Paul Weyrich Convinced Mitt Romney "has sincerely converted" to pro-life side

LifeSite News ^ | 11/07/07 | Meg Jalsevac

[Reaganesque]

WASHINGTON, DC, November 7, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Mitt Romney's campaign for President received a major shot in the arm on Monday in the form of an official endorsement from well-known conservative leader and chairman of the Free Congress Foundation, Paul Weyrich.  Despite a lingering uncertainty for many conservatives about Romney's authentic conservative persona due to his notorious 'flip-flopping' in recent years, Weyrich's endorsement joins a growing number of similar Romney endorsements from other notable conservative leaders.

Weyrich is the founder of the Heritage Foundation and current chairman of the Free Congress Foundation.  He is considered a major leader by most in conservative circles and has written and worked for years to bolster both the social and religious conservative movements in America.

For Mitt Romney, Weyrich's endorsement is monumental.  From the very onset of the campaign trail, Romney's campaign has worked feverishly to portray the candidate as the only suitable, and viable, contender worthy of the conservative vote. 

To that end, Romney has previously vied for similar endorsements from other conservative leaders. With Weyrich's endorsement, the Romney campaign can more realistically hope to attract further endorsements and, perhaps eventually, the necessary conservative votes to win the Republican nomination.

From the very early days of the campaign trail, the 2008 primary race has been frequently muddied with accusations that the leading Republican candidates are, in fact, barely more socially conservative than the leading Democrats.  For example, leading GOP contender, Rudy Guiliani has publicly admitted to being pro-abortion and pro-gay rights and just last week Fred Thompson admitted that he would not run on the pro-life platform of the Republican party because that would, in effect, criminalize "young girls and perhaps their parents as aiders and abettors…"

Weyrich's endorsement took some conservatives by surprise as just recently Weyrich published an article which did not seem to portray the same degree of confidence in Romney's record or abilities.  Referring to Romney, Weyrich said, "If he had not flip-flopped and were not a Mormon he would be the ideal candidate. He yet may be. He looks and sounds like a President."

Weyrich Addresses Romney's Flip-Flopping

When asked if Romney's history of 'flip-flopping' on life issues in the past concerned him, Weyrich told LifeSiteNews, "I am concerned about it but I have spoken with him at length and I am convinced that he has sincerely converted to the pro-life side and consequently will be with us if elected President.  I understand he has flip-flopped but a lot of politicians have.  I take the man at his word.  I think he has a lot of ability to present himself to the American public."

 
As Gorver Norquist of the Americans for Tax Reform commented to The Boston Globe, "Weyrich's endorsement will speak loudly to conservatives in general - guys who care about guns and taxes and everything else, but especially religious conservatives."

In the official endorsement statement issued by Romney's campaign office, Weyrich was quoted saying, "Governor Romney has outlined a blueprint to build a stronger America rooted in our common conservative principles.  With a clear conservative vision to move America forward, he will strengthen our economy, our military, and our families."

In an earlier NewsMax interview, Weyrich had referred to Romney as someone who "could be supported" and "the best campaigner."  Weyrich said, "I think he is somebody who is rushing toward the movement trying to present himself as a conservative and in some ways it's more useful to have somebody like that."

Weyrich also explained to LifeSiteNews that he thought Romney could present a realistic challenge should Senator Clinton receive the Democratic nomination.  "Half the country doesn't like her and, as a consequence, any Republican would have a chance against her.  Right now [Romney] is down in the polls but he was down in the polls in New Hampshire and South Carolina and he has come up.  I think given time and given the resources that he has, I think he will be able to present himself to the American public."

Weyrich Wants to Stop Giuliani From Getting Nomination

Weyrich also offered justification of his endorsement saying, "I felt the race would boil down to Giuliani verse Romney and I certainly do not support Giuliani.  I felt there probably would be an effect if Romney wins New Hampshire and now it looks like he has a shot at winning South Carolina and if all that happens it is going to have an effect on Super Tuesday so I felt he would be the best candidate to stop Giuliani"

Weyrich has been quoted in several other articles voicing his opposition to Giuliani saying, "I'm not for Giuliani. I want to try to stop him from getting the nomination."

