Monday, October 16, 2006

Mitt Romney 2008? Nathan Burd Thinks It Is Possible

Nathan Burd is the director of Americans for Mitt, a group supporting the candidacy of Mitt Romney for President.

Burd answered these questions for the Conservative President 2008.

1. Why should Mitt Romney become President?

As voters become familiar with Governor Romney, they’ll see that he’s far and away the most accomplished candidate in the field. In fact, he may just be the best candidate from either party in a long, long time.

As governor, Romney has erased a $3 billion budget deficit by reducing waste and cutting taxes. Massachusetts can no longer be called “Taxachusetts” due to Romney’s bold leadership. The principles of fiscal discipline that he has shown in Massachusetts are sorely needed in Washington, D.C.

Romney has also earned praise for applying conservative principles to his landmark plan to provide universal health care coverage to every citizen in Massachusetts.

On education, Romney created the John and Abigail Adams scholarship program that allows high-achieving students to attend state colleges tuition-free for four years. The result of this incentive? Students in Massachusetts rank at the top of nearly academic category.

And on the vital social issues of the day, Romney has been a champion for traditional marriage and for protecting the unborn. By vetoing efforts to expand embryonic stem-cell research and emergency contraception, Romney has made defending human life a top priority. No leader has been as outspoken as Romney on the need to protect traditional marriage. By openly criticizing the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage and by vocally supporting the Federal Marriage Amendment, Romney has been the strongest voice for the traditional values movement in America.

Prior to becoming governor, Romney ran the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. These games were held just months after 9/11 and Romney oversaw the massive security effort to keep the games safe. He has also recently traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to encourage our troops and to get a first-hand look at the challenges we face. He has spoken clearly on the need to defeat the radical Jihadists who aim to destroy our way of life.

Mitt Romney should be our next president because he’s taken action on all of the major issues of our time and he has the leadership ability to ensure that America remains the world’s economic and military superpower.

2. What makes Romney a better candidate over other possible candidates?

Many of the likely candidates are Senators. History has shown that Senators have a hard time becoming presidents. Sadly, the current leadership in D.C. has failed to take action on the major issues facing the country. Governors (Carter, Reagan, Clinton, G.W. Bush) have the executive experience that voters appreciate and expect in presidential candidates.

Mitt Romney is the most accomplished candidate in the field. In fact, it’s not even close. If you stack Romney’s record of accomplishment up against the other likely candidates, there is no question that he’s the best candidate in the Republican field. He’s the complete package; a candidate who appeals to fiscal and social conservatives, but who has also proven capable of working with members of the other party for the common good. This country desperately needs Mitt Romney.

3. Do you think that Romney can win the Republican and if so could he win the general election?

Yes. Romney has already solidified himself as a top-tier candidate in the Republican field. Most polls show the race shaping up to be a Romney/Rudy/McCain contest. While Rudy and McCain still enjoy a considerable advantage in terms of name identification, each has significant weaknesses in the eyes of prominent factions of the Republican Party. Mitt Romney has no weaknesses. His message will appeal to a broad-range of Republican voters and once they get to know him, they’ll like him.

In March, Romney finished in second place in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference Straw Poll. The event was held in Tennessee and Bill Frist won the poll simply for that reason. However, Romney was the real winner by finishing well ahead of the rest of the field.

After winning the Republican nomination, independent voters and sensible Democrats will flock to his campaign. The Democrats in the race are all beatable by the right Republican candidate. Mitt Romney is that candidate.

4. Do you think that Romney being a Mormon will effect his chances at winning the Republican nomination?

The media will bring up “the Mormon issue” continually, but Republican voters will not reject Mitt Romney because of his religion. Republicans are looking for a candidate who shares their values. Mitt Romney has been proven that he shares the moral and political values that Republican voters appreciate.

Prominent religious leaders, including Ted Haggard, Jerry Falwell, Richard Land, Marvin Olasky, Chuck Colson, and more, have already said that they could vote for a Mormon who shares their values. The media will insist on making this an issue, but among Republicans and various religious leaders, it’s just not relevant.

