiness and just so much fun while I was on the horse that I would even forget I was sick. Now I was really, really weak at the beginning when I was first riding. I had always dreamed that I might be able to even compete in the Grand Prix ring. Well, last year, not only did I compete, I earned the Gold Medal for the United States. Not only did I compete in Grand Prix, I'm also the highest-ranked Grand Prix rider in New England. Amateur, but still.
How did your husband take your diagnosis?
He was amazing. Initially we were both devastated. There was a lot of education we had to absorb about the disease. When he really helped me was when I was going through this really depressed period where I felt like I was 80 years old, there was nothing I could ever do again and life was over for me. I was of no use to anybody. It wasn't as though I was suicidal, but I was at the point where I thought, Couldn't I please just have cancer and die? And that's when Mitt would look at me, like, what? Finally he just said, 'I don't care if you aren't able to do the things you used to do, those things don't matter. We can get through anything together. As long as you're just still here, everything will be okay.'
PEOPLE EXCLUSIVE: Ann Romney Opens Up
| Ann and Mitt Romney at a campaign stop in Iowa. Photo by: Joshua Lott / REUTERS / Landov |
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A hundred-percent personal thing. Mitt was the first Mormon I met and we began dating in high school. I just started asking him questions. I was curious.
What about the faith appealed to you?
I think it was just their belief in God and Jesus Christ and the plan of Salvation and our purpose here in life and all of those things that I think were being answered by the faith.
Was your family okay with it?
Oh, no! My dad was mortified. Can you imagine? The great agnostic that he is? Then, a few years later, not only did I get baptized, but my two brothers did, too. A few years later, my father was now telling all of his friends, "You got a problem with your teenagers? Send 'em to Brigham Young University. You can't believe it; it's the greatest place."
What are some of the misunderstandings about the church?
Polygamy, obviously is one, but that's just going to take such a long time. It's not practiced and it just drives me crazy every time I see these specials about 'Oh, the Mormons and the polygamy.' And they always equate Mormon and polygamy as if they still do it. Sometimes it's frustrating for me that the church doesn't get more aggressive about it, too, making it really clear that they're really opposed to it.
Do you follow all of the Doctrine and Covenants, the sacred undergarments, no hot drinks or alcohol?
Well, you know, I mean, we're practicing and active, so you can imagine we do some of the things that you'd expect. My kids don't drink and don't smoke. For me, that's been a great blessing actually, raising boys.
Have you seen Big Love?
Nope. Never seen it.
Law & Order (starring Fred Thompson, who's expected to enter the GOP race)?
I have seen it. Love it.
PEOPLE EXCLUSIVE: Ann Romney Opens Up
| Ann Romney stands by husband Mitt. Photo by: Steve Pope / Landov |
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I think that would be very similar. MS awareness and working to make sure that at-risk youth make right choices. Every child is terrific they just need to be given the opportunity to make the right choices so they can have a more fulfilling and rich life.
You made the decision to stay at home and have an interesting story about finishing your college degree.
I was going at night, taking this Harvard extension program and finishing my hours. I had maybe just a semester's worth of hours to do. I remember taking Josh, who was a baby then, to the class, nursing him in the back of the class. I think that was a first. It's one of those things where the professor is like, Wait, wait, wait, this is liberal Harvard, but what am I going to do about that woman in the back with a baby that's nursing? He just kept pretending like I wasn't there. There was a blind man sitting at the back of the room with me and finally after a few weeks of class, he goes, "I gotta ask you a question, what's that noise over there?"
In the circles you're in, do you ever feel self-conscious or apologetic about the choices you've made?
Never. Motherhood was my career, and I'm totally satisfied with that and the blessings that come with that. I feel it's been a privilege to be able to be a stay-at-home mom. I know there's so many women who would love to be and don't have that option and so for me it was a privilege to be able to have that option. And I value women that struggle and wish they could stay at home full-time but don't. And then I value women, too, that choose professionally to have a career.
What's your favorite memory from raising five boys?
It was wild. It was rowdy. There were times when seriously you just wanted to pull your hair out because you'd wish they would just be quiet for a minute, or sit, or even bake cookies or pick up their dishes or any of that, which never happened spontaneously. But then there were the fun times when honestly, they were so silly, the five all together that you just laughed a lot because there was just so much exuberance and happiness. I learned a lot from having boys.
Did you have any help?
No housekeeper. Nothing. No.
What keeps you in love with your husband?
No one's ever asked me that. I think we enjoy each other's company very much. We just enjoy being with each other. Sometimes we can just sit in a room and not talk; it doesn't matter. We just want to be together.
