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."

[Beagle8U]

“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.”

That is going to be hard to hide from voters IMHO.

[ejonesie22]

Hey Mitt Romney has been dedicated to the conservative cause especially since joining the NRA...

Conservatives have had no better champion these past 15 months...

[Reagan Man]

Changing ones politics over time like Reagan did is one thing. He voted for Ike twice in 52&56 and voted for Nixon in 1960. By that time the Democrats had gone too far left for Reagan. He became a Republican in 1962.

Mitt Romney`s changes have all come in the last few years. His shifts on abortion, gays and guns have been recent. Romney has said he didn’t support Reagan’s agenda in the 1980`s. Now all of a sudden he wants everyone to believe he’s a conservative. Sounds more like political expediency then a political epiphany.

[Reagan Man]

Forgot about his joining the NRA.

Mitt Boy, the lifetime hunter. LOL

[ejonesie22]

Hey Fredbot, I’ll have you know that Mitt Romney has been an NRA member and avid hunter his entire conservitive political life!

Maybe even a couple of months longer than that even...

[kevkrom]

Weyrich is. I'm not.

Romney is trying to act like a conservative, but he isn't one. He's just another big government guy who is pandering to the group that he needs votes from. Just because he's pandering to you doesn't mean he's sincere.

[kevkrom]

Who will Weyrich support then, when it really counts?

Apparently, anyone who will cut his foundation a nice, fat check.

[kevkrom]

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.

Reagan, at least, had ample time to demonstrate his changes. Romney's "conversion" happened miraculously right about the time he was a) leaving any kind of office by which he would have to be judged on his new-found "conservatism", and b) beginning to run for President.

If he was really sincere, he would have run for a second term in Massachusetts and demonstrated his new faith before trying to run for President on the "trust me, I've changed, except that I haven't as I've always been this way, but if you look at my record that shows otherwise, you're an anti-Mormon bigot" banner.

[kevkrom]

Romney has said he didn’t support Reagan’s agenda in the 1980`s. Now all of a sudden he wants everyone to believe he’s a conservative. Sounds more like political expediency then a political epiphany.

Not just "a conservative", but Reagan's heir. While lying about Reagan.

Is there any wonder I think Romney is scum?

[Spiff]

Apparently, anyone who will cut his foundation a nice, fat check.

Which foundation is that?

[Spiff]

Not just "a conservative", but Reagan's heir. While lying about Reagan. Is there any wonder I think Romney is scum?

Is Reagan's conservative son Michael also lying and scum because he has stated that, in fact, Ronald Reagan "once supported abortion?"

[kevkrom]

Which foundation is that?

The Free Congress Foundation.

[kevkrom]

Is Reagan's conservative son Michael also lying and scum because he has stated that, in fact, Ronald Reagan "once supported abortion?"

Link and context? I won't judge until I see exactly what was said (I've already seen Romney's context).

[ejonesie22]

Yes, but I do believe that Mitt’s word “adamantly does a disservice to Ronald Reagan...

[redgirlinabluestate]

There's no last minute anything. Romney already acted on his conversion and has a pro-life record in Massachusetts.

Romney took the pro-life position on every abortion-related issue he faced while governor.

Mitt's pro-life record as governor has been posted several times and you can see it on Freeper UnmakedPackage's homepage. You must have missed it - the other 50 times. Bears repeating though. Please click on the link and be enlightened -- again.

Additionally, prominent leaders of pro-life and pro-family groups in Massachusetts wrote an open letter praising Gov. Romney for his leadership and accomplishments in this area and attesting to his commitment to pro-life and pro-family causes. This letter is a MUST READ.

Also, Massachusetts Citizens for Life recently gave Gov. Romney their 2007 Mullins Award for Outstanding Political Leadership presented at the Mother's Day Pioneer Valley Dinner where Romney delivered the keynote speech.

Massachusetts Citizens For Life Executive Director Marie Sturgis: "Having Governor Romney in the corner office for the last four years has been one of the strongest assets the pro-life movement has had in Massachusetts." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "An Early Massachusetts Primary," National Review, 1/10/07)

Massachusetts Citizens For Life Pioneer Valley Chapter Chairman Kevin Jourdain: "Mitt Romney was a great Governor, who served with honor and distinction. But most importantly, he was a pro-life Governor. He vetoed a number of pro-abortion pieces of legislation and made many pro-life appointments. He was always there for us." (Kevin Jourdain, Remarks, Agawam, MA, 5/10/07)

_______________

So, contrary to your post, Mitt has a pro-life record AND he supports the life amendment AND is willing to champion the cause to end abortion on demand.

[kevkrom]

has a pro-life record in Massachusetts

Maintaining the status quo is NOT a "pro-life record".

[CharlesWayneCT]

I know you didn't mean to mislead, but just in case anybody else is confused:

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."

The last part of that sentence was NOT in the presentation -- it was an editorial statement by the Boston Globe. The inclusion at the end of a quote about the presentation might make some people think it was IN the presentation. But you can see that the entire last sentence was NOT a quote but a summary by the reporter, and the words after the semi-colon added by that reporter and not a summary of what was in the report.

[Spiff]

The Free Congress Foundation.

Hmmm...and in your accusation that Mitt Romney bribed Paul Weyrich, by donating to the FCF, to obtain his endorsement, what was the amount of that bribe?

[CharlesWayneCT]

They obviously put great faith in Paul when he signed their letter.

Endorsements are not a substitute for deciding for yourself.

But there is something to be said, and this is true for ALL candidates, when a respected figure gets to know a candidate personally, and is convinced from that interaction that their previous opposition to the candidate was invalid.

That’s why, while I don’t support Rudy, I don’t think of him as evil like some here do, because too many people who we otherwise respect who have sat down with him and gotten to know him personally say he is NOT evil.

Of course, I find a lot of people aren’t as evil as people sitting in their rooms behind keyboards will make them out to be, when you meet them in person.

[Sloth]

I honestly don’t care whether Romney’s pro-life conversion is sincere. I don’t want someone who had to be converted in the first place.