How Mitt Romney's 5 sons are volunteering and serving in the War Against Terror

Sometimes I think I'm the only person in America who thinks America would be better off if we brought back the draft.

Then I read a big public fistfight like this.

(As you read the readers' comments, I'm jameskpolka.)

Man, this is NASTY! ANGRY! People are FURIOUS about all sides of this topic!

You can keep calling it the All-Volunteer Military all you want. But there's many, many people leaving many, many comments who very clearly say: All-Volunteer? Bullshit!

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The New York Times (USA)
Wednesday 8 August 2007 7:56 pm

Questions About Romney’s
Sons and Military Service

by Michael Luo

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — It is a question that Mitt Romney has gotten before on the campaign trail. Sometimes it is asked innocently; sometimes with a clear edge.

A woman at an Ask Mitt Anything forum earlier today in Iowa raised the question again, asking whether any of Mr. Romney’s five sons are serving in the military, adding pointedly, “If none of them are, how do they plan to support this war on terrorism by enlisting in our U.S. military?”

Although his campaign said his remarks were taken out of context, Mr. Romney’s response is drawing criticism, because he said, in part, “one of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping to get me elected.”

Mr. Romney expressed appreciation for the country’s “volunteer army” and said “that’s the way we’re going to keep it. He explained his sons had made
different career choices in life and had not chosen to serve in the military but he mentioned a niece whose husband he said had just been called up by the National Guard.

He added that he respects and values “very highly those who make a decision to serve in the military” and referenced the “surge of support” for members of the Armed Services he recently called for on the campaign trail. As part of that call, he personally donated $25,000 to various organizations that support military personnel. But he wound up his response with this: “It’s remarkable how we can show our support for our nation, and one of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping to get me elected, because they think I’d be a great president. My son, Josh, bought the family Winnebago and has visited 99 counties, most of them with his three kids and his wife. And I respect that and respect all of those in the way they serve this great country.”

The Romney sons are each working in various capacities on the campaign. Their blog, The Five Brothers, is a prominent on their father’s Web site. Mr. Romney’s oldest son, Tagg, quit his job in marketing for the Los Angeles Dodgers to work on the campaign full-time. The others are squeezing in time from their regular jobs to do fund-raising and campaign appearances for their father. Josh, 31, a real estate developer in Salt Lake City, has been driving an R.V., dubbed the “Mitt Mobile” to all 99 counties of Iowa. He set foot in Jasper, his 99th county, today.

Driving from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids today to meet up with their parents for the final Ask Mitt Anything forum of the day, Tagg and Josh said their father’s remarks needed to be considered in context.

They expressed respect for those who had served in the military and said they had simply chosen different routes in life. “The military is a voluntary thing,” said Tagg Romney, one of three Romney sons who graduated from Harvard Business School. “I’ve got a ton of respect for those who do it and make a huge sacrifice for this
country. I chose a career 16 years ago that took me down a different path.

“If I was ever called upon to serve my country, I wouldn’t think twice,” he said. “I would be there in a heartbeat.”

Josh Romney said his family is doing what it can to support the troops. “My dad’s made a big point of trying to support the troops,” he said, adding military service is “just something none of us have done.”

But when asked whether they thought the question was unfair, Tagg Romney said, “there’s no such thing as an unfair question in politics.”

- 30 -

58 comments so far...

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1.
August 8th,
2007
8:13 pm

Romney’s idea of supporting the troops is to bash liberals who want to save the live of our troops by bringing them home.

— Posted by Helen NYC
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2.
August 8th,
2007
8:24 pm

Oh, Romney… “your son’s ‘helping you get elected” give me a break! Your family has NEVER served in the military… zip…. Self centered Mitt your ego is showing. McCain’s son is serving, his pop is running!

I thought it would be interesting to put together some the major issues, quotes, and flips and flops done by Mr. Romney, so I did a brief search, and was astounded at the number. Readers at the NYT’s may find the incredible number an interesting read. Mitt needs to answer these also!
_________________________________________________
“I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush” Romney said,” on Monday rated himself as conservative as the late President Reagan”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbX4RkGlYnk flip, splash, splash, flopper, flop

Mitt Romney on the speech he was to give it “follow in the footsteps of John F. Kennedy”

I’m not running for “pastor but President” lifted from Obama speech

Flip Flops and Shell Games

Mitt’s views of America during the time Mitt head of the SLC Olympics” Around the world it was like, ‘Boy, those Americans, always beating their chests.’ This is not our time to talk about how great America is. It’s not designed to be a patriotic American display.” –Guardian quote

While Romney bashes immigration bill on campaign trail, his economic adviser Mankiw signs letter calling it “the most far-reaching and thoughtful reform . . . in four decades.” Wall Street Journal –

“I am absolutely committed toward keeping pro-abortion laws”

