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Romney son helps father campaign
By: EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer | ∞
Matt Romney of Rancho Bernardo makes phone calls at a San Diego fundraiser for his father, presidential candidate Mitt Romney, earlier this month.
EDWARD SIFUENTES Staff Photographer
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SAN DIEGO ---- Matt Romney shares more than a passing resemblance to his father, GOP presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
The two also share a goal of getting the senior Romney to the White House.
Matt Romney, 35, and his four brothers are among his father's most avid campaigners. A Rancho Bernardo resident, he recently held a fundraising rally in San Diego, travels throughout the country for the campaign and writes a blog with his brothers about their efforts on behalf of their father.
"All of us are canvassing the country," he said outside a Mira Mesa office where volunteers made fundraising phone calls, mentioning that his brothers were campaigning in Alaska and Florida. "We really try to get around and represent my dad as best we can."
About 90 members of the Romney clan participated in his campaign before the Republican straw poll in Iowa last month, Matt Romney said.
Children of candidates often campaign for their parents. But Mitt Romney's family support in California may be of particular use to the candidate this season because of the state's early primary, which has caused many candidates to focus harder on California's voters.
Built in part on a platform of family values, the senior Romney's presidential campaign was the result of a family decision, he said.
Mitt Romney's other sons, Tagg, 37, Josh, 31, Ben, 29, and Craig, 26, have given speeches, hosted fundraisers and helped shape their father's campaign strategy. Matt Romney said campaigning has not been easy as a working father with a pregnant wife.
"We really wouldn't be doing this if he wasn't a good person," he said. "I mean you can only get your kids to do so much. It's a labor of love."
Politics runs in the family. Mitt Romney's father was former Michigan Gov. George Romney. He ran for president in 1968 and lost the GOP nomination to Richard Nixon.
An Associated Press-Ipsos poll taken in mid-September showed Romney among the top four candidates for the GOP nomination. The poll showed a virtual dead heat between former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, both at 24 percent.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., was not far behind at 15 percent and Romney at 7 percent, according to the poll.
At a rally last week, Matt Romney and his wife, Laurie, were among nearly two dozen volunteers making phone calls on behalf of the campaign. The volunteers got a boost with a visit from state Sen. Mark Wyland, R-Carlsbad, a Romney supporter.
Wyland said Matt Romney's involvement in his father's campaign is evidence that "family values" is more than just campaign talk.
"I think it says something that we all like to see: a close-knit family," Wyland said. "But as important, it's a family that recognizes that Mitt Romney has the ability to make a difference in this country."
Born in Boston, Matt Romney attended Brigham Young University in Utah and later Harvard Business School in Boston. He worked for computer giant Microsoft in Seattle, where he began to dabble in real estate.
A father of three children, he moved his family to Rancho Bernardo two years ago and jumped into real estate full time. He is vice president of Excel Realty Holdings, a San Diego real estate firm.
"It's a little depressing up there (in Seattle)," he said smiling. "And I started to get into real estate. ... I tried to figure out, 'Where do I want to be?' And San Diego was just the absolute perfect spot."
At a fundraiser last week, his uncle, Jim Davies, made phone calls to potential supporters. Mitt Romney's wife, Ann, is Davies' sister.
"Want to see me call Buzz Aldrin (the former astronaut and second man to walk on the moon)?" Davies asked while scrolling through a cell phone screen.
Midway through the five-hour fundraiser, Mitt Romney called by phone to thank the volunteers, and joked about his son's close physical resemblance to him.
"Matt is tireless and devoted and about as good a son as anybody could hope for," the former governor said over a speaker phone. "He is funny looking, but he's a good kid."
With the crowd bursting into laughter, his son answered back.
"I got that part from you, Dad," he said.
Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.
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Is this Mitt Romney a Mormon! wrote on Sep 28, 2007 11:26 AM:Why hasn't asked about his reliqion and how that will affect his decision if he were in the White House? The religous sect seems to have some strange rules about homosexuals, marroage, and other freedoms in America! Not to mention a womans freedom to abortion!
The preach family values! wrote on Sep 28, 2007 11:32 AM:They are exclusionist! They seem to put a facade up to appear very family. But you cross the Mormon brain washing and or do not belive, then you are not included. Is that what they will do to Amwerica! How will his reliqious faith impact how he runs the nation! UTAH just got a alot of federal funding!
Mitt Romney seems to avoaid the real questions! wrote on Sep 28, 2007 11:33 AM:This guy is dangerous for America!
Can we trust him! wrote on Sep 28, 2007 11:34 AM:The Mormon web site says that mormons beleive that before we exist before we are born. It is there in heaven we are taught about god, then when we are born and learn it as mortal humans. Sounds like reincarnation!
