Vanity: Romney Rocks in Reno/Sparks, Nevada

The Conservative Leadership Conference was held at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Hotel/Casino in Sparks, Nevada (Sparks is right next door to Reno, Nevada), from Thursday, October 11 through Saturday, October 12, 2007. There was a very large turnout. There were several conservative speakers who attended, including Mitt Romney and Duncan Hunter. Ron Paul and Alan Keyes were also among the featured speakers. I was working the conference itself, as a concierge to the public speakers in the VIP room, as well as helping to register guests, media and speakers.

Governor Romney spoke on Friday, October 12th. He first spoke at the town hall meeting, which was sponsored by the Nevada Republican Women’s organization (it was open to the public). The crowd was huge. I’ve seen YouTube videos of his other town hall meetings, and this one was by far the best. He was relaxed yet dynamic, really funny, well-spoken, and down to earth. He not only gave ideas, but concrete plans for those ideas. To say he connected with the audience would be an understatement. My favorite line was when he quoted Senator Cankles recently saying "I have a million ideas. The country can't afford them all" to which he replied, “Well, then I have a million reasons not to vote for her!”, which received a rousing round of applause from the group. He received several standing ovations.

Personal note: I had the opportunity to meet and talk to him for a couple of minutes prior to his first speaking engagement (the Town Hall Meeting). My personal observation is that he is TRULY a lovely person. You can just tell he is a good man, as the goodness just seems to emanate from him. His smile was genuine, not plastic, and he was jovial and relaxed prior to the meeting. In case ya’ll are wondering, he had a firm, sincere, look-you-in-the-eye handshake. Can ya’ll tell I was beyond impressed with the man? I also had the opportunity to be in the VIP room (only a small amount of people were allowed inside), to speak with him again and to take more pictures.

After he answered questions at the Town Hall Meeting, he went back to the VIP lounge and rested for a few minutes before getting ready for the press junket. He really interviews well. He was prepared, confident, and concise. He is definitely ready for prime time.

I could not believe the stamina of Governor Romney and of his national campaign staff! He was in continuous fluid motion, from one speaking engagement to the next, from one interview to the next one. He and his staff are a finely-tuned, cohesive machine. I observed that he was meticulous in his appearance, polite to his staff and everyone around him, and incredibly focused despite the demands of his crazy schedule.

I spoke to several of my fellow conference volunteers, some of them college republicans, who were either undecided or uniformed about Mitt Romney. They were blown away (in a good way) by him at both his speaking engagements, highly impressed with his message, and told me they could confidently envision him as our next president. In short, he had earned their votes.

The best thing I liked about Mitt Romney was his optimism for the future of the country (with the right leader!), and particularly of its people. He was very direct in wanting to gather, as he calls it, “the three legs of the Republican Party”, which are the social conservatives, the fiscal conservatives, and the military/defense conservatives, in order to have them coalesce into the one great party that Ronald Regan had been able to bring together and make strong. I share that view with him. I’ve noticed that we’ve been so busy with the infighting that we’ve forgotten that want a lot of the same things. We in the GOP, by and large, share the same goal: save and protect our country from within (and from the outside), and work together to keep the Hildebeast from taking “the ring”. Romney is the one who can to do it, folks, like it or not. Our country would be lucky to have him.

As a side note, unfortunately my daughter broke her ankle on the trampoline, so I had to leave the conference early. I am so bummed out that I missed Duncan Hunter by 30 minutes!! I would’ve been his concierge as well had I been able to stay. I did have the opportunity, however, to speak with his campaign staff. They were lovely people and clearly appreciate and love their candidate. I personally think he is a wonderful statesman and agree more with him on many issues than anyone else, however, unless he’s on the ticket as VP, I don’t see him getting anywhere in this election cycle. That’s my opinion, but I don’t think I’m alone here.

Also, I had the misfortune of hearing Ron Paul and Alan Keyes speak. We all know Ron Paul has, well, walked off the reservation, but DANG, he’s starting to scare me! I had a personal assistant volunteer (high school student), who got stuck listening to one of his supporters go off on how Mitt Romney is a member of a political society that is conspiring to establish a One World Order, etc, etc…she was smart enough to tell him “I love the X-Files, too, but I know it’s only a tv show!” BWAAAAAAHAAAAA! I have trained you well, my young Jedi.

I really used to like Alan Keyes, but he sounded so shrill and, well, nuts. There were a few points I could agree with him on, but yikes! What went wrong, Dude? I have problems with political speakers pulling the race card, especially as a crutch. I’ll leave it at that.

Below are pics of my meeting with Governor Romney, as well as pics I took with former Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn and Nevada Congressman Dean Heller. BTW, I’m the American of Hispanic Descent brunette in all the pictures! I had so much fun! It was a busy, exhausting, exhilarating day. I wish ya’ll could’ve been there!

Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism

War on Terror

Governor Romney: "The jihadists are waging a global war against the United States and Western governments generally with the ambition of replacing legitimate governments with a caliphate, with a theocracy."
Governor Romney (On the Threat of Radical Jihadism): "In the current conflict, there is only one way to lose, and that is if we as a civilized world decide not to lift a finger to defend ourselves, or our values, and our way of life. I will not be silent, you will not be silent."
Mitt Romney supports our troops and their mission in Iraq (watch the video). He supports President Bush's "Troop Surge" plan to stabilize the population in Iraq and bring the conflict to a successful conclusion.
Governor Romney: "Today, the nation's attention is focused on Iraq. All Americans want U.S. troops to come home as soon as possible. But walking away now or dividing Iraq up into parts and walking away later would present grave risks to the United States and the world. Iran could seize the Shiite south, al Qaeda could dominate the Sunni west, and Kurdish nationalism could destabilize the border with Turkey. A regional conflict could ensue, perhaps even requiring the return of U.S. troops under far worse circumstances. There is no guarantee that the new strategy pursued by General Petraeus will ultimately succeed, but the stakes are too high and the potential fallout too great to deny our military leaders and troops on the ground the resources and the time needed to give it an opportunity to succeed."
^{(Governor Mitt Romney, "Rising To A New Generation Of Global Challenges," Foreign Affairs, July/August 2007)}
Gov. Romney Called The Petraeus Report "Good News For Americans And Iraqis." ROMNEY: "Today's testimony from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker confirms the progress being made by our troops in Iraq. This is good news for Americans and Iraqis. The importance of a successful conclusion to Iraq must be weighed in light of the global threat of violent Jihad and terror. America must continue its commitment to the strategy General Petraeus is executing."
^{(Romney For President, Governor Romney on Today's Iraq Testimony, Press Release, 9/10/07)}
Gov. Mitt Romney Believes That General Petraeus Is An American Hero And Is Serving His Country Nobly. "I think the American people listened with interest to General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker and recognized that we have true American patriots and heroes here. And they expressed their views openly. ... [T]hey pointed out the good and the bad. The net in both of their testimony was that we are making progress..."
^{(WLS 890 AM's "Don Wade & Roma," 9/12/07)}
Governor Romney: "[I] Think It's Time For American Citizens And Politicians To Make A Surge Of Support To Stand Behind Our Troops In Iraq." 'At a time when American families and individuals are making a surge of sacrifice to support this troop surge, I think it's time for American citizens and politicians to make a surge of support,' Romney said Wednesday in Pelham, N.H., a comment he repeated throughout the day.
^{(Glen Johnson, "Romney Donates $25,000 Amid Plea For Patriotic 'Surge,'" The Associated Press, 8/2/07)}
Governor Romney Is Encouraging Americans To Support Military Support Organizations. "A father's concern about U.S. support for the military surge in Iraq has prompted Republican Mitt Romney to both make a $25,000 donation to a variety of military support agencies and urge Americans to engage in a similar display of patriotism. The money will be divided between USO Care Packages, the Fisher House, A Soldiers Wish List, Packages from Home, Operation Thank You, Operation Shoebox and America Supports You. Links to each site have been placed on Romney's presidential campaign Web site, www.MittRomney.com/Surge."
^{(Glen Johnson, "Romney Donates $25,000 Amid Plea For Patriotic 'Surge,'" The Associated Press, 8/2/07)}
Governor Romney Said That The Direction In Which MoveOn Is Driving The Democrat Party Is "Disgusting." GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "And I frankly don't understand why Hillary Clinton hasn't repudiated MoveOn.org at this point. And I'm afraid the truth is that MoveOn.org has purchased the Democratic Party, if you will. That its funding, and the status of this 527, and the voice it has in the Democratic Party is so powerful that it's now calling the shots. And that Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama and John Edwards are afraid to repudiate an ad and an organization which has taken a disgusting course against a great American."
^{(MSNBC's "Morning Joe," 9/14/07) Read more at The Romney Vision: Gov. Romney Calls on Dems to Repudiate MoveOn Attack on Gen. Petraeus}
Governor Romney on the Senate's Vote Condemning the MoveOn.org Ad. GOV. ROMNEY: "Hillary Clinton had a choice. She could stand with our troop commander in Iraq, or she could stand with the libelous left wing of her party. She chose the latter. The idea that she would be a credible commander-in-chief of our armed forces requires the willing suspension of disbelief."
^{(Sen. Hillary Clinton Voted Against Senate Language Condemning The MoveOn Attack On Gen. David Petraeus, Senate Amdt. 2934, Roll Call Vote #344: Passed 72-25, 9/20/07)}
Gov. Romney Blasted Rep. Clyburn's Recent Comments That Good News In Iraq Was Trouble For Democrats. ROMNEY: "We don't just need a surge on the ground in Iraq – we need a surge of support for our troops as well. Democrats say they support the troops, but many don't support the work they are doing to make the surge successful. Representative Clyburn, the third-highest ranking House Democrat, said it would be a 'real big problem' for Democrats if progress is made in Iraq. That's not a problem but good news for all Americans." (Gov. Mitt Romney, 7/31/07)
Mitt Romney holds some of the most hawkish, anti-jihadist positions among the top-tier candidates; especially against Iran as revealed in his major foreign policy speech delivered at the Seventh Annual Herzliya Conference in Israel on January 23, 2007. Romney was the only candidate who traveled to Israel to attend the conference and speak. While attending the conference, Gov. Romney had private meetings with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and other Israeli officials and toured the country's borders with Gaza and Lebanon.
Watch the short video clips from his speech about Iran and decide if you like what you hear from Mitt Romney concerning the War on Terror.
Romney: On Why Wishful Thinking on Iran is Wrong
On Confronting the Iran Threat: A 5-Point Plan
Concluding Remarks on the Iran Threat (with comments on Romney's plan from former Ambassador Ronald Lauder)
Transcript of speech at Seventh Annual Herzliya Conference
Excerpts:
"What we should have realized since 9/11 is that what the world regarded as an Israeli-Arab conflict over borders represented something much larger. It was the oldest, most active front of the radical Islamist jihad against the entire world. It was not really about borders. It was about the refusal of many parts of the Muslim world to accept Israel's right to exist - within any borders.
"This distinction was brought into clear focus this summer. The war in Lebanon had little to do with the Palestinians. It had nothing to do with a two-state solution. It demonstrated that Israel is now facing a jihadist threat that runs from Tehran through Damascus to Southern Lebanon to Gaza.
"As Tony Blair quite accurately put it, Hezbollah was not fighting 'for the coming into being of a Palestinian state...but for the going out of being of an Israeli state.'
"Yet I don't think we have still not fully absorbed the magnitude of the change. I think it is critical that we understand that as far as our enemies are concerned, there is just one conflict. And in this single conflict, the goal of destroying Israel is simply a weigh station toward the real goal of subjugating the entire world.
Summary of Governor Romney's Five-Point Plan To Confront The Iran Threat
First, We Should Tighten Economic Sanctions. The Administration deserves recognition for restricting access to banking and credit services. Other nations must act now to follow our lead. In addition, Governor Romney has called for strategic divestment from companies that support the Iranian regime's dangerous actions. As the world's financial center, no state could have a bigger impact than New York. After a new state Comptroller was named for New York, Governor Romney wrote the Comptroller, Governor Spitzer and Senators Schumer and Clinton urging them to join in the effort to stop New York pension funds from aiding Iran's efforts.
Second, We Should Isolate Iran Diplomatically. Their leaders should be made to feel like those of Apartheid South Africa. Until there are indications that high level engagement would do anything other than reward bad behavior, the United States should not engage Iran in direct, bilateral negotiations over their nuclear weapons program. Finally, Iran's President Ahmadinejad should be indicted under the terms of the Genocide Convention for incitement to genocide.
Third, Arab States Must Join This Effort To Prevent A Nuclear Iran. These states should support Iraq's government; turn down the temperature of the Arab-Israeli conflict; stop the financial and weapons flows to Hamas and Hezbollah; and tell the Palestinians to drop their terror campaign and recognize Israel's right to exist.
Fourth, We Must Make It Clear To The Iranian People That While Nuclear Capabilities May Be A Source Of Pride, It Can Also Be A Source Of Peril. If nuclear material from their nation falls into the hands of terrorists and is used, it would provoke a devastating response from the civilized world. The military option remains on the table.
Fifth, Our Strategy Must Be Integrated Into A Broader Approach To The Muslim World. We must work with moderate Muslim communities and leaders to build a lasting Partnership for Prosperity and Progress.
Gov. Mitt Romney denied Massachusetts state police protection to Iran’s former President Khatami when he visited Boston to speak at Harvard and Romney ordered all other Massachusetts state government agencies to decline support for the visit. Gov. Romney thought it was a mistake for Harvard to invite Khatami to the U.S., calling it, "a disgrace to the memory of all Americans who have lost their lives at the hands of extremists, especially on the eve of the five-year anniversary of 9/11."
^{(Romney Denounces Khatami Visit to Harvard, September 5, 2006)}
Governor Romney sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 9/17/07 urging "the United Nations to revoke any invitation to President Ahmadinejad to address the General Assembly. The only way he should be greeted in the United States is with an indictment under the Genocide Convention."
In his letter, Governor Romney wrote:
"The Iranian regime under President Ahmadinejad has spoken openly about wiping Israel off the map, has fueled Hezbollah's terror campaign in the region and around the world, and defied the world community in its pursuit of nuclear weapons – capabilities that make these threats even more ominous. As General David Petraeus testified last week, Iran is also supporting Shia militia extremists and violence that is taking the lives of American soldiers and undermining the Iraqi government.
"A failure by the United Nations to take a strong stand against Iran’s President Ahmadinejad would be especially disturbing given the United Nations’ record of failure to prevent genocide in other circumstances and the failure of the United Nations Human Rights Council to confront the Iranian regime and others among the world’s worst human rights abusers. Failure to act would mean that the United States must reconsider its level of support and funding for the United Nations as we look to rebuild and revitalize effective international partnerships to meet 21st century threats.
Governor Romney's Statement To The National Rally To End The Threat Now (statement read at U.N. protest rally in New York City on 9/24/07 against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to the United Nations and New York City)
Governor Romney: "We are long past the time for political correctness and accommodation of Ahmadinejad's and his regime's outrageous rhetoric and support for terror. It is time to speak clearly and frankly, to strengthen alliances and build new ones, and to act with unity and decisiveness against a regime that threatens to reintroduce the world to the horrors of nuclear devastation and genocide."

