Report Card: Mitt Romney (GOP, 2nd Fundraiser)
Again, please observe the ground rules.
Mitt's Golden Touch
Of all the presidential candidates, I think Mitt deserves credit for having the best business sense. Everything he touches turns a profit. Some of that maybe luck or coincidence, but I think the number of successful ventures of which he has been a part demonstrates that his leadership must play a positive role.
In some ways, a sharp business mind would serve Mitt well as president. It's almost cliche to claim that this country needs to be run more like a business. However, a business mentality will only get you so far, and "profits" in a government context have to be measured by more than the bottom line.
That's why I'm a little wary of Mitt's hardcore conservative turn since his days as governor. While I think Mitt's political conversion is too convenient to be completely unrelated to political efficacy, I do think Mitt is an honest person who really does believe the positions he has recently adopted. Our government does need to be more fiscally responsible, but we also have to be socially responsible, and I'm not sure of how Mitt would strike that balance.
Things you never knew about Mitt
- his father was a presidential candidate in 1968
- his first name is actually Willard (after Willard Marriott of the hotel chain)
- his grandparents lived in Mexico, where his father was born
- he is the fifth Mormon to run for president
- he was pronounced dead after a car crash in France while on his LDS mission (?)
- he marched in civil rights demonstrations with his father
- once drove hours with his dog strapped in a crate on the roof of his car
Bonus Points: Proven record of erasing deficits and creating surplus.
Minus Points: Whole-hearted sellout to the conservative right-wing.
Most interesting links I found: Mister PowerPoint Goes to Washington
= Great! 
= Good. 
= Mixed feelings or indifferent. 
= Not good. 
= Scary! 
= Believe it when you see it.
Campaign Logo (another bland logo)
Hair style (perhaps the best of the Pubs)
Fiscal Policy - supports dramatic cuts to government spending supports tax cuts to the "middle class" (defines middle class as those making $200,000 or less) supports balanced budget amendment
Energy and the Environment - supports drilling in the Artic Wildlife Refuge supports expanding oil refining capacity vaguely supports development of alternative/renewable sources
Economy and Trade - supports free trade supports a hands-off government policy on trade relations
Health Care - claims MA insurance program as one of his best accomplishments says states should be responsible for health care programs supports required health care coverage
Education - supports english immersion classes for immigrants supports No Child Left Behind supports public funds for Charter Schools supports vouchers
Domestic Surveillance, Patriot Act, Enemy Combatants - supports expanded domestic surveillance supports expanding Guantanamo supports "enhansed interrogation"
Executive Authority - supports line-item veto unclear on support for expanded presidential authority
Campaign Finance - opposes reform supports disclosure laws and easy public access to records
Foreign invlovement - supports intervention in international conflicts supports war in Iraq, and continued involvement there argues for extended involvement in Iraq from bases in Kuwait
Immigration - opposes drivers' licenses for undocumented persons opposes government aid for undocumented persons opposes "path to citzenship" for undocumented persons supports making english the official language
Gun Control - supports some gun control initiatives
Abortion - supports abortion ban
Death Penalty - supports capital punishment
Gay rights - opposes same-sex marriage supports civil unions on pragmatic grounds supports marriage amendment supports equal protection under the law supports don't ask don't tell
Stem Cell Research - opposes stem cell research, but supports other, possibly analogous research efforts
Internet Neutrality - no obvious position
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All those frowny faces below immigration are the reasons why he's NOT getting my vote.
Even if it means I vote for Hillary.