The website I run, Americans for Mitt, has members from a wide variety of faith backgrounds. I’m an evangelical Christian and this issue poses no problem for me. As Cal Thomas recently said, “it troubles me not that a Mormon might become president.”
There is also a great website for “Evangelicals for Mitt” (http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/). As we’ve said from the beginning, the election is for president, not pastor.

5. If Romney loses the Republican nomination, would you like to see him run as a third party candidate?

No. Mitt Romney is a Republican. He’ll get to the White House by winning the Republican nomination and the general election.

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great interview. I believe Mitt Romney is the best candidate out there. What we need in this country is family values and Gov. Romney is not afraid to let you know how he stands. He gets no credit for what he did for Massachusetts because it is so liberal. The Legislature and politicians are mostly all Democrats, and are constantly attacking him along with our liberal Boston Globe.

Anonymous said...

I am a Bible-believing Christian. As such I could NOT vote for a Mormon for president. Despite Sen. Hatch's '00 run to soften Americans for a future Mormon president, the LDS church is a dangerous cult. A Mormon president would give credability to their soul-damning theology. The LDS church also believes in a church-state system and instituted one in the Utah territory. As an Idahoan, I am very familiary with Mormonism. I will not support a Mormon for president. Unfortunately, the 50 years of unitarian chatter brands anyone who exalts Christ above man as a bigot--which somehow has become the worst sin to tv-addicted Americans.

Anonymous said...

Here is something on Mitt that explains a lot. I hope he is not electable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sG8CnxesY0

BurchFamily said...

It's sad that people such as anonymous and Jim are out there. They chose to focus on rumors and false information instead of looking at the facts, they must be democrats. The Facts show that Romney would be a great president, by far the best candidate, and all that nonsense about the Mormon church is ridiculous. Mormons don't support a "church-state" system, in fact if you knew any of their believes it is the extreme opposite and are fully supportive of people believing how, what, and where they would like. They give credit to the freedoms of this nation that their religion could be. Additionally, the bible is part o the scriptures in the Mormon church. I know many Mormons and they are all fantastic people. Get your facts right and don't fall for rumors, America needs a President like Romney.

Anonymous said...

Jim,
I watched your "You Tube" link about Mitt Romney and the Mormon Church - It does not change my view that Mitt is the best candidate for the Presidency. The Mormon church and Mitt Romney are always going to have people that do not agree with them - their feelings will drive them to twist the truth or simply make up garbage about them. Your judment is only as good as your knowlege - make sure you get your knowlege from the "geniune" truth. Mitt Romney has proven to be a great leader - the kind of leader this country needs if our country is going to be the example for good that this world needs.
As for the Mormon Church, I can tell you that the Mormon Church has no hidden agenda - like most churches, the Mormon Church is focused in helping people come to Christ. The Mormon Church is also very big on teaching people to cherish their Free Agency and gives guidance on how to keep one's free agency. Free Agency or Freedom - isn't that what America is all about?

Anonymous said...

It's unfortunate that such a great presidential candidate is so over shadowed by his religious beliefs just because they are not widely understood. With over 12 million members world wide in the LDS (Mormon) church, you'd think it would be better understood. Being a Mormon myself, I wouldn't support another Mormon candidate just because they share my beliefs. Rather I support Mitt because of his excellent record of accomplishments. I believe he has the integrity, skills and experience this country needs in its next president.

Myclob said...

What does Ted Gaggard think of Mitt Romney's Mormonism?

"Pastor Ted Haggard, [at the time] president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NEA) in Colorado Springs, CO said:

" 'We evangelicals view Mormons as a Christian cult group. A cult group is a group that claims exclusive revelation. And typically, it's hard to get out of these cult groups. And so Mormonism qualifies as that'."

http://www.religioustolerance.org/lds_crit.htm

He is more liberal than Mitt Romney, in that he supports civil unions for gays.

Although Haggard opposes same sex marriage, he has suggested that there should be civil unions for homosexual couples. [16]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Haggard#Teachings_on_homosexuality

Ted Haggart supports civil unions, while Mitt Romney, "When he ran for governor in 2002, Romney declared his opposition to both same-sex marriage and civil unions. [67] "Call me old fashioned, but I don't support gay marriage nor do I support civil union," said Romney in an October 2002 gubernatorial debate. He also voiced support for basic domestic partnership benefits for gay couples."

