Notes
Star Quality
As a highly successful venture capitalist and investor in the 1980 and 1990's Mitt Romney worked deals involving such companies as Staples, Domino's Pizza and The Sports Authority.  He went on to serve as President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee from 1999-2002, overcoming a $379 million operating deficit and leading 23,000 volunteers in organizing the successful 2002 Winter Olympics.  From there, he was elected Governor of one of the bluest states, defeating Treasurer Shannon O'Brien by a margin of 50% to 45%.

Tackling Health Care
One of Gov. Mitt Romney's signature accomplishments was health care reform.  On June 21, 2005, in a speech at the John F. Kennedy Library, Romney introduced a major health plan calling for an "individual mandate" approach wherein Massachussetts residents would be required to purchase health insurance.  Less than a year later, on April 4, 2006 both chambers of the solidly Democratic General Court overwhelmingly approved a bill which uses the individual mandate approach to provide "access to affordable, quality, accountable health care."  Romney signed the bill, while vetoing several provisions, in an elaborate signing ceremony on April 12.  In the language of the law, effective July 1, 2007, residents must "maintain creditable coverage so long as it is deemed affordable."

Looking to the National Stage
On Dec. 14, 2005 Romney announced that he would not seek re-election.  In prepared remarks he outlined his accomplishments: "Today the budget is balanced.  Unemployment is down.  Employers have added 35,000 jobs since the bottom of the recession.  The legislature and my administration have cooperated to reform government and solve major issues.  We've streamlined and consolidated government.  We've rescued our school building program so that we can construct hundreds of new schools.  We've instituted smart growth policies and environmental programs that will preserve what we love about living in New England.  Tuition-free Adams scholarships are now granted to thousands of our kids, every year.  Taxes have been lowered, most recently for our seniors, and benefits for veterans and National Guardsmen have been improved.  Congratulations are due to our legislature and its leaders."

Romney had two political vehicles in the 2006 cycle, his leadership PAC, the Commonwealth PAC, and the chairmanship of the Republican Governors Association (RGA), a role he took on in November 2005.  The Commonwealth PAC reported that it "raised $8.75 million and distributed nearly $1.4 million to help local, state and federal Republican candidates as well as party organizations.  The Commonwealth PAC distributed the funds across 36 states.  Romney also helped candidates on the ground in their campaigning efforts.  During this election cycle, he campaigned for more than 55 local, state or federal GOP candidates and attended over 75 different campaign events for federal and gubernatorial candidates alone.  In addition, Romney participated in 23 state and county GOP events."   Commonwealth PAC organization included state PACs in several key states, notably IA, MI, and SC.  As chairman of the RGA, Romney had ample opportunities for travel; of 36 governorships up in 2006, 22 were held by Republicans.  Romney's PAC reported that he "helped the RGA to a record breaking year in which they raised $26 million and distributed $24 million."  Also of note in 2005-06, the prospect of a Romney candidacy inspired one of the more active followings on the Internet.

How Conservative?
As the 2006 cycle drew to a close, Romney had established himself as a top-tier candidate, seen, along with former Mayor Rudy Giuliani as the prospect best positioned to challenge perceived frontrunner Sen. John McCain.  But whereas Giuliani had a moderate record on social issues, Romney emphasized, with a fair amount of success, his appeal to social conservatives.  For example the Evangelicals for Mitt site, launched in mid-2006, noted, "He’s not just right on the relevant issues (from the protection of traditional marriage, to the sanctity of life, to the importance of articulating a broader faith-based agenda); he’s a thoughtful advocate for these positions."

