2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Governor Mitt Romney Announces The Massachusetts Steering Committee

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES THE MASSACHUSETTS STEERING COMMITTEE

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced the Romney for President Massachusetts Steering Committee.  Led by statewide chairs former Lt. Governor Kerry Healey, The Honorable Jody Dow and The Honorable Ron Kaufman, this group of Massachusetts Republicans will help build Governor Romney's already strong grassroots support in the state.

Announcing the Massachusetts Steering Committee, Governor Romney said, "The people of Massachusetts have always had a powerful and passionate voice in our government.  The members of this committee are all leaders dedicated to strengthening our state and our nation.  Like we did in the State House, I look forward to working with this team to bring conservative change to Washington."

Massachusetts Steering Committee Co-Chair Kerry Healey added, "As citizens of Massachusetts, every member of this committee can attest to the leadership ability of Governor Romney.  We all witnessed as Governor Romney closed a nearly $3 billion budget gap without raising taxes or borrowing money.  Working together, we will help Governor Romney in his efforts to bring the same much needed change to Washington."

Former Congressman Henry Bonilla Endorses Governor Mitt Romney

FORMER CONGRESSMAN HENRY BONILLA ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT

Bonilla To Serve As Honorary Texas Finance Chairman

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that former Congressman Henry Bonilla (R-TX) has endorsed his campaign for President of the United States. Congressman Bonilla will help build and expand Governor Romney's grassroots infrastructure across Texas and will communicate Governor Romney's vision of conservative change in Washington. Bonilla will also serve as Governor Romney's Honorary Texas Finance Chairman, helping Governor Romney raise the resources needed to campaign in Texas and across the country.

Making today's announcement, Governor Romney said, "I am proud to welcome a man as distinguished as Congressman Bonilla to our strong and growing Texas organization. During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Bonilla fought to keep our military strong, our taxes low, and our government small. He represented his Congressional District with principled leadership, and I am honored to have his counsel and endorsement."

Announcing his support, Congressman Bonilla said, "Governor Romney is a proven leader, and is the only candidate who can bring real change to Washington. He has a record of strong leadership and problem-solving. He fought for conservative social and economic principles in the bluest of blue states. I am proud to support Mitt Romney for President of the United States."  

Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX) has also endorsed Governor Romney.

New Mitt Romney Website Launched

New Mitt Romney Website Launched

Romney Announces Co-Chairs Of The Advisory Committee On The Constitution And The Courts

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES CO-CHAIRS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION AND THE COURTS

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced the Co-Chairs of the Romney for President Advisory Committee on the Constitution and the Courts.  Together, Professor Mary Ann Glendon and Professor Douglas Kmiec will lead a group of noted legal scholars and professionals in advising Governor Romney on judicial matters, separation of powers and federalism issues.  Additional members of the Committee will be announced at a later date.

"Too often, too many of the most important issues of our day are decided by a select group of judges.  This makes it even more important that we select judges who will respect our Constitution and the rule of law.  Mary Ann Glendon and Douglas Kmiec are two of our country's leading conservative voices on judicial matters and I look forward to their counsel as we move forward in this campaign," said Governor Romney.

With today's announcement, Professor Mary Ann Glendon said, "In the aftermath of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's decision redefining marriage, I had the opportunity to work with Governor Romney and see him in action.  He knows the importance of defending principles of judicial restraint.  I was proud to work with him then and am proud to work with him now as he pursues our nation's highest office."

Joining Professor Glendon, Professor Douglas Kmiec said, "More than any other candidate, Governor Romney understands the importance of nominating 'honest constructionists' – that is, judges with a genuine appreciation for the text, structure, and history of the Constitution and the laws as enacted. There have been far too many examples of late where the public has been given reason to believe that those charged with dispassionately interpreting the law have relied on partisanship instead.  It is as wrong to politicize the Courts as it is for the Courts to play politics.  For this reason, Governor Romney strongly supported the nominations of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, and he will appoint federal judges and justices in the same mold. With Governor Romney as President, I am confident that we will have a judiciary that will respect our Constitution and not legislate from the bench."

Mitt Romney Announces National Faith And Values Steering Committee

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES THE NATIONAL FAITH AND VALUES STEERING COMMITTEE

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced the members of the Romney for President National Faith and Values Steering Committee, a coalition of supporters who will advise Governor Romney on matters of faith and values.

