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==Religious beliefs==
==Religious beliefs==
Romney is a member of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (also known as being a [[Mormon]]). Many of Romney's beliefs supporting marriage between a man and a woman and on the importance of the family in society fall in line with the Church's teachings on the family, such as explicated in the 1995 LDS proclamation [[The Family: A Proclamation to the World]]. Romney is '''not''' a member of the [[Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]], that practice [[polygamy]], and Romney has called polygamy "bizarre".<ref>Jason Szep, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070225/pl_nm/usa_politics_romney_dc "Pressure on Romney to firmly address Mormon faith"], [[Reuters]], [[February 24]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[March 5]], [[2007]].</ref>
Romney is a member of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (also known as being a [[Mormon]]). Many of Romney's beliefs supporting marriage between a man and a woman and on the importance of the family in society fall in line with the Church's teachings on the family, such as explicated in the 1995 LDS proclamation [[The Family: A Proclamation to the World]]. Romney is '''not''' a member of the [[Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]], which practices [[polygamy]], and Romney has called polygamy "bizarre".<ref>Jason Szep, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070225/pl_nm/usa_politics_romney_dc "Pressure on Romney to firmly address Mormon faith"], [[Reuters]], [[February 24]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[March 5]], [[2007]].</ref>


Romney may be challenged by voters with the concern that a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would take commandments from the president of the church who is regarded as a living prophet. In an interview aired on [[Fox News]] Romney said, "America has a political religion, which is to place the oath of office, an oath to abide by a nation of laws and a constitution, above all others. And there's no question that I make that my primary responsibility."<ref name="faith hurdle"/> Mike Otterson, an LDS spokesman, said, "The suggestion that a Mormon leader would dictate policy to a President Romney is absurd, I can't imagine any president that would allow that."<ref name="faith hurdle"/> During the 1960 presidential campaign of [[John F. Kennedy]], similar allegations were made that a [[Roman Catholic]] would take orders from the [[Pope]].
Romney may be challenged by voters with the concern that a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would take commandments from the president of the church who is regarded as a living prophet. In an interview aired on [[Fox News]] Romney said, "America has a political religion, which is to place the oath of office, an oath to abide by a nation of laws and a constitution, above all others. And there's no question that I make that my primary responsibility."<ref name="faith hurdle"/> Mike Otterson, an LDS spokesman, said, "The suggestion that a Mormon leader would dictate policy to a President Romney is absurd, I can't imagine any president that would allow that."<ref name="faith hurdle"/> During the 1960 presidential campaign of [[John F. Kennedy]], similar allegations were made that a [[Roman Catholic]] would take orders from the [[Pope]].

Revision as of 14:54, 14 April 2007

Template:Future election candidate

Main articles: Mitt Romney and Political positions of Mitt Romney
For further reading, see Governorship of Mitt Romney.
Mitt Romney
File:Gov Romneyfree image.jpg
70th Governor of Massachusetts
In office
January 2, 2003 – January 4, 2007
LieutenantKerry Healey
Preceded byJane M. Swift (acting)
Succeeded byDeval Patrick
Personal details
BornMarch 12, 1947
Detroit, Michigan
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAnn Romney
ProfessionBusinessman
Romney (r), campaigning for GOP candidate Dick DeVos (c) for the 2006 Michigan Gubernatorial Election with Haley Barbour (l) in Saginaw, Michigan. Romney unofficially announced his run for presidency to the Michigan GOP office in late 2006.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney made his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential Election official on February 13, 2007 with an announcement from the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.[1] Romney had established his presidential campaign committee on January 3, 2007.

