Posted on 08/08/2007 9:38:41 AM PDT by greyfoxx39
BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five sons' decision not to enlist in the military, saying they're showing their support for the country by "helping me get 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 he called for "a surge of support" for U.S. forces in Iraq.
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, also saluted a uniformed soldier in the crowd and called for donations to military support organizations, and last week he 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 website.
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."
(Excerpt) Read more at wjla.com ...
BARF!
This was a setup by some leftist puke. This is a common question that the anti-war/anti-American “progressives” ask to try to do damage to Republican candidates. Of course, ABC can be counted on to quote everything Mitt said accurate as they’re paragons of unbiased reporting and would never perpetuate leftists tactics and attacks to damage a Republican candidate. /sarc
BTW, I was in Edwards draft lottery class, got a low number and did serve, although the war was over by the time I reached active duty.
I am neither for or against mitt at this point, but i think this is a total loaser of a response. Just plain crap.
It just begs the question, what did Chelsea Clinton do for America? After all, when she was a “first child” we taxpayers made sure she saw the world on our dime every time there was a school holiday. How has she repaid us? How has she used these experiences to improve this country?
Oh, I forgot. She’s a Democrat. Never mind./s
Best answer would have been:
“They are adults ... ask them, next question”
This stuff just kills me.
Less than Five (5) Percent (%) of all living Americans have served in the United States military.
I supposed next week, we will get a op/ed demeaning Mormons that haven’t served, that have kids that choose not to serve, and how thats a ‘bad thing’ in a candidate....(eyes rolling)
Sheesh, this makes talking about Jeri Thompson’s cleavage seem ‘intelligent’.
It was weak.
Did Hillary enlist?
Did Obama serve a day in uniform?
I don’t get it. What is Romney supposed to do — order his adult sons to enlist in the military?
thanks for understanding loaser = loser. can’t type with a cigarette in my hand.
Agreed. Mitt Romney could have answered this question better and your answer would have served him better.
No. He could have ordered them to take ROTC!
MV
Does the civilian mayor have the moral authority tell the chief of police to go fight crime in the city?
Do I have to be a policeman to know it’s a good thing to fight crime?
Same thing on the national scale. Writ big.
Sheesh. This is the most vapid argument ever by the left. It was old two election ago. It’s time for a Republican with guts to shut these people up with an argument similar to that above.
Why is Ann Coulter the only one man enough to put small brained lefties in their place?
Switch to Copenhagen. ;o)
I am not a Mitt fan by any stretch of the imagination but i’ll stand with him on this one. The children of candidates are adults and their own choices should not be political issues. Judge a candidate based on what he himself will do.
You mean, you think the MSM ought to apply the same rules to both parties??? Unheard of! Dems need not serve, ever. Pubbies must have served, but uniformed service alone isn't enough, it must have been in Vietnam, in combat. Doncha know the rules???
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