What is said to be the McCain campaign’s opposition research on Willard Romney confirms that he is a stealth Democrat who goes by the name of Mitt to frustrate any attempts to question his newly assumed Tea Party credentials.
Great reading. One thing you can say for the candidate the Teabaggers call N0bama is that at least he uses his own real name, no matter how inconvenient that might seem. Does anyone else remember Ann Coulter ridiculing the idea of someone named [cue drooling sarcasm] ”Barack Hussein Obama” running for president?
Some results from just the summary:
Abortion
* Romney says he changed his mind on abortion meeting with Harvard stem cell researcher – Romney claims the doctor said scientists “kill” embryos after 14 days, but doctor later said Romney “mischaracterized my position.”
* Months after his “conversion,” Romney stated his commitment to upholding Massachusetts’ abortion laws and appointed pro-choice judge to state district court.
* In October 2005, Romney signed bill expanding family planning services, including abortion counseling and morning-after pill.
* In December 2005, Romney “abruptly ordered his administration to reverse course … and require Catholic hospitals to provide emergency contraception medication to rape victims.”
* Romney health insurance plan expanded access to abortion, required Planned Parenthood representative on state panel.
* Romney endorsed legalization of abortion pill RU-486 access during his 1994 Senate race and backed federal funding of abortion, saying “I think it’s important that people see me not as a pro-life candidate.”
* In 1994 and 2002, Romney confirmed his support for Roe v. Wade decision and forcefully positioned himself as pro-choice in 1994 Senate race, saying “you will not see me wavering on that.”
* Romney has refused to comment on bill pending in South Carolina legislature requiring that abortion doctors offer pregnant women option of viewing ultrasound.
Gay Rights
* Romney endorsed Rep. Barney Frank’s Employment Nondiscrimination Act in 1994.
* In 1994, Romney called “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy first step toward having gays and lesbians “able to serve openly and honestly in our nation’s military” and said he would provide “more effective leadership” on gay rights issues than Ted Kennedy.
* In 2003, The Washington Times reported Romney “would support a Vermont-style civil union law in Massachusetts.”
* As governor, Romney said health coverage benefits and hospital visitation rights should be provided to gay couples.
* Romney promised to make gay partnership benefits a “hallmark of my leadership as governor” and has said he would attend gay weddings if invited.
* Romney publicly opposed Boy Scouts’ ban on homosexuals in 1994 and 2002 campaigns.
* In 2002, Romney backed hate crimes legislation that included sexual orientation provisions.
* In 2007, Romney praised gay parent who confronted him over gay marriage issue, but in 2005 remarked South Carolina audience that some gay couples “are actually having children” and called it “wrong.”
Gun Control
* In 1994 Senate race, Romney backed Brady bill and assault weapons ban, saying “I don’t line up with the NRA” and “that’s not going to make me the hero of the NRA.”
* Romney called Clinton crime bill “a big step forward.”
* As governor, Romney quadrupled gun licensing fees and vowed not to “chip away” at tough gun laws
* In 2004, Romney signed permanent state-level ban on assault weapons that was mirrored after federal assault weapons ban.
* In January 2006, Romney said he owned a gun – then two days later admitted he did not and the gun belonged to his son.
* Romney bragged about being member of the NRA but later revealed he didn’t join until August 2006, just before launching his presidential campaign.
* Romney recently said he’s “been a hunter pretty much all my life” but later admitted he hunted only twice in his life, later clarifying remarks by claiming he has hunted “small varmints … more than two times.”
* In 2006 press conference, Romney claimed he had been hunting “many times” after returning from quail hunt in Georgia.