Posted on 01/31/2008 8:58:21 PM PST by logician2u
San Diego, CA --
Mitt Romney gave 18 million dollars of his own money to his campaign in the last three months of 2007. In total, he has poured 35 million dollars of his personal fortune into his campaign.
The Romney camp also reported raising 9 million dollars in donations in the fourth quarter equaling 53.5 million dollars for the entire year. The campaign spent 33.8 million during the last 3 months of the year equaling 87.6 million dollars spent in 2007. The camp reports having 2.4 million dollars cash on hand at the end of the year. The campaign did not release any numbers for January meaning that Romney may have donated even more than 35 million dollars to his campaign.
The camp launched an aggressive ad blitz today signaling that former Massachusetts governor may have used more of his vast wealth, which is estimated at upwards of 250 million dollars.
Campaigns were required to file their end of the year finance reports today with the Federal Election Commission.
(Excerpt) Read more at embeds.blogs.foxnews.com ...
Super Tuesday will tell.
I was concerned it was all over when I had originally heard that Romney hadn’t made any media buys for next week, but this loan seems to indicate that he is ready to fight.
I had a last opportunity to join the GOP last week here in Maryland. I thought long and hard about it and looked at it from a local and national level and decided, yet again, to continue to remain a conservative independent.
The paradox of it all is that the folks for whom I would now be voting to block, McCain and his ilk, are the very reason that I would not join the GOP in the first place.
I know it’s just one vote, but in retrospect I sure wish I could throw that switch next Tuesday ~ against McCain.
Has anybody asked yet “At what interest rate?”
Sparky
I believe flaggy neglected to PING you to # 124
The 35 million was for 2007. I’m sure he has spent a lot more than that by now. He is probably going to spend 50 or 60 million of his own money before he drops out. LOL
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That boy really should rein in his expensive ego...
The loan was for 2007. How much is he willing to spend for his losing cause? Its obvious he will lose anyway and since none of the other candidates like him, he will not be on anyones ticket or in anyones administration.
Romney? I can’t imagine that you believe he is less conservative than McCain who wants to expand the Global Warming nonsense. Didn’t Al Gore want this? Also didn’t Arnold and Guiliani just endorse him because they say he is moderate at best? Just doesn’t pass the smell test to me.
“none of the other candidates like him, he will not be on anyones ticket or in anyones administration.”
It should provide a blocking manuever, probably enough to keep McCain from gathering the necessary delegates for a technical win prior to the convention.
I susspect the remaining viable candidates would only select cabinet members and appoint judges that will make Romney look like a conservative’s dream.
Do you think he wants a place in a McCain administration?
He could have a cabinet post and stand by while McCain melts down our economy with his global warming juju and opens our borders to a wave of new entitlees.
Sounds like a swell gig.
LOL. That’s funny. “Chuck Norris Action Jeans” huh? I never heard of those, but everybody’s got to make a buck I suppose. At least Norris has done it the honest way and probably enabled many others to have jobs.
Ah, the 80’s. I still listen to 80’s music - love it.
He raised 53 million, and spent an extra 30-something that he loaned to his campaign, for a total of about 86 million spent. Rough numbers.
Yeah! I don't see one, at least not a smart one.
Romney's record is more liberal than McCain or any other candidate in the race:
Top 10 RINOs (Republicans in Name Only)
Human Events 12/27/05 - (Mitt Romney is ranked #8)
8. Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
Has said, “I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country.” Supports civil unions and stringent gun laws. After visiting Houston, he criticized the city’s aesthetics, saying, “This is what happens when you don’t have zoning.”
Economic issues
"His first budget, presented under a cloud of a $2 billion deficit, balanced the budget with some spending cuts, but a $500 million increase in various fees was the largest component of the budget fix." Cato Institute annual Fiscal Policy Report Card - America's Governors, 2004. Romney was rated a "C" overall by Cato.
