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Romney Rejects "Moderate" Label, Would Leave Health Care Mandate to the States

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December 16, 2007 11:10 AM

ABC News' Matt Stuart Reports: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney defended his record Sunday on a wide range of issues, rejecting the notion that he ran as a "moderate" for Massachusetts Governor.

"I'll reject that," Romney said while appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press", when host Tim Russert claimed he had completed an "intellectual journey" on a number of issues, including abortion, immigration, and gay rights.

Romney argued that he had only changed on the issue of abortion. Romney frequently refers to his record as governor, saying that whenever a bill came to his desk regarding issues of life, he always "came down on the side of life." Romney changed to a pro-life position in 2005, while debating the issue of stem cell research in Massachusetts. Romney ran, and was elected governor on a pro-choice platform, claiming that he personally sides with life.

Romney said Sunday that while his actions were pro-life, he didn't make changes to the existing laws in the state in order to honor the commitment he made to the people of Massachusetts.

Following Romney's "Faith in America" speech, Romney was asked about his supporter Rev. Bob Jones referring to the Mormon Church as "erroneous."

Romney said that religions were in a "battle for souls," and have differing views on Christianity, but claimed that Jones "does believe that I'm the right person for President."

"I think he agrees our church needs pastors, but the White House needs a president," Romney added.

Romney also addressed the issue of African-Americans in the Mormon Church, who weren't allowed to hold positions in the church until 1978. Romney suggested that his family did not support that aspect of the church teaching and that his father was a strong supporter of civil rights. "Even to this day it's very emotional," Romney claimed as his eyes seemed to water.

On the issue of health-care, Romney reaffirmed his support for the Massachusetts plan he put into effect, and also carefully embraced a mandate based system. "I think it's a terrific idea," Romney said, adding that while he is a "federalist" and would allows states to craft their own plans, he expected states would take a mandate approach.

Finally, Romney continued to hit former Gov. Mike Huckabee on his claim that President Bush has an "arrogant bunker mentality," saying Huckabee should apologize to the President.

December 16, 2007 in Palin, Sarah | Permalink | User Comments (26)

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Mitt did really well on Tim Russert's "Meet The Enemy". Tim had every film clip and audio piece that the corrupt liberals at the Boston Globe could provide. The same corrupt liberal Boston Globe that sent a couple of their "Brownshirt" reporters out to Mitt's house to see what color the skin was of the workers the "lawn company not Mitt" sent to his home.

Tim tried to rush Mitt with a folly of attack lines but Mitt time and time again slowed this attack theme down to answer slowly and completely his position(s). Mitt did very well with "Meet The Enemy" today.

Let's see how our corrupt liberal wolfpack press distorts "what we just watched oursevles". I predict we will continue to see the lies, distortions, and smears..........no doubt about it!.........GO MITT!

Posted by: Allen Ridge | Dec 16, 2007 11:21:53 AM

Mitt Romney is a pandering pretty boy who'll say ANYTHING to attract conservative voters. He's presidential material like Rosie O'Donnell is ballerina material!

Posted by: Rickster | Dec 16, 2007 12:04:43 PM

Assume what you like about Romney. The reality is that his record and achievments are matched by no one. He is the only one with detailed viable plans to solve the major issues this country faces. These are the facts. Compare it with all the negative assumptions which are based on absolutely nothing.

Posted by: Will | Dec 16, 2007 12:26:40 PM

In all honesty, as a Democrat, Romney would be one republican I would be worried about. He just has a quality that I think could attract a dangerous number of moderates, in a way that right now most Republicans will struggle to. He has a reasonable record on health care, so is relatively fireproof on Hillary Clinton's big issue, doesn't completely turn off enough christian evangelist voters, and looks and sounds like a Republican.

Posted by: saintlymark | Dec 16, 2007 12:43:18 PM

According to Tim Russert of NBC and Lawrence O'Donnell of MSNBC Harry Reid MUST resign because he is a pro slavery Racist Mormon. O' Donnell on the Mc Laughin Group, stated all Mormons are Racist and pro slavery. Russert alluded to that this morning. So guys lets hear it for the spineless Harry Reid. Tim? Lawrence? do you job. After all you are URINALIST right?

