Mitt Romney 2008

Mitt Romney and Iran

2007-02-22T19:37:00.000-08:00

Have a look at Mitt Romney's latest press release. Romney has sent a letter to prominent New York elected officials, including New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer.

Romney is calling for any state pension funds to stop investing in Iran, in an effort to isolate the country as it pursues nuclear weapons.

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney released a letter sent to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli urging that he pursue "a policy of strategic disinvestment from companies linked to the Iranian regime."

Letters urging support for this policy were also sent to New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and United States Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer.

In his letter, Governor Romney wrote:

"With your new responsibilities overseeing one of America's largest pension funds, you have a unique opportunity to lead an effort to isolate Iran as it pursues nuclear armament. I request that you immediately launch a policy of strategic disinvestment from companies linked to the Iranian regime. Screening pension investments and divesting from companies providing financial support to the Iranian regime or linked to Iran's weapons programs and terrorist activities could have a powerful impact. New investments should be scrutinized as long as Iran's regime continues its current, dangerous course."

Governor Romney believes that for the United States, there are few more urgent priorities than standing up to the Iranian government's dangerous actions. Eliminating financial support for this regime is a critical first step and will support future efforts.

Today's letters build on the five-point strategy to prevent a nuclear Iran that Governor Romney laid out earlier this year at the annual Herzliya Conference in Israel. As part of that strategy, Governor Romney called for further economic isolation of Iran by pursuing, in part, pension fund divestment. In January 2007, Governor Romney also helped arrange a meeting between former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Massachusetts State Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill to discuss divestment of pension funds.

Mitt Romney Launches New Ad

2007-02-20T10:28:00.000-08:00

MITT ROMNEY - STRONG. NEW. LEADERSHIP

Mitt Romney has produced a new ad which is expected to be broadcast on television in key states starting tomorrow. Although the states haven't been announced yet, they are anticipated to include Iowa, South Carolina, Michigan and New Hampshire.

Mitt Romney on ABC's This Week

2007-02-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney will today feature on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos. This week will be covering most of the major Presidential candidates during the year. Last week they followed Mike Huckabee.

"This Week goes on the trail for an EXCLUSIVE interview with Republican front-runner and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann Romney. It is their first Sunday interview since jumping into the presidential race. With his wife at his side, Romney faces tough questions about his religious beliefs and his political convictions. What does he say to evangelical Christians and others who are worried about a Mormon president? And, how does he respond to the charge that his new positions on abortion, gay rights and other issues are conversions of convenience?"

Boston Fundraiser Nets Romney $1million

2007-02-17T09:12:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney continued his successful fundraising on Thursday night, raising over $1 million at the Waterfront Convention Centre in Boston.

Hundreds of supporters turned up at the fundraiser which completed a three day tour after Romney announced his decision to seek the Presidency in Michigan on Tuesday. Romney has also been campaigning in Iowa.

This successful event adds to the $6.5 million Romney raised on one day in early January.

It is rumored that Romney will be spending a lot of time between now and March 31 boosting his campaign finances. The money may be used to buy Mitt Romney some advertising, to boost his recognition outside of Massachusetts.

Romney Still Supports Troop Surge

2007-02-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney appeared last night on The O'Reilly Factor with Bill O'Reilly. He has again made it clear that he supports the President's decision to send more troops to Iraq. But he is quite keen to bring the troops home as soon as it is possible, without jeopardising the region.

ROMNEY: Well, as long as there's a pathway to a successful resolution in Iraq, meaning a stable central government even with some sub states that are strong, that's a pathway we have to pursue. And the president and al-Maliki from Iraq have said that they believe that there is a course of being successful which would include providing security for the citizens of Iraq and allowing the country to rebuild itself.

And that that's going to require an extra 20,000 or 25,000 personnel. My view is that's something we ought to try as long as there's a pathway that looks like it's reasonably probable of being successful. If it's not working, and we'll know within a few months, then we can take a different course.

