An interview with Mitt Romney

by George Dienhart

(first in a series with Republican candidates)

When I heard Mitt Romney was running for President I was intrigued. He is a compelling figure, and let's face it, looks Presidential.  As I dug through my memory, I remembered the good- He turned a 3 billion dollar deficit into a 500 million dollar surplus. I also remembered the bad- he was a little soft on family issues doing a flip-flop on gay marriage while governor.

When I reached out and asked for an interview, I wasn't sure what to expect. The Illinois Review is well known in Illinois, but would a major presidential candidate want to speak to me? Not only did I find out that he would speak to me, but the campaign knew of the Illinois Review.  Since Romney was in the middle of preparing for debates, and couldn't spare time on the phone- he would answer my questions via email. (Other presidential candidates have agreed to phone interviews. Keep reading the Illinois Review, the interviews will be posted soon.)

Personally, I have a few things in common with Governor Romney. We both have large families (he has 5 children, I have 4) and have both had a loved one stricken with Multiple Sclerosis (his wife and my mother). We both find family to be important, and are both devoted to our one and only wife.  All in all, he seems like an intriguing candidate and all around nice guy.

Mining our similarities for an opener, I asked how his family was holding up. "The family is holding up great.  They have been a great source of strength for me during the course of the campaign.  I've been fortunate enough to have my beautiful wife, my sons, their wives and even some of the grandchildren with me on the campaign trail, which has been a lot of fun for all of us."

With niceties out of the way, I went for the hard questions next. It was an email interview, if he was going to play dodgeball, we'd find out early. He stepped up and answered when I asked about the inconsistencies on where he stands, and whether maybe conservative would hold him accountable. "Voters don't have to take my word on how I would lead, they can look at my record as Governor.  When given the choice, I have always sided with life and to strengthen our families.  I'll let the voters decide about other candidates."

Notice, that in his answer, he was forward about the two issues that continue to hound him. I asked him why he switched directions to become pro-life. He came forward with more details.

"As you know, when I first ran for office, I considered whether this should be a personal decision or whether it should be a societal or governmental decision. I concluded, wrongly, that I would support the law as it was in place. As Governor, I saw first-hand that the Roe v. Wade mentality has so cheapened the value of human life that rational people saw human life as mere research material to be used, and then destroyed. And so I publicly acknowledged my error, and have fought to promote the sanctity of human life.  My words have been matched with my actions. Every time I faced a decision as Governor that related to human life, I came down on the side of the sanctity of life."

One of the things I admire about Romney is his apparent devotion to his family. He often points out that although he is a Mormon, he is the only one of the three front-runners to have had only one wife. It's obvious that his faith is important to him.

"My faith certainly plays an important role in how I live my life.  It has taught me to be a better person than I would have been. I have a better marriage because of my faith. My kids I think are better people because of their faith. I think if people take a look at me and my family, they'll say, you know what, this guy has the same values that I have."

But what of the LDS church? It scares people. The governors' choice of faith even caused a little dustup here at the Illinois Review a few months back. Is his faith a liability?

"People certainly have questions about my religion and I will certainly answer them.  My faith has made me a stronger and better person.  It guides how I live my daily life.  Other people believe different things.  Yet, we share common values.  I respect other beliefs and faiths and I believe most Americans feel the same way."

I followed up asking if this even a relevant question in today's day and age. The governor answered "I believe when people ask themselves who the best person is to lead America, they want someone who is a proven leader, holds positions they agree with and who they believe can make America a safer and more prosperous nation."

With personal issues out of the way, we moved on to the most important question I would ask. How would Governor Romney handle the war on terror? In return, he gave me, perhaps the most substantial answer of the day. It was clear that he "gets it" and understands the stakes of the fight we are in.

"I think many people still don't understand the extent of the threat posed by the Jihadists.  Understandably, the focus is usually on Afghanistan and Iraq.  We think of where our brave men and women in uniform are fighting to defend our freedoms.  We think in terms of countries, because that was the enemy we faced in previous conflicts.  But Jihadists are larger than any one nation and seek to destroy the American way of life."

He also understands why victory in Iraq is important." It's critical we give the new strategy for Iraq the opportunity to succeed.  I support the troop surge, because leaving Iraq now would only embolden our enemies and allow them the sanctuary to plan even more devastating attacks against our country.  We also need to demand results from the local Iraqi government."

Okay he gets it. He gets it far better than any Democrat, and most Republicans. How will he win this war?

The Governor answers, "I have outlined a proposal to meet a new generation of global challenges.  We need a stronger military.  This means we should increase the size of our military by 100,000 troops.  We need to dedicate at least four percent of our gross domestic product to defense to make up for critical gaps in our military modernization, equipment, personnel, and health care efforts.  We must become energy independent by embarking on a bold and far-reaching research initiative to create new, economic sources of clean energy.  Third, we must transform and strengthen our civilian international efforts.  And finally we must strengthen alliances and partnerships with our current allies and inaugurate new ones to address the threat of Jihadism."

That last answer satisfied me, but what of moderates and Democrats? All they want to know is where is bin Laden?

