Romney Report

New Site Domain

2006-06-26T21:29:00.000-04:00

It's official. We've moved: Romney Report.com

Relaunch / Pen Name

2006-06-21T16:44:00.000-04:00

Hello Readers. Wanted to let you know we will soon be re-launching bigger and better at romneyreport.com. We will have more contributers, and a better site design.

As some of you may have guessed, I wanted to get out a full disclosure. "Pete James" is my blogging pen-name. I am not in a position where I would like to disclose my full name. However, seeming that a pen name is a little over-the-top, I decided upon relaunch, I will be using the first part of my real name "Phil James" and leaving off my last name. If you really want to know my last name, you can probably figure it out. I would rather employers not be able to google my last name though and find out my political leanings. Thanks Hugh Hewitt for the drive to always be forthright.

If anyone has any questions, let me know. all the best.

Temporary Reprieve

2006-04-18T22:58:00.000-04:00

Hey folks- I apologize for the shortage of Romney news. Things are getting very hectic at work. I expect to be back and at it again by May 1. Also, if any of you would be interested in joining Romney Report as a contributor/co-blogger, feel free to email me at boscon@gmail

cheers

RomneyCare(s)

2006-04-12T20:05:00.000-04:00

As you well know, Romney has been all over the news. Globe | NPR

Reactions: Hub of Politics | Red State | Newsweek

Romney made remarks about the new Health Care legislation he signed today at Faneuil Hall in Boston (the same place Kerry gave his concession speech). While Mitt signed the bill, he vetoed the proposed employer fee.

Photo of Signing | Video of Romney's Remarks

The Governor explains his plan here in the Wall Street Journal (a rather convincing letter)

The WSJ Editorial board responded negatively today (subscription required, so I cannot link). Ending paragraph:

The real health insurance problem in America today isn't lack of coverage per se; it's the inability of insurers to offer affordable policies in m any states. By asking a fetish of "universal" coverage, Governor Romney has bought into a bidding war that Democrats and advocates of socialized medicine are bound to win in the end.

Romney Conveys Support of Marriage Ammendment to Mass Legislature

2006-04-11T17:01:00.000-04:00

Mitt Romney urged the Mass legislature to support a Marriage Amendment in a letter today (HT: The Corner). Mitt noted the marriage amendment has garnered the most signatures in the history of Massachusetts (which apparently has the longest running consitution of any governing body in the world).

In other news, Ramesh Ponnoru from NR weighs in on Mitt's Health Insurance proposal. Ponnoru does not like the initial goal, but thinks the bill is not all that bad (which is seeming to become the consensus of the center-right).

Also, Romney was in Michigan building ties and friendships by campaigning for a republican candidate for governor there.

Romney Veep Speculation Fun

2006-04-10T20:30:00.000-04:00

With the current lull in the Willard Mitt Romney news cycle, I thought it would be fun to take a look down the long and windy presidential road. So I decided I would throw some thoughts out regarding possible VP selections for a Mitt Romney ticket. I by no means think Romney has the nomination remotely locked up, but his star is surely on the rise. Plus, I know there are many others who enjoy prognostication just as I do.

I am going list several candidates and succinctly list their pro's and con's. At the end I pick my three most likely vp selections.

Mike Huckabee
pros: Southern. Brings geographical diversity, balancing out Mitt's yankee-ness. Good Speaker. Solid social conservative. Firmly pro-life and pro-marriage (see covenant marriage). Baptist minister credentials would diminish the issue of Romney's religion. Focus on healthiness could add a mid-major (if I can steal that sports term) domestic issue to the table.
cons: ?. To the far and mid-left, his Baptist minister credentials would definitely be a turn off. But most of them won't be voting repub anyways.

Brownback
pros: very similar to Mike Huckabee. Social conservative. Religious Catholic. Great pro-life background. A good man.
cons: Lose a great senator (albeit from a red state). Weak on border security? With respect, does not have a presidential aura.

McCain: Would McCain really take what many view a sinecure? [Wait. Maybe this isn't such a bad idea. McCain for Veep!]