But simply turning around and walking away could lead to the kinds of terrible outcomes that could ultimately require even more troops coming in and more casualties. Our interest here is all the same. Get our boys and our women home as soon as we possibly can. But don't do it in such a way that we cause the kind of event that would require us to have to come back.

O'REILLY: All right. Now, so you are saying that a few more months and if we don't see improvement then we have to redeploy the troops?

ROMNEY: Well, at that point we'll look at what other plans are available. But right now the right course is to provide security to the Iraqi citizens.

Transcript of Romney's interview here.

Romney on ABC This Week

2007-02-16T05:36:00.001-08:00

Mitt Romney will appear this Sunday on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

The show is being promoted as "On the Trail" where Romney will talk about his Faith, his future and his fight for the White House.

Romney Makes it Official

2007-02-13T07:53:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney this morning announced that he will be seeking the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

Romney's announcement was made in Michigan, the state in which he grew up, and where his father was Governor.

Mitt Romney is consistently the third favorite in the polls, behind Rudy Giuliani and John McCain. But Romney has more appeal to social conservatives than the leaders, and does have a good capacity for fundraising.

Romney also has a good record as Governor of Massachusetts and CEO of the Salt Lake Winter Olympics.

"I do not believe Washington can be transformed by someone who has never tried doing such a thing before, in any setting, by someone who has never even managed a corner store, let alone the largest enterprise in the world.

"Throughout my life, I have pursued innovation and transformation. It has taught me the vital lessons that come only from experience, from failures and successes, from the private, public and voluntary sectors, from small and large enterprise, from leading a state, from being in the arena, not just talking about it. Talk is easy, talk is cheap. It is doing that is hard. And it is only in doing that hope and dreams come to life.

"This Christmas, Ann and I gathered my five sons and five daughters-in-law to ask them whether I should run for President.

"We talked about the special time this is in the history of America - the challenges and the opportunities. We talked about the qualities that are needed in our leaders. They were unanimous. They know our hearts. They know our values. They know my experience innovating and transforming, in business, in the Olympics, and in Massachusetts. And they know we love this country.

"And so, with them behind us, with the fine people of Michigan before us, and with my sweetheart beside me, I declare my intention to run for President of the United States.
"It has been said that a person is defined by what he loves and by what he believes and by what he dreams.

"I love America and I believe in the people of America."

For the full transcript of Romney's speech, head to his website.

Watch Mitt Romney Announce Live

2007-02-12T18:09:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney will be formally announcing tomorrow morning that he will be a candidate for President of the United States. (Tuesday, 9am EST)

The announcement which will take place in Romney's home state of Michigan, will be streamed live via his website.

To watch, go to www.mittromney.com

Mitt Romney in Michigan

2007-02-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney yesterday gave a speech to over 3000 party activists at the GOP convention in his former home state of Michigan.

Romney spoke about bringing Republican principles back to Michigan, and also again ran through his opposition to abortion and same sex marriage.

Romney went on last night to Missouri, and gave a speech to the Lincoln Days Conference.

Mitt Romney will head back to Michigan on Tuesday, where he will formally announce that he will be a candidate for President.

Romney Speaks on Tax

2007-02-08T23:33:00.001-08:00

Mitt Romney gave a speech Wednesday to the Detroit Economic Club. He spoke primarily about the following:

Making the Bush Tax Cuts permanent
Reforming the Tax Code
Tax Free Savings
Fiscal Discipline
Regulatory Relief
National Tort Reform
Fuel Efficiency

Check Romney out here talking on CNBC about the Bush Tax Cuts.

Romney Will Announce Tuesday

2007-02-06T23:23:00.000-08:00

Former Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, will officially declare next Tuesday that he will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, according to sources close to Romney.

Romney will head back to his home state of Michigan to make the announcement. Its the same state that Romney's father, former Governor of Michigan announced his bid for the 1968 nomination.