Mitt Romney at Jack's
Mitt Romney at Jack's
Mitt Romney (GG file photo)
Jack's in New London was a happening place this morning, July 25, when I arrived about 10:15 am. It helps to know the area, so I didn't even try to park at Jack's since I assumed the lot would be full. It was.
So, I scooted directly down to the Kearsarge Regional Middle School which is behind Jack's and parked the ole' gal and walked up to Jack's. The place was full when I arrived with some spillover outside.
Since I'm an "undecided" at the moment, I was asked to give an interview for the local Argus-Champion paper. The nice young reporter, Phillip, diligently wrote everything down I said so check it out next Wednesday. Hopefully, he won't misquote me on anything, but then, hey, I've been called names and misquoted before. Likely, I've misquoted people as well. I hope I don't do that here, but I'm a lefty, took some notes in shorthand and longhand and wrote a lot while I was listening to Mitt.
I really wanted to ask him if his father was a baseball fan and that's why he named him Mitt. However, it seemed there were much more pressing issues to address during the Q&A so I refrained. But, I'm still curious. Does anybody know?
I spoke with one of the nice young staffers, Christy I think, first and queried her on some war issues. She was well-prepared and knew her stuff. I had previously been sent some info on Gov. Romney's stance on major social issues, immigration, and protecting traditional marriage from the very nice, Emily Cantin, one of the field reps, whom I also had the pleasure of meeting.
Please take all of this with a grain of salt, but I think this is the gist of what Gov. Romney had to say about a lot of different things.
I met him outside first and introduced myself and asked him if I could ask him a question about the war. He said, of course, I'll call on you during the Q&A.
One thing for certain is that he definitely looks like Presidential material and has the demeanor, a strong handshake, and seems very comfortable in his own skin. He was tan and perfectly coifed, of course. In fact, with temps in the 90's and high humidity my long, thick, rather coarse, just washed hair was starting to frizz a bit and I wanted to ask him what hair product he recommends for smoothing out one's hair since his looked so sleek and smooth with just the right amount of graying so as to look distinguished.
Click here for more.
Governor Mitt Romney and Children
Governor Mitt Romney and Children Quotes
"The total education of our children is the measure of a generation's success or failure," said Romney. "We need to make sure our education system takes our kids from kindergarten all the way to being qualified for a good paying job." 02-26-2003 Press Release
Governor Mitt Romney and Children Press Releases
2006
- 03-21-2006; Poutre panel recommends reforms in child welfare system
2005
- 05-25-2005; Healey pushes tool to protect children from sex offenders
- 10-19-2005; Governor Mitt Romney lauds nation-topping performance by Massachusetts students
- 12-15-2005; Governor Mitt Romney awards free tuition to 14,000 Massachusetts students
- 12-21-2005; Healey kicks off student drug testing program in new bedford
2004
- 08-27-2004; heads up: Healey signs law requiring helmets for kids
- 01-20-2004; Governor Mitt Romney opens door to college for top scoring students
- 01-22-2004; Healey details plan to remove disruptive students from class
- 02-20-2004; Governor Mitt Romney applauds students for early MCAS preparation
- 05-23-2004; Commencement address to the students of Suffolk University
- 12-10-2004; 13,000 Massachusetts students win free college tuition
2003
- 04-07-2003; Governor Mitt Romney winsstudent support for higher education plan
- 04-30-2003; 86 percent of vocational students pass MCAS
- 09-03-2003; Governor Mitt Romney lauds students' high scores on 2003 MCAS
Ravi Zacharias on a Mormon in the White House
Ravi Zacharias on a Mormon in the White House July 25, 2007
Posted by Paul Edwards in Ravi Zacharias , Mitt Romney, Mormonism. trackback
What we want is a politician who will understand the basic Judeo-Christian world view, and on the basis of that the moral laws of this nation are framed, and then run this country with the excellence of that which is recognized in a pluralistic society: the freedom to believe or to disbelieve, and the moral framework with which this was conducted: the sanctity of every individual life.
If we are looking for a minister to run this country just look back and see what havoc sometimes has happened when the church got aligned totally with the state. That's not what we want. We want political leadership that is wise, political leadership that frames itself on the moral framework of God and recognizing that you cannot dictate political ideaology to all of humanity. That's why Jesus refused to run for office, that was not what his mission was about. His mission was to change hearts.
But as you look back at the book of Kings and Chronicles you see one difference between every king: either they followed the Lord with their whole heart and blessing came; or they turned their backs upon God and then the entailments were there. And that's what will happen to this country.
