Willard Mitt Romney is the 70th Governor of Massachusetts, who served from January 2003 and left office in January 2007. Romney was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. He also serves as the chairman of the Republican Governors Association and honorary chairman of The Commonwealth Political Action Committee.

Before becoming Governor, Romney rose to prominence in an unsuccessful 1994 campaign against Senator Ted Kennedy and as CEO and organizer of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

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• I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my Mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it.
  • United States Senatorial Debate, October 1994.

• I am convinced that unless America changes course, we will become the France of the 21st Century - still a great nation, but no longer the leader of the world.
  • BBC News, 8 February, 2008.

• It would be impossible to reach unanimity on every aspect of our budget, but it’s clear there is widespread support for the concept of change. We face a choice between either cutting waste out of government, or facing a new job killing tax increase every year from here on out.
  • Press release, February 27, 2003

• The definition of marriage is so fundamental to society that it should not be decided by one court in [Massachusetts] or by one mayor in San Francisco. In [America], the people should decide. In America, the people are fair and tolerant. Let the people decide.
  • Press Release, February 24, 2004

• Senator Kerry now tells us he has a clear position on the [war on terror]. He voted no on [Desert Storm] in 1991 and yes on [Desert Shield] today. Then he voted no on [troop funding], just after he'd voted yes. He's campaigned against the [war] all year, but says he'd vote yes today. This nation can't afford [presidential leadership] that comes in 57 varieties.
  • Speech at the Republican Convention, 2004.

• For all the conflicting views on this issue, it speaks well of our country that we recognize [abortion] as a problem. The [law] may call it a right, but no one ever called it a good, and, in the quiet of conscience people of both political parties know that more than a million abortions a year cannot be squared with the good heart of America.
  • Mitt Romney, "Why I vetoed the contraception bill", Boston Globe, July 26, 2005.

• We cannot continue to have an excellence gap with the rest of the world and intend to remain the [economic superpower] and [military superpower] of the planet. That's just not going to happen. We're in a position where unless we take action, we'll end up being the [France] of the 21st century: a lot of talk, but not a lot of strength behind it in terms of economic capability.
  • Boston Globe, November 16, 2005.

• I'm not happy exporting jobs but we must move ahead in technology and patents. I don't like losing any jobs but we'll see new opportunities created selling products there. We'll have a net net increase in economic activity, just as we did with free trade. It's tempting to want to protect our markets and stay closed. But at some point it all comes crashing down and you're hopelessly left behind. Then you are Russia.
  • " Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's Message: Globalize or Die", CRN.com, November 16, 2005

• The [president] is right to point to an international [jihadist] movement aimed at the collapse of the United States. He has gone after that threat in the right way and with great energy and vigor, and I applaud the fact that he has taken it on very seriously and has not considered it just a criminal action but instead a war action, which requires a military ... response.
  • Interview with James Taranto, December 2005.

• I think we ought to have more oil. We ought to develop more sources of oil so that we can increase our supply. But the last thing I want to do is suck it all dry as quickly as we can. I want to use less of it.
  • Interview on Hardball with Chris Matthews, December 2005.

• I wouldn't presume to present a plan different from that of the President. But I believe he was right to take on the war on terror on an aggressive front rather than a defensive front. We toppled the government ... walking away would mean a humanitarian disaster. We're there and we have a responsibility to finish the job.
  • Interview with Bill O'Reilly, September 27, 2006

• We have lost faith in government, not in just one party, not in just one house, but in government. It is time for innovation and transformation in Washington. It is what our country needs. It is what our people deserve...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.
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    • This is not a time for more talk and dithering in Washington. It's a time for action.
      • In his campaign ad
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        • The fundamental principle of faith of Judeo Christian (belief) is there is a God, who is our heavenly Father and all the people on this earth and every speck of humanity on this earth is a creation of God ... And every creation of humanity is a child of God.
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            • And I hear from time to time people say, hey, wait a second, we have civil liberties we have to worry about. But don't forget the most important civil liberty I expect from my government is my right to be kept alive, and that's what we're going to have to do.
              • Fox News, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Durham, NH, 9/5/07
            
            
            • Actually, just look at what Osam - Barack Obama said just yesterday. Barack Obama calling on radicals, jihadists of all different types, to come together in Iraq.
              • While campaigning in Greenwood, SC; October 24, 2007; Countdown
            
            
            • This election, this presidential election, I think has underscored underneath it several times. We want change. And it‘s not change in the White House so much, as change in Washington.
              • 1/4/08; Countdown
            
            
            • I frankly can't wait, because the idea of Bill Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do is something I just can't imagine, I can't imagine the American people can imagine....
              • In response to the question, "How would you run against Hillary and Bill Clinton in November?", MSNBC, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, FL, January 25, 2007