Posted by: airmanc5 | Dec 16, 2007 1:21:46 PM

Mitt is a winner and will continue supporting the "War on Thugs", those 19 non-Iraq, 15 Saudia Arabia thugs who attack us on 9/11 by continuing the War on Terror forever. Best of all, Mitt will take advantage of the Bush Presidential Executive Order 13438 to help bring down the national debt by taking the money, cars, and property of Americans who are against the war:

"Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq, issued. The order asserts the government’s power to confiscate the property “of persons determined to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people."

The very idea that the 1st Admendment rights of free speech and assembly would apply to war protestors is absurd. We must start taking there property now, that will shut them up. Yes, we must elect a pro-war Republican Christian, like, Mitt. to protect us from these anti-American war protestors. Surely, Jesus would agree, right?

Wrong! We the people are voting for a Christian with integrity who walks the talk and has won more straw polls then any other Republican candidate. Today, Dr. Ron Paul will again break all one-day fundraising records on this anniversary of the Boston tea party.

Posted by: Greg | Dec 16, 2007 1:30:03 PM

Yes, Mitt has a conservative with compassion, just like Bush, a Christian who supports war.

I can't wait until Mitt saves us from those sickos who upon the advise of their doctors obtain legal prescriptions for marijuana to relieve their pain and suffering.

Yes, Mitt will enforce those Fed laws and ignore State Rights and the individuals right to freedom an liberty i.e to obtain the drug of there choice.

The idea that the majority of voters in several states have legalized this drug is no reason to stop the DEA from putting them all in jail, right? We must support the drug companies. The idea of growing your own pain medication for virtually FREE is un-American and anti-capitalist, right? Put them all in jail, right? That's what the Mormon Jesus would do, right?

Wrong! Save our Liberty and Freedoms. We the people are voting with our money today which will break all records for a one-day fundraiser, for Dr. Ron Paul, on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Wake Up, America

Posted by: Greg | Dec 16, 2007 1:50:11 PM

Does Mitt support the National Security Presidential Directive 51 (NSPD-51) which establishes a new post-disaster plan (with disaster defined as any incident, natural or man-made, resulting in extraordinary mass casualties, damage or disruption) which places the president in charge of all three branches of government. The directive overrides the National Emergencies Act which gives Congress power to determine the duration of a national emergency.

Wanna see more on how Bush and the Congress are destroying the Bill of Rights?

Read the article: Treason - The Attack On Our Bill Of Rights

Posted by: Greg | Dec 16, 2007 2:03:54 PM

Mitt Romney is the best, most articulate, and empathetic of the GOP candidates, and the fact that he eloquentlyl penned the "Faith in America" speech all himself, is testimony that he is smart, poetic, passionate, and will defend sane, freedom-loving policies.
Mitt IS pro-life....Like Ronald Reagan, he came to his senses and his bedrock principles, and will do one better than Reagan: nominate truly pro-constitutional, pro-life justices to the Supreme Court to reverse that abominable anti-life Roe V. Wade decision that has needlessly led to the slaughter of 50 million babies, harmed countless women, and increased child abuse 500 %!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Schu | Dec 16, 2007 2:27:56 PM

Now Romney says American freedom doesn`t require religion. It requires morality, even godless atheistic morality Trust Mitt to flip flop during the same interview: he said his religious views would nor influence his policies but then said he did seek the advice of theologians when deciding to veto a stem cell research bill in Mass! As for whether Mormons are Christians, in answer to Bob Jones assertion that it is not, Mitt`s response is; it depends on how you define "is", I mean Christianity.

Posted by: Luke | Dec 16, 2007 2:49:40 PM

I watched a thing on TV once about George Wallace. They had lots of accounts that he didn't believe in segregation but saw it as his ticket into office. Same thing here. It's a rotten fact that to make it through the primary process, any candidate has to move to the extreme wing of their party. Division breeds division. I think Romney has been a moderate and is selling out just like Wallace.

