In Case You Missed It: Romney Interviews

In Case You Missed It:  Romney Interviews

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

Romney Reading

Romney Books

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Was watching Return of the King Last Night...

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

Denethor: "My sons are spent."

[Denethor steps away from Faramir. Pippin approaches.]

Denethor: "My line has ended."

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

Denethor: "The house of Stewards has failed."

Pippin: "He needs medicine my lord!"

Denethor: "My line has ended!"

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

Pippin: "My lord!"

Denethor: "Rohan has deserted us."

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

Denethor: "Théoden has betrayed me."

[More boulders fall.]

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

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

Gandalf: "Prepare for battle."

---

[Gandalf rides down to rally the soldiers.]

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

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

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

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

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

Romney is Fox News' 3rd political story

POLITICS Headlines

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

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

Romney makes 6th story on drudge...

http://www.drudgereport.com/

Agreement permits specially trained State Troopers to enforce federal immigration law

 

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

B.O. ()

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

 

Barak Hussain Obama