On Thursday Governor Mitt Romney will give a speech titled “Faith in America” at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.  The Library and Romney have both stated that the venue should not be seen as an endorsement, per se.  However, it is surmised that having the speech originate from the Bush Library will give the appearance that Romney has the unofficial backing of the Bush clan.

On Monday, Rush Limbaugh had a great monologue about the Liberals looking for someone to run against.  They have invested so much time and effort into running against George W. Bush and he isn’t on the ballot.  This means they need a suitable substitute to be on the ballot in November.

Rush further theorized that they have found that candidate in Mike Huckabee.  Like Bush, Huckabee wears his Christianity on his sleeve and refers often to the positive influence it has had in his life.  The Liberals, right or wrong, believe that this will allow them to paint him as an extension of Bush and persuade people that he will not bring “change” to Washington.

Most conservative Republicans, however, are drawn to the message of faith and see it as a great plus in a candidate.  Consequently, Huckabee’s numbers are shooting up as he and groups supporting him focus on his religion and his conservative social record.  (In fact, Huckabee is so certain of the reception the religion angle will get him, he plays it nearly every chance he gets.  He has worked so hard to ingrain it into his public persona that it has almost become a farce.)

Romney is also a man of deeply held faith.  However, he seems to be barred from expressing it in part by the political implications of being misunderstood.  But also, I think, because of the respect that Governor Romney has for his own and other’s religious convictions.  Unlike Huckabee, Romney is unwilling to make God the butt of his jokes and the tag line for his presidential campaign.

Into this supercharged atmosphere comes the Romney speech.  On Religion.  At the Bush Library.  It would seem that Romney is going to play his trump.  In one morning he could take the place of Huckabee as the “most Bush-like” and of caring most about religious sanctity in the nation.

The tricky thing about politics is that any asset is also a liability.  Anything that can be used to build you up in the eyes of your supporters can also be used to tear you down by your enemies.  Is having the Bush seal of approval going to help or hurt him in the general election?  And what about being openly religious?

Personally, I think that overall it will be an advantage.  I also think that Romney is less concerned with the politics of these questions than he is with being disingenuous.  Don’t get me wrong, Romney’s campaign is definitely calculating the political ramifications of every move he makes.  That said, he will not abandon his values or character simply for political gain.  And this, ultimately, will make him a stronger candidate than what the Democrats will produce.

The CNN YouTube Republican Presidential Debate will air tonight at 8pm East Coast Time.  As in the Democrat YouTube debate, the questions will be asked via videos submitted to YouTube.  Anderson Cooper of CNN will moderate and CNN will broadcast the debate.

Questions can still be submitted at YouTube.com.  For more information or to watch the debate online visit CNN.com.

(Look here for analysis and highlights from the debate.)

Kelly Molique and Corrine Lovas

Susan Gilbert and volunteers, Keri Couvillion, Heather Hedelius, and Rebecca Hecksel

Littlest Woman for Romney: Camille Case and seven week old, Allison Case

Stefany Clark and Mitt Romney

Governor Romney campaign appearance in Paradise Valley, Arizona October 11th, 2007

The paint and final touches had all been completed for the newly built home of Paul and Susan Gilbert in Paradise Valley, Arizona. It was a beautiful setting and georgeous weather to welcome Governor Romney for a speech and fundraiser. Hostess, Susan Gilbert remarked on how complimentary and thoughtful Mitt was about opening their home for the well attended event.

After photos with the Governor, he addressed the general reception in the courtyard. He began by thanking Arizona State Senator Chuck Gray, Sherrif Joe Arpaio, and their spouses for their support. “Throughout the campaign,” Romney said, “the friends Ann and I have made are extraordinary treasures.” His speech was brief, but touched on core values and strengthening home, economy, and military.

He recalled a conversation with Neil Maxwell, a noted Utah educator, who has since passed away. They discussed inflection points in America’s history. Inflection points are significant moments of change for our nation when nearly everything is effected. Governor Romney feels that since 2002 and over the next few years, we are at such a crucial time. How will we respond to Jihadists? Will we take a sharp left turn and become a second tier nation, as many of the European nations have done in the past?

Instead, Governor Romney’s course would be to strengthen our families, economy, and military because a strong America is the world’s best ally of peace. He then fielded questions about immigration, the influence of his parents, how to further his campaign, and strenthen the military.

