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Jan. 02, 2008
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MEET THE CANDIDATES: 11TH IN A SERIES: MITT ROMNEY

REPUBLICAN

BY PAUL HARASIM
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Elections
2008 ELECTIONS
Get more news, voter information


See other candidate profiles


Mitt Romney

BIRTHDAY: March 12, 1947 (60) HOMETOWN: Bloomfield Hills, Mich. RELIGION: Mormon

FAMILY: Married to Ann Davies since 1969; five children, 11 grandchildren

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    • EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, Brigham Young, 1971; MBA and law degree, Harvard, 1975

    EXPERIENCE: Vice president, management consultants Bain & Co., 1978-1984, returned in 1990 as CEO to revive the financially failing firm; founder and head of venture capital firm Bain Capital, 1984-2001; president, Salt Lake Organizing Committee for 2002 Winter Olympics, 1999-2002; governor of Massachusetts, 2003-2007

    YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW: Survived a head-on car crash in 1968 while driving with fellow Mormon missionaries in France. The other driver was at fault in the accident, which left one dead and Romney with serious injuries.

    CAMPAIGN OFFICIAL WEB SITE WWW.MITTROMNEY.COM

    DECISION TO RUN:

    Says he's running to ensure America is more prosperous for his children and grandchildren and everyone else's.

     

     

     

    MAJOR THEMES:

    Says his success in the private sector -- including as a venture capitalist and his turnaround of the troubled 2002 Salt Lake City winter games -- has given him the experience to deal with the global economy and economic challenges from China and India.

    IN NEVADA:

    Has the most robust grass-roots operation of any Republican candidate, including paid staff and volunteers. Romney has two offices in Nevada and has spent seven days campaigning here.

     

    IN THE POLLS

    NATIONALLY

    Has risen steadily in polls over the past six months, but still trails Rudy Giuliani and has been eclipsed somewhat by Mike Huckabee.

    NEVADA

    A Review-Journal poll earlier this month showed Romney

    5 points behind Giuliani, with 20 percent of the vote from

    likely Republican caucus-goers.

    POSITIONS

    WAR/NATIONAL SECURITY

    Supported the invasion of Iraq, but criticized the planning and management of the conflict. He supports the troop surge and believes the rise of radical Islam must be met by a buildup in the American military. He proposes placing 100,000 more soldiers on active duty and increasing defense spending by as much as $40 billion a year.

    HEALTH CARE

    He supports states making health insurance more affordable for their citizens through market reforms. He does not favor a federal plan. While governor of Massachusetts, he worked with Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy on a plan that required all citizens buy health insurance or enroll in Medicaid. The plan provides subsidies to help low-income citizens buy private health insurance.

    IMMIGRATION

    Favors securing the U.S.-Mexico border with a fence. Romney opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants and supports an employment-verification system. He says he would cut federal funds to states that grant illegal immigrants driver's licenses, sanctuary or provide college tuition discounts to their children.

    NEVADA ISSUES

    Won't rule out using Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste repository. Romney says any such repository must have the safety of the American people as its highest priority. In a written reply to questions posed by the Review-Journal, he says: "Before making significant decisions regarding Yucca Mountain ... I will consult with Nevada leaders like (Gov.) Jim Gibbons, (Lt. Gov.) Brian Krolicki, (Sen.) John Ensign, (Rep.) Jon Porter, and (Rep.) Dean Heller."

    ENERGY

    Supports developing alternative energy and technologies that increase energy efficiency. Romney opposes "Kyoto-style sweeping mandates," which he says would depress growth and "shift manufacturing to the dirtiest developing nations." Citing costs to businesses and consumers, he pulled Massachusetts out of a multi-state agreement to cut power plant emissions.

    TAXES

    Would make the Bush tax cuts permanent, abolish the estate tax and make savings tax-free for any taxpayer with an adjusted gross income under $200,000.

    CRITICS

    Some see Romney as an opportunist who changes his position on issues depending what's politically expedient. On abortion, Romney now says Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion, should be overturned and a constitutional amendment is appropriate. When running for governor in liberal Massachusetts, Romney made pro-choice comments. As governor, Romney initially opposed amending the Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman, saying it was unnecessary. In 2003, when the Massachusetts supreme court ruled in favor of legalized same-sex marriage, he lobbied for a state constitutional amendment. He now supports a federal marriage amendment.