"The men and women of our National Steering Committee represent decades spent defending faith, religious expression and traditional values.  I believe that our Party and our nation must stand for strong families, traditional marriage and the sanctity of human life.  I am proud to be joined by these leaders in our campaign to change Washington," said Governor Romney.

Serving as a Chair of the Steering Committee, noted Constitutional Attorney and Supreme Court Advocate Jay Sekulow said, "Governor Romney has a strong record of defending traditional values and supporting the faith community.  He is the one candidate who has spoken to the importance of promoting stronger families.  In Washington, he will stand alongside those defending our most important values." 

Iowa Committee Members

Tom Coates, Vice President, Truth About Gambling, Iowa
Joe Earle, Former Director Of Church and Community Development, Iowa Christian Alliance, Iowa
Keith Hunter, Board Member, Iowa Christian Alliance, Iowa
Sen. Dave Johnson, Conservative Activist, Iowa
Kathy Oltmans, Iowa

Kevin Madden Statement On The Ames Straw Poll

Statement On The Ames Straw Poll

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President spokesman Kevin Madden issued the following statement on the Ames Straw Poll:

"Governor Romney has put in the time, built the organization and communicated his message to the voters of Iowa. It's a message focused on bringing conservative change to Washington, and it is resonating with Iowa voters because it matches his record of accomplishment as governor.

"Our plan all along has been to play in the Iowa straw poll, and that hasn't changed. Campaigns that have decided to abandon Ames are likely doing so out of a recognition that their organizations are outmatched and their message falls flat with Republican voters in Iowa.

"It looks as if we just beat those campaigns in Iowa two months earlier than we had planned on beating them."

What They're Saying About Mitt Romney At The New Hampshire GOP Debate - Vol IV

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GOP DEBATE – VOL. IV

Frank Luntz On Fox News' "Fox & Friends":

Frank Luntz:  "There was one candidate that did even better than Rudy in our dials and it was Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.  Watch how the dials react to his expression and communication about his religion."

Governor Mitt Romney:  "Well, President Kennedy some time ago said he was not a Catholic running for president, he was an American running for president.  And I'm happy to be a proud member of my faith.  You know, I think it's a fair question for people to ask, what do you believe? And I think if you want to understand what I believe, you could recognize that the values that I have are the same values you'll find in faiths across this country.  I believe in God, believe in the Bible, believe Jesus Christ is my savior. I believe that God created man in his image.  I believe that the freedoms of man derive from inalienable rights that were given to us by God.  And I also believe that there are some pundits out there…"

Fox News' Steve Doocy:  "Frank?"

Luntz:  "It's off the chart.  It's actually off the chart."

Doocy:  "Have you ever seen this before?  Does that happen very often?"

Luntz:  "It happens once or twice every hour, that’s it.  In a full hour's worth of communication, maybe two candidates in one response will do well.  So let's close with what they had to say about Romney. The group, only six or seven people who walked into the room were choosing Romney when the debate began.  Watch what happens when the debate's over and what they had to say."

Panel Member:  "His answers, he’s just answering the questions right off the bat.  He's not giving any bull."

Panel Member:  "He's answering the questions more directly."

Panel Member:  "He's not backing down from his answers, he's standing firm on them, whether you like them or not."

Panel Member:  "He's answering the questions the best he can, honestly."

Panel Member:  "He's a very good communicator and he sticks by his answers."

Panel Member:  "I feel he’s very knowledgeable in a comprehensive way.  He covers a lot of territory."

Panel Member:  "He handled the Mormon thing as good as he should have, and it's time that Wolf Blitzer gets another subject."

…

Doocy:  "And the winner was?"

Luntz:  "Mitt Romney."