But their are other differences between Mitt Romney and Ted Haggard:

Sex and methamphetamine scandal

[edit] Allegations

On November 1, 2006, Mike Jones alleged that Haggard (whom Jones knew as "Art"; Haggard's middle name is Arthur) had paid for sex with him on an almost monthly basis over the previous three years. Jones contends the relationship was strictly physical, not emotional, and that he was typically paid a "couple of hundred dollars" but sometimes Haggard would pay him extra. [24] Jones also stated "[Haggard] had told me he loved snorting meth before [he] has sex with his wife" and that Haggard had also revealed a fantasy he had of having an orgy with "about six young college guys ranging from 18 to 22 in age." [25]

Jones claims Haggard had often used drugs in front of him,[24] but he said he never actually sold drugs to Haggard but instead introduced him to someone he could purchase it from.

About two years ago he asked, "Hey, Mike, what do you know about meth? I don't do it personally, but I know people who do." I told him that some people think it enhances their sexual experience. He asked if I could help him get some. I located someone he could connect with. After that, he got it on his own. The last time he saw me, he was trying to get some and couldn't, which resulted in him sending me money through the mail in August, postmarked Colorado Springs. He wrote "Art" on the corner of the envelope. I just read that his middle name is Arthur....[26]

Jones said he made his outing allegations against Haggard in response to Haggard's political support for a Colorado Amendment 43 on the November 7, 2006 Colorado ballot that would ban same-sex marriage in that state. Jones told ABC News, "I had to expose the hypocrisy. He is in the position of influence of millions of followers, and he's preaching against gay marriage. But behind everybody's back [he's] doing what he's preached against."[25] Jones hoped that his statements would sway voters. [27]

Jones volunteered to take a polygraph test on a KHOW radio show hosted by Peter Boyles, where Jones first made the allegations. However, Jones' responses during the section of the polygraph test about whether he had engaged in sex with Haggard indicated deception. Haggard responded by saying "We're so grateful that he failed a polygraph test this morning, my accuser did." Jones was not asked questions about drug use. The test administrator expressed doubt about the accuracy of the test because of Jones's recent stress and resulting inability to eat or sleep. Jones says he doubts he will retake the test.[28]

Voice analysis expert Richard Sanders has compared the voice of Haggard from a television interview to that of the voicemails released by Jones and announced preliminary results stating that the voice on the voicemail is most likely that of Haggard. According to an article from KUSA, "Sanders makes his decision by comparing the resonance of the voice, the play of one's tongue and the inflection of vowel sounds."[29]

[edit] Rumors prior to the Jones allegations

Greg Montoya, editor of Out Front Colorado, a Denver GLBT newspaper, told the Colorado Springs Gazette that "rumors about Haggard's love life have circulated through Denver's gay community for the past year. 'But we didn't know it involved Mike Jones.'"[30]

Montoya's disclosure was paralleled by Lou Sheldon, chairman of the anti-gay Traditional Values Coalition and a self-proclaimed friend of Haggard, who told New York's The Jewish Week that he and "a lot" of other people had been aware of Pastor Haggard's same-sex behavior "for awhile... but we weren't sure just how to deal with it.... Ted and I had a discussion. He said homosexuality is genetic. I said, no it isn't. But I just knew he was covering up. They need to say that." [31]

[edit] Response to allegations

Haggard initially claimed he had never heard of his accuser and denied having ever done drugs and stated "I have not, I have never had a gay relationship with anybody."[32] Many evangelical leaders initially showed support for Haggard and were critical of media reports. James Dobson issued a news release stating, "It is unconscionable that the legitimate news media would report a rumor like this based on nothing but one man's accusation. Ted Haggard is a friend of mine and it appears someone is trying to damage his reputation as a way of influencing the outcome of Tuesday's election – especially the vote on Colorado's marriage-protection amendment – which Ted strongly supports."[33]

Later however, Haggard resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals. [34] He went on administrative leave from his position as senior pastor of New Life Church, saying "I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity. I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail at a later date. In the interim, I will seek both spiritual advice and guidance."[35]