“The gay community needs more support from the Republican Party,'’ Romney said in an interview

“I would welcome the overturning of Roe vs. Wade”

If we are to achieve the goals we share, we must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern… I promise more “effective leadership” than Kennedy on winning full equality for gays and lesbians… and I oppose a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and I support gays serving openly in the military. My opponent (Ted Kennedy) cannot do this. I can and will”

“Romney now thinks gays ought to stay in the closet. He has changed his mind”

(— o.k. more ‘effective leadership’, means he was” effectively” for protecting straight marriages, right? lol)

Mitt said “I don’t line up with the NRA”
Later… “ I’m a card carrying NRA member

“The Democratic Party brass target Mitt Romney because they see him as the greatest threat to them in 2008” - Madden on Mitt
^Mitt targeted Obama in the Republican debates….uhmmm…. that must mean……

His three legged stool is an intelligent tool for a visual aid ; a snowman is not

“In a Planned Parenthood questionnaire he filled out during his 2002 gubernatorial run, Romney checked ‘yes’ to a question asking, “Do you support the teaching of responsible, age-appropriate, factually accurate health and sexuality education, including information about both abstinence and contraception, in public schools” answer resurfaced in 2005 ,when pro choice groups Romney was criticized Romney when he began to push an abstinence-heavy focus on sex education. Romney’s spokesman was quoted as saying then at the time Romney still backed a “comprehensive” approach on teaching public school kids about sex.”

Obama said. “He told Planned Parenthood at their conference yesterday that “it’s the right thing to do to provide age-appropriate sex education, science-based sex education in schools.”

“Governor Mitt Romney expressed support yesterday for President Bush’s approach and warned that a premature withdrawal of American troops would inspire terrorists worldwide’—Aug. 2005

“Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney said Saturday he is willing to “change course in Iraq”– as some Republican senators have now done– and is keeping an eye on the recent troop surge there. But it is too early to judge whether the surge is a success or failure, he said. Romney spoke before about 100 people at an ‘Ask Mitt Anything’ campaign event at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.”

Allegations Mitt ‘bussed in Old Mormons” to vote in Young Republican Straw vote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aznM6ZSFRtA
*******Is that who I think it is in the black suit and red flower on his lapel? Is that Mitt fake cop?— rewind look again, pause

Romney against porno— yet it’s O.K. for Marriott– Porn is o.k. so long a business can make money. All Mormons knew about Marriott being the first to put porn in his hotels, it was common knowledge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bwKzLx8hB0&mode=related &search=

There’s more but the post would be huge!

— Posted by Ellie
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3.
August 8th,
2007
10:15 pm

The idea that a presidential candidate becomes qualified is his children serve in the military is absolutely absurd.
Romney obviously made a mistake in saying that his sons are serving by helping his campaign.
But…
I can’t believe that somehow people believe that the career choices of a candidate’s children (and, from what I’ve seen, very respectable, good-valued, hard-working children) should be evaluated is crazy.
I respect those in the military 100%, but I don’t consider those who don’t any less of American.
If we’re going to play this silly game, let’s put all the candidate’s children in uniform.

— Posted by Barc
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4.
August 8th,
2007
10:30 pm

Five sons and non served or serves in the military? Wow, that tells a lot about Romney. Anyway, the guy is not going to win anything so he could get away with that.

— Posted by Helen DAO
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5.
August 8th,
2007
10:30 pm

I guess that’s it, no voting for any current front runners except McCain. They all suck because none of their kids are in the military, nor did any of them serve themselves.

It’s a volunteer military, and the fact is very few Americans choose to serve, and those who do tend to come from military families.

Romney’s sons are no different than the vast majority of Americans, including me. To suggest you have to have served in the military to run for president is pure nonsense. I’m laughing!!

And yes, it would be nice if more of us would follow his sons’ examples and get involved in the political process. Romney’s sons are right where they should be.

— Posted by Richard
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6.
August 8th,
2007
10:30 pm

As far as I know, joining military is voluntary. If I am in military I don’t want somebody in my company that was forced to do it (drafted). Now, why pick on those Romney kids who pretty much are productive citizens of this great country.

— Posted by lomi
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7.
August 8th,
2007
10:32 pm

This guy is such a tool, it goes beyond tooldom.

He is the Popeil Pocket Fisherman of presidential candidates.

His sons are serving the country by working in Iowa to help him get elected?

So what does that mean?

If one of them gets a cut twisting the top off a bottle of beer, while “serving” the nation in the killing fields of West Diddleback, Iowa, that he qualifies for a Purple Heart?

Or that we can all just look forward to all five of them getting Medals of Freedom if he’s elected?

The only thing that baffles me more than why anyone is taking this guy seriously is why anyone is taking Fred “Just Testing” Thompson seriously.