When asked about possible resistance that Romney might face in regards to his Mormon religion, Weyrich admitted that that could be one of the biggest problems of the campaign.  "[H]e has got to make sure that the American public understands we are not electing him head of the Baptist convention - we are electing him President of the United States and what is important are his public policy decisions - beyond his theological stance."

Others Not so Confident About Romney on Abortion and Homosexuality

While Weyrich expressed confidence in Romney's ability to stay strong to his recently found pro-life convictions especially if he can surround himself with supportive personnel, Brian Camenker of MassResistance.org had no such confidence. 

Camenker told LifeSiteNews, "Look at the record.  His transition team in Massachusetts included the most prolific gay activist in the state and not a single actual conservative." 

Camenker said that, since the announcement of Weyrich's endorsement, he has been swamped with emails expressing disappointment in the news.

Referring to Weyrich's endorsement, Camenker commented, "A lot of people feel that this represents the death of the conservative movement in America in many ways.  Paul Weyrich signed our letter to Mitt Romney, he knows intimately how Mitt Romney subverted the constitution of Massachusetts in regards to homosexual marriage.  He signed a letter that basically rebuked Romney for all of that." 

"It's a complete sell-out to principle.  One of the things that the conservative movement has represented is standing by principle no matter what and what he [Weyrich] is essentially saying is that Mitt Romney seems one of the least offensive of the top tier Republicans, so I am going to support him anyway.  By saying I am going to take the lesser of several evils, that is how we got ourselves in the mess that we are in."

Many conservative throughout the nation have mobilized across the nation to strongly remind the Republican party that social conservativism on life and family issues must be a strong characteristic of any possible nominee if they hope to garner the conservative vote. 

Influential James Dobson Has Not Yet Endorsed Any Candidate

Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family has not officially endorsed a candidate for the election and has been vocal about the possibility of supporting a third-party candidate should the GOP nomination go to candidate that has not been consistently pro-life.

In an October opinion piece, he wrote, "I firmly believe that the selection of a president should begin with a recommitment to traditional moral values and beliefs. Those include the sanctity of human life, the institution of marriage, and other inviolable pro-family principles. Only after that determination is made can the acceptability of a nominee be assessed."

Without giving any inclination as to his candidate of preference, Dobson continued saying, "The other approach, which I find problematic, is to choose a candidate according to the likelihood of electoral success or failure. Polls don't measure right and wrong; voting according to the possibility of winning or losing can lead directly to the compromise of one's principles. In the present political climate, it could result in the abandonment of cherished beliefs that conservative Christians have promoted and defended for decades. Winning the presidential election is vitally important, but not at the expense of what we hold most dear."

If Romney Wins Nomination Strong Promises Must be Obtained From Him

When asked by NewsMax for his opinion on the possibility of supporting a third party candidate should Giuliani obtain the nomination, Weyrich said, "If he does get it, and I'm not sure that he will, it seems to me that we need to negotiate with him and determine whether or not we can pin down a whole series of promises that he would make [and then make] a judgment as to whether those promises are any good."

Romney also holds favorable endorsements from other conservative leaders such as Mary Ann Glendon, newly nominated US ambassador to the Holy See, Bob Jones, Jack Willke and well-known pro-life lawyer James Bopp, Jr.

Robertson Stuns Conservatives With Endorsement of Giuliani

However, just this week influential evangelist Pat Robertson shocked many in conservative circles by endorsing Rudy Giuliani calling him "more than acceptable to people of faith."  Surprisingly, Robertson dismissed concerns over Giuliani's very liberal social views on life and family saying that they "pale into insignificance" when compared to Giuliani's ability to address the issue of terrorism.

