Posted on 04/02/2007 2:02:49 PM PDT by Unmarked Package
Like a lot of kids, I grew up thinking my Dad was Superman. And like most kids, in my teenage years, my view of him changed from Superman to Supernerd. But by age 16, I realized that my earlier view, though not totally realistic, was a lot closer to the truth. We continued to have occasional disagreements, and we still do. But I've come to realize how extraordinarily lucky I am to have Mitt Romney as my father. I also think that if elected, he would be one of our nation's most remarkable presidents.
I'll never forget one weekday sometime during July 1986 (burned in my memory as a magic year for a crazy Boston sports fan, with the Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox all making it to the championship games). I went fishing in an old row boat in Buzzard's Bay on Cape Cod. I threw the anchor overboard and dropped my fishing line. After catching a few fish, I realized I hadn't tied the anchor to the front of the boat.
I returned to the house with my fish and sheepishly informed my Dad, who had company from work at the house, that I had lost the anchor. He told me to go back out and find it. I told him something along the lines of, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard – I can't find an anchor on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean."
Now my instinct as a parent of three would be to send my kid to his room for talking to me that way and then make him work to pay off a new anchor. His reaction was different. He excused himself from his friends, got dressed in his bathing suit, grabbed a snorkel mask, and took me down to the beach with him. For 45 minutes we rowed back and forth, putting our faces into the water to see if we could find the anchor. Amazingly, we did.
I learned three lessons that day. The first is that my Dad really is pretty frugal. There isn't much that bothers him more than wasting money. The second is that my Dad honestly believes he can overcome any challenge with enough hard work and ingenuity. And third, I learned that my Dad cares for me enough to spend his day looking for an anchor in the Atlantic Ocean. He didn't care so much about finding the anchor as he did about teaching me the first two lessons – being wise with money and not letting anything stand in my way.
I've seen that pattern repeat itself dozens of times in his life – at the Olympics, as Governor of Massachusetts, as a successful businessman, and as a father and husband.
When I vote for a Congressman or a Senator, I want someone who is going to be a strong representative for my conservative values. A thinker. A legislator.
But when I vote for President, I also want a doer. No-nonsense. Pragmatic. Proven. Someone who will be able to react quickly to any crises that arise, someone I trust to safeguard my family from threats abroad and threats from within.
I've seen my Dad in action, not just in one crisis, but in dozens. I don't think there is a person alive in whom I'm more confident in placing my trust.
Take a look back to 2002. That was the year he put on an incredible Winter Olympics with a $100M surplus (right after 9/11, and despite a major scandal that almost ruined the games before he took them over), won as a Republican Governor in an overwhelmingly Democratic state, and turned a $3B budget deficit into a surplus without raising taxes.
I recognize that all of that wouldn't matter so much if he were on the wrong side of the issues. We should want someone who not only will lead, but will lead us in the right direction.
Ask yourself who you want leading our nation over the next decade as we face the following challenges: a Jihadist enemy intent on destroying our way of life; liberal elites and activist judges attempting to break down the social values and norms that have existed for centuries; an exploding immigration problem; a serious threat to our status as economic and military superpower from Asia; a looming energy crisis; out-of-control spending in Washington.
What kind of person should we want to be leading our nation at this time of challenge and opportunity? The answer seems obvious – we want someone strong; someone who recognizes our challenges and is willing to deal with them head on; a fiscal conservative; a social conservative; someone whose personal integrity and moral values are unquestioned; someone who has been tested; someone who isn't a career politician; and someone who will get the job done.
There is only one person I believe can do all of that. There's no question that I'm biased—I love my Dad. But my love hasn't blinded me. Like Lincoln in 1860, Roosevelt in 1901, and Reagan in 1980, Mitt Romney is the right leader at the right time for our great nation. He may not be Superman. But he's close enough for me.
Well, have fun getting either of those two elected.
Yes, for moral support and guidance , but not on policy making .
Mitts wife won’t be making policy , it would be no different than W and Laura . A strong marriage and good moral support .
It’s a far cry from Bill and Shrill. They had a behind the scenes power struggle when he was Prez . How scary .
Rudy , i’m not quite sure what he meant , but it sounded a bit odd .
Right now, completely undecided. If Fred Thompson got into it, I'd support him. Heck, Mitt might even end up with my support, if I can be convinced that the positions he has now are the ones he'd keep throughout a Presidency.
Don't get thin-skinned over the jokes, it's way too early for that. Anyone who gets the nomination in either party is going to have to deal with a lot of late-night humor from Leno and Letterman.
The question is, is this kid like James or Dagny?
sorry to have to say it but its true.....
My freedoms aren't yours to bargin away. It's your attitude we need to worry about.
Do you know why? The War Powers Act. An unConstitutional transfer of power taken from the President by the Legislature. This "war" isn't a war at all. It's a limited police action.
I'm not saying I agree with Dr. Paul on that, but his stance is a lot more complicated than just "cut-n-run". You'd know that if you were actually interested in anything remotely resembling fact.
Mitt doesn’t have a chance. No name recognition and fly-over country won’t vote for someone who governed so liberally.
This is more than just photo op, this is a serious character flaw.
We don't need him.
EV, you have attacked Romney on his positions with cause and proof (as you say, let’s go to the video). I am very curious about who you are supporting and why since I have only seen your attacks on Romney. Who at this point is a better candidate and why?
You miss the point no one is bargining away anyone rights, it those who are over the top that I am concern about because they ruin it for good work to get done!
No single man directs, it is the Lord who is in charge!
Geo Washington lead with Lord at his side.
You should read some wonderful things which showed that when this country was being form it was the Lord who lead and Washington listen!
http://www.wallbuilders.com/
My advice would be to keep your powder dry.
Can you blame them, given the way people bash Mormons ? I’m not Mormon and obviously I support Romney.
By your logic , we shouldn’t vote for any Republican candidate , because they all have supporters who band together , or is it just Mormons that we should fear ?
The only group we should fear on here are the ones banding together to condemn Mitt for merely being a Mormon .
Not sure about Toms and Harrys but he may do well with Dicks such as yourself.
With your support of a proven gun control advocate, that is exactly what you are doing.
Don’t put words in my mouth foolish man, in NO way am I gun control advocate .
You can’t get your own way you resort to smearing people!
Oh really? You are openly supporting a candidate who supported the gun control measures he signed into law as governor. Plus, there is this little gem from you...
I also think gun nuts like you should NOT be allow to own a gun because you guys are too consumed and obessed about it and make it harder to keep and bear arms!
I'm not "smearing" anyone. I'm just not letting you get away with your lies.
I also think gun nuts like you should NOT be allow to own a gun because you guys are too consumed and obessed about it and make it harder to keep and bear arms!
Secondly Its is an opinion because of your driven personality that causes one to wonder are your piority are in order, or if one someday you disagrees with your neighbor or family you might...
You perfer 6-pack with Letfies over Consevative Mormons!
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