Mitt Romney in The Battle for America 2008, by Balz and Johnson

On Abortion: OpEd: baroque circumlocutions on evolving abortion stance

Romney had taken positions in Massachusetts that were anathema to the conservative base, particularly on abortion and gay rights. Running against Ted Kennedy in 1994, Romney had declared himself a supporter of a woman's right to choose on abortion, and claimed he would do more for gay rights than Kennedy. Then he changed positions on abortion. A year before he launched his presidential candidacy, he tried to explain his evolving views to several Washington Post reporters. [One columnist] who had grilled him that day later described his explanations as "baroque circumlocutions."

The McCain campaign, sensing an opportunity to stop Romney even before he could get launched, stoked the story line that Romney was a flip-flopper. A video of Romney from 1994 surfaced that showed him defending abortion rights. The nascent Romney campaign was overwhelmed by the barrage of criticism.

Source: The Battle for America 2008, by Balz & Johnson, p.239 Aug 4, 2009

On Immigration: Attacked Arkansas program for scholarships for illegals

When the candidates debated in Michigan on October 9, 2007, and some offered upbeat assessments of the economy, Mike Huckabee dissented. "A lot of people are going to watch this debate. They're going to hear Republicans on this stage talk about how great the economy is," he said. "And frankly, when they hear that, they're going to probably reach for the dial. I want to make sure people understand that for many people on this stage the economy's doing terrifically well, but for a lot of Americans it's not doing so well."

He offered contrary views on trade and stood up for an Arkansas program that allowed the children of illegal immigrants to apply for college scholarships. When Romney attacked the program, Huckabee cut him down. "I'm standing here tonight because I got an education. If I hadn't had the education, I wouldn't be standing on this stage. I might be picking lettuce. In all due respect, we're a better country than to punish children for what their parents did."

Source: The Battle for America 2008, by Balz & Johnson, p.270 Aug 4, 2009

On Principles & Values: 2008: Cast himself as a doer, not just a dreamer

Romney began the race with a balance sheet that included liabilities almost as great as his assets. He was a one-term governor from one of the most liberal states in the nation. He was a devout Mormon in a party whose evangelical wing viewed the Mormon religion with something between skepticism and hostility. Romney had taken positions in Massachusetts that were anathema to the conservative base, particularly on abortion and gay rights.

Romney cast himself as a doer, not just a dreamer, who had managed large enterprises, and as an outsider who would shake up the capital. "I do not believe Washington can be transformed from within by a lifelong politician," he said. "There have been too many deals, too many favors, too many entanglements, and too little real-world experience managing, guiding, leading." If Republicans wanted competence, he would be that candidate.

Source: The Battle for America 2008, by Balz & Johnson, p.239 Aug 4, 2009

On War & Peace: Military should have private timetable for Iraq withdrawal

At a debate, Huckabee accused Romney of supporting a timetable for withdrawal in Iraq. "Governor, don't try to characterize my position," Romney replied testily. "Which one?" Huckabee asked.

McCain decided to force the debate back to Iraq and national security. Earlier in the year, Romney had made a fuzzy statement suggesting that the military prepare "a private timetable" for troop presence in Iraq. McCain blistered Romney: "If we surrender and wave a white flag, like Sen. Clinton wants to do, and withdraw, as Gov. Romney wanted to do, then there will be chaos, genocide, and the cost of American blood and treasure would be dramatically higher," he said. It was a questionable charge based on flimsy evidence, but it created the diversion McCain wanted. Romney's team foolishly took the bait. Romney demanded an apology. McCain responded, "The apology is owed to the young men and women serving this nation in uniform." McCain's attack on Romney over and Iraq timetable stopped Romney's surge.

Source: The Battle for America 2008, by Balz & Johnson, p.280-285 Aug 4, 2009

The above quotations are from The Battle for America 2008 The Story of an Extraordinary Election by Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson. Click here for main summary page. Click here for a profile of Mitt Romney. Click here for Mitt Romney on all issues.
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