April 19, 2007
A Romney Upon The Hill
In a sea of Republican presidential hopefuls that invoke Reagan about as much as the average person references their mothers, receiving the Ronald Reagan award seems to be the Everest of accolades. And such was the case at last night’s Frontiers of Freedom Ronald Reagan gala, where Mitt Romney sought to channel the legendary leader’s charisma, optimism and folksy feel.
Just as Reagan did when he warned against the “unprecedented danger” of communism, Romney laced his speech with warnings of modern day foreign threats like North Korea. But, like Reagan, he also channeled optimism. As he often does, Romney invoked Reagan’s famous line that “I have seen four wars during my lifetime and none of them began because America was too strong.”
Romney also used his speech-- which he opened by praising the day’s “life affirming” Supreme Court decision-- to allude to his religious convictions (hint: they’re not unlike yours, Christian Conservatives). He referenced Isaiah when highlighting his foreign policy goals and cited Cain and Abel when talking about the Virginia Tech shootings. He also said that after hearing about the tragedy in Blacksburg, “the first thing I did was pick up my bible.”
Speaking before a room full of black-and-white tuxedos, Romney’s speech was, fittingly, a study in contrasts: He spoke of life and death, good and evil, small vs. big. And for a candidate who’s plagued by accusations of policy shifts and flips flops, he wanted to make one thing certain: he’s the Reagan candidate. And he’s prepared to make as many Peggy Noonan or “Shining City” references as it takes, till they believe him. [NORA MCALVANAH]
Posted at 11:50 AM
Comments
A simple question: how many times Romney praised Reagan between 1990 and 2003?? Romney is a phony who will do and say anything as the situation demands. Period. Reagan had charisma and convictions while Romney is just a pretty boy wearing an empty suite who loves to flipflop day and night.
hmm | 04.19.07 12:10 PM
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According to the latest ABC News poll, key finding:
"The poll also finds a large number of voters saying they "definitely would not support" many of the candidates. Romney comes in the highest with 54%, followed by McCain with 47%, Clinton with 45%, Giuliani with 40%, Obama with 36%, and Edwards with 35%."
There are 54% voters who will never vote for multiple-choice Mitt!
poll | 04.19.07 12:12 PM
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Here is another flipflop from the Master of flipflops..
According to an 1998 Boston Globe story, here's what Mitt Romney said about Hillary Clinton's book "It Takes a Village":
"Hillary Clinton is very much right, it does take a village, and we are a village and we need to work together in a non-skeptical, no-finger-pointing way."
Mitt Romney's campaign today?
On Monday, Romney's campaign said his Globe comments were about public-private partnerships, not families. Romney was referencing corporations, not parents, the campaign said.
So according to Romney: "It takes a corporation to raise a child."
Matt | 04.19.07 12:26 PM
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I find it amusing the way conservatives will attack Romney, really, the only candidate in the race now with any original ideas. He's the only candidate addressing our broken immigration system--the illegal opendoor and the one shut to the skilled. He's the only candidate talking about competing with Asia--which is perhaps the single most important issue facing our economic future at the moment.
He's the only candidate to have vetoed measure that weren't socially conservative enough. He's had a proven track record of managing finances and budgets.
And people take potshots at by far the best speaker and the most proven executive of the bunch. I also find it amusing (no, sad, really) how social conservatives refuse to let converts into their midst. Not the way to win new people into the movement. And very closed-minded.
Todd | 04.19.07 02:06 PM
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Come Winter 2009, Romney will be raising his right hand to take the oath of the President of the United States in front of the White House! If Romney is not the next president, then borrowing from Shakespeare, I’d say “...something is rotten in [America]”.
ken | 04.19.07 02:09 PM
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What we really need is a president who refuses to change his mind... I'd take a proven problem-solver such any day. When Romney supported Hillary's statement back in the 90's, gay marriage wasn't the issue it is now.
Travis | 04.19.07 02:15 PM
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I love how truly ignorant and blind some of you people are who twist and turn Romney's words and record to bash him! Are you really that stupid? I will admit that, I too, was once as blind as you are now - believing that Romney was a flip-flopper on several subjects, and was supporting someone else. However, I decided to do a lot of research on Romney and found out that I was decieved by people like you! I'm glad I found the truth and am now fully, and 100% supporting Romney! In the end, all you anti-Romney's will have egg on your face! GO MITT!!!
Jacosta | 04.19.07 03:53 PM
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Travis, you want a president who refuses to change his mind? That is scary, indeed! What we need is a president who will do the right thing, even if they came to the realization of what is right later. Are you sure you want a president who will never admit a mistake, and continue to drag the rest of us along?