And then I look at the balance of their field, and realize…when your leading candidate is a cross-dresser who married his cousin, you suddenly have a profound appreciation for what they meant about beggars not being choosers.

Zero + zero is still just zero.

— Posted by Doug Johnston
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8.
August 8th,
2007
10:41 pm

All those in favor of immediately deploying the Mitt Mobile to Anbar Province, please raise your hands.

For heavens sake–conflating his son driving to 99 counties in Iowa in an RV in order to make this nitwit our next president–with the sacrifice tens of thousands of young American men and women are making to serve this nation and our nitwit current president?

Doesn’t it really take the whole Republican strategy of be afraid, be very, very afraid–but continue shopping to it’s idiotic conclusion?

Is the RV armored up?

Taking hostile fire from the insurgents of Iowa?

This guy is a Zippo lighter, without the flame.

— Posted by Doug Johnston
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9.
August 8th,
2007
11:14 pm

John McCain has a young son serving in the Marine Corps. Congressman Duncan Hunter has a son who has served as a Marine officer in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have a certain amount of respect for both candidates, even though I opposed the Iraq War from the beginning and believe it should be ended. It is very difficult for me to find much respect for Mitt Romney, with all his bellicose pronouncements about doubling the size of the prison in Guantanamo Bay and taking the war to Pakistan. You can bet that none of his sons will be going to war in the Middle East, any more than the Bush twins have. Ron Paul served during the Vietnam War as an Air Force flight surgeon. He has spoken and written about the difficulty he had in seeing many of the young men he dealt with failing to return home to their families. Those young men died in a no-win, senseless war in Southeast Asia. Dr. Paul did his best to halt to rush to war in Iraq. He has pledged to end the current unnecessary war and quagmire we find ourselves in today in Iraq. He has my utmost respect and I will support him, not Mitt Romney for president in 2008.

— Posted by Don
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10.
August 8th,
2007
11:21 pm

The military is a career choice, and most Americans don’t choose it. If the draft ever comes back, or if it even became obligatory for all able men to serve, then it would be a different story. If the need is ever there, a bunch of us will be in uniform, including a few Romneys. Mitt never lead anti-USA events during Vietnam, as did Clinton. And Mitt won’t be giving away our national security secrets to our enemies, as Clinton also did. Mitt is a true patriot and a proven executive, communicator and diplomat, which, considering the failures of Bush, would be very useful at this time in our history.

— Posted by Paul
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11.
August 9th,
2007
12:05 am

FROM MA.
ROMNEY is a faker.he wouldn’t cut it in the service.

Now hi kids have taking a lesson from him/
by the way didn’t ..bush.. skip his reserve
meeting to campaign for some hack

— Posted by PHIL
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12.
August 9th,
2007
12:09 am

Mitt’s answer was just fine. The question was designed to make him look bad, and sure enough his answer is being taken out of context. I suppose, though, that’s just part of the beast that is campaigning.

Mitt expressed how much he respects our volunteer servicemen and how important it is to support them. On the topic of his sons, they are serving this country by participating in the political process and supporting their father. He wasn’t saying that their time and effort is equivalent to sacrifices troops and families are making, which is a conclusion some (including posters on here) are jumping to.

In reality, the combination of a great military working in concert with a successful political process is a big part of what makes America such a great country. Both are important, and this being America, we as citizens have the freedom to decide how we want to participate in either or neither of those institutions.

— Posted by Paul in CA
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13.
August 9th,
2007
12:09 am

Does that mean all who are not supporting Mitt Romney to get him elected are not serving the nation ?An absurd illogical argument to come out of a tight corner.

— Posted by Arun Mehta
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14.
August 9th,
2007
12:11 am

It is nothing short of hypocritical for politicians to support a war, send other people’s sons and daughters to be killed and their own children do not serve. Although it is an all volunteer military, the fact that Romney’s son is not serving tells a lot about their priorites. He will not risk his life. He has too comfortable right here at home. A few people are just making excuses for Romney.

Cheney is a draft dodger.
Bush’s “service” in the Texas National Guard is nothing short of a joke, and we don’t even know if he finished. His twin daughters are partying, not serving.
Hillary’s Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea, works for a hedge fund, not serving. Bill was a draft dodger.
Rudy Guiliani is a draft dodger. His son and daugher are not serving.
John Edwards elder daughter is not serving.

There are more examples but that is enough.

Everyone knows that the poor are the ones who fight America’s wars for the most part. Any politcian who votes for a war should be forced by law to send his/her own sons and daughters to serve. It might make them think a lot harder about the merits of a war if their own children’s lives were put at risk.

— Posted by Jeremy McNamara
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15.
August 9th,
2007
12:15 am

What Romney’s answer really shows is that he was evading the question because he knew very well the point the woman was trying to make. She was echoing the frustration those of us who do have loved ones over there feel, when the people who took us into this mess and now refuse to even talk about an exit strategy have NOTHING invested in this war. What a prat!