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    B Sorenson wrote on January 10, 2008 12:32 AM: Mitt has worked harder and longer than any other candidate. He has made huge personal financial sacrifices and has said he would donate any pay as presiden to charity. He has shown a much broader appeal to Republicans than Huckabee or McCain. He hasn't tried to cerrypick states and has run a full 50 state campain. I encourage NV rep$ublicans to reward his hard work, his broad based republican stances and vote overwhelmingly for Mitt on Jan 19th.

    Let the news comming out of NV be heard over SC and let it send the message that the West has a say in who our next president will be. Get the vote out! and bring it out for mitt Romney!!!


    Eric Worthington wrote on January 06, 2008 11:36 AM: Here's a Mitt hit from 2005
    http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2005/10/mitt_romney_trailing_in_massachusetts_poll/
    It shows how poorly he was polling in MA after having tried to govern their for 4 years, other Republicans were polling past him.
    My favorite quote: "...the prospect of a guy who can’t win re-election in his own state moving on to the presidency is quite bizarre"
    He was an ineffectual Governor because he only bought the seat with his eyes on the oval office, unlike Huckabee who actually involved himself in the governance of Arkansas and dealt with his blue legislature. Mitt took the helm from a long line of Republican Governors in MA while Huckabee was the first Republican Governor in AK in decades. Huck took office from Bill Clinton with a $200K deficit and left it with a $800K surplus and a new road system.
    Mike Huckabee is the true governing conservative in this race.


    Steve wrote on January 02, 2008 05:22 PM: Our Country needs to get OUT OF DEBT.

    I think he could do it! Look what

    he did for the Olympics!


    Steve wrote on January 02, 2008 05:22 PM: Our Country needs to get OUT OF DEBT.
    I think he could do it! Look what
    he did for the Olympics!


    Joe F wrote on January 02, 2008 10:32 AM: I know McCain is a little swishy washy and I didn't like him teaming up with Teddy the killer on immigration to give amnesty but even at that he has to be better than any of the democrats or the so called republican Paul. Don't stay home if McCain is the nominee. We have to have some body in there that won't roll over and say come get us, we are willing to let you have this country as long as we don't have to fight. We might just be able to talk to you instead, yeah, like that would ever happen.


    Herb wrote on January 02, 2008 10:14 AM: I like Romney and would vote for him. I much prefer him to some of his Rep competitors, especially that ultimate RINO John McCain. If John McCain is the candidate I will stay home on election day.


    LTC wrote on January 02, 2008 09:54 AM: We are at a very critical time in America where now more than ever we need someone who understands economic growth and the world economy. Who is more qualified for this than Mitt?


    Joe F wrote on January 02, 2008 09:25 AM: I agree with Jim Hart but one time is enough to say the same thing. I'm probably going to vote for Huckabee, if not him then for Romney. One person I will never vote for is Paul. I know his supporter get all bent out of shape when I write that, I have gotten flak on other post about it. I also Like Thompson but seems like he's just not into it. I like his views because they are like mine, but you have to have somebody that really wants to win. It seems like every one of the candidates have to put their foot in their mouth and try to explain their way out the next day but that's politics.


    Jim Hart wrote on January 02, 2008 08:49 AM: Not a bad Candidate.



    I like how some folks bring up the Mormon issue. These seem to be the same folks that defend muslims. They say Mormons are wierd, but defend a religion that promotes kids walking onto school buses and blowing themselves up to kill 50 innocent kids, all for the purpose of obtaining the rights to 72 virgins so beautiful that they are in awe for 40 years prior to diving in.



    Now, you tell me what religion is frigin weird.


    Jim Hart wrote on January 02, 2008 08:48 AM: Not a bad Candidate.

    I like how some folks bring up the Mormon issue. These seem to be the same folks that defend muslims. They say Mormons are wierd, but defend a religion that promotes kids walking onto school buses and blowing themselves up to kill 50 innocent kids, all for the purpose of obtaining the rights to 72 virgins so beautiful that they are in awe for 40 years prior to diving in.

    Now, you tell me what religion is frigin weird.


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