What They're Saying About Mitt Romney At The New Hampshire GOP Debate - Vol III

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GOP DEBATE – VOL. III

Politico's Roger Simon: "Here are the winners and losers of Tuesday night's Republican presidential debate, accurate to three decimal places. FIRST PLACE: Mitt Romney.  Analysis: Strong, clear, gives good sound bite…" (Roger Simon, "Debate Winners! Guaranteed Accurate!" The Politico, 6/5/07)

CNN's Bill Schneider: "[Romney] made a compelling case." (CNN's "Post-Debate Coverage," 6/5/07)

Politico's Jonathan Martin: "…Mitt Romney also turned in a good performance."  (Jonathan Martin, "My Final Take," The Politico, 6/5/07)

Boston Globe's Scot Lehigh:  "Bottom line: Romney was most polished…"  (Scot Lehigh, Op-Ed, "Essential Qualities," The Boston Globe, 6/6/07)

Political Strategist Mike Murphy: "Romney is on his game tonight, I'll say that." (CNN's Political Ticker, 6/5/07)

CNN's Natalie Apsell: "Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney also received audience cheers tonight after he fielded an immigration question." (Natalie Apsell, "Audience Cheers Tancredo And Romney On Immigration," CNN, 6/5/07)

New York Sun's Seth Gitell:  "Mr. Romney had a good moment when an audience member asked him about his Spanish language Web site. Mr. Romney quipped, 'I love legal immigrants coming to the country, and I hope they vote for me.'" (Seth Gitell, "Seriousness Dominates GOP Debate," New York Sun, 6/6/07)

The Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes: "Romney was fine, too. It was clear he's figured out and was trying to emulate one of Reagan's traits: unbridled optimism. And he was pretty good at it. Most of Romney's answers included a reference to his personal optimism or his 'vision' for the 21st century…" (Fred Barnes, Op/Ed, "Nice Guys In New Hampshire," The Weekly Standard, 6/5/07)

National Review's John Derbyshire: "Romney: Great to hear these guys talking with such expertise and (in Romney's case) authority on a Dem issue like health care." (John Derbyshire, "Debate," National Review Online, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 6/5/07)

What They're Saying About Mitt Romney At The New Hampshire GOP Debate - Vol II

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GOP DEBATE – VOL II

National Review's Rich Lowry: "Romney's Answer on War on Terror: Quite good (and he was shrewd to get off the tactical nuke thing quickly with a simple no-option-off-the-table)." (Rich Lowry, "The Corner," National Review Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, 6/5/07)

Townhall's Hugh Hewitt Said Romney "Looked And Sounded Great." (Hugh Hewitt, "We Are Not Going To Build Fences And Barriers," http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/g/356cbdd4-ddd4-45d3-895f-a69cfdc8c0da, Accessed 6/5/07)

Political Strategist Mike Murphy: "I Thought [Romney] Had A Good Performance Tonight." "And I'll quickly defend Mitt Romney.  I thought he had a good performance tonight.  And I thought it was impressive that he brought up China, which is a huge economic issue that I think is going to play big in the general election.  I thought he was very clear about Iraq, which is 'fight terror.'" (CNN's "Post-Debate Coverage," 6/5/07)

Captain's Quarters' Edward Morrissey: "How many times will Romney have to answer for his religion, and why does he have to do it at all? Romney gave a gracious and tenacious answer, which should be the last time he has to answer it." (Edward Morrissey, "Romney gets the Mormon question… again…," Heading Right, http://headingright.com/, 6/5/07)

Hotline's Emily Goodin, Romney Nailed The Mormon Question. "Romney got the Mormon question. He quotes JFK – 'not a Catholic running for president but an American.' He also makes it political but slams it back on the press. Romney: 'I also believe there are some pundits out there who hope I'm going to distance myself from my church in order to help myself politically and that's not going to happen.'" (Emily Goodin, "Praying to God," The Hotline: On Call, http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/, Posted 6/5/07)

National Review's Jim Geraghty: "As I was watching this, I thought, 'I would be comfortable with Romney as the nominee.' The word 'unflappable' comes to mind. Solid answer on a borderline unfair question on the Mormon thing. I'm struck by how he manages to squeeze an answer that's usually pretty solid no matter what amount of time is available." (Jim Geraghty, "GOP Debate Three Wrapup," National Review, The Hillary Spot, http://hillaryspot.nationalreview.com/, 6/5/07)  

Washington Post's Chris Cillizza Highlighted Romney Applause For His Immigration Answer. "Later, Romney called for making the Z-visa program in the Senate legislation temporary and called on the government to enforce current law. He drew two rounds of applause." (Chris Cillizza, "McCain & Giuliani Tussle Over Immigration," Washington Post: The Fix, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/, Posted 6/5/07)

