Friday, Dec 22, 2006
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney - who has recently toughened his stance against abortion and same-sex marriage - tested his views on a New Hampshire audience yesterday. Despite the rightward shift, which has prompted charges of political opportunism, many of those who attended the holiday party were ready to embrace the new Mitt Romney, who is weighing a run for the White House.
"I think people can have a change of heart," said Chris Buonopane of Deerfield. "I think he'd be great. The country needs to return to our core values," which Buonopane described as "family values" and "life values."
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"I like where he is now," said Donna Sytek, who served as the Republican House speaker in the late 1990s and who recently agreed to support Romney if he makes a presidential run.
"He's conservative enough for my taste. I'm very strong on life issues. He made some courageous vetoes," said Sytek, referring to Romney's veto of a bill that would allow scientists to use human embryos created for research.
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"He recognizes the importance of marriage in society," said Liz Feren of Hooksett. "He's not afraid to explain to you why he believes what he believes, and he doesn't run his opinions by polls."
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The suit-and-tie crowd, more than 100-strong, included the curious as well as the convinced. And if a dozen informal interviews were any indication, Romney's business experience drew just as many onlookers as his stance on social issues.
"His message about having faith in the creative part of the public sector is a key issue," said Tom Keane of Bow. "Personal freedom and personal responsibility: He exudes that model." ... View Entire Article
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061222/REPOSITORY/612220342/1217/NEWS98