Romney's initial presidential campaign efforts in 2007 focus on:


Campaign development

Since 2004, Romney has been discussed as a potential 2008 presidential candidate.[3] His candidacy moved a major step closer on January 3, 2007 with the formation of an exploratory committee, and became official on February 13, 2007. Via the campaign committee press release announcing the establishment of the exploratory committee, Romney made it clear that it is a mere formality to announce a run for president, and that an announcement merely entails changing the name of the existing reporting entity, from "Romney for President Exploratory Committee, Inc." to "Romney for President Committee, Inc." and that money raised by the exploratory committee is the same account and entity as the money raised after any announcement, and of no consequence to the Federal Elections Commission.[4] Romney has spent a considerable amount of time giving political speeches in key primary battleground states. Romney also traveled the country during the 2006 election cycle to campaign for gubernatorial candidates as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, spending over 200 days outside Massachusetts.[5] While he did not run for reelection as governor, in 2004 Romney set up a federal political action committee (PAC) called the Commonwealth PAC,[6] which raised $2.71 million during the 2006 election cycle.[7][8]

On January 3, 2007, his next to last day in office as governor of Massachusetts, Romney filed to form a presidential exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission.[9]

On February 13, 2007, Romney formally announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president in 2008. Romney made his announcement at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.[10]

Fundraising

On January 9, Romney held his first fundraiser for his presidential campaign committee, bringing in $6.5 million, exceeding the amounts raised by other Republican Party contenders for nomination; John McCain and Rudy Giuliani were reported to have raised $2 million and $1 million respectively.[11] In Romney's 2002 run in the Massachussetts election, Mitt Romney contributed 65% of $9,456,557 raised for the Governor's race.[12]


On April 2, 2007, Romney's campaign released first quarter 2007 fundraising information. Romney led the GOP field by raising over $23 million, an amount greater than the other Republican candidates, but less than Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, who reported raising $26 million and $25 million, respectively, in the same period. Romney also reported a $2.35 million personal contribution to his campaign committee. Romney, a former venture capitalist with significant personal wealth and assets, had previously dismissed the notion of substantially self funding his campaign but justified the expenditure in the interest of "seeding" interest in his candidacy. [13]

Political positions

Main article: Political positions of Mitt Romney

Many of Mitt Romney's past and present political positions are visible through his actions, proposals, and statements made during his Massachusetts political campaigns and as governor of Massachusets, 2003-2007. During the later years of his term, he revised some of his previously espoused positions.[14]

Polls

A February 7, 2007 opinion poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports showed that 35% of the American public viewed Romney favorably, up from 29% the month before. About 34% of the respondents had no opinion. These polling numbers suggest that it may be an "uphill battle" for Romney to win the Presidency, but that he is gaining popularity.[15] National polls in January and February 2007 show Romney with consistent support at or just abvove 10%. State-wide polls often show similar results, although Romney polls slightly higher in many states. For a summary of White House 2008: Republican Nomination Polls, see footnote.[16]

Romney has made advances in several polls in recent weeks, including polling just 4% behind in Iowa, and sharing a tied lead with John McCain in New Hampshire.

Religious beliefs

Romney is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as being a Mormon). Many of Romney's beliefs supporting marriage between a man and a woman and on the importance of the family in society fall in line with the Church's teachings on the family, such as explicated in the 1995 LDS proclamation The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Romney is not a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which practices polygamy, and Romney has called polygamy "bizarre".[17]

Romney may be challenged by voters with the concern that a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would take commandments from the president of the church who is regarded as a living prophet. In an interview aired on Fox News Romney said, "America has a political religion, which is to place the oath of office, an oath to abide by a nation of laws and a constitution, above all others. And there's no question that I make that my primary responsibility."[18] Mike Otterson, an LDS spokesman, said, "The suggestion that a Mormon leader would dictate policy to a President Romney is absurd, I can't imagine any president that would allow that."[18] During the 1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy, similar allegations were made that a Roman Catholic would take orders from the Pope.