Would we rather have someone who is a total secularist? Is that what people are asking for? Are we looking for someone who would run this the way he would run a bishoprick or something? I think we should ask the hard questions of everybody, be it Mitt Romney or anyone else and see if the framework of the value of human life and the moral framework of the Judeo-Christian world view, (which is the only moral framework under which this country could have been framed. It was not framed under a Hindu framework. It was not framed under a Muslim framework, not framed under a Buddhist or a naturalistic framework) that we are all created equal, that liberty and justice and all of those terms that I've given only make sense within the Judeo-Christian world view.
Created? Equal? Naturalism does not tell us we are equal. Naturalism does not tell us we are created. Liberty? Islam does not believe in the total liberty of the individual. Equal? Hinduism believes in the caste system. The Judeo-Christian world view is the only world view that could frame this country. And so I think as we elect, we go before God and see out of the candidates who will be the best one to represent the values and at the same time be a good leader for the country whose first responsibility should be to protect its citizens.
This is a great country and the challenges we face are immense to a point where this country could be totally mangled with the onslaught of a rabid atheism ala Christopher Hitchens, Samuel Harris, Richard Dawkins, those kinds of vociferous, acerbic writers in our time who would like to strip the notion of God completely from our culture. For Sam Harris to actually say if he had a magic wand to eradicate religion or eradicate rape, he would eradicate religion tells you the kind of mindset, and his book is in the top ten bestseller list of the New York Times. There's a rabid atheism out there and there's a rabid Islamic extremism out there and the secularism combined with that. I've responded to Sam Harris in a book which will be released in the early part of next year. I've said to him basically his choice is not going to be between religion and secularism. His choice is going to be between Islam and Christianity. Secularism has no staying power and has proven itself in Europe today. Europe is on the decline and on the demise and it's only a matter of time before Islam would take a foothold there unless the Christian world view reemerges.
Jul 25, 2007
SC for the huckster says this:
SC for the huckster says this:
"Our second candidate in the spotlight is former Governor Mitt Romney who served 1 term as the Governor of Massachusetts. Compared to that of Mike Huckabee who has 10 ½ years of executive experience as the Governor of Arkansas."I don't think the huckster wants to get in the business of comparing resumes.
Mass has 6 million people, Ark has 2. So Romney was governor of more people for more years (24 million man-years... is that a new term?). Outside of government... do we even need to go there? What the Hell has the huckster ever done, beside attract elmer fud looking supporters like this guy? You go dude. You hunt those things with your dog. That is awsome. You go. That is the most important thing we need in our next president... someone who can attract elmer fud...
Elmer Fud has a bachelors degree in 2½ years before attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas! OMG! OMG! That sounds presidential? Mitt Romney only has an MBA and JD with honors from Harvard... Romney was only a baker scolar, and only graduated cum laude from harvard law school... butter go with the guy from SBTS! Yeah, lets go with the elmer fud dude...
Fiscal record
Huckabee has been criticized for his fiscal record as governor. He increased state spending 65.3 percent from 1996 to 2004. He has also supported numerous tax hikes, prompting some conservative critics to accuse him of being a liberal in disguise.[27] The Cato Institute, a libertarian non-profit public policy research foundation, [28] gave him an F grade for spending and tax policy in 2006, and an overall grade of D for his governorship. [29]
Upon entering office, Romney faced a $3 billion deficit. Facing an immediate fiscal crisis, the Governor asked the state legislature for emergency powers to make "9C" cuts to the fiscal year 2003 budget. Romney cut spending and restructured state government.[23]Massachusetts finished 2004 with a $700 million surplus and 2005 with a $500 million surplus. [31] [32]
Which one of these is not like the others?
Anyone else think that it is funny that Romney mentioned that video as one of his favorites?
Click here for the link.
