Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA)

Who Is He?: Mitt Romney was born March 12, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan. His father, George Romney, was the chairman of American Motors, Governor of Michigan, and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Mitt graduated from Brigham Young University, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Law School. After a career in business, Romney gained national attention as head of the organizing committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was elected governor of Massachusetts in 2002 and chose not to seek reelection in 2006.

International Experience: Romney spent 2 years in France as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often known as Mormons). Romney's role on the 2002 Winter Olympics required considerable amounts of international diplomacy and global cooperation.

Foreign Policy Positions: The former website for the Commonwealth Pac, founded by friends of Governor Romney, listed "Defeating the Jihadists" and "Competing with Asia" as the top two issues America must address to remain the economic and military superpower. Romney has also been outspoken on achieving energy independence. In September 2006, he made national headlines when he denounced Harvard University for inviting former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami to speak. He refused to allow Massachusetts state agencies to assist in the visit.

Mitt Romney's Foreign Policy Statements:

• Confronting Radical Jihad, from Mitt omney.com
• Romney Denounces Khatami Visit to Harvard, official statement

Campaign Links:

• Mitt Romney's site
• Elect Romney in 2008 (unofficial)
• Candidate Profile, from the About Guide to Civil Liberties
• Candidate Profile, from the About Guide to Terrorism Issues

The Competition: Explore the foreign policy background of all major 2008 presidential candidates.