Allen [hard to see this happening. Allen and Romney are vying for the same spot to be the non-McCain]
pros: folksy. Semi-southern state (I hail from VA). nascar-fan connection. Good party-boy.
cons: folksy. People may be tired of someone similar to Bush. Weak abortion background.

Swann: too new. wait for '12

Steele:
pros: might attract significant black (esp. religious) vote. [folks: don't be skeptical. Look at Ohio (Blackwell), Swann (PA) and Steele (MD).
All 3 of these states touch each other. You think the black community isn't going to notice if even 2 of these 3 win? We are a welcoming party, and people will begin to see this] Social conservative.
cons: Still too northern. Are people in Arkansas going to identify with a guy from Mass and a guy from Maryland? Would lose a seat in a deep-blue state.

Blackwell
pros: very similar to Steele. Charismatic speaker. Brings a 'swing' state, and mid-western state to the ticket.
cons: not much. (Have to note I'm not overly familiar w/ Blackwell. Visited his site though and liked it).

Tancredo
cons: Think Dan Quayle (a good man) and the press, and multiply that relationship disaster times 10.

Pawlenty
pros: Geographical balance. Could bring a light purple state to the red column. Young, well spoken. Conservative background.(?) [and yes, you can still be a conservative despite increasing the sin tax]
cons: Depends how GOP state party in Minn. is doing in 2 years.

Jeb
pros: Name. Genuinely compassionate conservative. Intelligent and articulate. From Florida (geographical balance, and important electoral state)
cons: Name. Name. Name. Dynasty. (Often referred to by me as the most qualified candidate who can't run b/c of his last name).

Kyle
pros: Geographical balance. Strong conservative.
cons: I don't know much about him, other than his occasional interviews on Hugh Hewitt show.

Frist
pros: Medical Doctor. Handsome. Political experience (at being out-maneuvered). From the south. A seemingly genuinely good man. Intelligence. Compassionate persona. Well known.
cons: Poor performance as majority leader. Does Frist want to be Veep? He could probably use the platform to seriously advance medical issues at home and abroad.

Sanford (don't know much about him)
pros: heard good fiscal conservative. southerner. backbone (bringing pigs to capital to demonstrate pork).
cons: Have heard pro-life lobby in SC does not like him. Don't know why though.

In conclusion, I believe at the moment, the top three potential vp names for a republican ticket headed by Romney would be:
A) Huckabee
B) Frist
C) Blackwell

I can really see Huckabee becoming a VP for Romney. As to the others, time will tell...

Romney Focuses on Mass. Judgeships

2006-04-09T14:57:00.000-04:00

According to an article in today's Boston Globe, Gov Romney has turned his eye toward filling judicial vacancies in Massachusetts. [note: to get to the real substance of this story, skip to the last 3 paragraphs. The first 2/3 of the article is typical Globe posturing against Romney]. The governor recently diminished the role of a judicial recommendation board he promoted when he first took office.

The Globe infers Romney is looking to put more originalists in the judiciary here in Mass (which is something we definitely need). Apparently the commission Romney is essentially now ignoring rejected 77% of potential nominees. That number is staggering. Hopefully Romney can get on the ball, prove his originalist/natural law bone fides to primary voters, while helping improve the legal system here in Taxachusetts.

More on Romney Health Bill

2006-04-07T20:25:00.000-04:00

The American Spectator runs an article by Shawn Macomber on Romney's Health Bill, entitled "Romney Rolls the Dice". Macomber is wary of legitimizing the government's role in Health Insurance.

relevant 'graph:

THEN AGAIN, SURVEYING THE POLITICAL landscape, is it possible to believe a politician willing to sandpaper the slippery slope enough that we can get the foothold necessary to climb back out of it is coming along? Or are we left mostly to hope a handful of politicians such as Romney will find the closest free-market solution addressing the statist desires of the general populace?

