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Romney speaks at Iowa Straw Poll

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August 11, 2007 2:57 PM

ABC News' Matt Stuart reports: Former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., entered the Hilton Coliseum today at Iowa State University to loud applause from Iowa Straw Poll voters.

As Romney's advertisement played on the Jumbotron, supporters in yellow shirts that filled the arena cheered.

Romney notably drew his largest applause when addressing Iraq and President Bush.  On Iraq, Romney reiterated his aim to increase the size of the military and giving more funding to troops.  Gov. Romney also had cautiously complimentary words for President Bush, saying "nobody's perfect," but that "[President Bush] has kept us safe these last six years."

Aiming to strike a contrast with the other Republican front runners, Gov. Romney's family has played a large role in the Romney campaign.  Following his speech, Romney was joined by his wife, all five sons, five daughters-in-law, and 10 grandchildren, while more than 90 other family members watched from the crowd. Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation (A Little More Action)" played as the family took the stage.

Gov. Romney scaled back his plans for the Straw Poll after Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said they would not be participating.  However, expectations remain high for Gov. Romney to finish a strong first.

August 11, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (7)

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Hey don't worry, he'll change that position tomorrow or next week. He's the master of change. In a bid for the senate in 1994 in a letter to the Log Cabin Republicans he wrote "We must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern." He went on to say he would be more supportive of gay rights than Kennedy himself. When becoming governor, he opposed same sex marriages and unions and when the court ruled in favor he lobbied for a constitutional amendment to overturn the decision. In 1994 he favored abortion rights and promised not to infringe in 2002's run for governor he had changed his position again and was endorsed by the Republicans for Choice Coalition. Seems like it matters which group has the most clout for votes at the time he is seeking a new office.

Posted by: gc | Aug 11, 2007 7:42:16 PM

Yeah! John Kerry won the straw Poll in Iowa. OOPs, its Romney. Has he ever been for something that he is not now against! Well,this should be your Primary vote. Go to the Poll intending to Vote for him then Vote for someone else. Sure he will understand. That's right Romney no one is Perfect. The Democrats are probably hoping he's the Nominee, so that they can have a "Swift Vote" to the White House.

Posted by: craig | Aug 11, 2007 10:01:28 PM

I was at the Ames straw pole today and the song being played was actually sung by Toby Keith and is titled “A Little Less Talk & A Lot More Action”. I can definitely understand how he could get that mixed up with Elvis (sarcasm intended). The song itself is about a man who is having a fight with his wife and decides to drive to a bar to get “A Little Less Talk & A Lot More Action” with a women who of course is not his wife. The song was perfect for Mitt who only moments earlier said that he wanted to restore and uphold family values as if he were some sort of Presidential version of The Supernanny. It’s times like these that really make me think… What Would Ron Paul Do (WWRPD)?

Posted by: WWRPD | Aug 11, 2007 11:41:20 PM

Bush, the Mexican President, and Romney all met at the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake and only one is Mormon -- Romney.

Why the meetup at HIS church?

The Republican (and NWO) power-brokers want Romney to follow bush into the White House, that's why? Thus, the big meetup at HIS church was an expression of courtesy to him.

Several months ago JeffRense carried an article that Britain's MI-5 (their version of our CIA) had determined that bush is a "madman" or, as I term it, a maniac. Curious, because that's what I said years ago. Bush exhibits that look of insanity often times during his televised speeches when the camera shows his profile.

What is even more eerie is that ROMNEY ALSO EXHIBITS THE SAME LOOK OF INSANITY FROM HIS PROFILES. I should and do know -- having been an attendant in a mental hopsital. I've seen those same looks, of this duo, numerous times on the insane.

Posted by: hypostasis_of_the_archons | Aug 12, 2007 1:46:57 AM

Since he wants to increase the number of the military, is he going to let one of his sons to enlist? or any of his grandkids? Another politician that will say anything to get elected.

Posted by: marc | Aug 12, 2007 2:10:18 PM

I am very saddened by most of the comments I read about Republican Candidate Mitt Romney. Even Huckabee accusing Romney of buying his votes.
Huckabee would be out of the picture by now if McCain and Julianni would have made a showing in Iowa.
Religious Bigotry is alive and well in the USA. I am sure our Founding Fathers are turning over in their graves. Where do we go now to escape religious persecution?
Just once I wish Mitt Romney could be heard on what he wants to do to change this nation. He should be heard and sppreciated for his past successes. He turned the Olympics aroun in Salt Lake, he was wonderful in MA, and he knows to lead...by example. Are we afraid to put a man with morals, a strong marriage and family in the White House?
The comments on Mitt Romneys reflect a lot of misconceptions on his church. First of all, the Church of Jesus Christ believes everyone has the right to worship as he chooses. Secondly, they believe in free agency and would never impose their beliefs on others.
This nation needs Mitt Romney. He is showing all of us just how strong he is by standing up to this scrutiny. And how proud of his family he must be as they are doing the same thing. The reporters, radio interviews, and even the media need to have the courage to be unbiased and let all of us as voters choose our next President. We have way too much to loose to let religious bigotry stand in the way of our nation being led by a leader with a clear vision for our nation. LOOK AT THE MAN.
NOT THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. This is becoming almost humorous...find a real reason to push Romney aside. (his religion is not his problem...uneducated bigots are)

Posted by: K4equality | Aug 13, 2007 3:28:29 AM

I could not agree more with K4 ... Bigotry is alive and doing far too well, especially among Republicans. Keep pushing to get rid of Mormons and you will soon find yourselves all alone on the 'religious right' ... Catholics are leaving, you can't afford to have Mormons leave, too. yes, Mitt needs evangelicals to win the presidency, but the Huckster can not win without Mormons (in Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona and even Idaho, Washington and Utah). You don't think that Mormons will vote for a Democrat? Harry Reid, the Demoncratic leader in the Senate is a Mormon and divides the Mormon vote. Provo, Utah (home to Brigham Young University) had a demoncratic congressman for most of the 1990's.

Posted by: Apollo | Dec 8, 2007 11:15:30 AM

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