LDS (mormon) mom wrote on Sep 28, 2007 11:50 AM:Wow - in regards to comment #1 - We believe that marriage is between a man and a woman and that homosexuality is wrong. Weird views about marriage? What's so weird? My marriage is great. Polygamy is not involved at all (those are the FLDS that practice that) - my husband wouldn't want to deal with 2 of us! I have the same freedoms as anyone else. We also believe that abortion is murder - because its killing a real baby! Babies are blessings!
Paul wrote on Sep 28, 2007 12:14 PM:Seems to me I recall similar comments about JFK when he ran for president. Oh, I am NOT Morman.
CMC wrote on Sep 28, 2007 1:39 PM:It would appear that the first five comments came from the same anti-Romney crusader (they're all posted within one or two minutes of each other). This article was not about Mormons, it was about the solid support that this candidates family provides him. I think it says something about his character, and their belief that he will be a good president. If your own family won't support you in an election then perhaps they know something the rest of the populace doesn't (and should).
I can't believe they said that! wrote on Sep 28, 2007 2:59 PM:Wow....such hostility towards a man's religion... "Is this America ? Thank God for the Founding Father's making sure a candidate for public office didn't have to be one sort of religious denomination. Think about the years that Catholic's were excluded from public service....are we going to turn back the clock?
Pray wrote on Sep 28, 2007 5:29 PM:I pray God puts brains into anyone even thinking of voting for this man.=
quinnie wrote on Sep 28, 2007 6:19 PM:he looks healthy. maybe he should enlist. his dad's pushing for a troop increase why not start at home?
hawnstyle wrote on Sep 29, 2007 12:38 AM:Is this bigot central? He is the most qualified man for the job... Look at all those hypocrit Democrats who cried about pulling our troops out of Iraq, then hesitated when asked about troop withdrawal.GO ROMNEY!!!
Randy wrote on Sep 30, 2007 6:13 PM:If anyone is truly interested in Mitt Romney's record?? Do some research on the Big Dig in Mass. Ask him a few questions and watch his studder through his answers. The way he handled that situation...truly, there has to be a more dignified and respected candidate for President.
Mark wrote on Oct 1, 2007 2:57 AM:Unbelievably shallow arguments from the anti-Romney effort, making a feeble attempt to discredit an impeccable reputation and proven track record. Romney's strength speaks for itself in the things he's accomplished. Whatever he touches, he makes better, and Washington will be no different. This nation would be better off with his can-do attitude, ability to clean up both sides of the aisle, Dems and Reps. He's the most likely candidate to get it all done.-
Caroline wrote on Oct 2, 2007 8:33 AM:We love the Romney family, always a positive influence, and we are blessed to have them around. they sure make the world a better place. I still have hope for my family, as long as there are families like them. I don't like disfunctional people blasting the Romney's sincere love for each other. I don't understand the anger, loving your family is a great thing. Some people are so evil in their hearts they like everyone else to be miserable like themselves. There are truly Happy Families in this world. That's our goal. I hope yours too.-
Luke wrote on Oct 2, 2007 9:34 AM:Romney's religion is absolutely an issue. He runs on his religion; he tries to sell his religious values at every rally. He assures the religious right that he is one of them. Unlike Kennedy he is unable to say that he puts America first--Kennedy never hit the stump saying that if he were elected he would let his Catholic values form his policy and decisions. Romney is an ... who has demonstrated a complete lack of a moral compass. Remember he was for "a woman's right to choose" before he was against it; he assured the Massachussets gay community that he was more pro-gay than Ted Kennedy, and he was in favor of gun controls before he fondly remembered one hunting trip when he was a boy. Mitt Romney is a rudderless ship seeking a safe harbor in the white house.-
Ray wrote on Jan 31, 2008 9:26 PM:ROMNEY
The only candidate who believes and stands for the right issues, and has the experience, determination, trustworthiness, and history, to do what needs to be done on all of the issues that we need taken care of.
Pro family
Pro marriage between a man and a woman
Pro freedom of all religions (not just his own)
Pro life (yes he has learned from his previous error on this one)
secure the borders
Send illegals home to get in line with everyone else, and come back legally
after we have done a background check on them
strengthen our military
support Iraq ect. and not surrender, plus develop more allies instead of enemies
drill our own oil, and stop giving our money away to Alqueda supporters.
Develop better energy practices so we are not oil dependent
Strengthen and improve our own economy and industries, whilst preventing our industries from leaving our shores, this by encouraging our companies with tax breaks and taxing those from other countries sending their products here.
Getting health care available for all Americans without going to national health care.
He has a very clear picture of what needs to be done, he is trustworthy, he has the experience needed as a governor to be president (a governor is just like a president in job experience, whereas a senator does not), and he has proven to be able to follow through in the promises he makes.
He is also the only politician I can find who does not lie, steal, or already have obligations to lobbyists, special interests, and good old buddies.
He believes that Washington is broken, and he is determined to fix it by reducing it, and getting it back to work.
He is also determined to get our budget back on track instead of spending more than we have, and selling our country to china or Saudi Arabia ect.
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