2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: About Governor Mitt Romney At The Des Moines, IA GOP Debate

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE DES MOINES, IA GOP DEBATE

Fox News' Frank Luntz: "When we do these debates, usually there is some sort of a split in how people react in terms of winners or losers. We do not have a loser this time, but clearly, Mitt Romney was the winner." (Fox News' "Live," 12/12/07)
·        Luntz: "When Mitt Romney talked about education, it was an absolute home run. Romney's communication of education talked about his background and it was very effective in his presentation." (FOX News' Post-Debate Coverage, 12/12/07)
·        Luntz: "[Romney] united both elements of the Republican Party.  And not only was his language effective, but they thought that the job that he did was very well-communicated." (FOX News' Post-Debate Coverage, 12/12/07)
·        Luntz: "It was a very good day for Mitt Romney – very effective." (FOX News' Post-Debate Coverage, 12/12/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "Mitt won – sounded presidential, competent, made a case for himself, and was optimistic but realistic about the threats we face. He's hit his stride." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Romney, the Manager," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Lopez: "…he seems to be focusing on his managerial skills in a big way this debate. Strikes me as a smart idea." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Romney, the Manager," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 12/12/07)

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "Mitt Romney had a hell of a good afternoon." (Marc Ambinder, "First Take: The Final Republican Debate," The Atlantic, https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Ambinder: [Romney] seemed more sinewy than usual, less programmed, quite (dare we say) presidential, and even-tempered." (Marc Ambinder, "First Take: The Final Republican Debate," The Atlantic, https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com, Posted 12/12/07)

National Review's Rich Lowry: "Romney wins in a romp. Positive and substantive." (Rich Lowry, "Luntz Focus Group," National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com/=, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Lowry: "Romney nails his answer to the tax question." (Rich Lowry, "Middle Income Families," National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com/=, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Lowry: "I think Romney's tax answer was so good with its emphasis on 'middle class families' is that so far the only candidate to try to address the anxieties of the middle class is Huckabee. Romney needs to get on that territory, but provide better policy answers than Huckabee. Which is exactly what he did." (Rich Lowry, "Off The Charts," National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com/post/=, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Lowry: "Another plug for 'middle class families' from Mitt. It's important for him to keep hitting on it." (Rich Lowry, "Another Plug For 'Middle Class Families'," National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com/=, Posted 12/12/07)

Commentary's John Podhoretz: "Romney says it's incredibly important that the next president should be a conservative. We need to follow Ronald Reagan's model: social conservatives, economic conservatives and foreign policy conservatives. I want to draw on those strengths. Very strong answer." (John Podhoretz, "LIVE: Blogging the Republican Debate Part Two," Commentary's "Contentions" www.commentarymagazine.com/, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Podhoretz: "Quick call on the debate: Romney is very good." (John Podhoretz, "LIVE: Blogging the Republican Debate Part Two," Commentary's "Contentions" www.commentarymagazine.com/, Posted 12/12/07)

The Weekly Standard's Richelieu: "Romney on his game." (Richelieu, "Richelieu: The Iowa Debate," The Weekly Standard's "Campaign Standard," www.weeklystandard.com/, Posted 12/12/07)
National Review's Jim Geraghty: "The issues – education, the budget – played to [Gov. Romney's] strengths." (Jim Geraghty, "Iowa PBS and the Des Moines Register: Making CNN Look Good," National Review's "The Campaign Spot," https://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/, Posted 12/12/07)

Statement: Iowa House Republican Leader Christopher Rants

STATEMENT: IOWA HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER CHRISTOPHER RANTS

"Governor Romney exhibited leadership and a command of the issues on the stage today. His vision, values and experience are exactly what Iowans are looking for in our next president. His conservative message of strength is what sets him apart from the other candidates in this race, and with three weeks to go until the caucuses, he showed why he should be our next president."

-Representative Christopher Rants, Republican Leader In The House Of Representatives, December 12, 2007

Governor Mitt Romney Lays Out Vision For A Stronger America

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY LAYS OUT VISION FOR A STRONGER AMERICA

Johnston, IA – This afternoon, Romney for President Communications Director Matt Rhoades released the following statement on the tenth Republican presidential debate:

"This afternoon, Governor Romney laid out the clear vision to meet a new generation of challenges confronting our country.  From fiscal policy and education policy to our foreign policy, Governor Romney has proposed a clear strategy to build a stronger America with a stronger military, stronger economy and stronger families.  In three weeks, the people of Iowa will vote in the caucuses and this afternoon, Governor Romney made the choice clear.  With the experience, vision and values, Governor Romney is the one candidate who can build a stronger nation."

Des Moines Register Debate Mitt Romney Photo

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Choice: The Record"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "CHOICE: THE RECORD"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Choice: The Record."  The ad highlights the very important choice voters will have to make when it comes to confronting illegal immigration.  While Governors Romney and Huckabee both believe in protecting life and traditional marriage, they have very different records on enforcing our immigration laws.  In Massachusetts, Governor Romney stood up and vetoed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and opposed driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.  In Arkansas, Governor Huckabee supported in-state tuition breaks and taxpayer-funded scholarships for illegal immigrants.   

The ad will begin airing tomorrow as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa.