If anyone cares (these are the dog days of summer, and not much is going on) "doublespeakshow" has some weird stuff. One of them is labeled "switch" about Bloomberg switching from D to R to I. They are liberal, because of this video. Nice logic "doubelspeak". No on in Wisconsin could possible be a terrorist!Jul 24, 2007
I was watching the YouTube debate and I found it interesting that the Democrats kept singling out Mitt. I don't remember them mentioning any of the other Republican candidates. To me this is a sign of who really scares them. I saw a graphic Jonathan Martin at the POLITICO mentioned depicting that most of the attacks from the DNC were aimed at my dad too:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0707/Charting_the_DNC_attacks.html
The Romney Vision: Seeing Is Believing - The Romney Agenda Trumps Dem Liberal Debate Pandering
"[Democrats] think about big government, big taxes and Big Brother. That's the same course Europe has taken over the last couple of decades that has led to a level of growth far below our own." – Gov. Mitt Romney (Lisa Rossi, "Romney Blasts Obama, Others," The Des Moines Register, 7/21/07)
Romney's Vision Of A Stronger Defense Vs. Defeatist Democrats
Gov. Romney Stresses The Importance Of Winning In Iraq And Defeating Radical Islam Globally. "The congressional debate in Washington has largely, and myopically, focused on whether troops should be redeployed from Iraq to Afghanistan, as if these were isolated issues. Yet the jihad is much broader than any one nation, or even several nations. ... The jihadist threat is the defining challenge of our generation and is symptomatic of a range of new global realities." (Gov. Mitt Romney, "Rising To A New Generation Of Global Challenges," Foreign Affairs, July/August 2007)
But Sen. Hillary Clinton Claims The U.S. Has Already Lost In Afghanistan To Al Qaeda And Bin Laden. SEN. HILLARY CLINTON: "We've got to figure out what we're doing in Iraq, where our troops are stretched thin, and Afghanistan, where we're losing the fight to al Qaeda and bin Laden." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)
While Sen. Barack Obama Would Jump At The Chance To Meet With Dictators In Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba And North Korea. YOUTUBE QUESTION: "...would you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?" ... SENATOR BARACK OBAMA: "I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them -- which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration -- is ridiculous." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)
Romney's Vision Of A Stronger Economy Vs. Tax-And-Spend Democrats
Gov. Romney Believes Lower Taxes Lead To A Stronger American Economy. GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "Raising taxes will slow down the economy, will make it more and more difficult to create jobs here. It's the wrong direction. The right direction is always to bring tax rates down. If you believe that the strength of America flows from government, then you want more taxes. But if you believe that the strength of America flows from the American people, you want to hold their taxes down for themselves and for the employers that employ them." (Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes," 4/4/07)
But Sen. Joe Biden Would Raise Taxes, Rolling Back The Bush Tax Cuts. SEN. JOE BIDEN: "First of all, change the tax structure. We are giving people tax breaks who don't need it. The top 1 percent got an $85 billion a year tax break. It is not needed. My dad used to have an expression -- don't tell me what you value; show me your budget. And the budget we have here is we all dance around it. We need more revenue to be able to pay for the things the governor and everybody else talks about. And there's only one way to do it. You either raise taxes or take tax cuts away from people who don't need them. I'd take them away from people who don't need them." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)
While Sen. John Edwards Would Create A Big Government-Run Health Insurance Program, Paid For By Taxpayers. SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: "No, because the only way to provide universal coverage is to mandate that everyone be covered. But I want to say, you know, I came out with a universal plan several months ago. A couple of months later, Senator Obama came out with a plan. He's made a very serious proposal, and I'm not casting aspersions on his plan. I think it's a very serious proposal. It just doesn't cover everybody. The only way to cover everybody is to mandate it." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)
Romney's Vision Of Stronger Families Vs. Out-Of-The-Mainstream Democrats
Gov. Romney Believes A Stronger American Family Leads To A Stronger America. GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "How is the American family made stronger? With marriage before children. With a mother and a father in the life of every child. With healthcare that is affordable and portable. With schools that succeed. With taxes that are lower. And with leaders who strive to demonstrate enduring values and morality." (Gov. Mitt Romney, Presidential Announcement, Dearborn, MI, 2/13/07)
But Sen. Barack Obama Supports Sex Education For Kindergarteners, And Wrongly Claimed That Gov. Mitt Romney Does, Too. CNN's ANDERSON COOPER: "Senator Obama, Mitt Romney has accused you this week of saying that 5-year-old children should be getting sex education. Was he right?" SEN. BARACK OBAMA: "Ironically, this was actually a proposal that he himself said he supported when he was running for governor of Massachusetts. ... I've got a 9-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old daughter. And I want them to know if somebody is doing something wrong to them, encroaching on their privacy, that they should come talk to me or my wife. And we've had that conversation, but not every parent is going to have that conversation with their child, and I think it's important that every child does, to make sure that they're not subject to the sexual predators." (CNN/YouTube, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)
- In Fact, Sen. Obama Specifically Called For Sex-Ed In Kindergarten, Which Gov. Romney Did Not Support. "The Romney campaign is saying there is a difference here. Kevin Madden, Romney's national spokesman says, 'Obama specifically advocated sex-ed for small children in kindergarten.' Undaunted today, Romney said the following in South Carolina about Obama: 'Senator Obama is wrong if he thinks science-based sex education has any place in kindergarten.'" (David Brody, "Kindergarten Cop: Romney Versus Obama," CBN's The Brody File, www.cbn.com/CBNnews/198676.aspx, Posted 7/19/07)
- The Legislation Sen. Obama Voted For In Illinois Went Even Further – Calling For STD Prevention To Be Taught In Kindergarten. Illinois Senate Bill 99, which Obama supported in the 93rd Assembly (2003-2004), reads, in part: "...whenever such courses of instruction are provided in any of grades K through 12, then such courses also shall include age appropriate instruction on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including the prevention, transmission and spread of HIV." (IL General Assembly Website, www.ilga.gov/legislation/, Accessed 7/24/07)
How Edwards And Thompson Are Just Alike
Branch's problem, as well as my own, is that Thompson does not always tell the truth. He clearly did not when it was revealed that, back when he was a lobbyist, he worked for a family planning outfit. Such honorable work is, of course, verboten to most Republicans, and so, for understandable but inexcusable reasons, Thompson — through a spokesman — lied.