Governor Romney's Four Changes Needed To Meet A New Generation Of Global Challenges:
First, We Need A Stronger Military. Video: On a Stronger Military
• We Must Increase The Size Of Our Military By 100,000 Troops.
• We Need To Dedicate At Least Four Percent Of Our Gross Domestic Product To Defense, Making Up For Critical Gaps In Our Military Modernization, Equipment, Personnel And Health Care Efforts (Additional $30 Billion To $40 Billion Annually For Defense).
• Investing In Our Military, We Need To Ensure Funds Are Used To Address Critical Needs And Support The Men And Women Of Our Armed Forces, Rather Than Political Or Contractor Interests.
Second, America Must Become Energy Independent.
Third, We Must Transform And Strengthen Our Civilian International Efforts To Meet A New Generation Of Challenges.
Fourth, We Need To Strengthen Old Partnerships And Alliances, And Inaugurate A New One, To Address The Threat Of Jihadism.
Governor Romney Will Create The Special Partnership Force (SPF) To Mobilize All Elements Of Our National Power In Contested Areas To Defeat Jihadists.
To meet today's challenges, we must mobilize and integrate all elements of national power in unstable areas where traditional civilian agencies cannot operate effectively and traditional military power alone cannot succeed. The Special Partnership Force will integrate all elements of national power under a new force with leadership drawn from a core group of our Army Special Forces trained to work with civilian governments and intelligence personnel to form a new capability that is:
• Focused On Locally-Targeted Efforts To Win Support In The Community While Identifying, Isolating And Eliminating Terrorist Elements.
• Highly Integrated And Able To Mobilize All Elements Of National Power, Including Humanitarian And Development Assistance And Rule Of Law Capacity Building.
• Closely Coordinated In Partnership With Local Governments.
• Intelligence Driven.
• Agile And Flexible In Its Operations.
• A Sustainable Effort In Contested Areas And Sanctuaries Of Jihadist Groups.
The SPF Will Build On A Long History Of Successful Efforts Against Terrorists And Insurgent Groups. While a new capability, this force draws on the lessons learned from a long history of successful efforts against terrorist and insurgent groups, including U.S. efforts under the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in World War II, post-9/11 efforts in Afghanistan, and recent Special Forces efforts in the Philippines.
From a retired U.S. Army Major:
"Another interesting aspect of Romney's SPF is its heavy reliance on recently updated Army counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine. The Army COIN Field Manual 3-24 was developed under the watchful eye of General Petraeus during his tenure as Combined Arms Commander at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Just more evidence of Mitt's deep understanding of the issue. If I were still on active duty, I'd be excited to have him as my Commander-in-Chief."