And reader Casey S points us toward a good read in National Review that convinced her to get on board w/ Romney's plan: Mitt's Fit.

relevant 'graph:

Furthermore, to allow people to go without health insurance, and then when they do fall ill expect someone else to pay the tab for their treatment is a de facto mandate on providers and taxpayers. Romney proposes to take that option off the table, leaving only two choices: Either buy insurance or pay for your own care. Not an unreasonable position, and one that is clearly consistent with conservative values.

Romney-Care?

2006-04-05T22:36:00.000-04:00

Well, as most of you very well know, Mitt's been in the news quite a bit recently regarding the Health Insurance legislation which just passed out of the Mass legislature.

Earlier today I was mentally preparing my stinging rebuke to this legislation. That is, before I saw Redstate folks seemingly happy w/ the legislation. So, I'm going to post my initial reaction, but do so with a giant asterisk. I don't know now how I feel. But here are my original thoughts:

Prima facie, I am thoroughly bothered by the health care regulation the Mass legislature passed on to Romney. We are now mandating citizens buy Health Insurance? What's next - will shipping insurance at USPS no longer be optional? What about ski-rental insurance, or risky-stock-market-decision insurance? I mollify my discomfort with mandatory auto insurance by slowly telling myself that driving is a privilege, not a right. While driving may be a luxury the government can regulate, breathing certainly is not. This is one small step for socialism, and one giant step toward government run healthcare.*

If Mitt Romney is looking to convince the party base he is not just a big-government moderate from liberal Massachusetts, this sure isn't helping.*

Practically though, I own health insurance. And I never plan not too. So a mandate would not change my situation, and that of most others.

*As noted before, this was my intial reaction to a cursory understanding of the situation at hand. Fortunately, from allies on the right, it seems as though there may actually be a lot of good in Romney's/ Mass legislature's plan. I have not had time to review the plan, so I will present some good links for your own parsing of this information.

Mass Bloggers:

Hub Politics [against]
Hub OF Politics [neutral?]
Blue Mass Group [for - not generally a good thing]

Nat'l:

Redstate thread [mostly for]
Brother's Judd [against]
National Review [for | against] (HT: the Corner)

AND this headline doesn't make me feel good: "Clinton Praises Romney Health Care Plan" .... great. Couldn't ask for a better imprimatur.]

Update:
Two analysts weigh in:
Hugh Hewitt
Carol Platt LeBeau

Hewitt: It's Romney or Allen in '08

2006-04-04T16:35:00.000-04:00

In a radio interview with Kevin McCullough, Hugh Hewitt predicts that either George Allen or Mitt Romney will win the Republican presidential nomination for 2008. Hewitt, radio host, law professor, and blogger extrodinaire, continued by saying that John McCain is a disaster. Romney, Hugh said, has a "charisma of intelligence", a very visible MBA style, and great bona fides from the Salt Lake City Olympics. Romney has "competence and confidence."

An encouraging point Hewitt made, with which I concur, is both an Allen or Romney nomination would allow the Republicans for the first time in a looong time to enter a debate actually expecting to win. I have not seen Allen debate, but Hugh had good things to say about Allen, my former governor and senator.

There was a point in the interview where Hewitt made my blood chill. He described the Democratic 2008 Convention: Bubba speaks to the crowd, drawing insatiable applause, and then introduces his wife Hillary as the nominee. Then Barrack Ombama, every liberal's dream candidate, is announced as the VP candidate. That's a tough ticket to beat. And a very, very liberal one.

If Romney wins, who will be his veep? Right now I see a Huckabee, or even Steele/Blackman ticket (depending on if either wins).

Blog sightings on Romney

2006-04-04T06:05:00.000-04:00

Romney news has slowed down a little recently.

Carol Platt Liebau has a brief post on Romney's effort to reward teachers by merit in Mass.

And Political Roads: 2008 says Romney has moved solidly up into the #3 spot for the Repub nomination. (I agree)

Another Poll

2006-04-01T18:05:00.000-05:00

The Holtine brings us their most recent 2008 Pres rankings (HT: Law Students for Romney). Romney comes in a strong second behind McCain. The Hotline also has an extra "Iowa Rankings" of the 2008 candiatedates.

