Mitt Romney Was A Conservative Republican Governor In The Bluest Of The Blue States

Reasons to agree:

1. The Economist, On Governor Romney: "Being The Republican Governor Of Such A Liberal State As Massachusetts Must Be Like Swimming Through Sugary Sludge." "Being the Republican governor of such a liberal state as Massachusetts must be like swimming through sugary sludge. Everywhere he looks, he is surrounded by sweet-talking liberal legislators, judges and citizens." (Editorial, "Mitt Romney And Gay Marriage," The Economist, 6/30/05)
2. Massachusetts is the bluest of the blue states
3. Gov. Romney Turned The Legislature's $250 Million Retroactive Capital Gains Tax Increase Into A $250 Million Tax Refund. ("Romney Signs Bill Abolishing Retroactive Tax," Boston Business Journal, 12/8/05)
4. Gov. Romney Closed An Inherited $3 Billion Shortfall Without Tax Increases. (Pam Belluck, "Romney Candidacy Puts Massachusetts Economy In Spotlight," The New York Times, 3/16/07)
5. Gov. Romney Has Championed Traditional Marriage, And Fought Efforts To Redefine The Institution. (John DiStaso, "Romney: 1 Man 1 Woman," The Manchester NH Union Leader, 4/4/07)
6. Gov. Romney Enforced A 1913 Law Preventing Out-Of-State Same-Sex Couples From Marrying In Massachusetts. (Pam Belluck, "Romney Won't Let Gay Outsiders Wed In Massachusetts," The New York Times, 4/25/04)
7. Gov. Romney Funded Abstinence Education For The First Time In Massachusetts' Classrooms. (Andrea Estes And Tracy Jan, "State Widens Teaching Of Abstinence," The Boston Globe, 4/21/06)
8. Gov. Romney Vetoed A Bill To Expand Stem Cell Research That Included Embryo-Destructive Methods. ("Massachusetts' Gov. Romney Delivers On Promise To Veto Stem Cell Bill," The Associated Press, 5/27/05)
9. Gov. Romney Vetoed Legislation That Would Have Provided For The "Morning After Pill" Without A Prescription. (Governor Mitt Romney, Op-Ed, "Why I Vetoed The Contraception Bill," The Boston Globe, 7/26/05)
10. Gov. Romney Filed And Promoted A Bill Protecting Religious Liberties. (Brooke Donald, "Romney Files 'Religious Freedom' Bill On Church And Gay Adoption," The Associated Press, 3/15/06)
11. Gov. Romney Took Action To Enforce Immigration Laws. (Michael Levenson and Jonathan Saltzman, "Troopers Can Arrest Illegal Immigrants In Romney Deal," The Boston Globe, 12/3/06)
12. Massachusetts Liberals Are Trying To Roll Back Gov Romney's Conservative Record .

Questions for Governor Mitt Romney

Actual questions asked from Mitt Romney Interviews , organized by subject. Click on the question for the answer.

This would make a great tool for anyone who is interviewing Mitt. You can see the questions that have already been asked a number of times, and which ones still need to be asked.

Abortion

1. So do you now believe that abortion is murder ? (George Stephanopoulos)
2. Should women who have abortions and doctors who perform them be jailed ? (George Stephanopoulos)
3. If it's killing, why should states have leeway ? (George Stephanopoulos)
4. What do you believe the punishment should be for an abortion ? (Stephanopoulos)
5. Have you changed your opinion on Abortion ? (Blitzer)
6. What is your current position on abortion ? (Blitzer)
7. How do you account for your change on abortion ? (Katherine Jean Lopez)
8. Were you faking it when you said you were pro-choice ? (Katherine Jean Lopez)
9. Do you support making abortion illegal ? (Dan Balz, David S Broder and Ruth Marcus )
10. What do you think about the partial-birth abortion ban ? (Mary Katharine Ham)
11. What policies would you initiate to show your sincerity ? (Mike Allen)
12. Would it be a good day for America if Roe v Wade was repealed ? (1st Debate)
13. Have you always been for life or effectively pro-choice ? (1st Debate)
14. When you said that being a pro-life president entails more than just appointing strict constructionist judges, was that directed at Giuliani ? (1st Debate)
15. What would you say to someone who lost a wife or a daughter to an illegal abortion if you named the Supreme Court justice who tipped the balance and over turned Roe v Wade ? (2nd Debate)
16. Governor Romney, during this campaign, you have been criticized -- and again tonight you've been criticized -- for changing your position on some issues. You say that it's a part of learning from experience. Can you point to an area in which your learning from experience led you to change to a position that is less popular with the Republican base ? (2nd Debate)