He is due to give a speech at the Henry Ford Museum, with a tour in the following days of key early primary states.

Whip Team for Mitt Romney

2007-02-06T23:15:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney today announced his Congressional Whip team, to be led by Representative Jim McCrey. The 22 Members of the House of Representatives met at the Capitol Hill Club today to show their support for Romney.

The team will provide support to Romney in helping with his outreach efforts to the House.

The team is as follows:

Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA) - House Congressional Liaison
Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI) - House Co-Congressional Liaison
Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) - House Co-Congressional Liaison
Former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA)
Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY)
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL)
Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY)
Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
Rep. John Campbell (R-CA)
Rep. John Duncan (R-TN)
Rep. John Linder (R-GA)
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL)
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID)
Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI)
Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH)
Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-LA)
Rep. Ron Lewis (R-KY)
Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)

Mitt Romney Secures Kentucky Support

2007-02-04T01:17:00.002-08:00

Mitt Romney was in Kentucky yesterday, addressing over 1500 people at the Annual Lincoln Day Dinner in Louisville.

Romney's speech included an attack on Hillary Clinton for her call to engage Iran, like was done with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Romney disagreed strongly, saying this was a major mistake. "Advocating engagement displays a troubling timidity toward a terrible threat. The right strategy is not engagement, but economic and diplomatic isolation," Romney said.

Romney also continued his campaign of picking up supporters - he has secured the endorsements of 3 Kentucky Congressmen, Ron Lewis, Harold Rogers and Ed Whitfield.

Romney Appoints Adviser on Life Issues

2007-02-04T01:17:00.001-08:00

Mitt Romney has continued his push to secure the conservative vote of the GOP by appointing a senior campaigner for right to life groups in America.

James Bopp Jr, who is also a member of the Republican National Committee will become Romney's Special Adviser on Life Issues.

Bopp said that Romney's record on fundamental life issues is one that is "..not just words but action" and he is proud to be a Romney supporter.

Romney on ABC Nightline

2007-01-31T22:10:00.001-08:00

ABC Nightline have been doing a series "The Contenders". This week they spent the day with Mitt Romney when he was campaigning in Iowa.

It's worth looking at, it shows the Mitt Romney that many Americans are not yet familiar with.

And it also discusses the Mormon issue, and show some disturbing poll results regarding the electability of Mormon candidates. Why a candidate's faith matters so much is unclear, and just slightly worrying. But Romney's response is good.

Check out part 1 below.

DeMint Campaigns with Romney

2007-01-30T00:22:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney spent yesterday in key state South Carolina touring with Senator Jim DeMint.

Having already secured the support of DeMint, Romney yesterday was endorsed by 3 prominent locals, former Governor Jim Edwards, former Congressman Tommy Hartnett and Republican National Committeewoman Cindy Costa.

Romney said that these are a "remarkable group of people and their support means the world to me."

Romney continues his tour of South Carolina this morning at a breakfast meet and greet in Colombia.

Romney has been to South Carolina a number of times in the past year.

South Carolina's other Senator, Lindsey Graham is supporting front runner, John McCain.

Mitt Romney at Conservative Summit

2007-01-29T23:59:00.001-08:00

Mitt Romney was in Washington D.C on Saturday to deliver a speech to the National Review's Conservative Summit.

Hoping to differentiate himself from lead candidate's John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, Romney is campaigning hard for the conservative vote.

Romney spoke of the need for fiscal responsibility, and his desire to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.

Romney Donated to Democrats

2007-01-27T12:15:00.000-08:00

Following on from the questions raised over Mitt Romney's moderate past, it has been revealed this week that Romney donated money to Democratic candidates in 1992.

Romney donated money to Democrat Rep. Richard Swett and Rep. John LaFalce. He also made a contribution to an unsuccessful Democrat in a Utah Senate seat.

A Romney spokesperson said the following on the issue.

"A $250 contribution made almost 15 years ago is obviously greatly overshadowed by strong conservative governing and a proud Republican record of balanced budgets and pro-family advocacy."