If Mitt wraps up the nomination in 2 years, I could see a Romney-Huckabee ticket. Gov Huckabee is a solid social conservative, and is also from the south (he's currently the governor of Arkansas).

Rom. News In Brief

2006-03-31T06:08:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Romney signed legislation intended to combat gangs.

Romney responds to Mass Supreme Court decision that out-of-staters cannot marry in Mass:

"Today¹s ruling is an important victory for traditional marriage. It would have been wrong for the Supreme Judicial Court to impose its mistaken view of marriage on the rest of the country. The continuing threat of the judicial redefinition of marriage, here and in several other states, is why I believe that the best and most reliable way to preserve the institution of marriage is to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution."

Again, Globe mentions Romney would be happy if Andrew Card ran for office in the Bay State.

Romney Declines to Take Stance on Immigration Bill

2006-03-29T20:28:00.000-05:00

The AP filed a report regarding Romney's take on the current immigration brouhaha. Romney stated that he does not know the specfics of the bill at hand (McCain-Kennedy), but that he believed in a few important points regarding the issue:
1) No amnesty
2) Don't boot out 11 million illegals
3) And:

Romney wants to smooth the way for more highly-skilled immigrants. “If you graduated at the top of your class at the India Institute of Technology, welcome to the fast track to become a citizen of the US of A. We need your brain power.” [MSNBC article]

Update (3/30): I noticed today my post heading is almost identical to the AP article title. I really thought the article had a more negative title, and I recall choosing my words for the title. So either the AP changed the heading, or I subconsciously penned the same title. Weird.
Update 2: Looking at the link address, the mistake was mine. I must have read the article, read a different one, and then thought I was making my own title when actually writing the APs. Not important, just wanted to clear the water

MSNBC: Is Romney for Real?

2006-03-29T20:25:00.000-05:00

MSNBC.com has a two-pager on Mitt Romney's presidential campaign. The article reports briefly on Mitt's speech today at the American Enterprise Institute, as well as his views on education, marriage, and immigration.

My favorite two 'graphs:

It would be a gloomy picture were it not for the Reaganesque uplift at the end of his speech. And Romney evokes Reagan in the uniquely soothing quality of his voice.

His voice conveys a sense that the situation – the looming caliphate, the influx of non-English speakers, the relative decline in the number of Americans getting science degrees is quite serious, jeopardizing our future, yet not hopeless.

How Bush Supporters Feel about Romney

2006-03-29T20:14:00.000-05:00

The Boston Phoenix's Talking Politics has an interesting post dissecting a recent poll of Bush supporters (from The Hotline). The poll questioned firm Bush supporters about their views of potential '08 nominees. In Adam Reilly's words:

The bad news is that, among the "Bush Base"--the 45 percent or so of Republicans who still thing W. is doing a bang-up job--Romney is something of a presidential afterthought.

Here's the good news: Romney's negatives are remarkably low. When the same voters are asked who they'd never vote for in a presidential primary, Romney finishes dead last among 11 candidates, with just two percent saying they absolutely, positively wouldn't give him the nod.

Pres Advisor Card Resigns... for Romney?

2006-03-28T17:56:00.000-05:00

Presidential advisor Andrew Card resigned today from his post in the Bush administration. Ankle Biting Pundits is reporting an unnamed source suggests that Card retired so he could work on Mitt Romney's presidential campaign (HT: Malkin). This of course would be a huge score for Mr. Romney. For those unaware, Card is himself is originally from Mass.

I personally hope - dearly hope - that Card decides to run for Senate. There is not a single challenger as of yet to Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Southern Appeal Links to Romney Report

2006-03-28T17:55:00.000-05:00

I'd like to take a quick moment to welcome any readers from Southern Appeal, as well as thank Feddie for the promotional link. Southern Appeal is a good site, with good commentary, so I'd encourage any readers to visit.

Mitt Miscellania

2006-03-28T06:04:00.000-05:00

Courtesy the Rocky Mountain News:

LOSING HURTS
Gov. Bill Owens will host his Massachusetts counterpart,Mitt Romney, tonight at the Pepsi Center to collect on his wager on the January Broncos-Patriots playoff game at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Because of the Patriots' loss, Romney will don a Denver Broncos jersey during a short ceremony at center ice during an intermission in the Avalanche-Mighty Ducks game.