America

1. What do you dislike most about America ? (1st Debate)

Asia

1. Governor, you recently got back from a trip to Asia. What were you doing there? Katherine Jean Lopez
2. Did you have qualms going to China ? Katherine Jean Lopez

Background

1. Why did you pick Mitt over Willard ? Brian Lamb
2. Where were you born? Brian Lamb

Books

1. How can you read science fiction ? Hugh Hewitt

Brain Washing

1. Well, you know, if you ever look at the history of your father and running for president, they all say the same thing, it's all the "brainwashing" comment. Why would that have been the issue? I mean, why would he have been accused of saying something stupid about being brainwashed in Vietnam? Brian Lamb

Bush

1. Do you have any problems with the president's policy on Iraq ? Wolf Blitzer
2. Where do you disagree with Bush on Iraq ? Chris Wallace
3. Should Scooter Libby should be pardoned ? 1st Debate

Business

1. What does Bain do? Brian Lamb
2. what impact did you have on the creation of Staples ? Brian Lamb
3. how old were you when the Staples thing started ? Brian Lamb
4. What other boards have you served on ? Brian Lamb
5. Have you had a failure that you can talk about in business ? Brian Lamb

Campaign

1. When you decided not to run again for governor, how much did your thought of running for president enter into that discussion?
2. So how's the campaign going for you so far ? Tom Bevan
3. What's the question you get asked most ? Tom Bevan
4. How do you turn your money advantage into a win ? Mary Katharine Ham
5. How do you stop overconfidence from getting into the system here ? Hugh Hewitt

Cabinet

1. Which current cabinet official would you keep ? 1st Debate

Character

1. How do you convince voters that some of these changes are sincere, coming from conviction? George Stephanopoulos

Conservatives

1. What are some of the things you would offer conservatives ? Robert B Bluey
2. Do you regret comments you made about Jesse Helms and Ronald Reagan ?
3. Are you a clear and consistent conservative ? (2nd Debate)

Competition , Fred Thompson, John McCain, Rudy

1. What do you make of all the attention being given to Fred Thompson . Mike Allen
2. Do you look forward to his formal announcement ? Hugh Hewitt

Debate

1. What is your mission in the debate coming up at the Reagan Library, and what do you think will happen ? Mike Allen
2. What are the reactions around Team Romney today ? Hugh Hewitt
3. How many debates between now and 2008 do you think you'll have to go through ? Hugh Hewitt

Education

1. In you history, it includes Stanford for how long ? Brian Lamb
2. You finished first in your class at Brigham Young University in Utah ? Brian Lamb
3. Why did you go to Brigham Young ? Brian Lamb
4. How did you -- how were able to get an MBA and a law degree at the same time? Brian Lamb
5. 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? Brian Lamb

Ehud Olmert

1. Are you surprised at the reaction to the handling of the Hezbollah war ? Hugh Hewitt

Family

1. Is divorse something voters should take into account ? (George Stephanopoulos)
2. Why did your father not give you any of his inheritance ? Brian Lamb
3. Did he have a philosophy that he didn't want to pass on a lot of money to his kids . Brian Lamb
4. When you father thought of running for president in '64, and then actually ran for a while in '68, how old were you in those years and what did you experience during that time? Brian Lamb
5. You can't be born out of the country and run for president, how did that work ? Brian Lamb
6. When did your father George Romney move to Utah ? Brian Lamb
7. At some point I noticed you were on the Points of Light Foundation board, but you go back to either your father starting the volunteer organization that merged into Points of Light? Explain that . Brian Lamb
8. How are you different from your father ? Brian Lamb