Romney in South Carolina Monday

2007-01-27T12:12:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney will be heading to key early state South Carolina on Monday.

Romney will be appearing in Aiken, Anderson, Charleston and Columbia.

South Carolina is a strong state for frontrunner, John McCain. Romney will be attempting to cut back some of the lead McCain has in the polls.

New Poll - Romney on 7%

2007-01-27T12:09:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney has come in 4th in a poll released today by CNN.

The poll has Rudy Giuliani on 32%, John McCain on 26% and Newt Gingrich on 9%.

It was conducted between 19-21 January and has a margin of error of 5%.

Hoekstra Joins Romney

2007-01-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

The senior Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Pete Hoekstra has joined the Mitt Romney exploratory committee to advise on U.S intelligence matters. He will also be co-chair of the Michigan State organization.

Hoekstra said that he knows that "...the professionals who serve in the Intelligence Community will be well served under Governor Romney."

On Tuesday, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert joined the Romney team.

Romney Supports Bush Health Plan

2007-01-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Responding to the State of the Union Address by President Bush, Mitt Romney has said that he supports the plans to make health insurance more affordable.

As Governor of Massachusetts, Romney presided over a new plan to protect those who couldn't get health care.

Mitt Romney's statement on the State of the Union here.

Romney is currently in Israel and yesterday gave a speech at the Seventh Annual Herzliya Conference.

Hastert Joins Romney

2007-01-24T06:54:00.000-08:00

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert has joined the Romney exploratory committee in what is sure to a big boost for his chances to secure the Republican Nomination. Hastert is a senior player in the Republican Party and was Speaker from 1999 until early January when Nancy Pelosi took over.

Romney said that the addition of Hastert to his team was " a clear indication that our message is being embraced across the country."

Other Republicans endorsing Romney include Senatot DeMint, Rep. Dave Camp and Rep. Marsha Blackburn.

POST/ABC Poll - Romney 3rd - 9%

2007-01-21T18:09:00.001-08:00

In a poll conducted last week by the Washington Post and ABC, Mitt Romney secured 9% of respondents, equal with Newt Gingrich who has yet to declare if he is running.

Leading the poll was Rudy Giuliani on 34%, followed by John McCain on 27%.

A number of other declared candidates like Tom Tancredo and Jim Gilmore were on 1% each.

Romney supports gun owners

2007-01-16T06:46:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney was at a gun show in Florida on Friday and said that he was "...proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms."

Romney said that "Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution".

Romney is still seeking to attract the conservative base of the Republicans. However, his record as Governor and Senate Candidate in Massachusetts may come back to haunt him. Massachusetts has some of the toughest gun laws in the country, and although Romney did attempt to placate gun owners, his stance may not wash with many in the GOP.

However, apparently Romney attended the gun show with the Vice President of the NRA. His campaign might just be working.

Major fundraising success for Romney

2007-01-13T22:36:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney has succeeded in raising over $6.5million in one day for his Presidential Campaign after a team of 400 volunteers made over 15,000 phone calls to supporters across the country.

The Romney camp called the event "National Call Day" and Mitt said that he was overwhelmed by the incredible response. Romney had apparently hoped to raise just $1million.

Mitt Romney supporters like the Chief Executive of eBay and Missouri Governor Matt Blunt were on the phones requesting donations.

Some Presidential campaign commentators have said that a serious candidate would have to raise up to $100million. This effort by Romney on one day puts him well into the category of being taken as seriously as McCain and Giuliani.

That is, if he hasn't already exhausted his donor base. According to Time Magazine earlier this week, Romney had just over $500,000 in the campaign account and placed him at odds of 15-1.

This funraising effort would take him to the top of the GOP candidate list with over $7million.

It's a very good start.

Romney explains the 94 debate

2007-01-12T05:56:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney has issued a press release on that debate with Ted Kennedy in 1994.

