Romney has made several fine speeches during his ascent to becoming a prospective McCain Vice Presidential running mate. However, conservative speeches a conservative man does not make. The fact is Romney’s speeches and candidacy does resemble conservatism almost in the exact comparative manner that the Mormon faith resembles Christianity. It is not until careful dissection of the person (and the faith) that the true nature may be clearly seen.
As one examines Romney’s history, it is clear that he has only recently embraced any type of conservative viewpoints. Huckabee was indeed insightful when he suggested that there is something deeply disconcerting about a candidate for president who does not reach conservative puberty until the age of 60. The “puberty” phrase was keen and perceptive in the sense that most conservatives recognize that conservatism is flavored by life’s long experiences over a period of years typically beginning in one’s youth; conversely, “old-age” or abrupt conservatism appears suspicious. Also, most conservatives recognize that recent heroes of conservatism, like Reagan and Goldwater, were not last-minute converts to the cause. These two icons had decades of history by virtue of policy statements, policy ideas, voting-records, public declarations, and penned written works which unambiguously demonstrated their deeply held views and philosophies over a long period of time. These two men were not works in progress, but were absolutely galvanized in their thought processes by the time they sought the presidency and well before age 60.
Critical to this line of thinking is that Romney’s latent ‘puberty’ may have been due to his realization that he needed to shift to the right and appease the base of the Republican Party solely for the opportunistic purposes of attaining the GOP nomination. A worse scenario, however, but one of probably equal likelihood, is that there never was any genuine conversion (to conservatism) by the Romney candidate at all, but instead a rationalization of deception in order to accomplish “a greater good” for the country. Many evangelicals harbor distrust of Mormons and the worldwide marketing campaign that the LDS Church has successfully enacted, and for their “lying for the Lord” practice which has been solidly documented as characteristic of Mormonism culture. It is not a far stretch to think that a man like Romney, who grew up in a devout, dogmatic Mormon environment, might (in good conscience) tilt toward deceptive habits and misleading practices in order to remain (a Mormon version of) patriotic.
Lastly, for those whom are thoroughly familiar with the maze of Mormon beliefs, and of the gyrations and logical looseness required to embrace such contradictory beliefs, and for the corruption and cover-ups within Mormon hierarchy, there are serious doubts about the decision-making apparatus of such a president. In fact, one can envision all types of unpredictable behavior in a variety of key areas by such a man. In addition to the vulnerabilities in guidance caused by a broken compass, one can also envision, although probably less likely, flagrant abuse by Mormon “prophets” attempting to exert influence over the White House. Essentially this means that there should be no less concern about a Mormon becoming president, than say, a Scientologist, or Jehovah’s Witness being elected. This doesn’t deny that Mormons are basically very decent, family-oriented folks. However, these qualities alone do not establish reliability, nor provide a framework for one man to make some of the world’s most important decisions as leader of the free world.
In conclusion, it was a relief when Romney bowed out of Presidential contention, and neither should he enter the White House vis-à-vis the Vice-Presidency of McCain. Here are just a few hard examples (from a long list) demonstrating Romney’s unreliability:
ABORTION:
As Gubernatorial Candidate:
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."
- Boston Globe, March 2, 2006
"I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose."
-2002 Questionnaire for the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL)
Boston Globe, July 3, 2005
As Presidential Candidate:
"I am pro-life. I believe that abortion is the wrong choice except in cases of incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother. I wish the people of America agreed, and that the laws of our nation could reflect that view. But while the nation remains so divided over abortion, I believe that the states, through the democratic process, should determine their own abortion laws and not have them dictated by judicial mandate."
- Boston Globe, Op-Ed, July 26, 2005
"Every decision I have made as Governor in a very liberal state has been on the side of favoring life." – Governor Romney
GAY RIGHTS
As Gubernatorial Candidate:
"All citizens deserve equal rights, regardless of their sexual orientation. While he does not support gay marriage, Mitt Romney believes domestic partnership status should be recognized in a way that includes the potential for health benefits and rights of survivorship."
- Romney's 2002 campaign website
"Mitt and Kerry Wish You a Great Pride Weekend! All citizens deserve equal rights, regardless of their sexual preference"
- A flier handed out at "Gay Pride" by the Romney/Healey Campaign
"We have discussed a number of important issues such as the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which I have agreed to co-sponsor, and if possible broaden to include housing and credit, and a bill to create a federal panel to find ways to reduce gay and lesbian youth suicide, which I also support. One issue I want to clarify concerns [grammar in context] President Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue" military policy. I believe that the Clinton compromise was a step in the right direction. I am also convinced that it is the first of a number of steps that will ultimately lead to gays and lesbians being able to serve openly and honestly in our nation's military. That goal will only be reached when preventing discrimination against gays and lesbians is a mainstream concern, which is a goal we share…"
- Governor Romney letter to Log Cabin Republicans, October 6, 1994
As Presidential Candidate:
Lopez: "And what about the 1994 letter to the Log Cabin Republicans where you indicated you would support the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and seemed open to changing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military? Are those your positions today?
Gov. Romney: "No. I don't see the need for new or special legislation. My experience over the past several years as governor has convinced me that ENDA would be an overly broad law that would open a litigation floodgate and unfairly penalize employers at the hands of activist judges...As for military policy and the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, I trust the counsel of those in uniform who have set these policies over a dozen years ago. I agree with President Bush's decision to maintain this policy and I would do the same."