Romney did have his critics, however.  On Nov. 20, 2006 Brian Camenker of MassResistance published a 28-page document, "The Mitt Romney Deception," in which he argued that "a broad investigation of his [Romney's] actual statements, actions, and public positions over the years indicates that he has spent his entire career speaking and governing as a liberal - and that his new found conversion to conservatism very likely coincides with his candidacy for the presidency."  The MassResistance piece set off a broad discussion about how conservative Romney is, and it came at a somewhat sensitive time as the presidential field was starting to take shape.  Romney backers pointed out many inaccuracies in the piece, but back and forth continued for well over a month.  When Romney launched his exploratory committee on Jan. 3, 2007, the DNC weighed in, labeling him as "The Multiple Choice Candidate," and claiming "he tries to have it both ways."  On Jan. 10, 2007 excerpts from an Oct. 1994 campaign debate between Romney and Sen. Edward Kennedy appeared in a five minute clip on YouTube,  further fueling this discussion.  Romney's relatively recent adoption of a pro-life position has engendered some skepticism.  He notes that during his term as governor, "I had about four or five different measures that came to my desk and every single one of them I came down on the side of respecting human life."  At the CPAC conference in early March 2007 critics distributed flip-flops to make their point.  Romney's response to a question at a community forum in Keene, NH in early April 2007 also raised eyebrows.  "I purchased a gun when I was a young man.  I've been a hunter pretty much all my life," he said.  In the latter part of 2007 Log Cabin Republicans and Republican Majority for Choice targeted him with critical ads.

The Morman Question
A major underlying question since the start of Romney's candidacy has been the effect of his Morman religion. For example a Jan. 2007 cover story in The New Republic highlighted the issue.  Countering these concerns, Romney could  point to his stable marriage; he has been married to Ann since 1969; she often appears with him on the campaign trail.  In the months since he announced his candidacy Romney has attracted the support of many evangelical leaders.  Nonetheless the question remained.  In fall and early winter former Gov. Huckabee started to pick up considerable evangelical support.  Romney finally determined to deliver a speech.  Speaking at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, TX on Dec. 6, 2007, he harked back to John F. Kennedy's speech on the Catholic question in the 1960 campaign. "A person should not be elected because of his faith nor should he be rejected because of his faith," Romney said. "If I am fortunate to become your President, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest," he stated.  "A President must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States."

An Edge
Romney's business experience should stand him in good stead on a broad level as American grapple with the implications of a global economy and on a more mundane level as he seeks to raise the money needed to run a national campaign.  On Jan. 8, 2007, just five days after launching his exploratory committee, Romney drew almost 400 volunteer fundraisers to Boston for "National Call Day;" making approximately 15,000 calls, they raised over $6.5 million.  Organizationally, the campaign did not start from scratch, for Romney had already built up a substantial team through the Commonwealth PAC and the RGA.  Through the third quarter of 2007 the campaign took in almost $62.8 million in total receipts including $44.8 million in contributions and $17.4 million Romney loaned to the campaign.

Romney may also have somewhat of an edge in a couple of early states.  He made a major investment in Iowa, and won the Aug. 2007 Ames Straw Poll.  Hailing from Massachusetts could give him some advantage in neighboring New Hampshire, in terms of familiarity and the ability to mobilize supporters from Massachusetts (recall for example John Kerry in 2004 or Paul Tsongas in 1992).  Romney owns a waterfront vacation home on Lake Winnipesaukee, purchased in 1997.  Michigan, where Romney grew up and where his father George served as Governor from January 1963 to January 1969, could also provide an early boost.  Romney chose Michigan as the place to formally announce his candidacy, appearing at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn on Feb. 13, 2007.

Speeches
"Faith in America" at The George Bush Presidential Library inCollege Station, TX, December 6, 2007.  [prepared remarks]
Republican Party of Iowa's Lincoln Day Dinner in Des Moines, IA, April 14, 2007.  [transcript]
Announcement of candidacy in Dearborn, MI, February 13, 2007.  [prepared remarks]
Values Voter Summit 2006 in Washington, DC, September 22, 2006.  [transcript]
Stump speech: NH Federation of Republican Women's Lilac Dinner in Manchester, NH, June 3, 2005.  [transcript]
 