Nathan | 04.19.07 05:06 PM
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Regan Was an excellent president. I vote for him, but I am not looking for the clone of Regan. If you believe that each one of us is unique then you will be disappointed to keep looking for the duplicate of Regan. The selection of a president should be based solely on the candidate's qualifications to solve major issues that we continue to face. These issues should be, safety against the enemies, economy, immigration and domestic programs. Don't fret the small stuffs.
Jean Bednarz | 04.19.07 05:23 PM
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People need to do their own reseach on the canidate and not listen to the press. They are all anti-republican.
You are no better than a 2 year old if you can get sucked into the lies of the media.
Mitt Romney in a great choice. If you get a chance to truly listen to him you will find he has plenty of substance.
I am afraid the others do not.
WEEZER | 04.19.07 05:48 PM
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Matt,
I love the fact that liberals like you hate Romney! The "village" comment he made was when he was discussing how government and businesses need to work together to help communities. The fact that Hillary spun that, even though he wasn't even talking about families, smacks of fear and desperation! Romney would eat her alive in a debate and her people certainly know it. She should focus more on Obama if you ask me, or she'll never have the chance to get beat by Mitt!
D
Dan | 04.19.07 07:20 PM
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This country needs someone who can rally the people - get them to commit and refocus on being great. The pundits come up with check lists - foreign policy experience, how many wives they've had, what religion, what they said 10 years ago, yada yada yada. What we really need is someone with impeachable character, beyond reproach. Someone who's kept his whistle clean, but also someone who can energize and excite the masses to stand up and do good. Of the three leaders, Romeny's that guy, but I can't help wonder if there are others. Personally, I'd vote for Lieberman (not as VP to Gore) because he really showed some shutzpa going independent from the Dems. Maybe a ticket with Romney and Lieberman???
geotopia | 04.19.07 08:12 PM
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Some of the above ridiculous and ignorant comments have taught me something: if these readers are indeed typical of the electorate, not only will the right man (Romney) not be elected president, America will most certainly get the president it deserves.
randy | 04.19.07 08:19 PM
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Romney definitely has my vote. I'm not worried for him in the General Election as much as I am concerned for him in the primaries. But I think if he stays on message and keeps doing what he's doing he'll do fine. As for the first three comments - grow up. Mitt, far from being the candidate who is the 'master of flip flops' is indeed the only candidate with original ideas who can gather the political will to get things accomplished, and use data to rationally determine policy. He actually kind of reminds me of Clinton/Gore from that standpoint (using data) - but with far less possibility of lame scandals than we had to deal with with Clinton.
Jay | 04.19.07 09:15 PM
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I have a feeling it's not conservatives who are attacking Romney, but liberals posing who fear him. Kennedy had to take a mortgage out on his house to beat Romney -- in an 80%+ Democrat state. Romney is by far among the most intelligent, rational, and passionate candidate there is. And I'd rather have a President who is open minded -- rather than a close minded one. Romney is the only one who has detailed plans for taxation, Iran, economic competitiveness with Asia, and an energy independence plan. He is a great speaker too, notice many times, he doesn't wait for applause, he has to stop for it. GO Romney!! :)
RC | 04.19.07 09:50 PM
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If you haven't heard this speech, you gotta. It is not like this distortion you read here. It is the best treatment of several issues I have seen and heard in some time. GO MITT.
Liz | 04.19.07 09:54 PM
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Mitt Romney is more Reagan-like in some important ways than we yet understand. His record in leadership proves a great deal, but his best is yet to come to lift our nation.
T | 04.19.07 10:21 PM
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I can't understand why everyone keeps lableing Mitt Romney as a "flip-flopper". If we are so against our leaders "evolving in wisdom" (see the tagline of this website), then why even bother writing letters to our congressmen? Why bother forming 'grassroots' organizations to lobby our senators? Why do so many people complain when our leaders finally do evolve and improve their beliefs and policies?
Travis, you say that 'what we need is a president who refuses to change his mind' and then equate this to a proven problem solver. Since when did these two qualities have an immutable relationship. Many times problems must be solved by adapting to the circumstances at hand.
I think many of you are confusing 'moral courage' with 'moral eqivalence'. As voters we shuld celibrate the strength of a man's character when he realizes he's been wrong and is doing what it takes to rectify his mistakes. I argue that anyone who refuses to change his/her mind on a issue he is wrong about is a fool and not fit to be president. Instead of immediatly bashing every politician who changes his/her views on a given topic, we should tone down our own rhetoric and take a good, hard look at if what he/she is saying actually has any merit. Don't be so eager to dish out condemnation without even giving serious thought to it first. It's unfortunate that so many of us have lost the ability to perform even the most basic critical analysis before voicing our ill-conceived, load-mouthed opinions. More thinking and less cynicism please.
JoeBlow | 04.19.07 10:42 PM
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"A wise man changes his mind, a fool never does."