— Posted by gadfly
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16.
August 9th,
2007
12:45 am

Ok, let’s do what this thread is assuming….eliminate all candidates who haven’t served in the military themselves, nor have children in the military.

That leaves us with:

Republicans: John McCain, Ron Paul

Democrats: Mike Gravel, Chris Dodd

Looks like this would be a VERY EXCITING presidential race.

Now that we have poked fun at the lunacy of those criticizing the Romney boy’s military service, let’s evaluate what we look for in a presidential candidate…A LEADER!!! And that is where Mitt Romney blows every other candidate away. Nobody can match Romney’s record of successful leadership in the private sector, the public sector, and within the walls of his own home!

It also makes me wonder why the Media only picks out Romney when it comes to criticizing candidates on this issue. Why don’t they attack Hilary, Obama, Thompson, or Guiliani? None of them have served in the military, and none of the have children who have served in the military. Hmmm….do I smell prejudice? Yes, I do!

— Posted by James in Shanghai
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17.
August 9th,
2007
1:20 am

I don’t think I’ve ever read such vindictive comments about a candidate ever! What is it with you people? Someone tries hard, works hard, does his best as Govenor and then runs for President and out comes the bile and contempt. You rip into him while you arm chair contempt.

— Posted by Dave
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18.
August 9th,
2007
2:40 am

This guy just compared his son’s part-time work to serving in the military? I am a disabled operation IRAQI FREEDOM veteran of 15 years; does he think his sons’ driving around Iowa is the equivalent of even 1 day in Iraq? I hope this fool comes to Tucson so I can show up at his “rally” with my service medals and my permanent crutches or better yet I’ll get that wheelchair the VA doc is trying to put me in. Other articles stated that he saluted a uniformed military member just before this exchange. Who does this non-serving @#$@# think he is. Was he reminiscing to his days as Gov.? And what military member is attending these events in uniform, which is illegal! Republicans never seem to mind.

— Posted by Keith
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19.
August 9th,
2007
3:41 am

Mr. Doug Johnston (post #8),

I am totally in favor of your idea to deploy the Mitt Mobile to Anbar province. Romney could show those Iraqi politicians how to be an effective and successful leader, and show them that it is possible to accomplish results.

Great Idea!!!

— Posted by James in Shanghai
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20.
August 9th,
2007
3:54 am

a candidate’s service and his/her kids’ service is a very interesting Plus or Minus, particularly during this, America’s first “All Volunteer” war. We ask these kids to take the risk, we ask these kids to die, we ask them to struggle with the crushing consequences of this ghastly kind of combat for the rest of their lives — but our candidates and their families seem to view themselves as above that sort of sacrifice and risk.

bring back the draft. if a war’s worth fighting, it’s important enough that the risk be shared by all economic and ethnic classes. the fastest route to a wheezing, gasping, sick, failing and morally bankrupt America is a Priviged Elite that declares the wars, but risks nothing and won’t even accept a few years of career inconvenience, while the kids of our less privileged neighbors pay the price in uniform and in flag-draped coffins.

— Posted by jameskpolka
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21.
August 9th,
2007
4:05 am

Talking tough on terror is credible when you know the cost and are willing to pay it. If you dont want your children put in harm’s way, don’t expect others to send theirs. Yes, the military is voluntary but people sign up to defend their country from genuine threats not fake WMD claims.

Leaving his children aside, what did Mitt do during the war of his generation? And it wasnt even voluntary at the time. Isn’t military experience a more critical requirement at this time than the ability to run a business which he keeps hammering about?

How does this man sleep at night?

I think McCain is being too polite is not highlighting this. I think the press is giving Mitt and Rudy a free ride on their evolution from draft dodgers to gods of war.

— Posted by Edmund
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22.
August 9th,
2007
4:28 am

Mitt Romney interrupted college after one year to serve voluntarily as a 19 year old missionary in France for 2 1/2 years. (This is roughly the same time Hillary and Bill were leading anti-American protests against United States GIs in Vietnam.) Romney was sacrificing for “Gods Army,” a noble sacrifice of time when he could have been getting a college deferment from the draft and spending time with his wife-to-be. His 5 sons also sacrificed 2 of their own youthful years as missionaries (similar to military life) and, then, soon after went to college, married, and were fathers–before 9/11. So, it’s understandable why they were not likely to join the military. I don’t see Clinton’s daughter, Çhelsea, joining the Army, and what about Al Gore’s son–he’s too busy getting in trouble with the law, and obviously has no interest in self-sacrifice for God or country.
Let’s be reasonable to the Romneys on this issue.
David V., Major, USAF, Ret.