Posted by: TSnow27604 | Dec 16, 2007 3:05:42 PM

I live in Utah and I don't trust Rommney as a good mormon he will do anything to deceive people.

Rommey is just a liar with a bizarre religion.

Posted by: Rousell | Dec 16, 2007 3:09:29 PM

You guys who are so negative...The only candidate who truly is tempered...when he should be angry (because of unfounded criticism of the Mormons), whose sensible, intelligent, reasoned, and PRINCIPLED, as well as humble when ever interviewed under the gun - IS MITT ROMNEY!!!!!!
WE should be so lucky and blessed to have a classy man become our President! He is truly the only one in the field who stands his ground, looks like a President, and deserves our vote!!!
I AM CATHOLIC, and being Mormon is the least of my worries in a President...Look at all the leaders in govt. who are Mormons!!!! Nothing awful has happened! You who criticize are ignorant losers....and very unastute when it comes to politics!
GO MITT, may God bless you and reward you with a stayingpower of a victory!

Posted by: Schu | Dec 16, 2007 3:47:20 PM

I have no problem with Romney's Mormonism. What I do have a problem with is his constant flip-flopping and pandering to people depending on which office he is running for. If you watch video of his debates from his gubernatorial campaign just five years ago, he sounds as though he is to the left of H. Clinton. Romney is phony and he cannot be trusted.

Posted by: Jan | Dec 16, 2007 7:30:13 PM

The alternatives to Mitt are even more frightening.

Posted by: lorax_mbell | Dec 16, 2007 8:25:53 PM

Why is everyone still going back to the flip flopping. How many times has he explained his stance on abortion? Look at Romney's record since he's changed and it's obvious that he is on the side of life. Oh I forgot, its wrong to learn from your mistakes. wake up people and ask yourself how many times you have changed your mind on a subject. Romney's record is impeccable and once again, all I hear is a bunch of assumptions with no substance.

Posted by: Will | Dec 16, 2007 8:39:10 PM

I am Catholic and I don"t trust a mormon
as a President. He certainly looks fine but I have trouble with his flip-flopping on issudxand certainly religion is important to me.

If Christian Presidents make mistakes can you imaging a mornmon as a President. Wow , very scary...

Posted by: Robert | Dec 16, 2007 9:40:09 PM

Judging someone by their religion is just as bad as judging someone by the color of there skin. I think America is better than that.

I like Mitt because he has a proven record for positive change. I think it will take someone with solid experience in the private sector to fix all the waste and duplicity in government.

Posted by: americancitizen33 | Dec 16, 2007 10:20:46 PM

Will, a previous writer, is the only one recently who makes sense. That's right...these ignoramuses wouldnt be pleased with anyone...They are dye in the wool Dems....nor do they have an alternative they are FOR...Excuses is all they are loooking for NOT realizing that Mitt Romney has all the qualifications to make a good President - smart, analytical, business oriented, common sensical, yes, reliable like Reagan in defending life and coming to terms with initially making a mistake when he was pro-abortion.
Bigots go away...Religion should have NO bearing on his presidency....BTW, Mitt flipped...he didnt flop! Theres a big difference. GO MITT...;you certainly dont have the baggage that the other candidates have!

Posted by: Schu | Dec 16, 2007 10:21:59 PM

He's running from the label 'moderate'? I think he should keep running as far as I'm concerned. A nice long run off a short political pier. JUST what the country needs: ANOTHER flaming extremist. So far my 'vote against' list is pretty full and my 'vote for' list is pretty short. He's firmly on my 'vote against' list because he'd rather be perceived as an extremist than a moderate. As a moderate (and a registered Independent), I don't have any say in which candidate gets to run for president. So, frankly, my 'vote against' list counts more than my 'vote for' list anyhow. And I ain't afraid to use it.

Posted by: Fatesrider | Dec 16, 2007 10:44:55 PM

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