Governor Romney on Combating Nuclear Terrorism Video: On Combating Nuclear Terrorism
• Expanding And Accelerating Actions To Combat Nuclear Terrorism
• Empowering A Senior Ambassador to Lead Efforts To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism
• Making Nuclear Trafficking A Crime Against Humanity
• Creating A Gold Standard For Nuclear Security
• Frank, Direct Efforts With Russia On Containing This Threat
• Removing The Incentive For Dangerous Civilian Nuclear Capabilities
Governor Romney: "[Y]ou said the person's going to be in Guantanamo. I'm glad they're at Guantanamo. I don't want them on our soil. I want them on Guantanamo ... Some people have said, we ought to close Guantanamo. My view is, we ought to double Guantanamo."
^{(Republican Presidential Candidates Debate in Columbia, SC, May 15, 2007)}
Governor Romney: "When Al Qaeda calls into America, we should be listening. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama voted against this common-sense foreign intelligence tool. They are dangerously out of touch when it comes to defending the homeland. Our most basic civil liberty is the right to be kept alive. We must use every reasonable measure to keep America safe."
^{(The Romney Vision: The Intelligence Gathering Capabilities To Keep America Safe, August 7, 2007)}
Mitt Romney is thought to be the best read among the candidates about the threat of the Jihadist. Romney’s reading list includes the following books among others on the topic:

The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright
American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us by Steven Emerson
Future Jihad: Terrorist Strategies Against America by Walid Phares
America Alone by Mark Steyn
Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq by Michael R. Gordon and Bernard E. Trainor
The Assassin’s Gate: America in Iraq by George Packer
"The old statement 'know thine enemy' is appropriate," Romney told ABC News.
Romney wants the public to know that Jihadists are not an "armed group of crazed maniacs in the hills of Afghanistan." Rather, Romney says the United States is facing a "far more sinister and broad-based extremist faction" with a "very 8th century view of the world."
Based on his reading of books such as "American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us," by Steven Emerson, and "Future Jihad: Terrorist Strategies Against America" by Walid Phares, Romney believes the Jihadists want to "retake the ancient Muslim lands and unify umma, or the world of Islam, under a caliphate."
^{('Know Thine Enemy,' Romney Says of 'Jihadists', ABC News, April 30, 2006)}
Mitt Romney described the threat of radical Islamic Jihad at the National Review Institute Conservative Summit.

