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Lacamas Life Magazine
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Mitt Romney Shakes
GOP Establishment
"They've come together and blown us away today, and humbled us at the same time," said Romney, whose political history goes back to his father, a former Michigan governor. The $7.1 million dwarfs recent fundraising efforts by Romney’s opponents, Giuliani and McCain. McCain raised $2 million and Giuliani collected $1 million. Both men have created exploratory committees in a quest for the nomination next year. Romney remained publicly humbled by the record day, but his top fundraiser, Tom Tellefsen, sings a different tune. "I think it's going to be a very strong message today — to everybody," said Tellefsen, who’s known Romney for more than 40 years and was a fundraiser for President Bush. "I think it's going to be a strong message to McCain as well as Giuliani, and I think it's going to be a strong message to those that are considering or haven't really yet laid the groundwork that maybe they should have." Many also say the media and opponents of Romney underestimate the Mormon factor. Romney, an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has said people in his faith know how to get things done. “Take a look at what happened at the 2002 Olympics,” said Jeff Stevens, a Vancouver resident who witnessed the turnaround at that historical event in Salt Lake City. “I don’t doubt people of his faith are coming to his support now.” His religion is both a plus and a minus, says University of Virginia political science professor, Larry Sabato. He says Mormons are known for getting things done, but there’s “also a mystery about them – fair or not … politics can be a rough game.” Stevens notes that religion shouldn’t be a decider in voting – he says a person’s politics and character are very important. Romney also is seeking support among evangelicals, a GOP stronghold, who make up 30 percent of that voting bloc, and who have been less than impressed with the way Romney ran his Senate campaign in 1994 and his gubernatorial campaign in 2002. Most feel he ran as a moderate. But he does have conservative credentials, say his supporters. He now is staunchly opposed to gay marriage, and says he supports a state-by-state approach to abortion rights. He’s fiscally conservative and believes in a strong military and tax cuts for all businesses and taxpayers.Clearly ahead in the money game, the Romney team hopes to capitalize on this shot in the arm, and show they’re a force to reckon with. The exploratory team’s goal is to raise $100 million before a single presidential primary is held. It appears they’re well on their way. |
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