There are nicer words, I know, but when you give the impression that what is true is false, that is a lie. Arthur Branch would understand.
"Fred Thompson did not lobby for this group, period," spokesman Mark Corallo said in an e-mail to the Los Angeles Times. A bit later, Thompson himself tried the old disparagement dodge: "I'd just say the flies get bigger in the summertime. I guess the flies are buzzing.'" Arthur Branch would see through this folksy piece of evasion and note not only that Thompson now denies nothing, but that flies buzz around BS.
It hardly matters to me that Thompson once lobbied for the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association. But the issue is not abortion, but truthfulness, candor, honesty — call it what you will. The impression we're entitled to take away from this episode is that when faced with some unpleasant truth, Thompson fibs. It ain't nice. It certainly ain't presidential.
Lest you think I am some sort of partisan hack, I have similar misgivings about John Edwards and his $400 haircuts. Here, too, the issue is not what he paid his barber, but his apparent willingness to trim the truth. He can't (I can't stop myself) brush that away.
Not that Edwards hasn't tried. His spokeswoman, Colleen Murray, also attempted the old disparagement trick, comparing the haircut imbroglio to matters of cosmic importance. "Breaking news — John Edwards got some expensive haircuts and probably didn't pay enough attention to the bills," she said. "He didn't lie about weapons of mass destruction or spring Scooter Libby; he just got some expensive haircuts."
Yes, he did. And he got them over and over again, sometimes summoning hairstylist Joseph Torrenueva of Beverly Hills to appointments on the campaign trail. When that happened, Edwards not only had to pay for the haircut, but for Torrenueva's airfare and hotel. A session during the 2004 race cost $1,250. On at least one occasion, Edwards paid the $400 personally.
Contrast this detailed account of Edwards' relationship with Torrenueva with the candidate's initial explanation. Edwards said he had no idea that the haircuts were so expensive and that — in a reprise of Bill Clinton's reference to Monica Lewinsky as "that woman" — called Torrenueva "that guy." You do not talk about your hairstylist like that. "When he called me 'that guy,' that hit my ears. It hurt," Torrenueva told the Washington Post's John Solomon.
Both Edwards and Thompson have something in common: They are all image. Neither has accomplished very much in public life. They are both ex-senators whose names are attached to no famous pieces of legislation.
They have built no constituencies on the basis of their legislative records, and so they apparently feel they cannot afford to admit an inconsistency — pro-choice lobbying by a proclaimed pro-lifer, or Euro-trashy indulgence by the proclaimed avatar of the poor.
FDR was a Hudson River patroon and Robert F. Kennedy had his mansion at Hickory Hill, but both had earned the trust of the poor by their evident sincerity and good works. Edwards ain't there yet. As for Thompson, he may be a good man, but for the moment he's more famous as an actor on television than as the champion of conservatives everywhere.
All presidents lie sooner or later. But Thompson and Edwards are not trimming for any noble purpose of state; they are just trying to protect a political persona that is somewhat concocted in the first place. Their rebuttals don't inspire trust or strength, and give us reason to worry.
It's a long campaign, and there's time for both men to prove that they are of sterling character. In the meantime, though, they both hit the counter with the hollow sound of a counterfeit coin.
Jul 23, 2007
Mitt Romney's Education Policy
Press Releases, Quotes, Speeches, and Videos from Mitt Romney about Education organized by year
Education
- Brian Lamb
- In you history, it includes Stanford for how long?
- You finished first in your class at Brigham Young University in Utah?
- Why did you go to Brigham Young ?
- How did you -- how were able to get an MBA and a law degree at the same time ?
- And clearly it would be why you did well and, as you know, you finished well enough to give the valedictory address -- the question I want to ask you though is why do you think you did well? Other than having a lot of brainpower, did you have an approach to education?