Flip Flops

1. Why isn't your pledge to not raise taxes a blatant appeal to the party base ? (2nd Debate)
2. Have you always been for life or effectively pro-choice ? (1st Debate)

Gay Rights

1. Should gays and lesbians be able to serve openly and honestly in the military ? George Stephanopoulos
2. Do you want to tell our viewers why you disagree with Mary Cheney ? Wolf Blitzer:
3. Would you accept another endorsement from the Log Cabin Republicans if it was offered to you? Robert B Bluey
4. Have your positions on gay rights changed ? Katherine Jean Lopez
5. Do you want to change don't ask don't tell ? Katherine Jean Lopez

Abortion Questions for Romney

1. So do you now believe that abortion is murder ? (Stephanopoulos)
2. should women who have abortions and doctors who perform them be jailed ? (Stephanopoulos)
3. if it's killing, why should states have leeway ? (Stephanopoulos)
4. what do you believe the punishment should be for an abortion ? (Stephanopoulos)
5. Have you changed your opinion on Abortion ? (Blitzer)
6. What is your current position on abortion ? (Blitzer)
7. How do you account for your change on abortion ? (Katherine Jean Lopez)
8. Were you faking it when you said you were pro-choice ? (Katherine Jean Lopez)
9. Do you support making abortion illegal? (Dan Balz, David S Broder and Ruth Marcus)
10. What do you think about the partial-birth abortion ban ? (Mary Katharine Ham)
11. What policies would you initiate to show your sincerity ? (Mike Allen)
12. Would it be a good day for America if Roe v Wade was repealed ? (1st Debate)
13. Have you always been for life or effectively pro-choice ? (1st Debate)
14. When you said that being a pro-life president entails more than just appointing strict constructionist judges, was that directed at Giuliani ? (1st Debate)
15. What would you say to someone who lost a wife or a daughter to an illegal abortion if you named the Supreme Court justice who tipped the balance and over turned Roe v Wade ? (2nd Debate)
16. Governor Romney, during this campaign, you have been criticized -- and again tonight you've been criticized -- for changing your position on some issues. You say that it's a part of learning from experience. Can you point to an area in which your learning from experience led you to change to a position that is less popular with the Republican base ? (2nd Debate)

Mitt Romney and Homeland Security

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
• During Khatami's presidency, Iran refused to hand over the Iranian intelligence officials who were responsible for the attack on the Khobar Towers that killed 19 U.S. military personnel.

 

2004

 

• 05-24-2004; Grading Progress on Homeland Security: Before and After 9/11
• 05-04-2004; Lessons Learned from Security at Past Olympic Games

 

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"

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Quotes from Governor Mitt Romney on Homeland Security

 

2005

 

• "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, Interview with James Taranto (December 2005)

 

2004

 

• "A key part of our homeland security efforts rests on the state's ability to collect and analyze information on potential threats," said Romney. "By putting more money into intelligence gathering, we'll give the State Police the tools they need to be more effective."
  • Governor Mitt Romney, 01-29-2004 Press Release

 

• "The threat of modern [Terrorism] poses new challenges for law enforcement across Massachusetts and around the nation," said Romney. "These new homeland security funds will allow Bay State communities to work as a coordinated force to collect, analyze and distribute critical Terrorism related intelligence and act when necessary."
  • Governor Mitt Romney, 03-09-2004 Press Release

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Homeland Security Press Releases from Governor Mitt Romney

 

2004

• 01-29-2004, ROMNEY'S BUDGET PUMPS UP ANTI- TERRORISM FUNDING
• 03-09-2004, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES $45 MILLION TO FIGHT TERRORISM

