Posted on 12/16/2006 8:31:31 PM PST by Jeff Fuller
This wonderful interview Romney had with K Lo of NRO adresses many of the "hot-button" issues of our day and of Romney's past. The whole interview is worth reading, but I thougth I'd highlight the discussions of Iraq, gay rights, and abortion. He also gives an impressive reading list (aides say he's a voracious reader) and he ends with a quippy potential exposee/You-tube scandal that could end his chances.
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Finally, inferring that our troops may be withdrawn from combat positions before Iraq is secure runs counter to my view and to the views I have heard from some of America’s most accomplished military leaders.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.
Now onto the Gay-Rights issues:
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: Congressman Harold Ford and 33 other Democrat House members voted for a federal marriage amendment this year; you don’t hear a whole lot of coverage of facts like that — or criticisms that they might be as mean and hateful as Republicans who vote similarly are regularly characterized. Does the mainstream media have double standards for Republicans?
Gov. Romney: Well, they do tend to ignore a lot of facts on this issue. How many people have heard that marriage amendments or referendums this year passed by large margins including by 84 percent in Tennessee; 84 percent in South Carolina, 58 percent in Virginia, and by 59 percent in Wisconsin? In 2004 similar measures passed by wide margins in 13 states. California passed a referendum by 61 percent opposing same-sex marriage in 2000. This is a mainstream issue on which most Americans are fairly united but coverage often doesn’t reflect that.
And then onto abortion:
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.
Nice to hear such an articulate and "common-sense-ical" opinion on the ISG. Sure, it's always easier to poke-holes in something like the ISG report than to offer real alternatives, but at least it shows that Romney understands many of the important issues and can persuasively argue his points. I believe Romney has the biggest "upside" of any 2008 POTUS hopeful on either side.
I'd also like to hear what everyone thinks of Romney's clarification on the gay-rights and abortion issues (I'm sure there will be plenty of opinions).
Pinging, again, "all the usual suspects" of Romney commentors (pro-, anti-, and undecided).
Fire away!
I prefer Pence and will work for that in the primary, but I would have no problem actively supporting Romney if he becomes our candidate.
I do not favor anyone at this juncture, but Romney is easy one the eyes. :)
I said it once and I'll say it again...
Mitt is a GOOD GUY!
I was young and formerly stupid and believed the whole "feminist rag".
I have changed my mind now that the internet is here and I know so many more facts regarding the after affects.
GIVE MITT A BREAK!
He is a truly good person.
I don't buy Romney's epiphany. He is pandering for GOP conservative primary votes. The truth is, is that he tacks as the political terrain changes. On social issues, I don't think he cares much either way. He is a mirror. I think less of him than I did. He should have been more honest.
I loved that too! Romney's got the humor factor working for him too. He's got a quick wit.
Romney sounds VERY viable for '08!
You did not have the reaction that I did I take it, that this was disingenuous central station. I prefer candidates that have well reasoned opinions, and are honest about them. Sure one can say, that Mass is Mass, and the US is the US, and one must be pragmatic about public opinion, to be effective, but Romney didn't say that. His comments about abortion were ersatz city. I don't believe a word he said. I say that as an abortion "centrist," as you know.
Not to worry. The "real" comservatives won't vote for him.
Right. I do not share your reaction this time. My issues are national security, WOT and in Iraq, Iran and federal judges, not what he said or didn't say to Log Cabin Republicans.
It is an honesty thing with me. I am relaxed about what Potus candidates say about social issues. It doesn't matter much, other than when it comes to SCOTUS appointments.
Nah, Guliani has the pro-abort, pro-gay marriage segment locked up, why would Mitt fight on such small, and claimed, turf.
Romney's a member of the Federalist society and one of the most outspoken leaders against activist judges (he's seen how they can usurp their power to legislate in MA firsthand). I would be confident in his SCOTUS nominations. I'm more worried about the make-up of the Senate at the time.
I'm not so sure of that. Unless Mike Pence jumps in, this real conservative will probably vote for Romney.
I'm afraid you're not a "real" conservative. Most of them have already posted they will not consider Romney.
I blogged the most relevant part of this interview, it had nothing to do with gays or abortion, read it here (or just read the last part of the interview he did with KLo
http://paindealer.blogspot.com/2006/12/what-romney-reads-and-why-it-matters.html
What did you think of Romney's comments about the ISG, Iran, Syria, etc . . .? I liked the bit about how sometimes it must be realized that we have more to lose than to gain through negotiations. I don't like Iran and Syria holding all the cards on the Iraq situation.
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