# In 2006, Romney introduced a universal health care bill (which passed the Legislature in a slightly amended version) which has been criticized by conservatives as being socialistic.
Republican Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is trying to accomplish in his final year in office what Democrats can only dream of these days: boosting government spending on and regulation of health care and requiring individuals to purchase government-designed policies. Romney's plan, which is backed by such liberals as Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, Mass.), is being pitched as a compact between citizens and the state. - National Review Online, 1/26/2006
Andrew Sum and Joseph McLaughlin of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Boston's Northeastern University placed Romney's rule beneath their statistical microscope. Let's hope what they discovered is not contagious.
"Our analysis reveals a weak comparative economic performance of the state over the Romney years, one of the worst in the country," the researchers wrote in the Boston Globe. Specifically, they found:
* As U.S. real output grew 13 percent between 2002 and 2006, Massachusetts trailed at 9 percent.
* Manufacturing employment fell 7 percent nationwide those years, but sank 14 percent under Romney, placing Massachusetts 48th among the states.
* Between fall 2003 and autumn 2006, U.S. job growth averaged 5.4 percent, nearly three times Massachusetts' anemic 1.9 percent pace.
* While 8 million Americans over age 16 found work between 2002 and 2006, the number of employed Massachusetts residents actually declined by 8,500 during those years.
"Massachusetts was the only state to have failed to post any gain in its pool of employed residents," professors Sum and McLaughlin concluded.
In an April 2003 meeting with the Massachusetts congressional delegation in Washington, Romney failed to endorse President Bush's $726 billion tax-cut proposal.
As Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., told the Boston Globe after the powwow: "Here you have a freshman governor refusing to endorse a tax cut presented by a Republican President at the height of his wartime popularity." As for the anti-tax pledge, a Romney spokesman dismissed it as "government by gimmickry."
Abortion
"Romney ran against Senator Edward M. Kennedy in 1994. During a debate, Romney declared: 'I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a US Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it.' " (NOTE: Romney has supported abortion since before the 1972 Roe v. Wade ruling!) - Boston Globe, 3/2/2006
"On a questionnaire Planned Parenthood gave to the gubernatorial candidates in 2002, Romney answered ''yes" to the question, 'Do you support the substance of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade?' Romney also professed support for state funding of abortion services for low-income women, [Erin] Rowland [spokeswoman for the Planned Parenthood League
In 2002, Romney responded to the National Abortion Rights Action League's candidate survey: ''I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose. This choice is a deeply personal one. Women should be free to choose based on their own beliefs, not mine and not the government's. The truth is, no candidate in the governor's race in either party would deny women abortion rights." Notably, Romney refused to answer the candidate questionnaire sent to him by Massachusetts Citizens for Life. - Boston Globe, 7/3/2005
Fred Thompson: "Romney Fact Check on Preserving the Sanctity of Life"
December 16, 2007 -- Romney's Claim : "...every piece of legislation which came to my desk in the coming years as a Governor, I came down on the side of preserving the sanctity of life."
- Mitt Romney, Meet the Press 12/16/07
Fact Check
· Romney's health care legislation provides taxpayer-funded abortions for a co-pay of just $50.
o Romney vetoed EIGHT provisions in his health care bill that he deemed objectionable, but he did not veto Planned Parenthoods' guaranteed position on the Advisory Board or ensure that abortions were covered only in medically necessary situations (as required by MA court ruling). All abortions are covered in the Commonwealth Care program with no medically necessary limitation.
· Romney included in his health care legislation a guarantee that Planned Parenthood would have a representative on his MassHealth Payment Policy Advisory Board. No such provision was included for a pro-life representative .
· Romney forced private Catholic hospitals to provide the morning-after-pill, a position applauded by Democrats and pro-abortions groups .