Talk radio host Hugh Hewitt interviewed professor of military history and noted author Victor Davis Hanson who observed Mitt Romney's ability to discuss Middle East foreign policy at length with experts at the Hoover Institution:
Hugh Hewitt: What I like is that he’s a voracious reader, not only your books, but things like The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright, Mark Steyn’s America Alone. I think this is pretty rare these days, to find curiosity at that level, and at that sort of voracious appetite for information. What do you talk about with him?
Victor Davis Hanson: Well, we talk about history just like you and I talk about. We talk about foreign policy, he talked about the plan or the effort to democratize the Middle East, the shortfalls, the problems, the liabilities, and you know what? He [Gov. Romney] came to the Hoover Institution and got in front of 40 senior fellows. And in that room there were Nobel Prize winners, a lot of egos, too. And he held court with them, and there were a lot of hostile questions, and he went for an hour and a half, head to head, with these people. When he walked out of that room, I think everybody was impressed with him. He didn’t pull any punches, and he could argue and was as logical as any Hoover fellow, and I was more impressed with him than I was with my colleagues.
^{(The Hugh Hewitt Show, March 13, 2007)}
Gov. Romney's experience and credentials in Homeland Security and Disaster Preparedness also include:
• Co-chaired the National Governor’s Association Homeland Security Council
• Member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Advisory Council
• Chaired the DHS’s State and Local Officials Senior Advisory Committee
• Chaired the DHS’s Homeland Security Funding Task Force
• The Boston Globe and Boston Herald reported in 2004 that Romney was being considered as the next Sec. of Homeland Security
• Testified before Congress on three occasions about homeland security related issues. (1, 2, 3)
• Lectured twice at the Heritage Foundation on homeland security issues (1, 2)
• Under Romney’s direction, MA became one of only 10 states to receive the highest grade possible for disaster preparedness.
• He led MA through the worst flooding in the state in the last 70+ years, earning high marks from local and national press.
• The CDC praised Romney’s response plan in MA for the Avian Flu as a model for other states to emulate.
^{(Romney Gets It On Homeland Security, May 14, 2007) • (Romney on Homeland Security: A Leader I'd Want In Crisis, July 4, 2006)}
Mitt Romney had to manage the first Olympic Games in a post-9/11 world just five months after the attacks. Complex and costly security measures were a major part of the challenge of turning around the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics. The budget for security at the Olympic Games was $300 million for the huge international event involving 23,000 volunteers. The very successful Olympics went off without incident, and some of the security measures developed for the 2002 Games are used in other major venues today, for example, the Super Bowl. Romney turned a $379 million deficit for the Olympic Games into a $100 million profit. Romney personally contributed $1 million, and donated his three years of salary ($922,980 total) and his $476,000 severance pay to charity. That counts for something in real world management experience in the War on Terror.
Governor Romney filed and signed into law the most significant expansion of military benefits in recent years. The new law reduced to zero the cost members of the Massachusetts National Guard must pay to attend public colleges and universities, increased twenty-fold the death benefit paid to families of members killed in the line of duty, created a new annuity benefit for Gold Star spouses and boosted the amount paid to Gold Star parents.
^{(Romney Signs Legislation Expanding Military Benefits, November 11, 2005)}
Governor Mitt Romney signed into law a measure to help state employees and their families meet their financial obligations while they are on active military duty. It provided state employees called to active military leave with the differential cost between their military and state salaries and guaranteed employees on active military duty would not lose any seniority, accrued vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, compensation time or earned overtime.
^{(Romney Lends a Hand to State Employees on Military Duty, November 27, 2003)}
Governor Romney signed into law a bill preventing employers from discriminating against current or prospective employees who are enrolled in any of the nation’s Reserve forces including the Air and Army National Guards and the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Naval Reserves. Gov. Romney said, "The American servicemen and women of the Guard and Reserve leave their jobs, their spouses and their children to wear the uniform that defends our country. This selfless commitment should be honored by businesses across Massachusetts as we work to ensure they are treated fairly while they balance their employment responsibilities and obligations to the armed services. No business should ever put the bottom line ahead of America’s front line."
^{(Romney Signs Law Protecting Armed Service Members, September 23, 2004)}
Governor Mitt Romney signed legislation that provided disabled Massachusetts veterans with extensive tax exemptions, allowed communities to suspend real estate taxes for active duty National Guardsmen and reservists until 180 days after they return home, and provided financial relief for the families of servicemen and women killed or missing in action.
^{(Romney Expands Tax Benefits For Disabled Veterans, August 14, 2006)}
Acting to implement recommendations he made to the nation’s governors as Chair of the White House’s Homeland Security Task Force, Gov. Mitt Romney created the Commonwealth Fusion Center in Massachusetts. The core mission of the Fusion Center is to facilitate critical and timely information sharing from the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to municipal police, fire and emergency response agencies to assist in the identification and investigation of possible terrorist activities.
^{(Romney Unveils Commonwealth’s Anti-Terror Fusion Center, May 11, 2005)}
Massachusetts is one of only 12 states that do not have a capital punishment sentencing option. Governor Romney filed a bill enabling Massachusetts prosecutors to seek the death penalty in cases of first-degree murders that were committed as an act of political terrorism, assassination of law enforcement officials, or multiple killings.
^{(Relying on Science, Romney Files Death Penalty Bill, April 28, 2005)}