Romney Fundraises in McCain's Home State

2006-03-28T05:59:00.000-05:00

The AP is reporting that Gov Romney was fundraising for his political committee (I assume The Commonwealthpath PAC) yesterday in Arizona. The article goes onto to speculate about a potential brewing rivalry between McCAin and Romney. It seems as though the rivalry at this point is only between the respective candidate's staffs.

Relevent graph:

It is McCain whom Romney singled out when the governor announced in December he would not seek a second term this year. Unlike the senator, who once joked he thought about being president "every day in the shower," Romney said
his interest was more like the movie "Star Wars:" "It's in a galaxy far, far away."

My note: If Romney develops an even mild rilvarly, intentionally or not, with Senator McCain, this could help him immensely. There is a lot of resentment, and feelings of betrayel by those in the party w.r.t. John McCain. And becoming his rival could very well garner Romney support.

Redstate Post on Communication Skills

2006-03-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Looks like not much in the news yet regarding Romney.

Redstate has a post grading potential '08 nominee communication skills.

ABCNews Comes out with "2008 Presidential Invisible Primary Ratings"

2006-03-26T12:38:00.000-05:00

ABC News has a thoroughly encompassing first analysis of the 2008 presidential election [Hat Tip: Law Students for Mitt] which you could spend hours analyzing - which is I why I skimmed the article. ABC News provides several categories (e.g. Money, Perceived Electability, Biography), and ranks the candidates for both parties in these categories. I repeat, very interesting. Please read.

Per ABC News, here is how Romney ranks in each of the categories:

Overall: #3
Money Potential: #3
Issues: #3
Biography & Spouse: #4
Iowa: #2
NH: #2
Other States: #2
Perceived Electability: #4
Hang Test (personal interaction): #3
TV Campaign: #6
Wartime Credentials: #8
Media Coverage: #4
Media Buzz: #3
Netroots: #4
Name ID: #7
Fire in the Belly (Desiring Presidency): #2
Endorsements: #3
Party Constituencies: #8
Party Support: #3
Staff/Consultants: #3

All of these rankings seem on target, with the notable exception of "TV Campaign". Was ABC News not looking at the TV when they watched Romney speak? Romney's presidential visage is unmistakable. Many have commented if he were an actor, he'd be selected to play the part of president.

Unfortunately it looks like these ABC News Polls will be articles and not a dynamic page, so I cannot put a permanent link on the sidebar. I'll keep my eyes open.

Romney in Rome for Archbishop O'Malley's Elevation

2006-03-24T06:25:00.000-05:00

Mitt Romney was in Rome yesterday to attend Archbishop O'Malley's promotion to cardinal. An interesting move for a non-Catholic. Note that Mass is probably one of the most, if not the most, Catholic states in America. My take: Romney is definitely reaching out to constituencies that will be important in the upcoming presidential race. [The Boston Globe does it again, with such a flattering photo of the Romney campaign. see link above.]

Wow, it's 6:27 am, and KJL has me beat today on the Romney news of interest.

Lowry: (Allen vs. Romney) vs. McCain

2006-03-23T19:36:00.000-05:00

Rich Lowry, editor of National Review, had a piece yesterday speculating about the upcoming battle for the Republican presidential nomination. Lowry posits that Romney and Allen will be competing for the position as the non-McCain candidate. A good analysis, with some solid points.

While I don't believe we can pin down the Presidential race to McCain vs. X at this point, I do agree that Allen and Romney are essentially competing for the same voter demographic. I am in the interesting situation of having had both George Allen and Mitt Romney as my governor (I lived for a very long while in Northern Virginia).

Romney has some very strong selling points:
-He's smart (Harvard Law, Harvard B-school)
-He's successful (BCG consultant, Bain Capital co-founder [yep], Salt Lake City Olympics]
-He's articulate

While I will be watching Mitt to see if he's the real thing, I am excited about having a candidate who does not fit the media's mold of a good-old boy not-too-bright republican.

