Mitt Romney - President in 2008

The Narrowing Field (Editorial)

2006-12-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

That problem has been exacerbated by the withering away of the federal matching fund system, which was designed to boost lesser-known primary candidates but has now become functionally irrelevant, because the top-tier candidates can raise more on their own than they would be permitted to if they accepted matching funds. An increasingly front-loaded primary system -- on the Democratic side, candidates will need enough to get through four contests in 15 days -- intensifies the need for an early pile of cash.
-From Washington Post

Keeping the Faith: Considering the religion of our next president (comments)

2006-12-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

Religion has always been a way of explaining an endermatic universe. We should not choose our national leader based on adherence to a more ancient and venerated irrationality than her opponent. The only rational religious question for a national leader is "does the person's belief interfere or assist the candidate." As Jesus said "by there fruits ye shall know them." Let's judge Romney and all other candidates on their life and what they have done. Romney is intelligent. First in his class out of Harvard. His life's work has involved turning around struggling companies. He did a great job with the winter Olympics and as a Governor. I am sure not every one agrees with these points. But that is what we should be talking about.

All comments in reaction to: Romney's Religion

Is America ripe for a Mormon president?

2006-12-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

All these things I learned that morning.

But as 10 minutes became half an hour and an hour and more, I made a much more profound discovery about this faith: that its adherents are bright and intellectually open, and have a sense of humour, of humanity, that is sadly lacking in other strands of American religious life.

The delicate balance between religion and politics

2006-12-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

Kennedy's September 1960 speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association is credited with having destigmatized his Catholicism as a campaign issue. No doubt the Romney camp would like to do something similar -- make it so that questions about Mormon temple garments are beyond the bounds of respectable journalism. But Romney, a man of faith, has another concern: at what cost?

Romney set for presidential announcement

2006-12-22T21:52:00.001-07:00

The Massachusetts chief executive is expected to file paperwork as early as Jan. 2 with the Federal Election Commission, establishing a presidential campaign committee and permitting himself to begin raising money for his race on the first business day of the new year. Romney will leave office on Jan. 4.

Romney's Religion: A Mormon president? No way.

2006-12-22T07:57:00.001-07:00

One may object that all religious beliefs are irrational—what's the difference between Smith's "seer stone" and the virgin birth or the parting of the Red Sea? But Mormonism is different because it is based on such a transparent and recent fraud. It's Scientology plus 125 years. Perhaps Christianity and Judaism are merely more venerable and poetic versions of the same. But a few eons makes a big difference. The world's greater religions have had time to splinter, moderate, and turn their myths into metaphor. The Church of Latter-day Saints is expanding rapidly and liberalizing in various ways, but it remains fundamentally an orthodox creed with no visible reform wing.

Mitt Romney and the Politics of Sincerity

2006-12-21T22:19:00.001-07:00

Some people believe that Mitt Romney had a genuine change of heart on abortion; some people believe that he has flip-flopped to win first the Massachusetts governorship and then the Republican presidential nomination. There is a middle possibility. Perhaps it is simultaneously true that Romney would pass a lie-detector test if asked whether he thought abortion should generally be banned and that he would not have adopted this position in different political circumstances.

MITT ROMNEY'S 'CHANGES'

2006-12-21T22:17:00.000-07:00

But is Romney just another glib Bay State quick-change artist who's rearranged his stripes because he would like to be president? Is he angling for acceptance among GOP social conservatives by turning himself into something he's not?

Will Christians Back a Mormon Candidate?

2006-12-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

As a clean-living, church-going father and grandfather, Gov. Mitt Romney has a natural appeal among conservative Christians.
The Massachusetts Republican, though, faces a delicate dilemma: How does a devout Mormon woo religious activists critical to winning the GOP presidential nomination when many of those same activists are openly hostile to a faith they consider no more than cult?

Mass. Governor's Rightward Shift Raises Questions

2006-12-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

As he prepares for a 2008 presidential campaign, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) has championed the conservative principles that guided President Ronald Reagan, become an outspoken opponent of same-sex marriage and supported overturning the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

Frist Aide to Lead Romney's Online Team

2006-12-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Frist Aide to Lead Romney's Online Team - The Right Angle @ HumanEvents.com:
"The tech-savvy Smith joins two other highly respected Republicans who recently signed on with Romney. Former RNC Research Director Matt Rhoades and Kevin Madden, who served as House Majority Leader John Boehner’s spokesman, form the nucleus of Romney’s likely campaign team."

Romney says he backs Bush’s Iraq war policies

2006-12-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

BostonHerald.com - National Politics: Romney says he backs Bush’s Iraq war policies:
"Romney told reporters in Iowa that Bush should talk with generals and others on the front lines in Iraq to decide how to proceed.
“We should not turn around and walk out of Iraq,” he said. “That would be a mistake.”
When asked if he supported a surge in troops, one of the options Bush is said to be considering, Romney declined to discuss such details. "

In South Carolina, McCain seeks reversal of fortune while Romney, Giuliani stand in way

2006-12-20T05:37:00.000-07:00

AP Wire | 12/19/2006 | In South Carolina, McCain seeks reversal of fortune while Romney, Giuliani stand in way:
"'We're programmed to hate McCain,' explained Lisa Manini Sox, executive director of the state Senate Republican caucus. She couldn't pinpoint one reason for her opposition but cast doubt on whether she could be 'deprogrammed.' Added Katrina Shealy, the treasurer of the Lexington County GOP: 'He's explosive. He's the Howard Dean of the Republican Party.'"