He has also followed up with a brief video, submitted on youtube, which shows him talking on the phone to Glenn and Helen from instapundit.com, answering a question on his statements during the 94 debate. In a remarkable coincidence, a camera just happened to be there filming, and the answer to the question was uninterrupted for well over 1 minute. Tough question too!

Nevertheless, this almost instant response from Romney was a clever move. The story hardly had a chance to hit the media before Romney himself, not a campaign aide, responded. And what a good explantaion he made, the video makes Romney look genuine and willing to accept what he calls his past mistakes as well as appearing extremely confident and comfortable. It's a good pitch to the social conservatives in the GOP.

Watch the video here.

Romney supports Bush troop surge

2007-01-12T05:33:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney has issued a statement that he supports President Bush's decision to send an extra 21,500 troops to Iraq.

Romney said that "In consultation with Generals, military experts and troops who have served on the ground in Iraq, I believe securing Iraqi civilians requires additional troops."

Mitt Romney joins John McCain as another candidate to support extra troops to try to contain the violence in Iraq. They stand in contrast to potential candidate Chuck Hagel who today called the Iraq War “the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam.”

The Democratic National Committee have criticized Romney for his statement and have linked it to his apparent attempts to secure the conservative base of the GOP. DNC press secretary Stacie Paxton stated that "Apparently Romney will endorse any of President Bush's failed policies if it helps him run to the right, even if it means ignoring our military leaders and sending more American troops into the middle of a civil war in Iraq."

Mitt Romney's moderate past on Youtube

2007-01-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

It doesn't take long these days for a candidate's previous statements to be put out into the public domain. No longer do we have to wait for the negative attacking advertising.

In this youtube post from the 1994 Senate election debate with Ted Kennedy, Romney makes his position known on the various social issues which could challenge his push to capture the conservative base of the Republican Party.

This is abbreviated coverage of the debate, but it highlights issues like abortion, gay rights, affirmative action and the Reagan Administration.

The debate emphasises the fact that Romney is extremely moderate on all of these issues.

Regarding abortion, Romney states that "I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. My personal beliefs...should not be brought into a personal campaign. I do not impose my beliefs on other people. Those beliefs are very dear to me..you will not see me wavering on that or being multiple choice"

Romney also distances himself from the Reagan Administration, calling himself more of an Independent.

Watch the video here.

Exploratory Committee for Romney 08

2007-01-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney has officially declared that he has set up an Exploratory Committee for a possible bid for the Republican nomination for President. On his final day in office Romney stated that he has "...decided to take this initial step of forming an exploratory committee in order to raise the resources and build the campaign organization required to pursue the highest office in our country".

Serving as Governor of Massachusetts for the last 4 years, Romney has built a varying reputation, both within the state and across the country.

Romney is Mormon, and this is increasingly becoming an issue for the media - although why this is deemed to be an issue is unclear. The main reasons cited by media outlets is because there has never been a Mormon President and that some in the Republicans will never vote to nominate a Mormon. It is perhaps the same logic many media agencies will place on the Obama and Clinton tilts.

That aside, the biggest problem for Romney lies in his record. Not only has Romney been a Republican Governor in a moderate state, he made a bid for the Senate in 1994 against Ted Kennedy. In doing so, he has made many comments in the past particularly on gay rights and abortion issues - positions he had which he has now changed.

He has obviously seen the light. Romney will be making his pitch to the socially conservative wing of the GOP, seeking to capitalise on the seemingly moderate labels given to McCain or Giuliani.

Romney's first major announcement was to sign the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge", to ensure that there are no increases to the marginal income tax rate.

He has surrounded himself with a team of advisors, including Colorado Governor, Bill Owens, and former Members of President Bush's team.

At this stage Romney is considered third favorite behind Giuliani and McCain. However, he is clearly the leading contender on the conservative side. It remains to be seen if his "flip flopping" in the past as one commentator noted, will damage his chances for the nomination.