On immigration, he said, “This is not difficult to handle.” You just stop the magnets, like sanctuary cities. You stop the flow by implementation of an employment verification card, and tell illegals to get in line for citizenship like everyone else.

To strengthen our military, instituting a draft would not be necessary. Improved benefits and four-year welcome home packages, including free tuition at state sponsored universities have proven effective in increased recruitment.

Near the end of the reception, Paul Gilbert announced that the latest Arizona polls are showing Governor Romney within 8 percentage points of the Republican lead. This surge in the polls seems to show that wherever Governor Mitt Romney goes he connects with the people, as he did tonight in Paradise Valley.

I received a call at 8 p.m. Thursday evening asking me to hold the line a moment for Governor Mitt Romney. Expecting a recording, but still excited to hear a message from Mitt, I waited. An operator asked me if I was interested in joining in on a Townhall style conference call with Mitt Romney. Needless to say, I continued to hold the line. With my new “bloggers instinct”, I ran to grab a pad of paper and a pen.

I was connected to the call. Mitt was in the middle of a statement, obviously in response to a question that had been asked by one of the other participants of this call. He was speaking about Religious Freedom and the Constitution, his faith in God and the values that we share through that belief… marriage, family and liberty. He is a firm believer in reiterating what brings us together, not what divides us. I can only assume the question had something to do with being Mormon.

A young mother asked the next question, about what paths and opportunities the Governor would work towards as President to help the handicapped, and handicapped children in particular. He immediately responded with examples from his experience in dealing with this issue in Massachusetts. I turned the television off. He had my full attention, and my note taking was going at a pretty furious pace.

A small child, obviously prompted by his parent, asked about a statement Mr. Romney had recently made regarding how American school children had scored in the bottom 10% in math and science in a OECD survey. Mitt acknowledged that this unfortunate fact was correct, and explained that his education plan would not only include strengthening our schools from the local, state and federal level, but that he would institute a program, based on testing scores, for the top 1/4 of students to receive a 4 year, tuition free college education. Talk about incentives! He believes that English needs to be the required language taught and used in all schools, and the need for a program that institutes “better pay for better teachers”. He stated that he believes in School Choice, acknowleged that parental involvement needs to be encouraged, and on that same note, tied in the importance of being married before having babies.

There were several questions asked regarding illegal immigration. As the debate on an Immigration Bill is currently ongoing, I refer you to Governor Romney’s statement regarding this very critical issue here. He did say that he sees illegal immigration dampening legal immigration, is for secure borders, an employment ID card system, that existing illegals be required to register, criminals be deported, and he is in favor of an attrition program.

Another family was introduced, and their question asked: “Would Governor Romney be in favor of continued military base closures AND a cut in military funding?” The Governors voice got stronger as he stated that “this would be one area that I would actually increase spending”. He touched on the Clinton reductions, or the “Holiday from History”, as he called it, and the negative effects they have had. He injected that he would call for 100,000 additional troop enlistments, and would budget for the very necessary costs involved to upgrade the technology and equipment of the military. He closed with the great summation …. “Strength is the greatest ally that peace has ever known”.

Governor Romney paused for a moment, “Now, I need to ask all of you a question…..If any of you would be at all interested in attending the Straw Poll in Ames Iowa on August 10th? I need your help, and would love your support in getting over there and voting for me. If you think you might be interested, just push the #1 on your keypad, and someone will be back in touch with you”. I pushed the #1.

He thanked the good people of Iowa, and the few thousand people that were on this Townhall conference call with him. He acknowledged the tremendous service to the nation they fulfill in getting to know the candidates well prior to the Primaries. Governor Mitt Romney, Presidential Candidate, closed with a statement that reinforced my feelings that he is a man that has always held others interests before his own … “Of course, I would love your support and your vote … but if not for me… then please elect someone with integrity, character, and leadership. It’s what our country needs right now”.

The operator came on the line and told those who had questions that were unanswered to remain on the line. They could leave their questions on the Governor’s voice mail, and either Governor Romney, or someone from his team, would be back in touch with them within 24 hours with a response.

I hung up from that phone call more impressed than I’ve been in a long time with any candidate and campaign that I can remember. I’m proud to be on Team Mitt, and I am extremely proud to support Mitt Romney in any way I can for President of the United States.

Can You Hear Me Now!