Romney says his view of immigration policy hasn't changed

2006-12-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

Romney says his view of immigration policy hasn't changed - The Boston Globe:
"'We need an employment verification system in this country, so that employers, legal employers, are able to determine whether the person they're hiring is a legal worker in this country,' Romney said. 'We don't have such a system, and I've been proposing for some time that we implement such a system.'"

The New World (blog)

2006-12-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Corner on National Review Online - The New World:
"Still, it is remarkable that Romney would reach out to bloggers and a conservative radio personality for such a private event. Such pre-announcement affairs where donors and activists are courted and cultivated have almost always been kept under wraps and out of public view by campaigns that haven't yet officially started. If a candidate wanted a press hit from his stop in the area, he'd usually pay a visit to local paper; that was the most effective way to get your message out. But the times are a changin.' "

Romney meets with press 'off the record' at holiday party

2006-12-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

Local News Updates - Romney meets with press 'off the record' at holiday party - The Boston Globe:
"Romney, who spent the weekend in Louisiana and Tennessee, is hosting his annual Holiday Press Party tonight in the Executive Suite at the State House. There is, however, one caveat that his staff made clear on the governor's schedule with bold letters and an asterisk.
The holiday party is 'off the record.' "

Romney quietly putting together meetings in New Hampshire

2006-12-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

James Pindell - The Primary Source - Romney quietly putting together meetings in New Hampshire - Boston.com:
"Some Romney supporters have long worried the Massachusetts governor would because so familiar to neighboring New Hampshire audiences that there would be less excitement about his visits. Because of this concern, they put together smaller events that attract less attention."

Mitt Romney & Conservatives

2006-12-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

Byron York on Mitt Romney & Conservatives on National Review Online:
"Another problem Romney might have is the sheer recent-ness of his change of views, which occurred at virtually the same moment Romney was making early moves in South Carolina. A change itself is not that unusual, says David Woodard, but the timing is. “There are a lot of conversion stories,” Woodard says, “people who say, ‘I was pro-choice until my daughter got pregnant,’ or ‘I was pro-choice until a friend got pregnant,’ and then they had a lot of misgivings. That worked in the ‘80s, or the early ‘90s, but in 2004, after this issue has been aired for many years? It’s going to be harder.”"

Romney has team in place

2006-12-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

Romney has team in place | GoUpstate.com | Spartanburg, S.C.:
"The 2008 presidential primary is still more than a year away, but that hasn't stopped the likely contenders from parading through South Carolina in recent months. While some are content to make a quick visit and possibly leave behind a small contribution for local party coffers, a few are doing more than that."

Candidates have their hands out

2006-12-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

Candidates have their hands out - Los Angeles Times:
"For Romney, the Massachusetts governor trying to mount a conservative challenge to better-known moderates, the three-day visit to California last week offered a chance to narrow his rivals' head start. Among the prominent California supporters helping to introduce him to donors was major Bush fundraiser Rick Caruso, builder of the Grove shopping mall in Los Angeles. "

Scrutiny and opportunity (blog)

2006-12-18T05:01:00.000-07:00

Scrutiny and opportunity » GetReligion:
"It’s a nice and lengthy story that includes many perspectives. Some folks think the church will benefit from the increased scrutiny, some don’t. She looks at how the Mormon church handles public relations during times of increased scrutiny and what previous Mormon politicos have had to deal with:"

Mitt Romney: America's First Mormon President?

2006-12-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

Mitt Romney: America's First Mormon President? - Newsweek Politics - MSNBC.com:
"In late October, departing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney huddled with a godly group. Gathered in his kitchen were 15 of the country's leading evangelicals, including giants like Jerry Falwell, Franklin Graham and Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention. They'd come to nibble sandwiches, slurp soup and quiz Romney on his faith. Why on earth should they support Romney, a Mormon, in his presidential candidacy in 2008? Richard Lee, a Baptist minister from Cumming, Ga., got to the heart of the matter. What did Romney really believe about Jesus Christ?"

Changing views

2006-12-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

Changing views - The Boston Globe:
"When Governor Mitt Romney steps down next month, he will depart Beacon Hill a far more conservative voice on social issues than when he arrived in 2002 and when he ran for Senate in 1994. On stem cell research, abortion, emergency contraception, abstinence education, and gay rights, Romney has distanced himself from the more moderate positions he has held in the past."

Why a Mormon Can Be President

2006-12-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

Meridian Magazine: Why a Mormon Can Be President:
"The 59-year-old venture capitalist, governor of Massachusetts, and white knight, who saved the ailing Salt Lake Olympics and turned it from a $400 million deficit to a $100 million surplus, has been methodically putting all the pieces in place with the flair and deftness of one who has built many organizations before. He has been staff-building, fund-raising, and reaching out broadly for support."

Mormons upbeat as Mitt hits spotlight

2006-12-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

Salt Lake Tribune - Mormons upbeat as Mitt hits spotlight:
"More than a year ago, Mitt Romney sought the advice of LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley about a run for the presidency. At the meeting, as reported in a Mormon-focused magazine, Hinckley said the decision was Romney's to make, not the church's. But if Romney decided to go for it, Hinckley wasn't worried. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would survive the inevitable scrutiny. "