The Right to Keep and Bear Arms

Governor Romney: "Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. I’m proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms."
^{(Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry's Trade Show, Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, Jan. 12, 2007)}
Hasn’t Gov. Romney been against the right to bear arms?
No. Governor Romney has always supported that right. The firearms bills that Governor Romney signed into law were all endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and/or the Gun Owners' Action League (GOAL), which bills itself as "The Official Firearms Association of Massachusetts."
The NRA gave Mitt Romney a rating of 'B' in the 2002 election race for Governor of Massachusetts.
^{(Romney retreats on gun control, Boston Globe, January 14, 2007)}
Craig Sandler, former Director of General Operations of the National Rifle Association and former Nashua Police Chief, endorses Governor Mitt Romney for President.
In endorsing Governor Romney, Craig Sandler said, "Throughout his career in both the public and private sectors, Mitt Romney has demonstrated exceptional leadership ability, integrity, and commitment to principle. As a New Hampshire resident, former law enforcement officer, and avid sportsman, I am supporting Governor Romney because he is the candidate who will protect our Constitutional rights and strengthen our nation."

Governor Romney addressed the National Rifle Association in a videotaped message at the NRA's "Celebration of American Values" in Washington, D.C. on 9/21/07. Gov. Romney discussed his position and record in support of the Second Amendment and his intent to oppose McCain-Feingold legislation, liberal judicial activism and tort claims being used to erode our 2nd Amendment rights. Must See Mitt TV!
Despite a heavily Democratic anti-gun Legislature in Massachusetts, Gov. Romney signed a NRA-backed bill in 2006 (H. 4552) that reduced a testing requirement on certain pistol-makers before they could sell guns in Massachusetts. The Gun Owners' Action League praised Gov. Romney for his support of H. 4552.
"Target shooters are an important part of our membership and I know they will be very pleased with this change," said James Wallace, Executive Director of the Gun Owners’ Action League.
^{(Governor Romney Approves Exemption for Target Pistols, July 26, 2006)}
Governor Mitt Romney signed legislation aimed at providing one clear definition of a loaded shotgun or rifle for the state's hunting enthusiasts. For years, two competing definitions had existed on the books, leaving law abiding gun owners wondering when and how they can enter or cross a public way with their firearms.
"On behalf of the lawful gun owners of the Commonwealth, I would like to thank Governor Romney and all who took part in the passage of this legislation. We have taken another important step in reforming the 1998 gun laws," said Jim Wallace, Executive Director of the Gun Owners' Action League. "This new law addresses a conflict that had previously caused great concern in those who use traditional muzzle loading rifles and shotguns. Now they confidently know what is expected of them and can enjoy their heritage without the fear of being prosecuted for violating a poorly written law."
^{(Massachusetts Clarifies Muzzleloader Law, Buckmasters, November 22, 2005)}
Gov. Romney signed legislation requiring all new hunters to take a hunter education course. The measure had the strong support of sportsmen and gun owners.
"We are pleased with the passage of yet another correction of Chapter 180 of the Acts of 1998, which created a confusing standard for acquiring a hunting, sporting or fishing license," said James Wallace, GOAL’s executive director. "Prior to the passage of this law some eight years ago, hunter education was mandatory for all first time hunters. While GOAL does not normally support mandatory training, it is our belief that every first time hunter should be exposed to the ethics, safety aspects and laws in Massachusetts regarding hunting before taking to the field for the first time."
^{(Romney Signs Legislation to Promote Hunter Safety, July 6, 2006)}
On the 31st anniversary of the Gun Owners' Action League, Governor Romney declared May 7, 2005 as "The Right to Bear Arms Day" in Massachusetts to honor "the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons, and property and for all lawful purposes, including the common defense."
^{(Romney retreats on gun control, Boston Globe, January 14, 2007)}
Opponents of gun control and critics of Governor Romney point to the fact that he signed firearms legislation in July, 2004 that included a ban of assault weapons in Massachusetts (S.2367). However, the bill only reaffirmed an existing Massachusetts state ban on assault weapons that was enacted as part of sweeping gun control laws passed in Massachusetts in 1998, five years before Romney took office, and didn't ban any additional guns. The state ban of assault weapons enacted in 1998 was not due to disappear, nor would it have become invalid with the sunset of the federal ban in September, 2004.
^{(Massachusetts - Firearms Reform Bill Sent to the Governor`s Desk, National Rifle Association - Institute for Legislative Action, June 29, 2004)}
The firearms reform bill signed by Governor Romney in 2004 had the endorsement of the NRA (a MUST READ), the Gun Owners' Action League, law enforcement and Massachusetts gun owners. The bill added several measures these groups favored, including a lengthening of the terms of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry, namely;
1) Extending the term of a firearm identification card and a license to carry firearms from four years to six years,
2) Granting a 90-day grace period for holders of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry who have applied for renewal, and
3) Creating a seven-member Firearm License Review Board to review firearm license applications that have been denied.
"This is truly a great day for Massachusetts' sportsmen and women. These reforms correct some serious mistakes that were made during the gun debate in 1998, when many of our state’s gun owners were stripped of their long-standing rights to own firearms."
^{(MA State Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D), July 1, 2004)}
"I want to congratulate everyone that has worked so hard on this issue. Because of their dedication, we are here today to sign into law this consensus piece of legislation. This change will go a long way toward fixing the flaws created by the 1998 law. Another key piece to this legislation addresses those citizens who have applied for renewals. If the government does not process their renewal in a timely fashion, those citizens won't be put at risk because of the 90 day grace period that is being adopted today."
^{(MA State Representative George N. Peterson, Jr. (R), July 1, 2004)}
"There are a lot of good things in the bill," said Jim Wallace, legislative director of the Gun Owners' Action League, the state's leading pro-gun group. "In all, the bill represents a healing process, or the beginning of the healing process, between lawful gun owners and the Massachusetts Legislature."
^{(State moves on assault weapons ban, Boston Globe, June 24, 2004)}
The firearms reform bill signed in 2004 prohibited the sale of the same weapons in Massachusetts banned in the 1998 legislation but loosened other restrictions imposed by the 1998 gun bill. Therefore, after Governor Romney signed the gun bill in 2004, gun owners in Massachusetts had fewer restrictions on gun ownership than at any time since 1998. The bill was passed in the Senate by a vote of 36 - 1 in favor and the House passed it with no amendments or debate on a "voice" vote. This represented by far the broadest support a reform bill has ever seen in the Massachusetts State House. Only one legislator in the entire building voiced opposition to the bill.
Mitt Romney joined the NRA in August, 2006 and signed up for a lifetime membership. Romney said of the NRA, "I think they're doing good things, and I believe in supporting the right to bear arms."
^{(ABC News This Week interview with Mitt Romney on Feb 18, 2007)}

