A Republican primary candidate in 2008, and is a presidential candidate for 2012. He is a moderate Republican and Former Governor of Massachusetts. Recent reports have him building a staff and the candidate has spent a great deal of time reaching out to Iowa, the first caucus state in the primary process. Though rumors have also been heard that his staff is considering skipping the caucus state.
A Republican leader from a blue state, Romney brings with him a moderate to liberal record from his days as Massachusetts governor. During the 2008 election though he framed himself as the conservative candidate, taking starkly different views on abortion, embryonic stem cell research and gun control than he had previously held. His signature legislation as Governor was Health Care Reform which echoed the individual and employer mandates of Obamacare. Romney campaigned on bringing similar legislation to the nation but has backed off on that position and denounced Obamacare.
History
Mitt Romney was born March 14th 1947 in Detroit, Michigan. His father, George W. Romney, was CEO of American Motors and served as Governor of Michigan. Mitt attended college for one year before traveling to France as a Mormon missionary. Upon his return he married Ann Davis and began attending Brigham Young University. His first son Tagg was born in 1970 while the couple were undergraduates.
Romney graduated with a B.A. in English. He enrolled in the joint Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration four-year program coordinated between Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. He graduated in 1975 cum laude from the law school, representing a standing in the top third of that class, and was named a Baker Scholar for graduating in the top five percent of his business school class.
After college he went to work at the Boston Consulting Group as a management consultant. He was hired in 1977 by Bain & Company where he became a Vice President in the firm in 1978. Romney grew the firm before leaving for a short time. He returned in 1990 as CEO. In 1999 he left the company again to serve as President and CEO of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games Organizing Committee.
Political Career
In1994 Romney ran an unsuccessful campaign for the United States Senate in Massachusetts. He won the Republican primary and faced long-serving Senator Ted Kennedy.
In 2002 Romney launched a successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor. At the time acting Governor Republican Jane Swift was seen as a liability. She did not run for the nomination. Romney won the nomination and went on to defeat Democrat State Treasurer Shannon O’Brien.
In 2008 Romney decided not to seek a second term as Governor and instead ran for the Republican nomination for President. He lost to Senator John McCain. Many considered Romney a potential Vice Presidential Candidate but Alaska Governor and potential 2012 rival Sarah Palin was selected instead.
Fundraising
In total Governor Romney has raised $32,212,389 for the 2012 Republican Primary. $17,559,845 was raised in the third quarter of 2011. He currently has $14,656,966 cash on hand.
Positions & Ratings
Abortion
Mitt Romney has said that his abortion views have ‘evolved’ over time. In the 1960′s, after witnessing the death of his brother-in-law’s sister from an illegal abortion, Romney came to the belief that abortion should be safe and legal. He stated that position in 1994 and 2002 when running for office. When running for the Republican nomination in 2007 he announced that he was pro-life and wanted the repeal of Roe V. Wade in favor of state regulations.
Gun Rights
Like several of his other positions Romney’s views on strong gun laws have changed. In 2002 he stated “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.” In 2004 he signed a permanent assault weapon ban law. He is on record supporting the Brady Registration Act, Mandatory Firearms ID and the Federal Feinstein Gun Ban.
Stem Cell Research
Romney states that it was his discussions about embryonic stem cell research that changed his position on abortion. He said during his campaign for the presidency that during his meetings with scientist Douglas Melton from Harvard University to discuss the procedure, it was stated that the termination of human embryos was not consequential because of their early state of life.
Romney maintains this changed his thinking to a new understanding that Roe v. Wade had cheapened the concept of life in our society. He became pro-life and against embryonic stem cell research.
Same-sex Unions
Romneys position on same-sex unions and gay marriage have also ‘evolved’ in recent years. During his campaign for the Senate in 1994 Romney held the endorsement of the gay group, log cabin Republicans and said he would provide ‘more effective leadership’ than Ted Kennedy on the issue.
He openly opposed the Boy Scouts of America to allow gay men to be scout leaders and opposed Scout Participation in the 2002 Olympics when he headed the organization.
In 2003 after the Massachusetts State Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage, Romney released a statement of his belief that marriage was only between a man and a woman but recognizing the courts authority in making the decision. He promoted the idea of banning same sex marriage while pushing the classification of civil unions for homosexuals as a compromise.
He has stated he is neither personally for civil unions or gay marriage.
Tarp & Bailouts of 2008
Romney supported the TARP program and has repeatedly defended it.
He opposed a bailout for the auto industry.
Primary & Caucus Wins
- On 1/3/2012 Romney won the Iowa Caucus by 8 votes
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