Governor Mitt Romney and Education
- "The least of learning is done in the classrooms."
- Thomas Merton
- "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
- Mark Twain
- "My education was dismal. I went to a series of schools for mentally disturbed teachers."
- Woody Allen
Major Speeches
- 05-17-2005; U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce; Hearing on "High School Reform: Examining State and Local Efforts"
- 01-11-2006, Romney testifies on education reform
Educational Advancement
One of Governor Romney's top priorities is reforming the education system so that young people can compete for good paying jobs in the global economy of the future. In 2004, Governor Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to any Massachusetts public university or college. He also championed a package of education reforms, including merit pay, an emphasis on math and science instruction, important new intervention programs for failing schools and English immersion for foreign-speaking students.
Major Press Releases
- 04-07-2003, Romney wins student support for higher education plan
- 09-22-2005; Romney files comprehensive education reform package
2006 Governor Mitt Romney Education Press Releases
- 01-11-2006, Romney testifies on education reform
- 07-20-2006, Romney proposes $8 million for national guard college fee waivers
2005 Governor Mitt Romney Education Press Releases
- 01-25-2005, Romney moves to make science a graduation requirement
- 03-14-2005, Romney names nine-member early education and care board
- 06-22-2005, Romney announces 2006 teacher of the year
- 07-14-2005, Romney administration awarded $2 million high school reform grant
- 07-18-2005, Romney unveils capital budget, major focus on Higher Ed
- 09-13-2005, Romney honors 2005 commonwealth compass schools
- 09-22-2005, Romney files comprehensive education reform package
- 10-19-2005, Romney lauds nation-topping performance by Massachusetts students
- 10-28-2005-, Romney joins in surprise presentations of national educator awards to top Massachusetts teachers
- 11-07-2005, Romney honors six educators for excellence in math and science
- 12-15-2005, Romney awards free tuition to 14,000 Massachusetts students
2004 Governor Mitt Romney Education Pree Releases
- 01-15-2004, Romney focuses on education in 2004 state of the state
- 01-16-2004, Romney targets lowest performing districts
- 01-20-2004, Romney opens door to college for top scoring students
- 02-20-2004, Romney applauds students for early MCAS preparation
- 02-25-2004, Romney endorses findings of Grogan task force on education
- 05-05-2004, Romney vows charter school moratorium veto
- 06-15-2004, Board of higher ED overwhelmingly okays Adams scholarship
- 07-28-2004, Romney, as part of ED agenda, signs school building reforms
- 10-05-2004, Healey recognizes 2004 commonwealth compass schools
- 10-19-2004, Board of higher ED gives green light to Adams scholarship
- 12-10-2004, 13,000 Massachusetts students win free college tuition
2003 Governor Mitt Romney Education Pree Releases
- 03-03-2003, Romney releases latest MCAS retest results for class 2003
- 04-07-2003, Romney wins student support for higher education plan
- 09-03-2003, Romney lauds students' high scores on 2003 MCAS
- 10-29-2003, Romney taps Grogan to head education task force
2006 Governor Mitt Romney Education Quotes
- "At some point, I think America -- and, importantly, the minority communities -- are going to say, 'it's time to split with our friends, the unions and the Democratic Party, and put our kids first here.' Unequal educational opportunity is the civil rights issue of our time."
- Governor Mitt Romney; Tulsa World, March 7, 2006
- "The world is growing more competitive every day, and it's no secret that skills, education and knowledge will be crucial to success in the workforce of the 21st century," said Romney. "Unless our kids are fully prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead, Massachusetts will fall behind in the competition for the best jobs."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 01-11-2006 Press Release
- "The men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard perform admirable service for our Commonwealth and for our nation," said Romney. "By making a public college education entirely free for Guard members, we recognize their tremendous dedication and sacrifice."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 07-20-2006 Press Release
2005 Governor Mitt Romney Education Quotes
- "We cannot continue to have an excellence gap with the rest of the world and intend to remain the economic superpower and military superpower of the planet. That's just not going to happen. We're in a position where unless we take action, we'll end up being the France of the 21st century: a lot of talk, but not a lot of strength behind it in terms of economic capability."
- Governor Mitt Romney , AP, November 16, 2005
- Governor Mitt Romney : "If we are going to compete in the global economy, we have to set our education goals higher."
- Governor Mitt Romney , AP, May 16, 2005
- "It's going to take teachers, superintendents and parents talking to their legislators saying yes, we want more money of course ... but we also want changes in the way our schools are managed. We want our principals to have the ability to manage their schools."