 

 

Sub Categories

1. Defeating the Jihadists
2. Peace Through Strength
3. Terror
4. Terrorism
5. War
6. War On Terror

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Romney experience in Homeland Security:

• Co-chaired the National Governor's Association Homeland Security Council
• Member of the Department of Homeland Security's Advisory Council
• Chaired the DHS's State and Local Officials Senior Advisory Committee
• Chaired the DHS's Homeland Security Funding Task Force
• The Boston Globe and Boston Herald both reported in 2004 that Romney was being considered as the next Secretary of Homeland Security
• Led the SLC Olympics and instituted and oversaw a massive security mobilization plan that kept the games safe 3 months after 9/11
• Testified before Congress on at least three occasions about homeland security related issues.

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Disaster preparedness:

 

• Under Romney's direction, MA became one of only 10 states in the country to receive the highest grade possible for disaster preparedness.
• Romney led MA through the worst flooding in the state in the last 70 years or more, drawing rave reviews from local and national press.
• The CDC has praised and held up Romney's plan in MA for the Avian Flu as a model for other states to draw off of.

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Governor Mitt Romney and Homeland Security

 

Quotes from Governor Mitt Romney on Homeland Security

• Statement of Governor Mitt Romney COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS before the GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE UNITED STATES SENATE
• "Each of these plans fit into our larger blueprint for a forward-looking security agenda that encourages regional collaboration and clear-eyed risk assessment," Romney said. "Local residents should know that we're doing everything possible to keep the Commonwealth safe in an era of global uncertainty." Mitt Romney. Source: 11-05-2004 Press Release

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Press Releases from Governor Mitt Romney on Homeland Security

2004

• 11-05-2004, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES REGIONAL HOMELAND SECURITY PLANS

 

2005

• 10-18-2005, TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY, ROMNEY ORDERS REVIEW OF HIGH HAZARD DAMS

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Also see

1. National Defense,
2. Crime
3. Iraq
4. Iran

 

 

Outside Links

1. http://blog.electromneyin2008.com/index.php?title=romney_on_homeland_security_a_leader_i_d&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
2. http://blog.electromneyin2008.com/index.php?catsel%5B%5D=31
3. http://del.icio.us/myclob/Terrorism

 

 

Mitt Romney Chairs

 

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Chair

 

2007

• May 10, 2007; Romney For President Names Jim Kurtenbach As North Central Iowa Chair
• May 03, 2007; State Chair Doug Gross On Tonight's Debate
• May 03, 2007; Former Republican Party Of Florida Chairman Al Cardenas On Tonight's Debate
• May 01, 2007; Romney For President Announces "Iowa Students For Romney" Campus Chairs
• Apr 27, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Announces New Arizona County and City Chairs
• Apr 27, 2007; Marvin Pomerantz to Co-[Chair Governor Romney's Iowa Presidential Campaign
• Apr 19, 2007; State Representative Mark Anderson To Co-[Chair Governor Mitt Romney's Arizona Campaign
• Apr 13, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Announces South Carolina Veterans for Romney Chairmen
• Apr 09, 2007; State Senator Chuck Gray To Chair Governor Mitt Romney's Arizona Campaign
• Mar 28, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Announces Ohio Finance Steering Committee Chairs
• Mar 23, 2007; Romney For President Announces " New Hampshire Students for Romney" Campus Chairs]
• Mar 15, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Names California Finance Co-Chairs]
• Mar 14, 2007; Romney For President Names Iowa County Chairs]
• Feb 22, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Announces South Carolina County Chairs
• Feb 09, 2007; Economist John Cogan To Serve As Co-[Chair of Economic Advisory Council
• Jan 16, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Announces Vin Weber as Policy Chairman
• Jan 04, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Announces First Group of National Finance Co-Chairs

 