— Posted by David V
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23.
August 9th,
2007
5:43 am

Has anyone ask Chaelse Clinton or Edwards daughter why they never served in the military. This media is trying all stops to BASH all republican candidates and is giving the democrats a free ride in the media.first they go after there wives then they go after there kids JESUS!!!!

— Posted by DARRYL
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24.
August 9th,
2007
5:47 am

It’s true of course that it’s a volunteer army and that we’re all free to join at our own will. Of course, Romney’s sons never had to join to get an education but they are supportive of the war efforts put in by others. It’s easy to be supportive if you have nothing to lose and leave it to others to serve. I am by no means a McCain supporter but I applaud the fact that he knows the worry that the parents of the other 130,000 soldiers in Iraq know while he makes his decisions. How can Romney possibly understand what these parents are going through? Somehow trying to get your daddy elected isn’t quite the same thing.

— Posted by larry
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25.
August 9th,
2007
6:43 am

It would be more scary if Romney had complete control of his kids to the point that they can’t make their own choice in regards to military service.

— Posted by robert verdi
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26.
August 9th,
2007
7:15 am

To Paul @#10-

Clinton gave away “our national security secrets to our enemies”?

All of them?

In what–something like a really, really big manilla envelope?

And who are “our enemies”?

Was there some sort of big, our enemies potluck dinner where she handed the secrets out like door prizes?

Kind of hard to believe that could be true–since generally speaking, the federal government prosecutes non-Republicans who do that sort of thing?

What exactly was your source on that?

Rush? Hannity? One of those other paragons of truth as the delusional right wing sees it?

Really, bud–that’s a pretty serious charge.

Seems to me you ought to back it up with a fact or two.

— Posted by Doug Johnston
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27.
August 9th,
2007
7:17 am

It is absolutely impossible for me to have anything but contempt for Mitt Romney. His sons will not volunteer. There is no worry about that. The worst part of that video was the talk about his nieces’ neighbors helping in the landscaping around the her home because her husband was called up by the National Guard. What a diversion from the fact that his son’s are not serving in any capacity. I doubt that any mud holes around his niece’s home would send this country into a downhill spiral. People with the values of Mitt Romney are sending it down the drain as fast as possible. He is disgusting. His sons are stupid. Romney would make a terrible president. He cannot be trusted. The biggest flip-flopper of all decides everything based on polls and his audience. I just know that the troops feel better that his niece and this nation do not suffer from any landscaping distress due to mud holes around her home. No wonder so many people do not vote.

— Posted by Marjorie Kearns
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28.
August 9th,
2007
7:18 am

What a phony. Riding around an air conditioned Winnebago in Iowa to elect Daddy President is hardly service to ones country. But, given his level of foreign policy perhaps Mitt doesn’t know the midwest from the mideast.

— Posted by AJ
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29.
August 9th,
2007
7:26 am

Baloney….rich men’s sons are above serving in the military. I’m a Republican and Romney lost my vote primaily due to him steering his sons away from what so many of us have done in our lives and that’s a couple of years serving our country. The Romney’s make me sick and Mitt has no chance of getting elected.

— Posted by Scotty
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30.
August 9th,
2007
7:43 am

Mitt Rommey is in my opinion an arrogant person who thinks he is better then the rest of us. He actually looks down his nose at us. How dare you expect HIM to suggest to his sons to go into the military. War is against their religion. However he isn’t going to mind it if your son or daughter is in the military, because why? They volunteered to make it their career. These young people where lied to to get them to join and if you notice there is not very many joining now.

As for his son’s serviing their country by working to get him elected, that it the kind of arrogance I spoke of in the beginning.

— Posted by Sally A. York
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31.
August 9th,
2007
7:55 am

I am disheartened to read the captious remarks about the Romney sons. Obviously, in today’s political climate, people seem justified in their criticisms. However, when they look at the productive things the Rommey sons are accomplishing, hopefully it will become clear that if choosing not to serve in the military is the worst thing they have done, how fortunate the Romney family is.
I pray we can get beyond all the rhetoric of Mr. Romney’s religion, etc., and listen to the issues.

— Posted by Jodiann
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32.
August 9th,
2007
8:04 am

How many Republicans serving in Congress or the Senate have sons or daughters serving in the military? I know of two Democratic Senators whose sons are serving.

Why do you think the GOP is so against the draft?
Then they would have to find a way to keep their sons from being drafted. Remember how George Bush (son) served - worked in an election for a candidate in Alabama that LOST! However, his father did serve and served well!

Mitt Romney is not going to get the GOP’s nomination, so it really doesn’t matter, does it?

— Posted by J. Thompson
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33.
August 9th,
2007
8:22 am

The Romneys also think they’re doing America a great favor by concentrating wealth.

— Posted by Steve Bolger
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34.
August 9th,
2007
8:31 am

Helen

I do not think Romney has to worry about bashing liberals. I think the liberals do a great job of bashing themselves.