Operation Rescue is so incensed with Robertson's move that it has called for a protest outside Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network studios on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

In a press release Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry states, "Rudy has perfect credentials on social issues like child-killing, partial birth abortion, federal funding for 'poor women' to have abortions, and so-called homosexual marriage or civil unions…"
 
In similar news, former presidential candidate Sam Brownback officially offered his endorsement to Senator John McCain praising him for consistently "standing up for human rights around the world, including a consistent 24-year pro-life record of protecting the rights of the unborn."  Brownback's official statement asserted that, "John McCain is the only candidate who can rally the Reagan coalition of conservatives, independents and conservative Democrats needed to defeat Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat in the general election next year."

[Reaganesque]

All in all, a well balanced article, in my opinion. It lets people see both sides of the issue from the perspective of supporters and detractors. Not bad.

[Reaganesque]

Mitt Ping!

• Send FReep Mail to Unmarked Package to get [ON] or [OFF] the Mitt Romney Ping List •

[Tennessean4Bush]

He has sincerely converted. If that will get him the nomination he sincerely is converted.

[jdm]

Mitt Romney "has sincerely converted" to pro-life side

[Doogle]

was that the next to last flip....or flop?

[tiger-one]

He has sincerely converted until he is elected

[jdm]

Which came first...

Romney becoming pro-life?

or... (wait for it)...

































The 41-cent stamp?

[Spiff]

BTTT

[Reagan Man]

I’m more troubled about Romney`s last minute flip from pro-abortionist to pro-lifer, than I am about Paul Weyrich`s flip from staunch conservative to a lap-dog for Mitt’s campaign.

[Petronski]

Slick Willard has a 35-year pro-abortion record. He has claimed to be pro-life for two years. He attempted to dismiss his long pro-abortion history by LYING about Ronald Reagan’s pro-life credentials.

Weyrich, who is dead wrong on the Iraq war and has been from the start, is not much of a conservative anymore.

[DocH]

Sorry.

I don't WANT any supposed "republican" that HAS to "convert" from one position to another for the purpose of appearing more palatable to Conservatives.

I want a leader that has always, in word and deed, BEEN CONSERVATIVE.

I DO NOT trust any of the liberal-media-pushed RINO FAKES.

[hellbender]

Some of these evangelical leaders have lost their minds, perhaps due to senility. "I am convinced that he has sincerely converted"...and "I take the man at his word," reminds me of G.W. Bush "looking into [Vlad 'the Irradiator'] Putin's heart," and deciding he was a "man of faith" who could be trusted.

No politician lacking a clear, consistent conservative philosophy, which Reagan had and a few, like Duncan Hunter, still have, can be trusted. The others are just ambitious egotists and sociopaths who will say anything to get elected.

[Reagan Man]

Lets not forget, Mitt pushing his RomneyCare as nationalized health care for all Americans. More big government. Also his record promoting gay rights and gun control.

[Congressman Billybob]

The interesting thing about Paul Weyrich's support of Mitt Romney is, what will it lead to? Romney is running a weak fourth in the polls right now. Odds are, Romney will be out of the race sometime around 15 February. Who will Weyrich support then, when it really counts?

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "Ma, They're Makin' Eyes at Me"

Here's my announcement of running for Congress in 2008.

[Colofornian]

Weyrich's endorsement took some conservatives by surprise as just recently Weyrich published an article which did not seem to portray the same degree of confidence in Romney's record or abilities. Referring to Romney, Weyrich said, "If he had not flip-flopped and were not a Mormon he would be the ideal candidate. He yet may be. He looks and sounds like a President."

Yeah, and if he wasn't a male and if he wasn't a female, He'd look & sound like a President. (Kind of like that's who he is at his basic core)

[papasmurf]

"I felt the race would boil down to Giuliani verse Romney and I certainly do not support Giuliani.

There is the one, and only, reason he threw his support to myth romney.