May we be blessed to have leaders willing to re-evalutate opinions and change for the better.
May we be willing to recognize how a change for the better is in the best interest of humanity.
Lizzie | 04.20.07 12:51 AM
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Romney is the only candidate I believe will keep his word if elected. If he says he'll make it happen, he does.
notswayed | 04.20.07 01:56 AM
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Ronald Reagan is a shadow of what Mitt Romney will be in the history of U.S. Presidents. There is nobody in this field of candidates that is better qualified to lead this country. He's right on the issues, he's a proven success in both the private and public arena - he can articulate his ideas and shows he can deliver results. One of Bush's biggest failures is his inability to deliver the message. He's used the bully pulpit to "bully" his agenda and has polarized the country. Mitt Romney will be a uniter, not a divider.
Keith | 04.20.07 09:49 AM
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Mitt Romney needs to challenge the DEMOCRAT candidates to DEBATES to show how well he can represent Rebublicans and America, generally. I've not been so excited about a candidate since Ronald Reagan, and know, with debate exposure he could egnite a consensus of support for him as President.
David Vilt | 04.20.07 02:02 PM
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I am continually amazed at the ongoing Romney attacks regarding the alleged flip-flopping. The criticism has been refuted repeatedly, yet for some reason the liberal media enjoys rehashing the same argument over and over again. The fact of the matter is the liberal media is threatened by Mitt’s presidential bid, hence the need for the petty flip-flop allegations while disregarding all factual information that proves contrary. Regarding the Reagan comparison, we must keep in my mind that there is only one Ronald Reagan or any other politician for that matter. If someone is searching for the next Reagan they will be searching for long time. However, one similarity between Romney and Reagan is there ability to analyze situations and thereafter reinforce, change, or adapt to the circumstance as needed. For someone to say that Reagan never changed his stance on a position is absolutely ludicrous. Such individuals do not know history and especially politics. Although Mitt is certainly not Reagan he is the most qualified GOP candidate; and the candidate that most mirrors the principles Reagan embraced. Lastly, with respect to the polls, there is still a strong majority of Americans who do not know who Mitt Romney is. Yet what is remarkable is that each of the primary states in which he is campaigning have shown a substantial increase in Romeny supporters. In other words, when one meets and hears Romney's message personally, supporters follows.
Aaron | 04.20.07 08:04 PM
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I think that he is probably the only one who could defeat Hillary. She'll stop at nothing to win; he's the only one with the personal strength and finesse to stand up to her and seize the day.
I just hope he has a few bodyguards-remember how many people have ended up dead after standing in the Clintons' way?
Go Romney!!!!!!!!!!
Rose | 04.20.07 09:01 PM
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Amazing speech! Mitt Romney has what it takes to motivate this nation and bring Washington together...GOOD LUCK!!!
clint | 04.20.07 09:37 PM
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Lizzie I love your quote and im going to steal it to be yet another person here illustrating that changing is what it is all about. "A wise man changes his mind, a fool never does" thanks Liz. Let us go on realizing that when we as indivivuals make mistakes, we can learn from our mistakes and go on. The MSM has had to do some real dirty work to find what dirt they can on Mitt Romney, Lets see, married to the same woman his whole life, check. Close to his kids, Check. His very own family wanted him to run, so his family sincerely supports him, check again. He gave of his time to work out the struggles of the winter olympics which was no small piece of cake my friends. As a one term governor its's not how long as governor you serve, it is the quality of your service, Check. Spent two years of his own pay to vlunteer as a missionary for his church, (Let me assure you he received no monetary gains from almost dying in france as a missionary paying his own way) The man loves his family and his family loves him. He volunteers his time to great causes without expecting payments of any kind in much of his work. I do not understand why social conservatives would not vote for this guy. He is from the private sector. He knows how to manage not just large companies and states and conventions, this man, is a city builder. And he builds things to stay. For Good. Thank you for reading.
Karl | 04.21.07 05:04 AM
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Some conservatives like to use their own biases and prejudices to make oft-repeated lies by liberal media that Mitt Romney is a flip-flopper.
Wasn't Ronald Reagan a Democrat and pro-abortion?
Mitt Romney has the best ideas for solving America's most pressing problems and challenges. He has conservative votes in M.A. to PROVE he is a conservative. He is the ONLY top tier candidate OPPOSED to the nation-busting pro-amnesty bill. He has real plans and a real vision for America that we desperately need at this time in our nation's history. He has the smarts, leadership abilities and the ability to bring people together to fix major problems.
Go Mitt Go!
Denny | 04.22.07 06:50 AM
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The Reagan Candidate is RON PAUL, research him yourself and don't buy this media hype crap on Mitt Romney, Enough Said!
wes | 05.01.07 03:46 AM
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