New topic,

Why was the question asked? As if he can tell another person to do something, they do not want to do. I told my son not to join, because I did not serve for 20 years for him to have to serve and he still joined because he believes in the American way of life and values.

How many of you liberals have served with the same conviction? Very little is any I would imagine.

— Posted by James (San Diego)
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35.
August 9th,
2007
8:32 am

The bulk of our so-called volunteer army was conscripted by an economic draft.

If Jessica Lynch hadn’t been enlisted by the Bush economy, she would have been back in West Virginia flipping burgers part-time for the minimum wage.

Indeed, the nation’s recruiters rely on this administration’s abysmal failure to create competitive civilian alternatives to military service.

It’s outrageous to imply that our army just happens to be chock full of bright but disadvantaged young people simply because they - unlike Mr. Romney’s sons - chose to turn down more attractive options back home.

The typical soldier’s patriotism may seem real enough, but when you’ve got ‘em by their socio-economic realities, their hearts and minds will follow.

The all-volunteer army is a class-based myth.

— Posted by Robert ("Bob") Smith
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36.
August 9th,
2007
8:33 am

I can’t believe what people are talking about. When President Clinton was running for office not too many persons seem to make that big of a deal out of the fact that he didn’t even serve in the military. At that was alright with the country at the time and look at where it took us. We had a person who was the Commander and Chief of our military forces who didn’t do anything to try and prevent us from where we are at today. If you truly want to pick apart the things that Mitt Romney and his sons have decided to do because no where in the Constitution does it make it mandatory for everyone to serve in the military before running for President or any office, then you should start with President Clinton.

I am so thoroughly tired of people worrying about whether or not our troops are going to come home because the only reason we have a Congress full of Democrats now isn’t because they addressed the issues, but because they bashed President Bush and the job that they believe he is doing so very horrid at. Everybody is entitled to their opinions that is what this country was founded on, but truthfully research both sides of the issue before making a decision either way.

— Posted by Myki
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37.
August 9th,
2007
9:09 am

every citizen and those who want to be should be required to serve two years in the military and be on reserve for twenty more; not withstanding c.o.’s who would be required to serve in another capacity. the vietnam era is over and we should learn from those mistakes regarding service to and for the nation

gore served.
mccain
paul
kennedy family
papa bush
mcgovern
webb
roosevelt family
many more

is it too much to ask for all to serve their country? and be willing to suffer the consequences of refusing to serve. what did emerson say?

WHY ARE YOU OUT THERE?

if you don’t understand what i’a talking about…do some research

— Posted by amk
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38.
August 9th,
2007
9:12 am

I am surprised at the ill will in these comments. Every criticism leveled at Romney can be leveled at every other candidate. One poster talked about his “contempt” for Romney for “steering away” his sons from military service. Does he have some inside scoop on the Romney boys, i.e., they wanted to serve and Mitt “steered” them away? You’re crazy. Even if I don’t vote for Mitt, I can respect him for being an American. No need to begrudge him because he and his family make money. I am from a poor family and I joined the military. I did not feel it was my only option and that I was joining because of an “economic draft.” I thought I would serve my country, but sometimes I have second thoughts when I read comments by self-righteous, hypocritical people with too much time on their hands to do anything besides criticize all the day long.

— Posted by Jamieson
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39.
August 9th,
2007
9:27 am

Re: #22
lampooning the clintons and gores as having “no interest in self sacrifice for god or country”.

If that is how you view things through your eyes and mind then count me in too. I have no interest in being shipped to Iraq so companies like Raytheon, Halliburton, Lockheed Martin & Dyno Corp can make billions of dollars creating and deploying deadly weapons. I do not believe I do any service to any god by killing people or forcing religion or government upon them.

Romney made a terrible blunder saying his sons support the US by campaigning for him. it is sad someone can be so egotistical.

over 3500 US soldiers have died for a “war for profit”.

I find it delusional for people who have killed to tout religious moral authority. Bush is one of these people. As governor of Texas he legislated that doctors do not have to perform life saving procedures if the family of the ill was unable to pay for them. not to mention he signed more death penalty authorizations than any one else in US history.
re # 34. Growing up I was nearly comitted to joinging the armed forces because i too believed in this nation. since then I am absolutly thrilled I changed course. obeying orders to kill people so some mega corporations can make billions and get access to the 2nd largest oil supply in the middle east is not my idea of serving a just cause.

— Posted by tom
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40.
August 9th,
2007
9:59 am

The point is not that military service or a person’s children’s military service is necessary to become president. It’s not, and no one has ever said that it is. Our military is all-volunteer, which is phenomenal.

The issue is that it’s fundamentally wrong for a person to be gung-ho about sending other people’s children to war (a war of choice to boot; this isn’t WWII) when he has never experienced such a thing himself. And this goes for all candidates.