Romney's health care legislation provides taxpayer-funded abortions for a co-pay of just $50. Romney vetoed EIGHT provisions in his health care bill that he deemed objectionable, including the expansion of dental benefits to Medicaid recipients. He did not veto Planned Parenthoods' guaranteed position on the Advisory Board or ensure that abortions were covered only in medically necessary situations (as required by MA court ruling). All abortions are covered in the Commonwealth Care program with no medically necessary limitation. Under the program, abortions are available for a copay of $50. (Menu of Health Care Services: http://www.mass. gov/Qhic/docs/cc_benefits1220_pt234.pdf; "Romney's Health Care Vetoes," Associated Press, 4/12/06)
Romney included in his health care legislation a guarantee that Planned Parenthood would have a representative on his MassHealth Payment Policy Advisory Board. No such provision was included for a pro-life representative . "You cannot be personally opposed to abortion and then contribute money to an organization whose purpose is to provide abortions," said Jerry Zandstra. "Given the Romney family's support of Planned Parenthood, it now makes sense why he mandated that a member of the RomneyCare Policy board be appointed by the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts." (RepealRomneyCare.com, "Pro-Life Leaders Denounce Romney's Planned Parenthood Connections," Press Release, 5/10/07)
Romney forced private Catholic hospitals to provide the morning-after-pill, a position applauded by Democrats and pro-abortions groups . "Governor Mitt Romney reversed course on the state's new emergency contraception law yesterday, saying that all hospitals in the state will be obligated to provide the morning-after pill to rape victims. The decision overturns a ruling made public this week by the state Department of Public Health that privately run hospitals could opt out of the requirement if they objected on moral or religious grounds. Romney had initially supported that interpretation, but he said yesterday that he had changed direction after his legal counsel, Mark D. Nielsen, concluded Wednesday that the new law supersedes a preexisting statute that says private hospitals cannot be forced to provide abortions or contraception. 'And on that basis, I have instructed the Department of Public Health to follow the conclusion of my own legal counsel and to adopt that sounder view,' Romney said..." (Scott Helman, "Romney Says No Hospitals Are Exempt From Pill Law," Boston Globe, 12/9/05)
· Catholic leaders urged hospitals to reject Romney's mandate or risk "compromising their religious integrity and Catholic identity." "C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, a conservative Catholic organization, said Catholic hospitals should refuse to abide by the law. 'T he appropriate response for Catholic hospitals is noncompliance. Otherwise, they would be compromising their religious integrity and Catholic identity,' he said." (Steve LeBlanc, "Confusion Over New Emergency Contraception Law Deepens," Associated Press, 12/9/05)
Source: Fred Thompson campaign Homosexual "Rights"
"During his 2002 gubernatorial run his campaign distributed bright pink flyers during Pride that declared 'Mitt and Kerry [running mate Kerry Healey] wish you a great Pride weekend! All citizens deserve equal rights, regardless of their sexual preference.' Romney also argued that he would not only support gay friendly policies but would fight on behalf of the gay community to secure benefits such as domestic partner benefits and hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples." - Bay Windows 3/3/2005
"[Romney] did, however, pledge to support the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation, and other civil rights protections for gays in the areas of housing and credit. He also promised to bring the initiatives begun in Massachusetts to protect gay and lesbian youth to the federal level." - Bay Windows, 3/28/2002
"There will be children born to same-sex couples, and adopted by same-sax couples, and I believe that there should be rights and privileges associated with those unions and with the children that are part of those unions." On another occasion, his spokesman "declined to state Romney's position on whether homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt, and declined to say whether the governor opposes gay adoptions." - State House press conference, 6/15/2005 - Boston Globe, 3/2/2006
Despite the over 2,500 pedophilia cases now on record involving homosexual scout leaders, Romney stated, "I feel that all people should be allowed to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation." In the same article, a BSA official criticized Romney for opposing Scout policy. - Boston Globe, 10/27/1994
* The 2002 Olympics - run by Mitt Romney - was the only Olympics that restricted the Boy Scouts from participating. According to news reports, this was apparently because of pressure from homosexual activists. (But also, according to reports, homosexual groups participated fairly prominently.) Romney would not respond to reporters' questions about that action.
