January 11, 2012
Mitt Romney is a Man of Great Moral Character
In the last New Hampshire debate, Newt Gingrich, a lifelong politician himself, criticized Romney (not a lifelong politician) for making his case for pure public service and not getting into politics because you have to pay the bills. Gingrich responded to Mitt by saying “oh let’s cut the pious baloney….” I think it would be inconceivable indeed, for someone like Newt Gingrich to see how someone can get into politics purely to serve and to make a difference. I can name many GOP leaders who’s motives are obviously pure, starting with Mitt Romney and adding Marco Rubio as well as Chris Christie to that list, among many others. I was reading some comment at Race42012 and I thought I share a comment from one who goes by the name of Nodaker. The things that he mentions are the things that 95% of Republicans don’t even know about Romney, but it is important to educate people on these things so people can understand the noble and selfless character of the man:
"However, I wanted to mention one thought – Gingrich’s 'Pious Baloney' charge toward Romney about service in public office and citizenship. Gingrich, apparently, has little regard or thought for the motive of doing things out of a willingness to serve a larger cause, rather than serve oneself. The facts, all a matter of public record, are as follows:
* Romney worked for Bain Consulting, left the company in 1984 to become head of independent Bain Capital, then was wooed back in 1990 or so for a 2-year stint to overhaul and save the now-in-trouble consulting firm. He did so. For a salary of $1 – then went back to Bain Capital.
* Romney was asked to become head of the Olympic Games committee for the 2002 Olympics, famously in debt and in scandal, about 1999. He served 3+ years. He did so for a yearly salary of $1. Then he left. He gave over a million dollars of his own money to the Olympics effort.
* Romney was asked to run for Governor of MA, a state in terrible fiscal trouble and hemorrhaging jobs. He was elected and served as Governor for a 4-year term, from 2003-2007. He served for a yearly salary of $1. Balanced the budget each year and closed a budget gap of $3 billion, and left a $2 billion rainy day fund. Then he left.
Gingrich can call this pious all he wants. He can say whatever he wants. These are facts of record. They are not in dispute. You can quibble with how he did these jobs, if you wish. That is fair. But I would hardly say that it is nonsense that Romney has served, in tough situations, and willingly without seeking profit, for about 10 years of his adult life in the private sector, the Olympics movement, and the public sector. You rarely, if ever, hear this mentioned by Romney, other than he was in these positions.
I can see, however, how he might be inclined to roll his eyes a bit when Gingrich, one of the most self-serving egos in American history, attacks him for “pious baloney” about public service."
The fact that Mitt only took a salary of $1 as CEO of Bain, CEO of the Olympics and as Governor of Massachusetts is a strong testament to his desires to serve purely with the intent to make a difference without monetary reward. I believe Mitt Romney is a far better man than most people, even his supporters know, and this is just a small indication of it. |