Governor Romney: "I know the NRA does not support an assault weapon ban. So I don't line up on that particular issue with the NRA, either does President Bush. He likewise says he supported an assault weapon ban."
"Today we don't have the Brady bill because we have instantaneous background checks. That's no longer a operative or needed measure."
"But I'm a strong proponent of Second Amendment rights. I believe people, under our Constitution, have the right to bear arms."
"We have a gun in one of our homes. It's not owned by me, it's owned by my son, but I've always considered it sort of mine."
"I've been a hunter all my life, not frequently, but as a boy, when I worked on a ranch in Idaho, we used to go out shooting rabbits, because they were eating all the barley, and I got pretty good with a single shot .22 rifle, and been quail hunting more recently."
"So I'm a hunter and believe in Second Amendment rights, but I also believe that assault weapons are not needed in the public population."
^{(ABC News This Week interview with Mitt Romney on Feb 18, 2007)}
Campaigning in Indianapolis on Thursday, Romney said he has hunted small game since his youth. "I'm not a big-game hunter. I've made that very clear," he said. "I've always been a rodent and rabbit hunter. Small varmints, if you will. I began when I was 15 or so, and I have hunted those kinds of varmints since then. More than two times."
^{(Romney Aims Again to Explain Hunting, Emily Udell, Associated Press, April 6, 2007)}

Illegal Immigration and the Border

Immigration

Governor Romney proposes an immigration plan with the following features:
1. Secure The Border. Follow through on Congressional commitment to build a physical and technological fence along the southern border, and secure other points of entry. Romney strongly supports a wall, fence or other effective restraint along the U.S.-Mexico border.
^{(Romney calls for border barrier, The Dallas Morning News, April 12, 2007)}
2. Implement An Enforceable Employer Verification System. Issue a biometrically-enabled and tamperproof card to non-citizens and create a national database for non-citizens so employers can easily verify their legal status in this country. Employers that hire workers without the proper credentials are subject to fines and penalties.
3. Reject Amnesty. No special privilege or special pathway to citizenship or permanent residency for those here illegally. People who are here illegally should not get any benefit by being here and should go to the back of the line behind all those who have applied for citizenship. People here illegally should return to their home countries under a reasonable attrition program and be replaced in the work force with U.S. citizens and legal immigrants. For the 12+ million illegal aliens in the country now, Romney favors immediate deportation of convicted criminal illegal aliens and deportation of illegal aliens who refuse to get off public welfare assistance. For the remaining illegal aliens already in the country, Romney would support offering a temporary work visa which includes biometric identification data. The temporary work visa would be required to remain in the country and employed and would not be renewable. The illegal aliens who decide to stay and apply for the temporary work visa must return to their home country after the term of the temporary visa expires (for example, 6 months). They would be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship from their home country and would enter the process at the back of the line behind all other applicants.
4. Punish Sanctuary Cities. Cut back federal funding to cities that are “sanctuaries” for illegal immigrants and refuse to comply with federal law or aid federal law enforcement.
5. Improve Interior Enforcement. Provide resources to enforce immigration laws throughout the nation, and crackdown on employers who continue to hire illegals with stiffer fines and penalties.
6. Encourage Legal Immigration. Streamline the system to recruit and retain skilled workers and welcome the best and the brightest from around the world to our universities.
Watch the video of Mitt Romney discussing his immigration plans during a townhall meeting in New Hampshire.
Governor Romney Says Cities That Do Not Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Should Not Receive Federal Funds. Governor Romney: "When I hear that there are cities that say 'Hey guess what? We're going to become sanctuary cities for illegal aliens. We're going to instruct our city workers that they're not going to be notifying the federal government of people who are here illegally' and then those same cities ask for millions, if not billions of dollars from the Federal Government. It's like wait a second, we're not going to send you all of the money that you want if you are not going to be willing to enforce and live by the laws of the government."
^{(WRKO's "Howie Carr Show," 8/3/07)}
Governor Romney strongly opposes the McCain-Kennedy approach to immigration reform or other amnesty measures offering benefits to those in the country illegally.