[Humble Servant]

” No politician lacking a clear, consistent conservative philosophy, which Reagan had ... can be trusted. “

Ronaldus Maximus started out as a Democrat, and became a Conservative and Republican over time by observing and thinking about the world around him. People change. I know this for a fact, because I changed, too. If you can’t accept the possibility of anyone else sincerely adopting your point of view without being born that way, what is the function of reasoned discourse? How will you gather anyone to your cause if you won’t let them in the door? I don’t trust someone who changes positions and says he didn’t, but Mitt will tell you about why he changed his mind.

Judge Mitt as you will; he’s not my first choice, but he isn’t my last, either. I’m just very pissed off with conservatives who won’t let me in because I come to this position by choice, not by birth.

[Vaquero]

and he has been hunting all his life too. (once or twice anyway)

(as if that had something to do with the 2nd amendment)

[hellbender]

Reagan was a Democrat in his youth, and the Democrats then were far less extreme than they became later. The difference between Reagan and Romney is that the former developed a consistent, idealistic philosophy and articulated it in hundreds of speeches over several decades. He didn’t change that philosophy when he decided to run for President, even though Eastern RINO establishment types and political pundits said he couldn’t win because he was too extreme. He came out strongly for Goldwater, even though Barry did go down in a landslide, and was doomed when Reagan campaigned for him. In contrast, all of Romney’s “conversions” have come since he decided to run for President and needed to appease the Republican base. That’s a game which has been played by RINOs repeatedly, at least since the time of Nixon, if not before. Romney is better than Rudy or Hillary; that’s about all.

[Colofornian]

When asked if Romney's history of 'flip-flopping' on life issues in the past concerned him, Weyrich told LifeSiteNews, "I am concerned about it but I have spoken with him at length and I am convinced that he has sincerely converted to the pro-life side and consequently will be with us if elected President. I understand he has flip-flopped but a lot of politicians have."

Let us try to get this straight:

(1) Romney comes from a heritage that is primarily pro-life. = He flipped from a Mormon pro-life perspective when he sided with his mom when she ran as a pro-abortion senator in 1970.

(2) In November of '04, he & his wife had simultaneous pro-life "conversions." = (so since he already "flipped" above, is that a flip or a flop?)

(3) On May 27 of '05, he affirms his commitment to being "pro-choice" at a press conference. = So that would be one or the other, a flip or a flop from his "conversion" 6 months previous.

(4) Then POTUS season comes around. So in '07, just about all his statements are of a pro-life nature. = So, like a fish just reeled in, that tail has him on the other side of where he was 5/27/05.

(5) Then comes his 8/12/07 interview with Chris Wallace of Fox: "I never called myself pro-choice. I never allowed myself to use the word pro-choice because I didn't FEEL I was pro-choice. I would protect the law, I said, as it was, but I wasn't pro-choice, and so..." = That whatever he was from 1970 when his mom ran as a pro-abortion senator & he sided with her, to 5/27/05, w/whatever interruption he had due to a pro-life altar call in Nov of '04, whatever that was...well, he assures us it wasn't a pro-abortion inlook or outlook 'cause he didn't feel "pro-choice..." (So does that make him a life-long pro-lifer?)

Confused? Well don't be: This Harper's Magazine excerpt found at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1921487/posts includes this excerpt:

"Earlier this year, the Boston Globe obtained a copy of an internal campaign PowerPoint presentation that outlined Romney’s strengths and weaknesses as he embarked on his presidential bid. One page—entitled “Primal Code for Brand Romney”—explained that Romney should market himself as a foil to such Massachusetts liberals as Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, and also run against such “enemies” as Hollywood, France, and “moral relativism.” Problems identified by the campaign included the perception that Romney would not make a tough wartime leader and the possibility that voters would be spooked by his Mormon religion. The presentation also acknowledged the problematic view that Romney is a “phony” and a “political opportunist”; but that view is due at least in part to the fact that by any reasonable standard it’s true."

Weyrich: "I take the man at his word. I think he has a lot of ability to present himself to the American public." (Uh, someone call Weyrich's office & relay the above to him, 'cause I think his definition of "present" & Mitt's definition of "present" are two different things.)