- Governor Mitt Romney , AP, January 27, 2005
- "Massachusetts has a choice," Romney said. "We can provide our kids with a first-rate science education today or we can learn to live with a second-rate economy tomorrow."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 01-25-2005 Press Release
- "I am grateful to each of these individuals for volunteering their time and expertise to helping my Administration successfully integrate all of our early education services under one roof," Romney said. "Not only will this new agency ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent more wisely and efficiently, it will also improve the care we provide to our youngest citizens and their families."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 03-14-2005 Press Release
- "This is a great day for education reform. Massachusetts is nationally recognized for its leadership on education reform, and we need to continue down the same path if we're going to help our kids maximize their potential."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 07-14-2005 Press Release
- "This is a huge shot in the arm for our public colleges and universities. By targeting these resources to construct new facilities and upgrade existing ones, we can put our higher education system in a position to deliver the first class facilities that our students deserve."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 07-18-2005 Press Release
- "I applaud the students, teachers and staff of these excellent schools for the hard work and creativity they have demonstrated as we continue making progress toward higher achievement for all students in Massachusetts," Romney said.
- Governor Mitt Romney, 09-13-2005 Press Release
- "If we're serious about keeping our kids at the forefront of a highly challenging and competitive world economy, then we have to take the necessary steps to energize our education system," said Romney.
- Governor Mitt Romney, 09-22-2005 Press Release
- "We're making progress, there's no doubt about it, but we have more work to do. These test scores reflect the hard work and creativity of our students, teachers and schools, but they also reveal that some are still struggling. It is increasingly critical that we advance bold reforms to ensure greater accountability and performance in every classroom."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 10-19-2005 Press Release
- "teachers like Jasmine Lellock and Thabiti Brown are critical to the success of our education initiatives and are doing an outstanding job preparing our children for future success in the classroom and the world," Romney said. "Teaching professionals are the backbone of our educational system and the best should be recognized and rewarded."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 10-28-2005- Press Release
- "Our Presidential Award nominees set a great example, not only for educators in Massachusetts, but for the nation," Romney said. "Distinguished math and science teachers like these are the critical components of a public education system that will prepare us for the next century, and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work, creativity and dedication."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 11-07-2005 Press Release
- "Paying for college is one of the largest financial challenges facing Massachusetts families," said Romney. "For the second year in a row, I'm pleased to reward some of our most promising and hardworking students. When it comes to figuring out how much it will cost to send a son or daughter to college, the Adams scholarship will help ease some of that burden."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 12-15-2005 Press Release
2004 Governor Mitt Romney and Education Quotes
- "Massachusetts has some of the best schools and teachers in the nation," Romney said, speaking tonight from the historic House Chamber at the State House. " Education reform, adopted a decade ago, raised standards and closed funding gaps. But it was the first step, not the last."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 01-15-2004 Press Release
- "We're horribly backlogged in renovating and rebuilding old and dilapidated schools," Romney said. "I will propose a series of construction reforms and a refinancing program that will jumpstart over 100 new and remodeled school projects."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 01-15-2004 Press Release
- "Legacy of Learning puts people first, kids first. We'll be putting our money where our future is," Romney said.
- Governor Mitt Romney, 01-15-2004 Press Release
- "There are critical investments we can and should make in our children," Romney said. "But those investments will only be made possible if we continue down the road to reform. I hope you will join with me in working for change."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 01-16-2004 Press Release
- "Families all across the Commonwealth are struggling to pay to send their children to college," Romney said. "The new Adams scholarship will make the dream of obtaining a college education a reality for thousands of Bay State students and keep our most talented students right here in Massachusetts."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 01-20-2004 Press Release
- "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. This will not be a strain on parent who are already hard-pressed, as some have suggested. This is mandatory counseling they are already receiving. We are simply updating it with information they will need to make their child's education a success."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 01-21-2004 Press Release
- "I am committed to unlocking the potential of every child, no matter which school they attend," Romney said. "Our children cannot wait for slow, methodic changes. They need our help now and this report will serve as a blueprint for immediate reform."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 02-25-2004 Press Release
- "Let there be no doubt, I will veto any charter school moratorium that reaches my desk," said Romney, appearing at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School with parents of children affected by the proposed moratorium.