"It is important that we get Osama bin Laden and track him wherever he goes and makes sure he pays for the outrage he exacted on America.  We'll move everything to get him.  But I don't want to buy into the Democrats' notion that this is all about Osama bin Laden.  This is about a global jihadist effort to try and cause the collapse of all moderate Islamic governments and replace them with a caliphate.  This is a global effort and it's more than just about Osama bin Laden.  But he will pay."

Again, the  governor seems to grasp the war on terror.

Moving on to domestic issues, I would have been remiss not to bring up immigration. I asked what his opinion was on the current controversy.

"Legal immigration is a great source of strength for America; illegal immigration is not.  Legal immigration has brought vitality, energy, and family values to communities throughout the country, and should be encouraged.  Illegal immigration, on the other hand, presents numerous challenges for our communities. 

"It is finally time to take action and reform the current immigration laws so we can enforce our existing laws, secure our borders, implement a mandatory biometrically-enabled and tamper-proof documentation and employment verification system, and increase legal immigration into America.  We must also recognize that giving amnesty to illegal immigrants in our country did not work 20 years ago and it will not work now."

All said, the raw interview seemed to have a common thread. He finished up with this statement: "At the core of America, at the heart of America are millions of individual families: families of children and parents, aunts and uncles and cousins, grandparents, foster parents.  The work done within the four walls of the home is the most important work that can possibly be done for the future of this great country.

"The work in our homes is not getting easier.  Values and morals that have long shaped the development of our children are under constant attack.  In too many cases, schools are failing.  For some, healthcare is inadequate.  Family expenses and government take a larger and larger bite.  America cannot continue to lead the family of nations if we fail the families here at home.

"How is the American family made stronger?  With marriage before children.  With a mother and a father in the life of every child.  With healthcare that is affordable and portable.  With schools that succeed.  With taxes that are lower.  And with leaders who strive to demonstrate enduring values and morality.

"This was the agenda I pursued as Governor of Massachusetts and will be the agenda I pursue if I am elected President."

There's a lot for conservatives in that last statement. It hits on all the popular conservative talking points. It's up to the voters to decide if Govenor Romney will deliver the goods. He's a likable man, and I believe, a capable candidate. Over the coming weeks, we will see how his vision stacks up against other candidates. We'll see if he strikes a chord with the American people.

I will say this: The RNC is well-positioned with the candidates we have for President. If Governor Romney wins, America will be in good hands.

Comments

[Cal Skinner]

Good interview. I assume you didn't ask about Patrick Fitzgerald's remaining as our U.S. Attorney. Is that correct?

[Joel]

I am impressed with Romneys accomoplishments. His character, family, business and community service records are exceptional. He is a natural leader and problem solver. Just what America needs today.

[jr]

Many evangelicals have trouble getting by Romney's religion. It's because Mormons use Biblical Christianity "terms" but in the Mormon world the terms mean something entirely different. What difference does that make? It's the evasive nature of Mormonism and the fact that Romney is a product of that culture that's bothersome. He's already demonstrated that trait more then once.

[Pat Hickey]

Solid work George!
Pat

[Hascat]

"We need to dedicate at least 4% of our gross domestic product to defense to make up for critical gaps in our military modernization, equipment, personnel, and health care efforts."

Is he serious? He seriously wants 4 cents of every dollar earned in this country to be spent on militarism? What kind of nightmare world does he think we live in where this is necessary?

Why not end military interventionism, close all those unnecessary foreign bases, and bring all those troops home to defend OUR country? You'll find plenty of room in the military budget to take care of our veterans then. Heck, if we didn't send our troops into battle all over the world in the first place, we wouldn't have as many wounded vets to take care of.

I also reject that these family issues can take priority over the economy. A stronger economy with more opportunity for the poor to find jobs and lead substantive lives will do more to strengthen families than any federal mandate regarding marriage or abortion.

[Jason]

Hascat,

I think under Reagan it was at 6%.

[Hascat]

Jason:

That's even worse. I'd be happier moving away from more spending than towards it.

[George Dienhart]

Cal,
No I didn't. The interview occured before yesterdays event.

[Verla Swords]

I say Ditto and Amen to all the good things you said about Mitt Romney.It will be the best thing that could happen to our country when he becomes President.And I really thunk he will.

[George Dienhart]

Well, we'll see what happens. We have some more interviews comming up, so we'll have a good basis to compare all the candidates.

[Savea]

The accomplishments of Mitt Romney in both private and in public life really impressed me. He seems to have everything to be the next president of the USA. He's a natural leader with a proven record. But, best of all, he's got high moral character, something that many political leaders lack thereof.

[Bill Baar]

Good interview George.. thanks

[George Dienhart]

Bill,

Thanks for reading.

[bjalder26]

Joel, your comment doesn’t make any sense, evangelicals don’t own the Bible, nor do they own term in the Bible. Everybody interprets the Bible in their own way, to condemn a candidate for not interpreting the Bible the exact same way you do is disturbing. To hide that bias behind a charge of “evasiveness” is even more disturbing.

[bjalder26]

Pat, Mitt Romney would by far be the best candidate to elect if you want a strong economy.