BETTENDORF, Iowa - Despite his call for the nation to show a “surge of support” for U.S. forces in Iraq, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five sons’ decision not to enlist.
The former Massachusetts governor said his sons were showing their support for the country by “helping get me elected.”
Romney, who did not serve in Vietnam due to his Mormon missionary work and a high draft lottery number, was posed the question by an anti-war activist after a speech in which Romney saluted a uniformed soldier in the crowd and called for donations to military support organizations.
Last week the presidential candidate donated $25,000 to seven such organizations.
“The good news is that we have a volunteer Army and that’s the way we’re going to keep it,” Romney told some 200 people gathered in an abbey near the Mississippi River that had been converted into a hotel. “My sons are all adults and they’ve made decisions about their careers and they’ve chosen not to serve in the military and active duty and I respect their decision in that regard.”
He added: “One of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping me get elected because they think I’d be a great president.”
Romney’s five sons range in age from 37 to 26 and have worked as real estate developers, sports marketers and advertising executives. They are now actively campaigning for their father and have a “Five Brothers” blog on Romney’s campaign Web site.
Romney noted that his middle son, 36-year-old Josh, was completing a recreational vehicle tour of all 99 Iowa counties on Wednesday and said, “I respect that and respect all those and the way they serve this great country.”
The woman who asked the question, 41-year-old Rachel Griffiths of Milan, Ill., identified herself as a member of Quad City Progressive Action for the Common Good, as well as the sister of an Army major who had served in Iraq.”Of course not,” Griffiths said when asked if she was satisfied with Romney’s answer. “He told me the way his son shows support for our military and our nation is to buy a Winnebago and ride across Iowa and help him get elected.”The townhall-style meeting was the first of eight events scheduled for Romney just three days before the Iowa Straw Poll, a nonbinding beauty contest among the Republican presidential contenders.
While the national GOP poll leaders — former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who is considering a campaign — are not participating — Romney has been actively organizing with the aim of gaining momentum into January’s Iowa caucuses, which kick off the presidential nominating process.
Comments 7
Are people like Romney really that removed from reality. Maybe his asinine answer shows an innocent honesty. If that is the case I suppose we should commend an honest man. But if that is an indication of someone who was born with a silver Rambler in his mouth we have to wonder how in touch he really is with Mr. & Mrs. America. Even a novice political wannabe has to understand how condescending and egoistical his answer was.
Posted 08 Aug 2007 at 9:03 pm ¶But alas and alack we poor unappreciated voters just have no one to be enthusiastic about.
can you see adsense on this page?
Posted 08 Aug 2007 at 9:10 pm ¶What a Piece of Shiite these corn-suckers are. I served my duty in the Nam and these political azz-hats won’t do their part for the blessing of bringing Democracy to a nation. Just like a politician, let somebody else’s blood run for the cause…
Posted 08 Aug 2007 at 10:53 pm ¶Edward, if you can’t get excited about Ron Paul, you can’t get excited about anything.
And most Mormons are glad to serve their country - Romney was not a pot-smoking hippie. I think a lot of them ended up in Vietnam instead of on a mission–it’s the luck of the draw. His luck just seemed to swing the other way.
And WTF, his sons are pretty old to enlist in the army, don’t you think?! Give them a break. Not a single one of them is a draft-dodger!
Posted 09 Aug 2007 at 1:01 am ¶Ryan, just saw your response.I wasn’t bad-mouthing Romney’s sons. I couldn’t care less if they served in the Armed Service. I was commenting on his reasons they did not. Had he said they were serving their two years in Church service that would have been fine .
Posted 11 Aug 2007 at 10:43 pm ¶To equate their campaigning for him to be President with serving their country in the service is asinine.
As far as Ron Paul is concerned I like him for a number of reasons, but I am not as enamored by him as some seem to be.
He has little or no chance to get the nomination, and would certainly be beaten by any Democrat but Senator Dodd. So to me he is not someoneto get enthusiastic about.
It’s time that you anti-Mitt types learn that in this country now funtions each group and person has a role based on his staton in life. Rich and White people need to be home to administer the national superstructure.
Posted 12 Aug 2007 at 8:23 am ¶Give me a break Ryan. In a time when there are men and women older than 37 serving in Iraq, damn straight Romney’s sons should show support by enlisting. In case you didnt know they’ve increased the age limit for those wishing to enlist on active duty. Hell when I was in, I saw men as old as 35 going into boot camp. The problem is we have a country full of groupies rather than warriors and we are killin them off in Iraq. Instead he equates service by riding in a comfort vehicle. That’s not service. That’s sand in the clit. Joke which we in the military would only know. Pussies. What a joke!
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Like Father, Like Sons - Mitt Romney Skipped Vietnam, His 5 Sons Skip Iraq
BETTENDORF, Iowa - Despite his call for the nation to show a “surge of support” for U.S. forces in Iraq, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five sons’ decision not to enlist.
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