Readings and Articles

Author of TURNAROUND: Crisis, Leadership and the Olympic Games (Regnery Publishing, Inc., July 25, 2004). Hugh Hewitt.  March 12, 2007.  A MORMAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE? 10 Things Every American Should Know about Mitt Romney.  Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing, Inc.. "The 2008 presidential campaign is under way and Mitt Romney’s star is rising—he’s a Harvard grad, entrepreneur, and conservative family man with a resume that’s political gold.  But there's a fly in the ointment for Mitt Romney: He's Mormon. Will Romney’s religion keep him from becoming our next president?  In his new book, A Mormon in the White House?, renowned radio host and blogger Hugh Hewitt dives deep into Romney’s record, his strengths, his weaknesses—and of course the 'Mormon Problem.'  Hewitt provides an unprecedented window into the extraordinary life of this man who could be our president—and into his devout faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."   Boston Globe series "The Making of Mitt Romney" Neil Swidey and Michael Paulson.  "Privilege, tragedy, and a young leader."  June 24, 2007. Michael Kranish and Michael Paulson.  "Centered in faith, a family emerges."  June 25, 2007. Marc Ambinder.  "Journey to the Right."  National Journal.  February 10, 2007 (cover story). On C-SPAN's "Q&A," program date March 19, 2006. Shawn Macomber.  "Mighty Mitt Romney."  The American Spectator.  March 2006 (cover story). AP four-part series.  (from boston.com) Steve LeBlanc.  "Romney ponders a political future fraught with promise, perils."  September 3, 2005. Theo Emery.  "Governor reloads on state social issues for possible 2008 run."  September 5, 2005. Steve LeBlanc.  "Romney the reformer tallies wins, losses as he ponders next move."  September 5, 2005. Glen Johnson.  "Romney team emulates Bush White House in style, operation.  September 6, 2005. Sridhar Pappu.  "The Holy Cow! Candidate."  The Atlantic Monthly.  September 2005. John J. Miller.  "Matinee Mitt."  National Review.  June 20, 2005 (cover story). Terry Eastland.  "In 2008, Will It Be Morman in America?"  The Weekly Standard.  June 6, 2005 (cover story).

Photos
Jan. 27, 2007-National Review Institute's Conservative Summit in Washington, DC.
Sept. 22, 2006-Values Voter Summit in Washington, DC.
March 11, 2006-In Adel (Dallas County), IA. [Mitch Hambleton]
Feb. 25-28, 2006-At the National Governors Association Winter Meeting in Washington, DC.
Jan. 27, 2006-In Milford, NH. [Juanita Dangel]
Oct. 29, 2005-In Waukee (Dallas County), IA. [Mitch Hambleton]
 

Finances

	Contributions	Transfers/Loans	Total Receipts	Total Disbursements	Cash on Hand
3rd Q 2007 (Jul. 1-Sep. 30)	$  9,803,278.16	l $ 8,500,000.00	$18,396,719.40	$21,301,755.89	$  9,216,517.36 debts $17,350,000.00
2nd Q 2007 (Apr. 1-Jun.30)	$14,061,386.23	t $      20,159.89 l $ 6,500,000.00	$20,997,715.31	$20,739,814.25	$12,121,553.85 debts $8,945,028.22
1st Q 2007 (Jan. 1-Mar. 31)	$20,982,788.23	$ 2,350,000.00	$23,434,634.25	$11,570,981.46	$11,863,652.79 debts $2,350,000.00

Note: For a good overview of Commonwealth PAC finances see: Scott Helman and Chase Davis.  "Romney strategy pays off quickly."  The Boston Globe.  June 11, 2006.

On the Web

www.mittromney.com (June 14, 2007 grab-redesign launch)

www.mittromney.com (Jan. 4, 2007 grab-Jan. 3 launch)

www.thecommonwealthpac.com (Dec. 5, 2006 grab)

www.thecommonwealthpac.com (May 13, 2006 grab)

More

Oct. 18, 2007 press release
 

Copyright © 2005, 2006, 2007  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action