>Compiled from several news sources: Former Gov. (R-MA) Mitt Romney officially entered the 2008 presidential race Tuesday in Dearborn, MI. He identified that his record of leadership inside and outside government uniquely positions him to tackle the country's challenges. Romney said, "I do not believe Washington can be transformed from within by a lifelong politician. ... There have been too many deals, too many favors, too many entanglements -- and too little real world experience managing, guiding, leading. ... It is time for innovation and transformation in Washington. It is what our country needs."Willard Mitt Romney, age 59, announced his candidacy in Michigan, the place of his birth and upbringing. He is the son of former Michigan Gov. George Romney. He and his wife have five sons. As a Mormon, some speculate that Romney could face resistance from other religious groups.
As a prolific fundraiser, he is expected to easily collect the tens of millions of dollars needed for a serious bid. He has built a national campaign organization staffed with top political operatives, and he has strong grassroots support in several important states.
As a businessman, Romney helped found a multibillion-dollar venture capital firm, Bain Capital, that invested in companies like Staples, the office-supply giant. Later, he stepped in to take over the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. A bribery scandal had threatened to implode the games, but they ended up a success with Romney at the helm. As governor of Massachusetts, Romney was credited with closing a $3 billion budget deficit without raising taxes and pushing a comprehensive overhaul of health insurance system the state.
During a prior bid for the US senate, he wrote a letter promising a gay Republican group he would be a stronger advocate for gays and their rights. However, he insists he has been an unflinching opponent of gay marriage. Although in the two previous campaigns, he said that regardless of personal beliefs, abortion should be safe and legal, he now, he describes himself as pro-life and argues that Roe v. Wade should be replaced with state abortion regulations.
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