CNN's John King: "Romney Did Good On The Idea Of Mormonism." JOHN KING: "… [A]nd Mitt Romney did good on the idea of Mormonism and invoking the idea of John Kennedy, a religion like yours, not to be afraid of and that's something his campaign will have to engage in probably more than just tonight as the campaign goes along." (CNN, "Post Debate Coverage," 6/5/07)

What They're Saying About Mitt Romney At The New Hampshire GOP Debate

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GOP DEBATE

CNN Political Analyst Bill Schneider Said Romney Sounded Like A President. CNN's BILL SCHNEIDER: "'I won't answer hypotheticals' – former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney sounds like a president already when he responded to a question about what he would do if the current 'surge' strategy in Iraq was judged to be unsuccessful." ("Schneider: Romney Sounds Presidential," CNN Political Ticker, http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/, 6/5/07)

Washington Post's Chris Cillizza: "Romney Continues To Perform Well." "Mitt Romney continues to perform well, this time deftly handling a question about voters' doubts about his Mormonism. He called it a 'fair question to ask' and highlighted the similarities he shares with Christians rather than the differences that exist. 'The values that I have are the same values you will find in faiths across this country,' Romney said." (Chris Cillizza, "Surprise, Romney Gets a Mormon Question," Washington Post Blog, www.blog.washingtonpost.com, Posted 6/5/07)

· Cillizza: "Romney attacked both Washington – 'where everything becomes a mess' -- and the Democratic party for promoting 'socialized medicine.' He used the health care question to highlight his resume as a doer during his gubernatorial term in Massachusetts; 'I'm the guy who actually tackled this issue,' he said." (Chris Cillizza, "Giuliani, Romney And Thompson On Health Care," The Washington Post, The Fix http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/, 6/5/07)

CBN's David Brody: "If Mitt Romney doesn't become President, he should seriously consider being CEO of debate school. He could teach every candidate a thing or two. He is so polished, a great speaker and doesn't come across as robotic." (David Brody, "The Brody File Reacts To The GOP Debate," CBN's The Brody File, http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews, 6/5/07)

· Brody: "His answers tonight on Iraq and immigration were very clear. He comes across as very knowledgeable. I thought it was the right move tonight to NOT attack John McCain on immigration. This way he comes across as the nice guy, not the attack dog." (David Brody, "The Brody File Reacts To The GOP Debate," CBN's The Brody File, http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews, 6/5/07)

· Brody: "Romney had been criticized before the debate because McCain said he didn't have a plan on immigration but Romney said very clearly that he does: enforce the current law. That answer was a crowd pleaser." (David Brody, "The Brody File Reacts To The GOP Debate," CBN's The Brody File, http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews, 6/5/07)

National Review Online's Andy McCarthy: "Romney: enforce the law as it exists… That hits the sweet spot." (Andy McCarthy, "Romney: enforce the law as it exists," http://corner.nationalreview.com/, 6/5/07)

Politico's Jonathan Martin: "Romney Knocked The Mormon Question Out Of The Park." "Wolf sorta gave it to him open-ended, but Romney knocked the Mormon question out of the park. He opens by drawing the JFK comparison, which makes the whole proposition seem less exotic, and closes by reminding those unnamed 'pundits' that he won't distance himself from his church to help him politically, which guilts those for even raising the question." (Jonathan Martin, The Politico Blog, www.politico.com, Posted 6/5/07)

The New Republic's Michael Crowley: "[Governor Romney] is a razor-sharp speaker. The answer about his Mormonism was a perfect 10. The man is a human PowerPoint presentation - it's almost scary." (Michael Crowley, "Mitt," http://www.tnr.com/blog/theplank, 6/5/07)

ConservativeBlogger.com's William Smith:  "Romney is really solid tonight… he's saying the right things." (William Smith, "DEBATE: Live-Blog Of GOP Debate," http://conservativeblogger.com, 6/5/07)

Heading Right's Macranger: "Romney handled it 'Presidential…'" (Macranger, "Romney vs. McCain," Heading Right Blog, http://headingright.com/, 6/5/07)

· Macranger: "Romney hits it out of the park! Immigration - ENFORCE THE LAWS ON THE BOOKS! Exactly!" (Macranger, "Romney Hits It Out Of The Park," Heading Right, http://headingright.com/, 6/5/07)