- Governor Mitt Romney, 05-05-2004 Press Release
- "Families all across the Commonwealth are struggling to afford to send their children to college," Romney said, during a rare appearance before a meeting of the Board of Higher Education. "The new Adams scholarship will make the dream of obtaining a college education a reality for thousands of Bay State students and keep our most talented students right here in Massachusetts."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 06-15-2004 Press Release
- "Massachusetts has often been at the forefront of educational reform. In the spirit of that reform, less than seven months ago, I stood in the House Chamber surrounded by members of the General Court and asked them in my State of the State address to work with me to 'take every step, to prepare every child, for an ever more competitive future,'" said Romney. He added, "The centerpiece of my Legacy of Learning initiative included an ambitious school building program. Today I am pleased to say that, working with the Legislature, we delivered on that promise."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 07-28-2004 Press Release
Mitt Romney's education related press releases while governor of Massachusetts.
2003
- "Seeing this groundswell of student support only boosts my belief that what we are trying to do in our higher education system is right," Romney said. "I am committed to our plan, which guarantees quality, affordability and accessibility to all of our campuses for all Massachusetts residents."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 04-07-2003 Press Release
- "education reform is working in Massachusetts," Romney said. "I am proud of the progress shown by our students," said Romney. "My Administration will continue to push for high standards that will restore the value of a high school diploma and better prepare our students for life after school."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 09-03-2003 Press Release
- "We need to get our underperforming school districts back on track. It is time for the interests of the entrenched educational bureaucracy to take a back seat to the interests of our children and teachers."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 10-29-2003 Press Release
Mitt Romney's Wikipedia education Entry
In 2004, Governor Mitt Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to Massachusetts' state university or colleges. He has also drafted other education reforms, including the recruitment of 1,000 skilled math and science instructors, bonuses of as much as $15,000 a year for top-performing teachers, and new intervention programs for failing schools.
Additionally, Romney began advocating for a nationwide focus on education through the recruitment of and better pay for math and science teachers, and allowing state governments to take control of underperforming schools after three instead of the six-year period that is now in place.
Speaking of the education provided to minority students, Romney said, "I really believe that the failure of our urban schools and, in some cases our suburban schools, to help minority students achieve the levels that are necessary for success in the workplace is the civil rights issue of our time."
In 1994 Romney, as a candidate for US Senate, pledged to vote to establish a means-tested school voucher program to allow students to attend the public or private school of their choice. He also supported abolishing the federal Department of education and favored keeping control of educational reform at the lowest level, closest to parents, teachers, and the community (Boston Globe review of 1994 campaign issues Mar 21, 2002)
In April of 2006, Romney outlined his 6-point plan for improving the country's education in an Op/Ed in the Washington Times.
Governor Mitt Romney and education Blogs
education Essay that I like
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education Sub-Categories
Mitt Romney's Education:
- Undergraduate at Stanford and Brigham Young University (Highest Honors and Valedictorian). J.D. and M.B.A. from Harvard University (Baker Scholar).
Romney graduated from the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills (now Cranbrook Kingswood School). He met his future wife, Ann Davies (born in 1949), when she was at the Kingswood School.
After attending Stanford University for two quarters, Romney served for two and one-half years as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France. Upon returning from his mission, he transferred universities and subsequently received his B.A. with Highest Honors and as valedictorian from Brigham Young University in 1971. In 1975, Romney was awarded an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and was named a Baker scholar. In 1975 he also received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.
Exterior Links
- http://deschooling-society.blogspot.com/
- http://sanity.blog-city.com/read/education.htm
- http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?_=&ei=UTF-8&p=Governor+mitt+romney&b=0&oid=0c715fdd20fdb6cf&rurl=www.magnet.state.ma.us
- http://reason4romney.blogspot.com/search/label/Education
Beliefs about Mitt Romney and Education.
- Mitt Romney would be the best candidate to reform education].
- Mitt Romney supports charter schools.
- Mitt Romney did better in school than any of the other candidates, Republican or Democrat.
Today's schools are falling further and further behind world standards. It is time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on math and science, and involving parents from the beginning of a child's school career.
- "Massachusetts children cannot only lead the nation in test scores, they can be competitive with the best in the world. And the gap in achievement among races can virtually disappear."
- Governor Mitt Romney
Today's schools are falling further and further behind world standards. It is time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on Math and Science, and involving Parents from the beginning of a child's school career.
Quotes from Mitt Romney on Education
- "It's time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on math and science, and involving parents from the beginning of a child's school career."
- Governor Mitt Romney
Questions for Governor Mitt Romney
Education
- In you history, it includes Stanford for how long?
- You finished first in your class at Brigham Young University in Utah ?
- Why did you go to Brigham Young?
- How did you -- how were able to get an MBA and a law degree at the same time?
- And clearly it would be why you did well and, as you know, you finished well enough to give the valedictory address -- the question I want to ask you though is why do you think you did well? Other than having a lot of brainpower, did you have an approach to education?