The largest Boy Scout council in the country responded to the call for volunteers issued by the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee, but the welcome mat was rolled up and the door slammed in its face. Olympic spokesmen for the 2002 winter games say the exclusion has nothing to do with recent protests by gay activists. While the organizing committee for the Olympic event is prominently displaying a call for local volunteers, they have explicitly let it be known that the Boy Scouts need not apply. "For us not to be involved is discouraging, considering the Atlanta games. The Scouting council there was extremely involved," said Kay Godfrey, professional Scout executive for the Great Salt Lake Council of Boy Scouts. - NewsMax.com, Dec. 18, 2000
Judicial Appointments
"Governor Mitt Romney, who touts his conservative credentials to out-of-state Republicans, has passed over GOP lawyers for three-quarters of the 36 judicial vacancies he has faced, instead tapping registered Democrats or independents -- including two gay lawyers who have supported expanded same-sex rights, a Globe review of the nominations has found. Of the 36 people Romney named to be judges or clerk magistrates, 23 are either registered Democrats or unenrolled voters who have made multiple contributions to Democratic politicians or who voted in Democratic primaries, state and local records show. In all, he has nominated nine registered Republicans, 13 unenrolled voters, and 14 registered Democrats."
Romney Rewards one of the State's Leading Anti-Marriage Attorneys by Making him a Judge
* Romney told the U.S. Senate on June 22, 2004, that the "real threat to the States is not the constitutional amendment process, in which the states participate, but activist judges who disregard the law and redefine marriage . . ." Romney sounds tough but yet he had no qualms advancing the legal career of one of the leading anti-marriage attorneys. He nominated Stephen Abany to a District Court. Abany has been a key player in the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association which, in its own words, is "dedicated to ensuring that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision on marriage equality is upheld, and that any anti-gay amendment or legislation is defeated."
Press release from governor's office 5/4/2005
- U.S. Senate testimony by Gov. Mitt Romney, 6/22/2004
* Stephen Abany testified at the State House in 1999 advocating a bill to repeal the sodomy laws in Massachusetts. This type of activism obviously did not bother Romney. - Lawyers' Weekly 2/14/2000
Gun control
Regarding the Brady Bill which required waiting periods to buy a handgun, Romney stated, "I don't think [the waiting period] will have a massive effect on crime but I think it will have a positive effect." - Boston Herald, 8/1/1994
Flip Flops Abortion rights
“I will preserve and protect a woman’s right to choose and am devoted and dedicated to honoring my word in that regard.” Boston Herald Debate, 10/29/02
“Roe v. Wade continues to work its destructive logic throughout our society This can’t continue.” Speech to the Massachusetts Citizens For Life Mother’s Day Pioneer Valley Dinner, 5/10/07
Immigration reform
“With these 11 million people [here illegally], let’s have them registered, know who they are....those that are here paying taxes and not taking government benefits should begin a process towards application for citizenship.” Lowell Sun, 3/30/06
“One simple rule: no amnesty.If that [Kennedy-McCain bill] is not a form of amnesty, I don’t know what is.” New York Times, 6/4/07
Gun laws
“We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts; I support them. I won’t chip away at them; I believe they protect us and provide for our safety.” Romney in 2002 gov. debate, Boston Globe, 1/14/07
“I have a gun of my own. I go hunting myself. I’m a member of the NRA and believe firmly in the right to bear arms.” Boston Globe, 1/14/07
Amendment to ban gay marriage
“Mitt does not support it...As far as Mitt is concerned, it goes farther than current law, and therefore it’s unnecessary.” Romney spokesman, Boston Globe, 3/22/02
“When I was Governor, we took every conceivable step within the law to stop, block or slow down this unprecedented court decision.” Speech to National Right to Life Convention, 6/15/07
“No new taxes” pledge
“I’m not intending to, at this stage, sign a document which would prevent me from being able to look specifically at the revenue needs of the commonwealth” Associated Press, 3/27/02
