Romney stressed his business credentials, tough stances on illegal immigration and took issue with Huckabee for attacking Romney’s faith. The former Massachusetts governor also had some interesting observations on Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s admissions of past illegal drug use.
Iowa Independent: One of your GOP opponents, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, has made the comment on Social Security that he has a plan for a one-time payout, presumably for older people with certain wealth levels, and I’ve never been able to get anyone on his campaign to explain what that scheme is. What do you think about that idea and the fact that he does appear to have any follow-up explanation?
Romney: You know, I haven’t seen his proposal with regard to Social Security. I don’t know what he’s referring to. Clearly. People who receive Social Security should continue to receive Social Security.We shouldn’t change the deal on people who count on Social Security. We are going to reform programs for younger people coming along to make sure promises we make to folks that are 20 and 30 and 40 years old we can honor. But we’re not going to change the deal for people who are retired or near retirement. That would be inappropriate and we’re just not going to go in that direction.
Iowa Independent: Huckabee said the following, “Don’t Mormons believe Jesus and the Devil are brothers?” First of all, governor, is that true? And what do you think of that kind of rhetoric?
Romney: Well as the Church indicated in its statement that is an old smear and it is not accurate.And that’s unfortunate to be brought into the political sphere. Huckabee has apologized for attacks on my religion and I accepted his apology.Look, religious attacks have no place in the American political process. Of course if people want to talk about our differences on issues and track record that’s part of the political process. We have some important issues that we face. But bringing up people’s religious beliefs is just not the American way.
Iowa Independent: Some of your most sustained applause here in Carroll was on the issue of immigration. The 14th Amendment defines children of illegal immigrants born on U.S. soil as legal U.S. citizens. This rankles many people. Is there a legislative fix to this and do you plan to seek one?
Romney: There is. The current practice is that if the child is born here to illegal parents the child becomes a U.S. citizen and then what occurs is something known as chain migration where the relatives of that child are now able to come into the country. We can stop chain migration. It does not require a change to the Constitution to say we are not going to have a policy of bringing in family members of a child that was born here to illegal parents.
Iowa Independent: You were critical of Senator Barack Obama for talking openly about drug use. He wrote about it in his book. He’s admitted to marijuana use but he’s also admitted to cocaine use in his past. Do you think there is a difference in the admission of marijuana and cocaine? Is there a gradation?
Romney: I think we’re probably best if we’re running for president of the United States to honestly indicate to people we’ve made mistakes in our lives and there are things we wish we wouldn’t have done.But I think we mistakenly describe the details of our failings, recognizing that we may open the door to a young person’s mind to think it’s OK for them to do those same things.I think Barack Obama was wrong in describing his illegal drug use because of the effect it has on the minds of young people. Of course, we all make mistakes. No one’s perfect.But President Bush I think had the right approach. He said, look when I was young and irresponsible I was young and irresponsible. He acknowledged those things that were subsequently dug up and confronted him and he said, yes, that’s accurate. But he did not want to in any way contribute to a decline of the resolve young people have to follow the law.
Carroll Daily Times Herald: Since this is an edit board meeting, what’s your pitch for our potential endorsement and for the support of our readers on caucus night.
Romney: My life has been spent in the private sector where talk is cheap. You have to be able to deliver or you’ll get fired. I’ve learned how to get the job done. I’ve done that in the private sector. I did that at the Olympics. I did that as governor of Massachusetts. I will get the job done and America needs someone who can finally get us on track, stop the overspending, stop the over use of oil, stop illegal immigration, get us more competitive with China and fix the currency problem we have with China, get us in a posture where we can help the Muslims reject the violent extreme so we don’t have to do it for them.
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