Associated Press – November 12, 2007
CONCORD, N.H. – Republican Mitt Romney said Monday he’s the decider, yet the presidential candidate has put aside his desire to deliver a speech about his Mormon faith on the advice of political staff – a move that speaks volumes about his campaign.
The former Massachusetts governor provides the money and persona, but he has largely yielded tactical decisions about what to say and when to say it – even on the subject of his personal faith – to a cadre of Washington insiders.
Romney bristled Monday at the suggestion he, a multimillionaire businessman but national political novice, was not the chief decision maker in his enterprise.
“I make my own decisions,” he said before participating in a Veterans Day ceremony at a retirement home.
But asked Saturday by a New Hampshire voter about delivering a speech to explain his Mormon faith, Romney said: “I sort of like the idea myself. The political advisers tell me no, no, no – it’s not a good idea. It draws too much attention to that issue alone.”
The result runs counter to much of the decision making that permeated Romney’s business background.
He talks often about hiring smart people, letting them debate all sides of an issue and then making his own decisions.
In the case of a presidential campaign, though, Romney has proven willing to surrender his judgment about big things like whether to make a speech discussing his faith, or small issues like whether to answer a reporter’s question on the way out the door.
“You know I can’t talk to you without Eric’s permission,” the presidential candidate has said on more than one occasion as he has walked with his spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom.
Fehrnstrom is a former Massachusetts official, but he modeled his Statehouse communications shop after the practices used in the Bush administration. He also is part of an increasingly outnumbered Massachusetts contingent in Romney’s campaign headquarters.
Former CIA official Cofer Black, now vice chairman of Blackwater USA and head of Romney’s national security team, has urged the candidate’s hardline on Iran. Former Rep. Vin Weber of Minnesota and one-time Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., are vetting his domestic policy pronouncements.
Stuart Stevens and Russ Schreifer, lead admakers for President Bush’s two successful White House campaigns, are challenging another former Bush ad man, Alex Castellanos, for dominance in messaging and commercial imagery.
Meanwhile, Ron Kaufman, White House political director under former President George H.W. Bush, is an inner-circle political strategist.
And just last week, Todd Beyer, the recently departed director of White House advance, began providing advice about how best to stage Romney’s political appearances.
Romney’s weekend statement about the impact of such advisers’ opinions lifted the veil on a campaign operation that otherwise prides itself on its harmony and lack of public disagreements.
Romney is striving to become the first Mormon president, and he has insisted he welcomes all questions about his relatively unknown faith. Some have suggested a speech touching on his beliefs and clarifying the impact of his faith on his governmental decisionmaking.
Instead of reprising the speech John F. Kennedy made in 1960 amid his bid to become the first Catholic president, Romney has chosen an incremental approach in which he answers questions about his faith during town hall meetings or media interviews.
Some of those arguing in favor of such a speech have said privately they believe Romney would benefit from a similar speech since Mormons pride themselves on the separation of church and state, as well as a tolerance for all religions.
The counterargument is that discussing the tenets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just at the point when Romney is becoming known nationally would place too much emphasis on an element – but not the centerpiece – of his presidential resume.
Romney said Monday he hasn’t delivered any such speech not because of his advisers’ sway, but because something more fundamental to his campaign: It hasn’t become a political necessity.
“I have some folks who think I should do it soon, some say later, some say never, some say right away,” Romney said. “I’ll make the decision. But there’s no particular urgency because I’m making progress in the states where I’m campaigning.”
EDITOR’S NOTE – Glen Johnson covers Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign for The Associated Press.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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posted November 12, 2007 at 4:15 pm
So he is “the decider” and they said he could make that statement. If this does not qualify Romney for Bushes Big Chair, nothing does. It must be fun to speak in a constant flow of contradictions – every thinkg is right, everything is deniable.
posted November 12, 2007 at 5:04 pm
“…he modeled his Statehouse communications shop after the practices used in the Bush administration.”