“Signing the pledge now sends a very clear message to those in Washington who have voted against tax relief and for tax hikes that such actions will never grow our regional and national economies.” Romney spokesman, Boston Globe, 1/5/07
Minimum wage
“I think the minimum wage ought to keep pace with inflation. I think the minimum wage is a good thing to have in our economy and I think it ought to be updated.” Boston Globe, 10/17/94
“[T]he challenge with raising the minimum wage excessively is it is a hurt to those that are entering the work force, the very poor, those that are trying to get early jobs, get those first jobs.” Associated Press, 7/25/06
Cutting Social Security
“I don’t think you go back and rewrite the contract the government has with people who’ve retired.” Boston Globe, 10/17/94
“Personal accounts would be a big plus.”... [Romney]also said changing the retirement age could be considered, as well as basing the Social Security cost of living adjustment on a different inflation gauge. Union Leader, 6/7/07
Adoption non-discrimination
Governor Mitt Romney and a legislative leader yesterday delivered unwelcome news to the Catholic bishops of Massachusetts, who plan to seek permission from the state to exclude gay and lesbian parents from adopting children through its social service agencies. The governor said he was not authorized to give such an exemption... Boston Globe, 2/17/06
“And then another slide along the slippery slope. The Catholic Church was forced to end its adoption service, which was crucial in helping the state find homes for some of our most difficult to place children... Now, even religious freedom was being trumped by the new-found ‘right’ of gay marriage.” Speech to National Right to Life Convention, 6/15/07
Stem cell research
[Romney]endorsed embryonic stem cell research, saying the controversial science might one day help treat his wife’s multiple sclerosis....”I am in favor of stem cell research. I will work and fight for stem cell research. I’d be happy to talk to [President Bush] about this, though I don’t know if I could budge him an inch.” Boston Globe, 6/14/02
“FACT: Governor Romney Opposes Using Taxpayer Money to Fund Embryo-Destructive Research.” MittRomney.com A Record of Protecting Life
Bush tax cuts
Governor Mitt Romney refused yesterday to endorse tax cuts at the heart of President Bush’s economic program...In addition to refusing to endorse the president’s tax cut, the governor surprised several people at the meeting by saying he is open to a federal increase in gas taxes. Boston Globe
[Romney] said it was “absolutely critical” to renew tax cuts proposed by President George W. Bush. Letting them expire would result in a “massive tax increase” that would retard economic growth, Romney said. Detroit Free Press, 2/8/07
Reagan Republicanism
“I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I’m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.” Boston Herald, 10/27/94
“Ronald Reagan is ... my hero. ... I believe that our party’s ascendancy began with Ronald Reagan’s brand of visionary and courageous leadership.” Boston Globe, 1/19/07
Desire to serve in Vietnam “I was not planning on signing up for the military. It was not my desire to go off and serve in Vietnam...” Boston Herald, 5/2/94
“I longed in many respects to actually be in Vietnam and be representing our country there and in some ways it was frustrating not to feel like I was there as part of the troops that were fighting in Vietnam.” Boston Globe, 6/24/07
No, I am not. That's what he's trying, unsuccessfully, to do.
Like it or not, the only man still in the running for the Republican presidential nomination who is both an economic and a social conservative, and who believes that the federal government has a limited role to play in how each of us live our lives, is Dr. Ron Paul.
But he doesn't have a chance, so I've been told many times.
I'd vote for Paul or Huckabee if either were the nominee. Both are far more conservative than Romney or McCain.
I use mine, I can hang atleast 15 shirts on it.
That would be called "Republican class envy"
Thanks to John McCain’s campaign finance reform, only people who are mega-rich like Romney can afford to run for office.
Jealous? Or are you and Huck embracing that democrat virture called "class envy"?
Why cannot people do math?
The word is LOAN.
:P
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