RSS 2.0 FeedRomney vs Romney
by KevinFormer Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is running for president. Like the last Massachusetts politician that ran for president, Mitt is changing his tune on certain issues. For example, the issues he highlights and stances he takes on those issues are a lot different than when he ran in 1994 against the Chappaquiddick Swim Team captain and his record as governor. Today, the Boston Globe has a story about Mitt Romney’s latest flip-flopping, this time on guns.
Former governor Mitt Romney, who once described himself as a supporter of strong gun laws, is distancing himself from that rhetoric now as he attempts to court the gun owners who make up a significant force in Republican primary politics.
In his 1994 US Senate run, Romney backed two gun-control measures strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups: the Brady Bill, which imposed a five-day waiting period on gun sales, and a ban on certain assault weapons.
“That’s not going to make me the hero of the NRA,” Romney told the Boston Herald in 1994.
At another campaign stop that year, he told reporters: “I don’t line up with the NRA.”
And as the GOP gubernatorial candidate in 2002, Romney lauded the state’s strong laws during a debate against Democrat Shannon O’Brien. “We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts; I support them,” he said. “I won’t chip away at them; I believe they protect us and provide for our safety.”
Today, as he explores a presidential bid, Romney is sending a very different message on gun issues, which are far more prominent in Republican national politics than in Massachusetts.
He now touts his work as governor to ease restrictions on gun owners. He proudly describes himself as a member of the NRA — though his campaign won’t say when he joined. And Friday, at his campaign’s request, top officials of the NRA and the National Shooting Sports Foundation led him around one of the country’s biggest gun shows.
This guy is supposed to be the Reagan conservative in the race, instead he’s more like the John Kerry candidate. Mitt Romney strikes me as the type of politician who takes political positions solely for political gain. We’ve had enough politicians like that.
According to his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Romney “is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms.” July 1st, 2002 Mitt Romney signed a permanent ban on Assault Weapons. “Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts,” Romney said, at a bill signing ceremony with legislators, sportsmen’s groups and gun safety advocates. “These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.”
Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy
2007
* “Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. I’m proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms.” – Governor Mitt Romney, 01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry’s Trade Show
2005
Also, in 2005, Romney designated May 7 as “The Right to Bear Arms Day” in Massachusetts to honor “the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons, and property and for all lawful purposes, including the common defense.”
2004
* “Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts. These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.” Romney said, at a bill signing ceremony with legislators, sportsmen’s groups and gun safety advocates. 07-01-2004 Press Release
* “By making this common-sense change to the law we will enable target pistol manufacturers to do business in our state and allow enthusiasts to practice the sport they love.” – Governor Mitt Romney, 07-01-2004 Press Release
* “Mitt Romney supports the strict enforcement of gun laws. He is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms.” – http://www.romneyhealey.com/issues/, no longer active, see Web Archive
* “Stun guns have proven time and time again when used by law enforcement officers in other states that they are an effective tool in stopping suspects. It is high time for our men and women in blue to utilize this modern crime fighting technology.” Governor Mitt Romney 07-15-2004 Press Release
2002
In 2002, even as he was pledging to uphold the state’s strong gun laws, Romney still garnered a “B” grade from the NRA.
Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy Press Releases
2004
07-01-2004, Romney signs off on permenent assault weapons ban
* The bill enjoyed the support of Massachusetts gun owners because it also encompassed several measures they favored — including a lengthening of the terms of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry. (Asked about the bill Friday, Romney described it as a “consensus measure” and a “positive step.”)
2006
07-26- 2006, Governor Romney Approves Exemption for Target Pistols
2006
01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry’s Trade Show
Comment by mike — January 14, 2007 @ 1:55 pmOne thing I like is that he is honest about his previous positions and is not afraid to address them.
Comment by Rod — January 14, 2007 @ 4:56 pmRod,
Romney tells Massachussetts voters one thing, now he’s telling GOP primary voters another thing, and he’ll probably tell general election voters another thing completely. He has no business running for elective office because he has no core principles.
Comment by Kevin — January 14, 2007 @ 10:12 pmKevin,
I’ve lived in Mass for 20 years and seem ‘em come and go, and I can tell you that your analysis is absolutely on target. Mitt Romney has changed his positions so often on so many issues that there’s a standing joke about it.
1st Guy: Where does Mitt stand on issue X?
2nd Guy: What day is it?
Talk about bending whichever way the wind blows, Mitt doesn’t wait for winds – a light breeze is good enough. Most people I know don’t think he has any principles, convictions, beliefs, or honest positions to speak of. What he says depends on who he’s saying it to. Rod’s obviously buying the latest version (which would be somewhere around v720.0) but it’s only the latest in a long line.
Everybody here knows that at this point, and that’s why he’s not running for re-election as gov – the polls say he wouldn’t have a chance. Nobody trusts him any more and he’s burned all his bridges behind him.
I don’t want to tell Republicans what to do but can’t they do better than this? Of course, there’s one good thing about him: he’s relatively harmless. He didn’t do anything as Gov and he wouldn’t do anything as Pres. Maybe that’s a recommendation.
Comment by mick — January 15, 2007 @ 7:09 amFull disclosure on Romney and guns from the Boston Globe. He’s always been for a ban on assault weapons and has always been for protecting the 2nd ammendment’s right to legally and responsibly own and bear arms. No “flipping” on this issue (despite the headline and some editorializing in the text.)
For more on Romney and guns see this.
Comment by Justin @ RSR — January 15, 2007 @ 8:32 am