Donna L.

Thanks Ann Marie, for asking me to blog for the ElectRomneyin2008’/ Women For Romney website. Joining in on the Live Chat during the debate on your site was great fun, and I can’t wait to do it again. I’ll definitely spread the word for next time!

I woke this morning with some definite ideas of what I could possibly write about in my first submission, and decided that covering the debate would be the timeliest issue.

Blogging is different than editorializing, in that you need to be somewhat concise, so I decided to go with something along the lines of “What They Said and What I Heard”. I fear, however, I’m a little too wordy to be considered a blogger yet. Perhaps it’s because this was an “event”, and I hope to learn the art of blogging as I go along.

Naturally, I was listening more intently to my candidate Mitt last night. The others just seemed to be filling space and taking time from him. Their answers rambled. Mitt Romney had a good plan of attack in a debate where there are too many participants, and not enough time. Mitt’s style of getting his points across, a get in and get out type of strategy was excellent, in retrospect.

In sifting through all the words that were spoken on that stage last night, I heard clear responses from Mitt Romney. Sometimes that was difficult, in that there were three issues compiled into one question directed at him.

I thought he did just fine under the circumstances, and the impression he leaves is one of, as always, an experienced and well informed gentleman, and a statesman. He looks for the positive, and rejects the negative.

Yup, I know exactly where my candidate stands on the questions that were asked of him last night. And in case I am asked to share his views, I know with one click of the mouse I have access to a virtual Encyclopedia of Mitt on the Issues. Mitt’s candidacy is based on facts and a proven track record, not someone who has been in a position of power for years, and still showboats and theorizes what should & could be done.

Mitt is everything his campaign slogan says of him. He would bring a Strong, New, Leadership to a broken Washington. Sadly, because of a crowded stage, he didn’t even have a chance to discuss one of his strongest issues, Family Values.

I did hear Giuliani say he’s not soft on anything. I heard McCain say he is worried about world opinion. I heard one of the candidates tell a good joke about Edwards at the hairdresser. I heard another candidate say he would cut some program that I’ve never heard of before. And I heard Ron Paul say it’s America’s fault we were attacked on 9-11.

I heard Mitt say he wants English as our language in the schools.

I heard Mitt say that abortion rights should be up to the people, the states.

I heard Mitt say that while he is definitely against discrimination, he believes marriage is a sanctity reserved for a man and a woman.

I heard Mitt say he rejects giving Illegal Aliens an easy and open path to citizenship.

I heard Mitt say he was for protecting the rights of the second amendment, and that he never raised taxes while balancing the budget in Mass.

I heard Mitt say Washington is broken and that he is someone that can streamline and cut waste in an oversized, overspending, bureaucracy because he has done so as Governor, in the Olympics, and in business.

I heard Mitt say he was for No Child Left Behind because it helps the children, rather than the all powerful teachers union.

I heard Mitt say he doesn’t want to cut and run from Iraq and understands the importance of remaining and stabilizing the region.

I heard Mitt say not only does he NOT want to shut down Gitmo, he would, in fact, be in favor of a second Gitmo.

I heard Mitt say we need to be proactive, instead of reactive in the War on Terror.

When it comes right down to it, I heard Mitt say alot last night, and I know exactly where my candidate stands on the questions that were asked of him. I’d like to see another candidacy claim as many issues clarified as a result of the debate as Mitt Romney was able to clarify in his allotted time.

Sometimes, what they say and what we hear are two different things. Not so with the performance Mitt turned in last night.

Great job Mitt!

Donna L.

Romney visits Miss.; mum on ‘08 plans
The Associated Press

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney spoke to a Republican women’s group Thursday in the hometown of U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, but wouldn’t say whether the trip is a precursor to a 2008 presidential run.

During a news conference before his speech in Pascagoula to the local Federation of Republican Women, Romney told reporters he doesn’t dismiss questions about whether he’ll run.

“I think there are a number of good people in our party, and maybe one or two in the other party, who are thinking about running in ‘08. And they want to keep their options open. And that’s an active effort,” Romney said.

Romney, current chairman of the Republican Governors Association, spoke earlier this week in Iowa and was scheduled to travel to California after his trip to Mississippi.

Romney and Lott, who also is a Republican, toured neighborhoods hit hard by Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s a lot worse than the TV shows it,” Romney said.