- Interview with National Review, December 14, 2006
MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
As Governor:
In 2002, before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court declared same-sex marriage protected by the Constitution, Romney denounced as "too extreme" the effort by pro-family groups to enact a preemptive state Marriage Protection Amendment prohibiting homosexual marriage, civil unions and same-sex public employee benefits.
- Boston Phoenix, May 14-20, 2004
As Presidential Candidate:
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough: "Do you support a national constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage?"
Governor Romney:
"Boy, I sure do. You know, that's a topic that's really, I think, very important to the country because marriage is not just about adults. Marriage is about the development and nurturing of kids, and in my view, the development of a child is enhanced by having a mom and dad. And so, I think it's very important that we have a national standard because marriage is a status. You get married in one place and then you move to another, you're still married at least in the eyes of the community and the children and the benefits may not follow you, but ultimately we're going to have one standard of marriage in this country and that standard ought to be one man and one woman."
- MSNBC's "Morning Joe" September 17, 2007
GUN RIGHTS
As Senatorial Candidate:
In his 1994 US Senate run, Romney backed two gun-control measures strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups: the Brady Bill, which imposed a five-day waiting period on gun sales, and a ban on certain assault weapons.
"That's not going to make me the hero of the NRA," Romney told the Boston Herald in 1994.
As Gubernatorial Candidate:
"He [Romney] is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban."
- Romney 2002 campaign website
At another campaign stop that year, he told reporters: "I don't line up with the NRA."
- Boston Globe, January 14, 2007
As Presidential Candidate:
"Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution," said Governor Romney. "I'm proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms."
- Governor Romney, News Release, January 12, 2007
As Senatorial Candidate:
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, August 1, 1994
As Presidential Candidate:
"Romney says he still backs the ban on assault weapons, but he won't say whether he stands by the Brady Bill. And after the gun show tour, his campaign declined to say whether he would still describe himself as a supporter of tough gun laws."
- Boston Globe, January 14, 2007
MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
As Gubernatorial Candidate:
"The minimum wage is important to our economy and Mitt Romney supports minimum wage increase, at least in line with inflation."
- Romney 2002 campaign website
As Presidential Candidate:
Governor Mitt Romney yesterday rejected the Legislature's plan to raise the state minimum wage to $8 an hour over two years, angering Democratic lawmakers and advocates who accused him of abandoning a 2002 campaign pledge to significantly boost the pay of low-wage workers.
- Boston Globe, July 22, 2006
IMMIGRATION
As Governor:
In a November 2005 interview with the Boston Globe, Romney described immigration proposals by McCain and others as "quite different" from amnesty, because they required illegal immigrants to register with the government, work for years, pay taxes, not take public benefits, and pay a fine before applying for citizenship.
"That's very different than amnesty, where you literally say, 'OK, everybody here gets to stay,' " Romney said in the interview. "It's saying you could work your way into becoming a legal resident of the country by working here without taking benefits and then applying and then paying a fine."
Romney did not specifically endorse McCain's bill, saying he had not yet formulated a full position on immigration. But he did speak approvingly of efforts by McCain and Bush to solve the nation's immigration crisis, calling them "reasonable proposals."
Romney also said in the interview that it was not "practical or economic for the country" to deport the estimated 12 million immigrants living in the US illegally. "These people contribute in many cases to our economy and to our society," he said. "In some cases, they do not. But that's a whole group we're going to have to determine how to deal with."
- Boston Globe, March 16, 2007
As Presidential Candidate:
In his appeals to conservative voters, Romney has made the Arizona senator’s work on immigration one of his favorite targets. When McCain and other senators unveiled the latest reform bill two weeks ago, Romney called it the “wrong approach” and immediately launched a television ad slamming “amnesty” for illegal immigrants.
- Boston Globe, June 1, 2007
TAXES
As Governor:
"Governor Romney…imposed a slew of fee hikes and tax 'loophole' closures….The largest of these was $259 million worth of fee hikes in FY 2004, the bulk of which came from higher Registry of Deeds fees. Smaller fee hikes, including higher charges for boaters and golfers, we imposed in FY 2003 and FY 2005. Romney also sought $128 million worth of so-called tax loophole closures for FY 2004; $70 million for FY 2005; and $170 million for FY 2006, which were later reduced to $85 million due to backlash from business leaders."
- Club for Growth on Mitt Romney
"Romney continues to oppose the flat tax with harsh language, calling the tax 'unfair.'"
- Club for Growth on Mitt Romney
Romney didn't support President Bush's tax cuts in 2003. That earned him praise from liberal Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA)
- Boston Globe, April 11, 2003.
As Presidential Candidate:
"I said no to a tax hike; raising taxes hurts working people and scares away jobs. I also said no to more borrowing; borrowing just shifts our problems to the backs of our kids...Instead, I went after waste, inefficiency, duplication, and patronage."
- Governor Romney, Boston Globe, October 24, 2005
NO NEW TAXES PLEDGE
As Governor:
In 2002, Romney broke with his predecessor, Jane Swift, and Republican governors before her by declining to sign a written vow not to raise taxes once in office.
- Boston Globe, January 5, 2007
As Presidential Candidate:
Almost five years after he refused to sign a "no new taxes" pledge during his campaign for governor, Mitt Romney announced yesterday that he had done just that, as his campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination began in earnest.
- Boston Globe, January 5, 2007