On November 2, 2006, senior church officials told Colorado Springs television station KKTV that Haggard has admitted to some of the claims made by Jones.[36] In an e-mail to New Life Church parishioners sent on the evening of November 2, Acting Senior Pastor Ross Parsley wrote, "It is important for you to know that he [Haggard] confessed to the overseers that some of the accusations against him are true."[37]

Haggard admitted on November 3 that he had purchased methamphetamine and received a massage from Jones, but he denied using the drugs or having sex with Jones. "I called him to buy some meth, but I threw it away. I bought it for myself but never used it." Haggard claimed in a radio interview, and added, "I was tempted, but I never used it."[38]

As it became apparent that some of the claims were true, and that Haggard's denials were false, some evangelical leaders such as Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell sought to downplay Haggard's influence on religious conservatives and also deny that the NAE is very important." [39] On his television show, "The 700 Club" Robertson said, "We're sad to see any evangelical leader fall" and also said the claim that the NAE represents thirty million people "just isn't true... We can't get their financial data. I think it's because they have very little money and very little influence." During a CNN interview, Jerry Falwell would go on record saying, "[Haggard] doesn't really lead the movement. He's president of an association that's very loose-knit... and no one has looked to them for leadership."[40] White House spokesman Tony Fratto sought to downplay Haggard's influence on the White House by saying that Haggard was only occasionally part of the weekly calls between evangelical leaders and the White House and had visited there only "a couple" of times.[41]

James Dobson, however, issued another public statement saying he was "heartsick" of learning about Haggard's admissions and that "the possibility that an illicit relationship has occurred is alarming to us and to millions of others." He also stated that "[Haggard] will continue to be my friend, even if the worst allegations prove accurate" and "nevertheless, sexual sin, whether homosexual or heterosexual, has serious consequences."[42]

[edit] Admission and removal from job

The "Overseer Board of New Life Church" released a prepared statement on the afternoon of November 4, 2006 that stated: "Our investigation and Pastor Haggard's public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct." The board cited the bylaws of the mega-church and said his conduct compelled them to remove him from his job.

During a New Life Church service on Sunday, November 5, 2006 another pastor read a letter from Haggard that stated:

Ted Haggard
I am so sorry for the circumstances that have caused shame and embarrassment for all of you.... The fact is I am guilty of sexual immorality, and I take responsibility for the entire problem. I am a deceiver and a liar. There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I've been warring against it all of my adult life.... The accusations that have been leveled against me are not all true, but enough of them are true that I have been appropriately and lovingly removed from ministry.

Ted Haggard

— Ted Haggard, letter to New Life Church [43]

Haggard went on to say that his removal was permanent, and that until a new senior pastor could be found, Ross Parsley, the Associate Senior Pastor, would hold that position.

Haggard is to be counseled by a team including Jack Hayford and Tommy Barnett who intend to "perform a thorough analysis of Haggard's mental, spiritual, emotional and physical life", including the use of polygraph tests .[44] The team was to include James Dobson, who later stepped aside, citing time constraints.[45]

Anonymous said...

I don't think that any thing that Ed Haggard said will have any thing to do with the 2008 election.

Haggard no longer has any authority in any Christian groups.

Anonymous said...

I don't quite understand why we had a lesson on Haggard? Doesn't seem like it has anything to do with what is being discussed here. Romney will be the best president this country has had in a long time, based on the history that he has given.

Anonymous said...

I think Mitt Romney would make an excellent President of the United States. He is an honest person-something that's lacking in Washington lately. He has electability-he could win in any state in the United States-from liberal Massachusetts to conservative Utah. He has a lot of business and political experience in his life. As far as being a Mormon, I'm not concerned about that. How many times have you ever heard of a Mormon politician being found guilty of serious wrongdoing? I have never heard of it.

Anonymous said...

He's completely unelectable. His zero chance pre-presidential bid might earn him a slap on the back, but nothing more. Why even waste time discussing it?

Anonymous said...

Romney is an excellent candidate .. as for: "He's completely unelectable."

I smell fear from some Democrats who dont want this smart, articulate and super-competent Governor from becoming president.

"Why even waste time discussing it?"

Because Romney will be the next President. Watch and learn.

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