Script For "Choice: The Record" (TV:30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

ANNOUNCER:  "Two former governors, two good family men.

"Both pro-life, both support a Constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage.   

"The difference?

"Mitt Romney stood up, and vetoed in-state tuition for illegal aliens, opposed driver's licenses for illegals.

"Mike Huckabee?  Supported in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants.

"Huckabee even supported taxpayer-funded scholarships for illegal aliens.

"On immigration, the choice matters."

Mitt Romney Statement On Pearl Harbor Day

GOVERNOR ROMNEY ON PEARL HARBOR DAY

Governor Mitt Romney
Fort Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
December 7, 2007

Governor Romney:  "And the significance is not lost on me that we're here on the day where we commemorate the loss of 2,400 lives at Pearl Harbor.  Their memory is etched in our minds and this is a date which will long live in infamy as we recognize the infamous attack against our sovereignty and our peace and our citizens."

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Not Politically Correct"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Not Politically Correct."  The ad highlights Governor Romney's record of fighting for conservative principles in the bluest of blue states.  When it was not politically correct, Governor Romney stood up for life, required English in the classroom and fought for marriage as between a man and a woman.  Governor Romney believes that we can strengthen America by bringing pro-family, conservative change to Washington.

The ad will be airing as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa.

Script For "Not Politically Correct" (TV:30):

ANNOUNCER: "When it wasn't politically correct, he stood up for life in Massachusetts.

"When it wasn't politically correct, he fought for English in the classroom. 

"When it wasn't politically correct, he said marriage should be between a man and a woman."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "You strengthen the American people by strengthening the American family.

"Marriage must come before children, because every child deserves a mother and a father."

ANNOUNCER: "A stronger America."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message."

Mitt Romney "Faith in America" Speech Streamed On USTREAM

Excerpts Of Governor Romney's "Faith In America" Address

EXCERPTS OF GOVERNOR ROMNEY'S "FAITH IN AMERICA" ADDRESS

College Station, TX – Speaking at The George Bush Presidential Library, Governor Romney will address the American people about his views on religious liberty, our country's grand tradition of religious tolerance and how faith would inform his Presidency.

Excerpts Of Governor Romney's Remarks (As Prepared For Delivery):

"There are some who may feel that religion is not a matter to be seriously considered in the context of the weighty threats that face us.  If so, they are at odds with the nation's founders, for they, when our nation faced its greatest peril, sought the blessings of the Creator.  And further, they discovered the essential connection between the survival of a free land and the protection of religious freedom.  In John Adam's words: 'We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion... Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people.'

"Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God.  Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone."

"When I place my hand on the Bible and take the oath of office, that oath becomes my highest promise to God.  If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest.  A President must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States."

"There are some who would have a presidential candidate describe and explain his church's distinctive doctrines.  To do so would enable the very religious test the founders prohibited in the Constitution.  No candidate should become the spokesman for his faith.  For if he becomes President he will need the prayers of the people of all faiths."

"It is important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of moral convictions.  And where the affairs of our nation are concerned, it's usually a sound rule to focus on the latter – on the great moral principles that urge us all on a common course.  Whether it was the cause of abolition, or civil rights, or the right to life itself, no movement of conscience can succeed in America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people.

"We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning.  They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God.  Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life.  It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America – the religion of secularism. They are wrong.

"The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square. We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed trust.

"We should acknowledge the Creator as did the founders – in ceremony and word.  He should remain on our currency, in our pledge, in the teaching of our history, and during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places.  Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our Constitution rests.  I will take care to separate the affairs of government from any religion, but I will not separate us from 'the God who gave us liberty.'"

"These American values, this great moral heritage, is shared and lived in my religion as it is in yours.  I was taught in my home to honor God and love my neighbor.  I saw my father march with Martin Luther King.  I saw my parents provide compassionate care to others, in personal ways to people nearby, and in just as consequential ways in leading national volunteer movements."

"My faith is grounded on these truths.  You can witness them in Ann and my marriage and in our family.  We are a long way from perfect and we have surely stumbled along the way, but our aspirations, our values, are the self -same as those from the other faiths that stand upon this common foundation. And these convictions will indeed inform my presidency."

"The diversity of our cultural expression, and the vibrancy of our religious dialogue, has kept America in the forefront of civilized nations even as others regard religious freedom as something to be destroyed.

"In such a world, we can be deeply thankful that we live in a land where reason and religion are friends and allies in the cause of liberty, joined against the evils and dangers of the day. And you can be certain of this:  Any believer in religious freedom, any person who has knelt in prayer to the Almighty, has a friend and ally in me. And so it is for hundreds of millions of our countrymen: we do not insist on a single strain of religion - rather, we welcome our nation's symphony of faith."

Today, sharing his views on religious liberty, Governor Romney addressed the American people in a speech titled "Faith in America" at the George Bush Presidential Library. (Romney for President Photo/ Abby Brack)

Governor Mitt Romney Prepares For "Faith In America" Speech

Governor Mitt Romney made edits to his speech "Faith in America" this Monday. On Thursday, December 6, Governor Romney will travel to College Station, Texas, to deliver the address at the George Bush Presidential Library. (Romney for President Photo/ Abby Brack)