And that’s the most secretive administration ever; though with good reason. Imagine how the lies and legal shortcuts would unravel with a little investigation.
Cheney is pretty much Bush’s brain (with Rove, of course); Romney’s brain is apparently broken into lots of pieces. We can be fairly sure the real Romney will not be standing up, if he even knows what the real he is any more.
posted November 12, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Another good reason to stick with my decision not to vote for him. He makes up his own mind? Sure! and so does “W”! (I didn’t vote for “W” at all thank goodness).
posted November 12, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I read this on the web news this a.m. Romney was asked what he thought of McCains 90 some yr. old mother’s comment on a talk show saying Romney wasn’t experienced enough to be the President, and she didn’t care for Morman religion. Romney replied that anyone 90 or better he would give a pass to say whtever they would like to say. This sounds so smug to discount her because she is 90 or better. No ones age is a criteria for intelligence, young, middle, or old. A thinking man would have responded to those comments in a different way.
posted November 12, 2007 at 9:30 pm
There is a dark part of me that thinks Romney may not have been told what he believes yet, so he cannot give such a speech. But that is my dark side. My other, lighter side thinks he is hoping to take a high road, and expect the same of his colleagues.
Does anyone think it is getting darker in here?
posted November 13, 2007 at 10:25 am
Henrietta,
Gotta disagree with you. Romney is not being smug, he’s being diplomatic. Roberta McCain’s comments on Mormonism and the Olympic bribary scandal were not intelligent or well-informed, they were a bigotted rant. Hate speech should be labeled as such, but sometimes it’s more prudent to consider the source and say nothing. Deferance to age is not a vice.
posted November 13, 2007 at 10:50 am
“Romney replied that anyone 90 or better he would give a pass to say whtever they would like to say. This sounds so smug to discount her because she is 90 or better. No ones age is a criteria for intelligence, young, middle, or old.”
I am not a fan of Romney, but where I am from this is a common comment that means that someone of this age has been around and seen a lot and therefore due respect of their opinion without argument.
posted November 13, 2007 at 7:17 pm
I understand that accepted opinion, of a person having more experience in life, but that’s isn’t what I was pointing out. Todays people in their 90′s that have kept up with their countrys politics are very savvy, and when this person of older age will comment about, in this case Rommney’s religion, it was his place to stand up for his belief, and also what experience he will bring to America as a President of it. The fact that he didn’t is either because he felt her age and her opinions really don’t matter to America or himself, and a worn out cliche was all the comment was worth. Of course after reading about his reliance on his director of campaign, Eric, on what he is allowed to say and when, which sounds a bit like being “Charlie MaCarthy”, perhaps being diplomatic was all he was allowed.
I didn’t hear the talk show so I don’t know how Mrs. McCain looked or sounded. She said she didn’t like the Morman Religion, and didn’t think Rommney had enough experience for the job of President. The article I read didn’t mention a Bribary scandal. She has a right to free speech, and voicing her opinion, just as we all have. She is proud of her son who is running for office, and like all mothers nobody is as good as their sons.
posted November 14, 2007 at 12:01 am
SENIORS BEWARE!!!
Romney does not take you seriously enough to consider your opinion! McCain’s mother is clearly showing more clarity that Romney gioves her credit. This means that he will surely pillage any form of assistance for seniors in order to fund whatever project benefits himself or his friends the most. By saying he gives her a pass because of her age is simply a way fo saying she is too old to know what is going on or what is important. He will dismiss anyone who does not agree with him – and this proves HE DOES NOT LISTEN!
Rahter than being kind and caring he has betrayed his inner disrespect for elders who he thinks are too feeble or dottering to effect him. WOW, is he wrong! Mos tof my congregation is beyond 70, some by decades. They are sharp, thoughful, and more than willing to work – even fight – for the causes they believe in and for candidates who have some integrity and nerve. Romney has none.