Could Romney Face His Own Tough Questions About Tolerance?
By Jennifer Siegel
I have a story up this week about the fact that Mitt Romney’s Mormonism – a major hurdle in his challenge to win over the GOP’s base – is at the same time winning him a little extra sympathy from some Jewish Republicans. (Jews know what it’s like to face questions about one’s religion, after all.)
But one other point worth noticing here: As much as the press has picked up on the Mormon-As-Underdog theme, Romney faces tough questions about his faith not only because evangelical Christians and others have some irrational, unfair prejudice against Mormons. He also faces tough questions because of the history of Mormonism itself, including the faith’s longtime exclusion of African-Americans from its priesthood.
As he continues to mull whether to make a big JFK-esque speech, Romney’s also no doubt praying he won’t eventually be forced to speak on his faith’s more troubling history.
September 20, 2007, 3:28pm
Best Presidential Campaign Target Ever: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
By jennifer Siegel
Mitt Romney kicked it off by urging the UN to revoke the Iranian president’s invitation to the General Assembly, and now Hillary Clinton’s office has a statement objecting the the already-defunct visit to Ground Zero.
August 3, 2007, 12:47pm
Who's Up, Who's Down: Foreign Policy on the Campaign Trail
By Jennifer Siegel
Everywhere we turned this week, presidential contenders were working to score public relations points with posturing on foreign policy.
Here’s the quick summary, along with some verdicts about whether they came out ahead or behind in the image game:
Barack Obama was branded as “irresponsible” by Pakistan’s foreign minister after saying that, as president, he might unilaterally decide to send troops to combat terrorism there. A week ago, the Illinois senator was fighting off bad foreign policy PR after announcing, at the CNN/You Tube debate, that he would commit to diplomatic meetings with the leaders of Iran and other rogue states. Which is it – too hard or too soft? Verdict: DOWN.
Mitt Romney cites Hezbollah as a model for “health diplomacy.” Point well taken, but still. Verdict: DOWN.
The GOP contenders – minus Iraq stalwart John McCain – begin to distance themselves from Bush on the war. Will they open themselves up to flip-flopping charges down the road? Clearly, they’re willing to risk it. Verdict: UP.
John Edwards gets out from under Clinton-Obama by talking tough against the Saudi arms deal. Verdict: UP.
Romney Flexes Muscles on Iran
By Jennifer Siegel
Surging GOP Presidential contender Mitt Romney talked tough to ABC News at a campaign appearance in Tulsa, Okla. yesterday over a recent report about CIA plans in Iran.
“The reporting has the potential of jeopardizing our national security,” the former Massachusetts governor said. “Stated quite plainly, it has the potential of affecting human life. We may never know.”
He said he did not support censorship, but that “the media has a responsibility to police itself.”
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