2005

• 02-24-2005; Governor Mitt Romney tabs Christopher Moore to Chair JNC
• 03-04-2005; Governor Mitt Romney taps secretary Kimball to Chair Massdevelopment

 

2004

• 07-15-2004; Governor Mitt Romney replaces Chair of joint labor management committee
• 11-19-2004; Governor Mitt Romney Elected Vice Chair of Republican Governors association

 

2003

• 08-15-2003; A day after blackouts, Governor Mitt Romney Names Paul G. Afonso as Chairman of department of telecommunications and energy
• 10-14-2003; Governor Mitt Romney appoints Judge Daher to Chair ethics commission

 

Governor Mitt Romney Addresses

 

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Address

 

• May 10, 2007; Excerpts From Governor Mitt Romney's Address To Massachusetts Citizens For Life
• May 05, 2007; Excerpts From Governor Mitt Romney's Commencement Address At Regent University
• Jan 23, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney on the President's State of the Union Address
• Jan 06, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Addresses] Awakening 2007
• 01-13-2005; Governor Mitt Romney delivers 2005 state of the commonwealth Address
• 05-23-2004; Commencement Address to the Students of Suffolk University
• 06-02-2003; Governor Mitt Romney Addresses] joint committee on state administration

 

Also See

 

1. Speeches

Mitt Romney at Regent

 

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Regent

 

Excerpts Of Governor Romney's Commencement Address (As Prepared For Delivery):

 

"I want to offer my sincere thanks to Doctor Pat Robertson for extending me the honor of addressing you today.

"This university, its students, its alumni and the faculty serve as an example of Dr. Robertson's dedication to strengthening and then nurturing the pillars of this community and our country: education, fellowship, and advancement."

...

"You know, I don't remember when it was exactly when I went beyond the sandbar. My family had a cottage on the shores of one of the Great Lakes. For the first 40 feet or so, the lake is shallow, warm, and protected from the big waves by a sandbar. That's where I spent most of the hot summer days as a boy. I liked it there. One day, my brother got me up on water skis. Perhaps fearing that a turn would cause me to fall, he drove the boat – and me – straight out into the deep. By the way, the lake is over 100 miles wide. I screamed the whole terrifying ride. But ever after, the deep water is where I wanted to be – body surfing in the breakers, water skiing, diving. Oh yes, the water wasn't as warm and calm, but it was clean and powerful and invigorating. I got out of the shallow water for good.

"Over the years, I have watched a number of people live out their lives in shallow water.

"In the shallows, life is all about yourself – your job, your money, your rights, your needs, your ideas, your comforts.

"In the deeper waters, life is about others – spouse, family, friends, faith, community, country. In the deep waters, there are challenging ideas, opposing opinions, protracted battles of consequence."

...

"You are, of course, giving a great deal of thought to your career. The economic environment may be more turbulent and competitive than my generation has known. Some of you will be tempted to stay near shore, where there are no big breakers and where you will never make any waves. Others will push beyond the sandbar, pursuing new frontiers, exploring new ideas, driving to achieve, to learn, to influence, to contribute.

"That, of course, is the heritage of this land. The people who came to Jamestown 400 years ago may not have all been saints. But they were all pioneers. They crossed the broadest waters and dreamed the grandest dreams. Their spirit is the American spirit. It is why America surpassed our native England to become the world's most powerful nation. And it is the heart and spirit of the American people that make this country the hope of the world. Great people have made a great nation."

...

"If there ever was a time for great Americans, great and good Americans, Americans who are willing to cross into the deep waters of life, it is now.

"You cross into the deep waters by marrying and raising good children. There is no work more important to America's future that the work that is done within the four walls of the American home.

"You cross into the deep waters by driving yourself in your education and in your avocation beyond the safe and comfortable, to reach new insights, to make contributions, to serve.

"You cross into the deep waters by serving in your church, in your community, in the military, in government or in volunteer service.

"I am optimistic about the future of America because I have seen the spirit and heart of the American people." ...