A February 8, 2007 National Public Radio article highlights six polls from national news agencies taken in December 2006; they show on average that 25% of Americans would definitely not vote for a Mormon for president, while 40% would be less inclined to do so.[18][19]

Romney's campaign speeches contain a standard response to the religion issue as a whole: "I believe in God. I believe in the family. I believe in America's future. It has a great role to preserve the peace on the planet. So the kinds of values I have are very much in line with those of the American people. My guess is as they get to know me better, there will be other faults that they find more troubling."[20]

Controversies

Romney kicks off campaign at Ford museum

The National Jewish Democratic Council, among other groups, as well as individuals such as Alan Dershowitz, were critical of Mitt Romney's decision to launch his presidential campaign at the Henry Ford Museum.[21][22] The president of the NJDC said: "[Romney's] embrace of Henry Ford and association of Ford's legacy with his presidential campaign raises serious questions about either the sincerity of Romney's words or his understanding of basic American history."[21] This was in response to the fact that Henry Ford was a high-profile antisemite, having published the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, The International Jew: The World's Foremost Problem, and having received from Adolf Hitler the Grand Service Cross of the Supreme Order of the German Eagle.[23][21]

"Governor Romney believes our country needs to put innovation at the forefront if we are to ensure a stronger, safer and more prosperous America", said a Romney spokesman in response. "The Ford Museum embodies that bold, innovative spirit.".[21] Another Romney spokesman stated, "I think most people, no matter what your ideology, saw that as a somewhat absurd criticism, given that it's a museum, a place of learning, a Michigan landmark. Thousands of schoolchildren go through this place."[24]

Invitation as Commencement Speaker to Regent University graduation

The March 2, 2007 edition of The Virginian-Pilot reported that "Regent students are upset at the selection of presidential candidate Mitt Romney as its May commencement speaker. The choice has riled some of Regent University's students and alumni who say his Mormon faith clashes with the school's bedrock evangelical Christianity."

"What we're against is the fact that Mormonism is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Christian values and what we believe", said Doug Dowdey, a Virginia Beach pastor who said he graduated from Regent's divinity school last year.

Pat Robertson, the Christian broadcaster who is Regent's founder and chancellor, invited Romney to be the keynote speaker. "Gov. Romney is running for the post of Chief Executive Officer, not Chief Theologian", Robertson stated.[25]

Claim of being a lifelong hunter

At a campaign rally in Keene, New Hampshire in April 2007, Romney, addressing a man in a National Rifle Association cap, said,

I purchased a gun when I was a young man. I've been a hunter pretty much all my life.

Thereafter, however, an aide stated that Romney had been hunting only twice in his life, once at age 15 and once in 2006.[26]

Endorsements

As of April 10, 2007, The Hill's running tally of endorsements from members of Congress showed Romney leading McCain for the lead among Republican candidates, with 28 to McCain's 26.[27] (See also Congressional endorsements for the 2008 presidential election.) Romney's endorsers included:

In addition, he has been endorsed by:

See also

References

  1. ^ Crowley, Candy [1] "Romney kicks off White House bid" CNN, February 13, 2007; retrieved March 29, 2007
  2. ^ [2] "Issue Watch - Mitt Romney for President 2008"; retrieved March 29, 2007
  3. ^ Bradley, Nina "Is Romney ready for the big time?: Mass. Gov. gets plum prime-time speaking spot during convention MSNBC, August 29, 2004; retrieved October 29, 2006
  4. ^ Governor Mitt Romney Forms Presidential Exploratory Committee Press Release. Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2007.
  5. ^ Mooney, Brian C. "Romney left Mass. on 212 days in '06" Boston Globe, December 24, 2006
  6. ^ Commonwealth Political Action Committee
  7. ^ Commonwealth PAC Report, 2006 PAC Summary Data Opensecrets.com, Center for Responsive Politics. Retreived February 5, 2007.
  8. ^ Commonwealth PAC Report, 2004 PAC Summary Data Opensecrets.com. Center for Responsive Politics. Retreived February 5, 2007.
  9. ^ Romney Takes Step Toward an ’08 Run New York Times, January 4, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
  10. ^ Romney formally announces run for president Boston Globe, February 13, 2007
  11. ^ Romney Kicks off Fundraising Campaign ABC News.com, Jan. 9, 2007
  12. ^ Mitt Romney contributes 65% of total contributions for Governor RaceFollow the Money Retrieved February 8, 2006.
  13. ^ GOP '08 Fundraising Totals: Romney Leads The Pack
  14. ^ See Governorship of Mitt Romney for further detail.
  15. ^ Romney Enters White House Race, Trails All Democrats Rasmussen Reports, February 7, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  16. ^ Summary of White House 2008: Republican Nomination Polls PollingReport.com Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  17. ^ Jason Szep, "Pressure on Romney to firmly address Mormon faith", Reuters, February 24, 2007. Accessed March 5, 2007.
  18. ^ a b c Faith Could Be Hurdle in Romney's White House Bid National Public Radio, February 8, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  19. ^ Mormon Candidate Braces for Religion as Issue The New York Times, February 8, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  20. ^ Mitt's a hit with Utahns: Legislators, key GOP donors greet the adopted son Salt Lake Tribune Linda Fantin, February 21, 2007
  21. ^ a b c d Joan Lowy, "Romney criticized by Jewish group for honoring Henry Ford", Associated Press, February 12, 2007. Accessed March 5, 2007.
  22. ^ "Mitt Romney and Henry Ford: Strange Bedfellows", Alan Dershowitz blog, February 14, 2007. Accessed March 5, 2007.
  23. ^ "Henry Ford Invents a Jewish Conspiracy", Jewish Virtual Library. Accessed March 5, 2007.
  24. ^ Rick Perlstein, "How Mitt Romney is Winning Over Conservative Republicans", The New Republic, February 21, 2007. Accessed March 5, 2007.
  25. ^ http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=120422&ran=110486]
  26. ^ http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/04/04/romney_self_described_lifelong_hunter_has_hunted_twice/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+News+%2F+Local+news+from+The+Boston+Globe%2C+AP%2C+and+Reuters
  27. ^ "Endorsements '08". The Hill. 2007-04-10. Retrieved 2007-04-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ Hastert Endorses Romney, January 23, 2007
  29. ^ http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0207/2769.html
  30. ^ U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch Endorses Governor Mitt Romney For President Press Release March 11, 2007 Romney for President, Inc. Retreived March 19, 2007
  31. ^ [3]
  32. ^ U.S. Sen. DeMint of South Carolina endorses Romney for president Boston Herald, January 10, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2007
  33. ^ http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070211/NEWS01/702110417/1007
  34. ^ Owens Endorses Romney
  35. ^ Governor Mitt Romney Announces Support of Governor Don Carcieri Press Release. March 13, 2007 Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved March 13, 2007
  36. ^ Talent backs Romney for President, February 02, 2007
  37. ^ Utah Leaders Endorse Governor Mitt Romney Press Release. February 20, 2007. Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  38. ^ Charleston Area Leaders Support Governor Mitt Romney Press Release. January 29, 2007. Romney for President Exploratory Committee, Inc. Retrieved February 15, 2007.
  39. ^ Mooney, Brian. Weld backs Romney for Oval Office: He bypasses friend and potential candidate Giuliani "Boston Globe", January 9, 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2007.
  40. ^ Indiana Secretary Of State Endorses Governor Mitt Romney Press Release. March 14, 2007. Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
  41. ^ Governor Mitt Romney Announces California Leadership Team Press Release. April 11, 2007. Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
  42. ^ Governor Mitt Romney Names Senator Stewart Iverson As Adviser To Iowa Campaign, Press Release. March 15, 2007
  43. ^ a b Massachusetts Leaders Endorse Governor Mitt Romney Press Release. February 15, 2007. Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved February 15, 2007.
  44. ^ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,255428,00.html
  45. ^ Brian Reardon To Serve As Senior Economic AdviserPress Release. March 7, 2007. Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  46. ^ Governor Mitt Romney Announces Support of James Bopp, Jr. Press Release. January 30, 2007. Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  47. ^ a b c d e f Governor Mitt Romney Announces Latin American Policy Advisory Group Press Release. February 28, 2007. Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  48. ^ Governor Mitt Romney Names Statewide Indiana Finanace Committee Press Release. April 5, 2007 Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
  49. ^ Governor Mitt Romney Announces Vin Weber as Policy Chairman Press Release. January 16, 2007. Romney for President, Inc. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  50. ^ http://mediamatters.org/items/200703030002
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