Romney Unhappy with Big Dig Money Recovery

2006-03-23T06:36:00.000-05:00

Governor Romney was not happy with the paltry funds that will be returned to Massachusetts. Only $108 M will be returned, on ann almost $15 B dollar project that everyone realizes was terribly managed. Romney pointed to the Attorney General, who is running for Romney's seat next year. Apparently the AG took campaign contributions from the contractor in question. Boston Globe article here.

Romney Does Not Issue Birth Control proclamation

2006-03-23T06:32:00.000-05:00

Tipping his hat to social conservatives, Mitt decided to forego honoring the 1972 ruling from the Supreme Court allowing unmarried people to use birth control. Globe article here. While the governor issued a proclamation last year, my guess is Mitt realizes it would be easy for a primary opponent to mention Mitt's observance of unmarried birth control access, which is not exactly a pro-family stand. [note: unmarried is the key word]

Hey, most things that tick off NARAL and the likes make me happy. Thanks gov.

Thanks Hugh...

2006-03-22T19:53:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to write a short thank you to Hugh Hewitt for his post about Romney Report. I'm an avid Hewitt listener, and hope you other Hewitt blog readers will enjoy the Romney Report and bookmark it.

Interactive Romney Approval Tracking Poll

2006-03-22T17:56:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of our opponents at Blue Mass, I came across this wonderful graph tracking Mitt Romney's approval ratings (SurveyUSA results). I could spend a couple hours playing with the variable demographics, and trying to analyze them. I may indeed do this at some point, but for now I'll leave it to your enjoyment. (I might make a permanent link on the sidebar to this poll)

Note: what does anyone know about reliability/skew of SurveyUSA?

Romney Lacking Leadership on Haleigh Poutre?

2006-03-22T17:51:00.000-05:00

DocJ at The Hub of Politics (and Redstate member) unleashes a blistering criticism of Romney's response to Haleigh Poutre. [note: I need to add Hub of Politics to Links on sidebar]. The post is somewhat extensive and makes some good points. The Haleigh Poutre affair provides a great opportunity for Romney to be a stand-up guy and show leadership. Here's hoping he will...

Mitt Moves into Old State House: Brand Image Impact

2006-03-22T17:38:00.000-05:00

The Boston Globe is reporting that Mitt Romney is moving much of his staff and Commonwealth PAC into Boston's Old City Hall (pic). Living in Boston, I can tell you the Old City Hall is an historic building in the heart of the city. Romney previously had rented space in the Hancock building.

My personal view from a marketing/brand viewpoint, is that the Old City Hall provides a more established, statesman, historic aura - all located in the heart of the city, literally 200 yards from the Boston Common and the site of the "Boston Massacre". The Hancock tower on the other hand, a building laden with financial and consulting firms in the ritzy Back Bay, lent more of a rich, country-club republican aura. Small things, but sometimes they make an impact.

Utah & Romney

2006-03-22T17:33:00.000-05:00

I apologize for the recent inactivity, as I was skiing in beautiful Utah the past weekend. My brief hiatus in Utah did provide one political anecdote regarding the topic of this blog.

While riding up the ski lift, the skier next to me, a native Utah-an (Ute?), asked me how the people of Massachusetts felt about our governor. I replied that we liked him, although our newspapers sure don't. The man then proceeded to give me his political analysis that the only way the republicans win in '08 is if Hillary is the nominee. Do I agree? That's another post for another day.

Take-away: This Utah-person was thinking about Romney in terms of the presidential race.

The Salt Lake Tribune had very little with regards to Romney in the few times I glanced at it.

Romney Does C-Span Interview

2006-03-16T19:02:00.000-05:00

Romney taped an interview w/ C-Span which will air this Sunday.

The Globe has more....

Romney proposes exemption for adoption

2006-03-16T19:00:00.000-05:00

The Globe has an article on Romney's new bill [article], which can be summed up with the first paragraph of the story:

Governor Mitt Romney filed legislation yesterday that would allow religious groups to refuse to provide adoption services if doing so violates the tenets of their faith, including a belief that children should not be placed with gay couples.