Governor Romney: "I strongly oppose today's bill going through the Senate. It is the wrong approach. Any legislation that allows illegal immigrants to stay in the country indefinitely, as the new 'Z-Visa' does, is a form of amnesty. That is unfair to the millions of people who have applied to legally immigrate to the U.S."
"Today's Senate agreement falls short of the actions needed to both solve our country's illegal immigration problem and also strengthen our legal immigration system. Border security and a reliable employment verification system must be our first priority."
^{(Governor Mitt Romney On The Senate Immigration Agreement, May 17, 2007)}
Governor Romney: "McCain-Kennedy isn't the answer. As governor, I took a very different approach. I authorized our state police to enforce immigration laws. I vetoed a tuition break for illegals and said no to driver's licenses. McCain-Kennedy gives benefits to illegals that would cost taxpayers millions. And more importantly, amnesty didn't work 20 years ago, and it won't work today."
^{(CPAC 2007 Speech, March 2, 2007)}
Governor Romney: "The immigration bill failed because the politicians in Washington are out of touch with the American people. The voice of the people is loud and clear - secure the border, enforce the law and no special deal for permanent residency or citizenship for illegals. America will always welcome legal immigration, but as a nation we also insist on the rule of law."
^{(Governor Romney On Today's Senate Immigration Vote, June 28, 2007)}
Governor Romney: "I’m against an amnesty and against anything that provides an incentive for people to come here illegally."
^{(Matinee Mitt, National Review cover story, June 20, 2005)}
Governor Romney: "I don't think there should be a pathway to citizenship for people who are here illegally."
^{(Romney: Reform immigration, allow students to stay, The Des Moines Register, March 23, 2007)}
Governor Romney: "Immigration has been an important part of our nation's success. The current system, however, puts up a concrete wall to the best and brightest, yet those without skill or education are able to walk across the border. We must reform the current immigration laws so we can secure our borders, implement a mandatory biometrically enabled, tamper proof documentation and employment verification system, and increase legal immigration into America."
Governor Romney: "We need to make America more attractive for legal immigrants for citizens and less attractive for illegal immigrants. I want to see more immigration in our country, but more legal immigration and less illegal immigration."
^{(AP, June 23, 2006)}
Governor Romney opposed a bill that would have allowed illegal aliens to get driver’s licenses. "Those who are here illegally should not receive tacit support from our government that gives an indication of legitimacy," the governor said, echoing arguments that opponents have voiced in the Commonwealth and in other states considering similar license measures. "If they are here illegally, they should not get driver's licenses," he said.
^{(Scott S. Greenberger, "Romney Stand Dims Chances Of License For Undocumented," The Boston Globe, 10/28/03)}
Romney vetoed a bill in 2004 that would have permitted illegal aliens to pay the same in-state tuition rate paid by citizens at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts.
^{(Office Of The Governor, "Romney Signs $22.402B Fiscal Year 2005 'No New Tax' Budget," Press Release, 6/25/04)}
Romney arranged a federal and state agreement enabling Massachusetts State Troopers to investigate immigration status and arrest illegal aliens they encounter during the normal course of their duties.
^{(Troopers would arrest immigrants, Boston Globe, June 21, 2006) (Governor Romney, ICE Sign Immigration Enforcement Pact, Dec. 13, 2006) (Video: Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio debates LULAC spokesman about MA pact with ICE)}
Governor Romney fought efforts to weaken Massachusetts' English Immersion Law. "But yesterday, Romney press secretary Shawn Feddeman said the governor will fight all attempts to slow the implementation of English immersion, known on the ballot as Question 2. ...He will veto anything that weakens or delays English immersion, Feddeman said."
^{(Anand Vaishnav, "Romney Firm On English Timetable," The Boston Globe, 1/24/03)}
Governor Romney increased funding by nearly 30% ($8 million) in Fiscal Year 2006 for English as a Second Language, adult literacy and adult secondary education for legal immigrants residing in Massachusetts. The increase enabled statewide adult basic education programs to accommodate approximately 4,000 more students each year.
^{(Romney Expands Adult Basic Education for Immigrants, January 28, 2005)}
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was named as Honorary Chair for the Romney for President campaign in Arizona. Sheriff Arpaio, better known as "America’s Toughest Sheriff", has gained a nationwide reputation for his tough stance on crime, illegal immigration and border security in the nation's fourth largest county.
"I like him," Arpaio said of Mitt Romney. "He's a man of principle, of good character. He did a great job in Massachusetts and I feel he's going to make a great president."
"I'm sure the governor believes in my philosophy too," Arpaio said. "He sure would not be asking for my endorsement if he didn't believe in what I'm doing."
^{(Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio Tells FOX News Why Mitt Romney Picked Him for Presidential Campaign, Fox News, Feb. 28, 2007)}
Video: Sheriff Arpaio Explains Why He Endorses Mitt Romney For President, Fox News
Video: Neil Cavuto Interviews Sheriff Arpaio About Mitt Romney Endorsement (McCain, Giuliani, Hunter, and Tancredo mentioned)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.