— Posted by Kelsey
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41.
August 9th,
2007
10:13 am

You know, I’m all for calling war hawks out on their ostensible support for an unpopular and questionable “war.” I also understand that asking a public figure whether his son serves in the military is a neat rhetorical ploy for poking holes through a big ego or a hot air balloon of hypocrisy. But there’s got to be a better way than asking whether a person’s son serves in the armed forces. Doesn’t that come across to anyone else as even the slightest bit disingenuous or entrapping? Excuse me sir, why doesn’t your son serve in the armed forces? Well, I’m glad you asked that. He’s a grown man and makes his own goddamn decisions.

— Posted by Matt
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42.
August 9th,
2007
10:16 am

Myki, the main problem is the fact that there is now a war on, and Romney supports said war. While his comments may have been innocent, they smack of arrogance. He effectively said that his sons’ time working on his election is as important as the sacrifices other peoples’ sons and daughters have made fighting in the war. At the very least, it was a rather poor answer to the question he was asked.

— Posted by Adam
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43.
August 9th,
2007
10:20 am

It’s time for an automaker to bring back the “Yugo” brand.

The Romney clan could endorse it:

YOU GO!

— Posted by Paul '52
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44.
August 9th,
2007
10:33 am

I am puzzled by posters’ belief that all politicians should have children serving in the military. That is NOT the point here.

The issue is that Romney and his sons refuse to make any sacrifice for a war which they claim to support. In my book, if you aggressively support a war and then refuses to provide real support (in the form of entering the military, working to support the military etc.), you are suspect.

As far as Clinton comparisons etc., my understanding is that Clinton did NOT support the Vietnam War so his lack of service is irrelevant (he wasn’t telling others to serve in a war while he himself ducked that war). Cheney and Bush DID support the Vietnam War but Cheney refused to serve while Bush hid in the National Guard to avoid being sent to Vietnam—somehow, they both believed that their lives were better or more valuable than other Americans. THAT is what sticks in my throat.

This is about hypocrisy and double standards.

— Posted by allie
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45.
August 9th,
2007
10:48 am

It is nonsense to suggest that a lack of military service in Romney’s family is a weakness to his presidential potential. I always hear that the NY Times is a liberally biased paper and articles like these seem to support that. Do America a favor and put aside your ideological biases and try and report the facts without the biased spin.

— Posted by Erick
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46.
August 9th,
2007
10:57 am

The Romney family is only taking the lead of that great patriot Dick Cheney by having “other priorities” during wartime. The fact that it is a war that they strongly belive in sending other people’s sons to is merely co-incidental.

— Posted by Joe
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47.
August 9th,
2007
11:08 am

The Romney Boys, served as Missionaries? That’s a good one fellows! If you want to better this world, then why not start by seriously trying to understand people other than yourself, on their terms, BEFORE going out and evangelizing them to your particular creed of predjudices. If you don’t make that basic effort, you might just inadvertantly find yourselves in an unnecessary war with an enemy who knows you far better than you know yourself. Take a lesson from this administration’s mistakes: “Do your homework first, and then use some REAL human compassion for change.”

Our military is a precious resource and shouldn’t be squandered by ‘know-it-alls’ who hi-jack Reason with Faith.

— Posted by Jack Shearer / Sonoma
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48.
August 9th,
2007
11:14 am

How much is Mitt paying his sons from his war chest of campaign contributions?

— Posted by Mike McNally
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49.
August 9th,
2007
11:25 am

With an “imminent threat” of possible “mushroom cloud” dimensions, our “leaders” for some reason did NOT re-instate the draft…or even ask anyone to drive less. I freely admit that I still can’t get my head around that.

— Posted by Fran N.
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50.
August 9th,
2007
11:26 am

Mitt answered the question from an antiwar activist. We have a volunteer military. In the process he highlighted his campaign’s support for the troops, his nephew’s service, and his nation’s contributions.

Taken out of context is his statement about his son’s involvement in the campaign. He pointed out that his son’s have sacrificed their time help him get elected. He didn’t try to make some moral equivalence to serving in the military. However, this anti-war activist worked pretty hard to make his sons look bad.

— Posted by mikeVA
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51.
August 9th,
2007
11:30 am

Apologists for Romney don’t get it. People are not criticizing Romney because his sons are not in Iraq. They are criticizing him because of hypocrisy. He supports this war. He supports keeping young American soldiers in Iraq for as long as Bush desires. But he has no son or daughter in Iraq. Fathers whose children are not in Iraq have no right at all to send and keep other fathers’ children in Iraq. They should simply shut up.

— Posted by Berto
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52.
August 9th,
2007
11:34 am

In response to James from San Diego.

I am one liberal who just retired after serving 24 years there may be a few of us but we are growing.

