Republican Presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during a news conference, Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, at the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce in Sioux City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Posted on 02/19/2007 11:53:20 AM PST by NormsRevenge
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Monday defended his opposition to embryonic stem cell research despite its scientific promise to cure diseases like multiple sclerosis that afflicts his wife, Ann.
In an interview with The Associated Press, the former Massachusetts governor said he was confident that research on adult stem cells could eventually provide the medical answers.
"I believe that science is able to receive the stem cells necessary for research through means that don't represent a serious, moral problem," Romney said.
Scientists say embryonic stem cells hold the most promise and the research may eventually lead to treatment and perhaps cures for diseases such as Parkinson's and juvenile diabetes. Stem cells are created in the first days after conception, but some people such as social conservatives and President Bush oppose the research because days-old embryos — usually left over from fertility treatments — are destroyed in the effort to isolate the cells.
Romney said if elected, he would increase funds for research of adult stem cells.
"It avoids all of the moral concerns and therefore presents scientific opportunity without moral dilemma," he said. "And I found no one to dispute the potential of such avenues of exploration that was able to convince me that these did not have merit."
Romney said his wife would play a prominent role in his campaign for president.
"Were she not healthy I would not have run ... " he told the AP. "She is able to manage her disease such that she does not overdo or cause herself physical problem. Were that not the case, we'd have made a different decision. We'd be in the sun somewhere."
Romney ran as a moderate in his unsuccessful bid for Senate in 1994, when he expressed support for abortion rights. He now opposes abortion, a shift that has caused consternation among some conservatives. During a campaign stop in Iowa, Romney said he did not know if the state's voters would support his recent switch on abortion.
"I respond to the questions as they arise. President Reagan was pro-choice as governor and became convinced he was wrong," he told the AP
Romney defended his recent decision to join the National Rifle Association, saying that he has always supported the 2nd Amendment and dismissing criticism that his membership amounts to political opportunism.
"I'm happy to support the NRA. They supported my campaign for governor and I clearly hope they support my campaign for president," he said.
Romney also defended his decision to vote for Democrat Paul Tsongas in the 1992 Massachusetts Democratic presidential primary.
"We have an open primary where we can vote for people other than Bill Clinton and I voted against Bill Clinton," he said.
Romney has been criticized for voting in the primary, and for giving multiple justifications for his vote. Romney scoffed at the notion that he was giving rivaling justifications for his vote.
"I pulled a Democratic primary ballot, and voted for Paul Tsongas as opposed to Bill Clinton. There was no Republican contest of significance at that time, as I recall," he said.
During his campaign appearance, Romney chided national Democrats for suggesting diplomatic negotiations with Iran, calling it a country with "jihadist leadership" more bent on destruction than the Soviet Union.
"We think of the Soviet Union as being a nuclear superpower that we negotiated with but the Soviet Union was not suicidal, it was not genocidal," Romney told reporters in Sioux City on Monday. "They wanted to maintain their integrity and not ever suffer a nuclear attack. Iran has a different orientation. We have to recognize it as a jihadist leadership with (Iranian Pres. Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad."
Republican Presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during a news conference, Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, at the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce in Sioux City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
What scientific promise? It's already been proved that adult stem cell research is better.
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney signs a poster for Alex Stroman, of Chester, S.C. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at Seawell's in Columbia, S.C. Romney visited South Carolina as part of his official campaign kickoff tour following his announcement Tuesday that he's seeking the Republican presidential nomination. (AP Photo/Perry Baker)
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney holds one his granddaughter, Mia, 2, after speaking in Columbia, S.C. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, as part of his official campaign kickoff tour. Romney visited South Carolina following his announcement Tuesday that he's seeking the Republican presidential nomination. (AP Photo/Perry Baker)
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks to supporters at a rally, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. Romney officially announced Tuesday that he was seeking the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Romney / Hunter would be a good ticket.
at this point, knowing what I know, I could vote for that. ;-)
Too bad the Hunterites wouldn't support that ticket.
They will never cast a vote for "a liberal, pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-gun RINO" like Romney, no matter who his VP would be.
They will not vote, or they'll vote Constipation Party and let Hillary win.
I think I agree.
If Reagan could change his mind, why not Romney?
That would be an excellent ticket.
What would be really intersesting to consider is a Romney / Leiberman ticket.
That's absolutely fantastic. I'm certain that charges that embryonic stem cell research holds no promise will soon disappear, once there is no ethical basis to argue against such research.
That's what I'd like to know.
The Hunterites aren't into forgiveness.
"Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Monday defended his opposition to embryonic stem cell research despite its scientific promise to cure diseases like multiple sclerosis that afflicts his wife, Ann."
Uh, that's today, February 19, 2007, in Iowa. CHeck back for the real answer next year - if he gets nominated - or maybe check back again for the REAL, real answer if he gets elected.
I don't think it's constructive to blame voters for voting their consciences. From what I can see, Mitt has a lot of advantages and is a great communicator -- why not just argue his case?
FACT: Mitt has the largest forehead in the history of Republicans.
Yep, Romney would be wise to consider such a thing.
Plus all the Al Gore fans would get half thier ticket. ;-)
I'd be more than happy to, if Hunterites would simply tout the positives of THEIR candidate, without lying and smearing other Republicans.
I'm not even decided for anyone yet, but the rabid Hunterites have pretty much turned me OFF of their guy.
I've been thinking more like Hunter / Romney. But we're still a year out from the Primaries. I'm watching them both for now. I have not seen any others who interest me, yet.
Yep, he'll get the soccer mom and good hair vote... In addition to his other qualities. ;-)
How about Lincoln? He sure had a larger forehead and Romney.
But he had a tall hat to cover it up.
The large forehead may be necessary to accommodate his brains. He has an MBA and a J.D from Harvard. The Democrats can't accuse him of being another dumb Republican.
"I'm not even decided for anyone yet, but the rabid Hunterites have pretty much turned me OFF of their guy."
I agree with you 100%. I'm leaning toward Romney, but Rudy is sounding good as well. I'd never give McCain a vote in the primaries, but between him and Clinton, I'd plug my nose and vote for McCain (hopefully he has a good VP candidate). From what I have herd, Hunter seems like a good guy, I'd like to learn about him, but the "Hunter Only" crowd has really turned me off.
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