Posted on 12/23/2007 8:19:52 AM PST by GOP_Lady
Romney: 'Strong military, strong economy, strong families'
At a time when the challenges we face as a nation are formidable, complex, divisive, political and dangerous, America needs a leader with energy, intellect, vision, charisma and experience.
In his party's field of presidential candidates, Mitt Romney stands out as such an individual. Today we endorse Romney as the Republican we support in the Jan. 3 Iowa Caucuses.
Romney combines an outsider's new face with a proven track record of success as an executive in both the private and public sectors. As a businessman, the president and chief executive officer of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and governor of Massachusetts, he has demonstrated an ability to forge consensus, organize, mobilize and motivate in order to solve problems.
Personally, he is engaging, even charming, he has shown an ability to reach across partisan divides, and he is passionate on the campaign trail. In terms of leadership qualities, he possesses "it," and the importance of "it" should not be diminished. Let's be honest, a candidate for president can prepare volumes of detailed ideas, but if he or she is a polarizing figure within the halls of Congress or devoid of the personal traits necessary to inspire Americans to listen and follow, those plans don't have a chance of success.
In order to win his party's nomination and compete in the general election, Romney first must prove he's conservative enough, of course. Whether the subject is national defense, economics or social issues, his conservative credentials are strong. He understands the scope of the threat we face from Islamist jihadists and is committed to protecting America from them, wants to increase the size of the military by 100,000 troops and increase defense spending to 4 percent of our gross domestic product, and is committed to cutting taxes, wasteful federal spending and the size of government. He speaks often and with conviction about families, protecting children, values and culture. He is pro-life, but he takes a pragmatic approach to the contentious issue. He believes each individual state should determine its abortion laws through the democratic process and "not have them dictated by judicial mandate." He advocates a get-tough approach toward illegal immigration and bolstering security on our southern border.
Having earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, founded his own venture capital and investment company, managed the Olympic Games and run a state in which the Legislature is some 85 percent Democratic, Romney understands economic principles, the intricacies of reform in areas such as education and health care, and the essential need to work with the other side. It's reasonable to say the economy and budget of Massachusetts were in dramatically better shape when he left office than when he entered, that the once-troubled 2002 Winter Olympics were transformed into a profitable success under his watch.
In areas where he may be weak, such as the inner workings of Capitol Hill and knowledge of and experience in defense and foreign policy matters, we even have someone in mind for a running mate - John McCain. Our respect and admiration for McCain run deep, and we believe he would add strength and cachet to the GOP ticket in myriad important ways.
As for Romney's overdiscussed Mormonism, we believe he more than adequately addressed the subject during his JFK-like speech earlier this month at the George H.W. Bush presidential center in College Station, Texas.
Finally, the 60-year-old Romney - son of the late George Romney, a three-term governor of Michigan and secretary of Housing and Urban Development in Richard Nixon's first term - is a man of decency and integrity. Likability cannot be discounted as an attribute important in a candidate for public office.
Among all the Republican candidates this year, Romney best taps into what we believe Americans seek - a different look, a fresh vision, a return to America's goodness and greatness. He has earned the privilege to emerge from this field as his party's nominee and carry his message of "strong military, strong economy, strong families" into next year's general election campaign.
The endorsement wars continue. DeMint, Tancredo and this newspaper as the latest. Probably others that slip my mind.
They are sort of like polls. Manufactured news when nothing else is happening.
What may seem to be a rude question - but I am ignorance and am not afraid to admit it.
Do Mormon young men sign up for military service? I know they have their two year stint as missionaries for the church - but do they also serve their nation?
I am sincere here - I have never known a morman son who has served - and that is why I am asking.
Lot of Mormons in the Army!
One of the many things that bothers me about Mitt (besides him being a flaming liberal) is that he has a very worrisome lack of knowledge about the application of military power to achieve military and political objectives.
His comments that he would handle Iran by blockade and aerial bombardment if they continued to pursue their nuclear capability is the Bill Clinton approach to military operations designed to do something but not get his rump in a sling.
Won't work. Never has. Until you put boots on the ground and stick your flag in the ground you can't achieve change in a situation like Iran. That means casualties and the "political" president like Clinton, and I fear Romney, won't take that chance.
The LDS Church believes members should be service oriented and totally encourage their members to serve in the military. I have served with many in the Army officer corps and I can attest to the quality of their service.
Thank you for responding to my query - I was reading Google’s account but who can trust that either?
I have never thought of that question but because of Romney’s candidacy and his request for deferment because he was on his Morman ‘Mission’ in France - it seemed a flimsy kind of exuse - plus his sons have never applied for military service either. I was concerned there was a glitch in the Mormon philosophical thought regarding military endeavours.
Still - it would be different in a draft scenario. Very few of candidates from either major party have served in the military.
Strong BS
Now you do ... San Jose 4th Ward ... Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club 72-73
Thank you for your service! :-)
You’re VERY welcome ...
But PH balanced for a woman!
“Personally, he is engaging, even charming”, yep, he’s slicker than goose poop!
Well here ya go, just as you predicted when the comment about his sons aiding his campaign is an equivalency to serving in the military ...
My brother-in-law rose to the rank of full Colonel in the Army. His son served his mission and also served a stint in the military. Now he is a successful business man with a very nice family all of whom are productive members of society.
Too bad all of those who look down on Mormons (not saying you do) can't say the same.
Why is Mitt’s sons not serving in the military a problem? What about Fred Thompson and his adult sons? Are they serving in the military or is this a question that can only be asked about Mitt?
Hard to look down on Mormons when you are one ...
What about GW's daughters ... why are they not in the service ...
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