Globe: "Romney shifts tone on gay adoption"

2006-03-16T18:48:00.000-05:00

The morning following Gov. Romney's solid interview with Hugh Hewitt, I look at the Boston Globe, only to see the following above-the-fold headline: "Romney Shifts Tone on Gay Adoption". [article] I was concerned.

Turns out Romney still intended to push forward a bill for the Catholic charities. [full disclosure: I am not Catholic but am sympathetic to their values]

The article did bring something questionable in Romney's views to light however.

On Monday in Boston, Romney was quoted as saying:

''Except that there are many, many other agencies that can meet the needs of those gay couples, and I recognize that they have a legitimate interest in being able to receive adoptive services."

However,

In an appearance Friday at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in Memphis, an important early event for presidential hopefuls, he reiterated his position that ''Every child in America has the right to a mother and a father."

If anyone can clear this apparent contradiction for me, I would appreciate it. If every child has the right to a mother and father, how is their a legitimate interest in putting a child into a situation without both a mother and father?

Mitt on Hugh Hewitt Monday 3/13

2006-03-16T12:18:00.000-05:00

Mitt Romney was interview on the Hugh Hewitt show Monday evening. I was lucky enough to turn on Hugh's show when I was grabbing a bite to eat. Radioblogger has the entire transript here.

Issues discussed: SRLC Straw Poll results, Catholic adoption charities and gay parents.

Romney impressed me with his responses on the situation involving Catholic charities and gay parents. For those of you unaware, Catholic charities have been placing the hardest to place children in foster parent homes for years. Now that homosexual marriage has been legalized in Massachusetts, the state is requiring the Catholic charities to place children in homosexual couple households. This of course, is against the Catholic religion.

Governor Romney noted that children are the ones being hurt by telling the Catholic charities what they can and cannot believe. Mitt said he will be introducing a narrow resolution exempting the Catholic agencies from placing children in homosexual households. He said he can exempt them, b/c homosexual marriage is a statute, and not in the Consitution. Thus it is not unconstitutional to propose the bill he will later introduce.

Mitt seemed to recognize the importance of respecting religions and their beliefs.
Here are a couple key quotes from the interview. [courtesy Radioblogger]

MR: ...So you know, I'm of the belief that we have to do everything we
can to allow the Catholic Church to practice its religion as it wants to, and
not impose on them the direction that they have to place children into gay
couples.

MR: Well, we talked about this, this feature, and I expressed to him my concern that you know, as a society, we're very quick to jump when a Church or a religion in any way seems to be imposing in the public sector. If there's a Nativity scene, the ACLU is right there to keep that from happening. On the other hand, when the state intrudes on the right of a religion to practice its faith as they feel appropriate, somehow, no one comes to their aid.

HH: Now Mitt Romney, they will also argue that this will be an unlawful and unconstitutional establishment of religion, violative of the 1st Amendment. Your response?
MR: Well, this doesn't establish religion. It does just the opposite. It allows the free practice of religion. What we're looking to do is to say that a religion should be able to abide by its tenets, and its beliefs, and not have imposed upon it a statute that came before them by the legislature. This is not part of our Constitution.

Purpose of Romney Report

2006-03-16T12:10:00.000-05:00

Purpose: to follow Mitt Romney presidential persuit through news article, blog posts, and local events.

I (Pete James) am a resident of Massachusetts, and like my governor. I have recently had the change to see him speak in person, and meet him briefly. That being said, I have not picked my horse yet for the Presidential primaries. I am very impressed with Mitt's speaking ability and resume, and am thinking of supporting him. As such, I thought it would be great to keep tabs on him for myself and others, as he runs for the presidency.

Is Mitt a genuine center-right conservative, or is he just playing politics for the primaries? I don't know, but hopefully we can find out as we follow him for the next 1-2 years.

Hello World

2006-03-16T12:08:00.000-05:00

Hello World! Well today I am finally launching Romney Report. Hopefully it will be a success!