Posted on 07/04/2006 9:36:49 AM PDT by Jeff Fuller
After studying Mitt Romney’s experience with Homeland Security (HS), I would argue that Romney’s Homeland Security experience and credentials exceed those of any other 2008 presidential hopeful—republican or democrat (rivaled only by the “wild-card” candidate, Rudy Giuliani). His experience is not limited to sitting on committees and being briefed on these issues. He is often the one called upon TO DO the briefing to key committees due to his “on the ground” experience with devising and implementing large-scale security plans. Much of this stems from his great success in leading Salt Lake to a safe and successful Olympic Games in the post-9/11 world as well as subsequent strong disaster management leadership as Gov. of Massachusetts.
Dr. James Carafano a senior research fellow for defense and homeland security at The Heritage Foundation, said in “Olympic Sized-Security” the following: “The 2002 Salt Lake City, Utah, Winter Olympics featured an unprecedented, integrated security and intelligence apparatus organized by Mitt Romney (now governor of Massachusetts). Salt Lake set the standard.”
Romney’s HS resume is strong and speaks for itself:
He sits on the Department Homeland Security’s Advisory Council (Advisor to Secretary Michael Chertoff of the DHS--a member of the Bush Cabinet)
He Co-chairs the National Governor’s Association Homeland Security Committee. Two of the letters he co-authored in this role can be found here (to the U.S. House) and here (to the U.S. Senate).
He oversaw and implemented the complex HS plans of the Salt Lake Olympics, both before and after 9/11, carrying off the Games without any major security glitches or events. Details of this experience can be found in Romney's book, "Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership, and the Olympic Games" (two chapters: “Securing the Olympic Games” and “September 11”).
As Governor of Massachusetts:
1) His state recently became one of only 10 states nationwide to receive a the highest grade for disaster preparedness (See CBS story).
2) He proactively led Massachusetts through a recent (May 2006) “State of Emergency” due to their worst flooding in 70+ years. Romney’s leadership through what the Federal government designated a "Major Disaster Emergency" drew rave reviews both locally and nationally (whole separate blog entry to follow).
3) The Massachusetts Avian Flu disaster plan has been held up as a model that the CDC and other officials have praised.
Sentinel HS testimonies/speeches by Romney:
1) Testimony to U.S. Senate Governmental Affairs and Homeland Security Committee on May 13th, 2003 titled “Investing in Homeland Security: Challenges Facing State and Local Governments”
2) Testimony to U.S. House Select Committee on Homeland Security given on June 17, 2003 titled “First Responders: How States, Localities, and the Federal Government Can Strengthen Their Partnership to Make America Safer.”
3) Lectured at The Heritage Foundation (conservative think tank group) on Oct 23rd, 2003 giving a talk titled “Grading Progress on Homeland Security: Before and After 9/11”
4) Testimony to U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on May 4th, 2004 titled “Lessons Learned from Security at Past Olympic Games”
5) Lectured and answered questions at The Heritage Foundation on September 14, 2005 titled “Homeland Security: Status of Federal, State and Local Efforts” (no text, but can listen to or watch his presentation.)
Since today is Independence Day the thought came to my mind that many in our world seek to destroy our freedoms. Romney is the candidate who is most qualified to help prevent such attacks on our nation as well as lead us through any crisis that may occur. He is the man I would want as my President should crisis occur.
Fire away!
So called? His support of socialized medicine and gun control pretty much paints him as an all out RINO.
Not to mention he's backed away from fighting the gay marriage decision by the SJC.
Romney should run on the Democratic ticket and his shed his chameleon status.
LOL! Kind of says it all. What else is left to be said?
Romney would make one hell of a liberal democrat, he has their views already.
I have said for some time that Mitt Romney is the only GOP candidate who can win the presidency (excepting Gullianni), because he has everything it takes to win. Good presentation, fresh ideas, charisma and looks. Never discount looks when half the voting public is female.
We may never get a 100% conservative president, and maybe we don't need to have one. After all, the president is the leader of the country and everyone is not conservative. Of course, our dream president would do everything exactly as we wish, but that is not realistic. Fire away.
Governor of MA where Kennedy and sKerry come from? Egads!
Actually this is to everyone who's commented here so far.
All Shock . . . No Substance.
Name calling does not impress me.
The South . . . Where George Wallace, Pat Roberson, and David Duke come from? Egads! (please tell me that you are capable of higher lines of thought than that!)
It's going to come down to Romney, Giuliani, or McCain, and Romney is the best of those three.
Memories are still fresh of the atrociousness of sKerry's campaign. Now another MA being put for prez? No!
You're probably right. I prefer Romney to any of the other electables. As for social issues, he is a Mormon. Some don't like that fact, but at least, generally, the Mormons have some semblance of Christain values. I know he waffles on abortion, but my sense is that he has done that to get elected governor of Mass. Didn't he do a Hillary to get elected there? He's not from there. I think he has been planning on the presidency for some time and he knew that being a governor is the best credential for the job. I have no idea why he chose Mass. I'm surprised he didn't choose WV. Rockefeller did. WV is easily bought.
Romney IS NOT your typical Northeasterner/MA man. Born and raised in Michigan. He's a true Republican through and through. The fact that the Boston Press and 85% of Mass politicans (the dems) HATE him should tell you that this is anyone but sKerry!
No. No. No.
His negatives outweigh his positives.
We need a conservative. We need one now more than ever.
You're using the same argument that the hildebeast will be using when she really gears up her campaign after she's re-elected to her senatorial position. She was born and raised in IL. Lived in AR. Resided in DC. Now she's from NY. Plus, she's a woman, wife and mother and already has White House and Congressional experience. If fact if one goes by credentials, she's better that Romney.
I've liked what I have heard from his mouth. He doesn't hold up the big "I" ala clinton. He talks like an intelligent person with ideas and not just slogans. I am tired of canned campaign slogans. I would like to hear someone talk without a teleprompter or memorized party lines for a change. I think people will warm up to Romney when they begin to listen to him.
Being able to run an Olympic Games is scarcely preparation for running this country, and his tenure as governor of Taxachusetts is notable only for his ill-conceived attempt to institute mandatory "Hillary-Care" for all. Should make anyone there feel nostalgic for Cuba.
As to his candidacy in a short: NO WAY!
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