I have no issue with Romney not steering his children towards the military why would someone do that when his children were all sent to top notch schools and had their futures mapped out for them both religiously and economically?

You will find very few senators, Congressmen/women or other politicians at the federal level that dont have a hefty bank account.

Why then would any of them join a military that was basically ignored until the past 10 years? Now both parties wrap themselves up in the flag saying they support us when the reality is that they only give us lip service. the republicans continue to support weapon systems over personnel allowing our vets to get less and less each year.

It was under Republican rule that our retirement switched from 50% of final retired pay costing vets thousands in retirement pay to High 3 then even to Redux which made it only 40% and dont get me started on what they have done to our retirement benefits. Its astonishing to me how much Clinton gets blamed when it was George bush 1 who started the base closures. Under Clinton we experienced the highest pay raises since reagan was elected. Clinton was no Saint but he got my vote both times.

The Dems certainly have issues and cause me great consternation. They were voted in for one purpose to get our boys and women home. So far they have failed.

Back on topic Military Service has never been a litmus test for me but Romney’s answer shows he is part of the elite and thus almost 180 degrees away from understanding the military persons plight.

It wont cause him to lose the nomination though. I think its a forgon conclusion unless someone else comes in.

— Posted by Gene
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53.
August 9th,
2007
12:00 pm

It should not even be at issue if his sons serve. The “Volunteers” in the military volunteered knowing what might be in store for them. Not that they desired to be killed, but that they may go to war. Not everyone is cut out for the military for various reasons. I applaud those who serve and have a great deal of respect for them.
I have no desire to be either a Fire Fighter or a Police Officer, but I still see the worth in both of those professions being needed.
Please let us atleast be honest in our debates and not throw stupid arguments out because we have nothing better to discuss.

— Posted by Bruce
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54.
August 9th,
2007
12:00 pm

Does Romney think his religion bleed a different
color blood/ His kids should be ashamed to
be referenced by him it is their decision
now step up to the plate and make their own statements

— Posted by PHIL
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55.
August 9th,
2007
12:28 pm

I wonder how many people who criticize presidential candidates and their children for no military record actually served themselves. It’s honestly a useless argument. Our military is voluntary. Although, our most effective Army ever (WW II western front campaign) was made up largely of conscripted soldiers (for people on this thread criticizing drafted armies). The children of these candidates don’t serve for the same reason a lot of people don’t serve: they want two legs.

I’m a military aged male. Why don’t I want to serve? Well, once the United States changes its foreign policy from protecting corporate interests and its hegemonic position and actually concentrates on its own security, I will gladly serve. The US isn’t really doing that though. I see no reason to go around the world to protect an oil field for the Carlyle Group, or shoot people I never really had a problem in a war whose strategy is waged by politicians and Washington pen-pushers instead of Generals. If I am conscripted for our war in Iraq, I plan on expatriating. If we have a foreign policy based on finding bin Laden, I’ll not only answer my call of duty in a draft, I will volunteer. I feel bad for the people who joined the army to kill bin Laden and al Qaeda and are now stuck in Iraq fighting angry shi’ites who had nothing to do with al Qaeda in the first place.

— Posted by Thomas
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56.
August 9th,
2007
12:33 pm

About Romney taking time off from college to do missionary work, and his sons doing the same — they’re Mormon, and it’s required of young males! Surely your own neighborhood has the constant pairs of young men, dressed amost alike, riding bikes and lugging backpacks, and visitng every house endlessly to proslyetize?

If you haven’t, post your town’s name, and I know quite a few folks who would be happy to ship some out your way!

— Posted by Mary
*
57.
August 9th,
2007
2:51 pm

The lack of service regardless if it is military, teaching, peace corps etc is epidemic with the children of our nation’s elite. This attitude of what’s in it for me goes across party lines as illustrated by Clinton’s, Gore’s, Pelosi’s, Giuliani’s and Edward’s children and that behavior I believe has been nurtured at home by their parents.

— Posted by Steve
*
58.
August 9th,
2007
3:14 pm

—The Romney kids, like most Mormons, are expected to go on their Church missions at the same time military recruiters are normally recruiting for military recruits.
—The Romney kids served even a HIGHER CALLING — their faith.
—They did not sit around watching TV or drinking beer with their buds, they served.
—How many kids serve neither their country or their faith?
—It is a specious argument launched against the Romney brothers. At least they have a very good explanation for what they were doing in that time period — what about the rest of the candidates’ kids?
—Hillary voted for the war and Bill dodged the draft. Do we really want to go down this path?
—Being CIC does not require that one served and certainly does not require that you force your kids to serve.
—There are many ways to serve ones country.
Romney served to save the Olympics and served as governor for FREE, donating his salary to charity. And his kids have a long history of charitable giving and volunteerism.

— Posted by Alex

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