Thread: Mitt Romney's father born in Mexico

Mitt Romney's family in Mexico reveals candidate's heritage south of border

Fri Jan 6, 2012 11:51 AM EST.
By Michelle Balani and Mario Garcia
Rock Center

Heading into the New Hampshire primary, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has a strong lead in the polls as he continues his effort to become the Republican nominee challenging President Obama in the fall. That would mean, of course, that the 64-year-old Romney would be closer to The White House than any Mormon ever has been.

If Romney secures the nomination, he would also be the first presidential nominee whose father was born in Mexico.

It's a little known fact that there's a whole branch of Mitt Romney’s family living south of the border, including his second cousin Leighton Romney, and about 40 other relatives descended from religious pioneers who first traveled to Mexico 125 years ago. These days, the Romneys of Mexico enjoy pleasant and productive lives in two remaining settlements: Colonia Juarez and Colonia Dublan, just 175 miles south of the border.

“He's got a great pioneer heritage starting with people that crossed the plains going from Illinois to Utah, and then on from Utah down to Mexico," Leighton Romney told NBC’s Mike Taibbi in an interview to air Monday night on 'Rock Center with Brian Williams.' “So there's a great heritage there of people that had to fight for what they believed in and for people that had to travel to different places and learn different things. I think there's a vast amount of experience that he could draw from there.”

In his public life Mitt Romney has said and written little about his ancestors' history in Mexico. In one oft-repeated quote he said his family left the U.S. for Mexico to escape persecution for their religious beliefs.

In fact, Romney's great grandfather, Miles Park Romney, led that first expedition to escape not persecution but prosecution for polygamy, or what Mormons called ‘plural marriage.’ After polygamy ended, the family remained in Mexico. Mitt Romney's father, George, was born in Colonia Dublan, one of the colonies in northern Mexico that the Romneys settled in after their arrival. His mother, Lenore LaFount Romney, was born in Utah.

When Romney’s father was five years old, the Mexican Revolution broke out and his parents moved back to the United States to avoid the violence. Mitt Romney was eventually born in Michigan. But the other branch of the family – leading down to Romney's cousins Leighton, Mike and Meredith – stayed behind in Mexico, their numbers growing. The Romneys chose to remain in Mexico because they established good lives for themselves and their families there. Most of them are now dual-citizens.

“We certainly have a love for both countries,” adds Leighton. “I can sing both national anthems and tear up at both of them. I think that having two countries that you love and two countries that you can serve or be a beneficiary of their service is a great thing.”

The Romneys living in Mexico are well aware of their wealthy and famous relative’s popularity in the Republican primary race. They support their cousin's candidacy and they hope that Mitt will be more open about the issue of his religion and Mexican heritage during the campaign. It’s a family history they’re proud of, despite the fact that Mitt Romney has never come to visit.

If Romney does get the Republican nod, and the media spotlight of a presidential campaign points south toward Mexico, it will probably land on many of these unknown Romney family nuggets, and on Mormonism itself, the religion shared by Mitt Romney and the cousins he doesn't know. That part is okay with Romney's cousins.

“We're Christians, complete in every sense of the word. I don't think that any candidate for any office would shy away from their religion. I think it's something to stand up and be proud of,” Leighton said.

Editor's note: Mike Taibbi's full report, 'Romney's Roots,' airs Monday, January 9, at 10pm/9c on NBC's 'Rock Center with Brian Williams.'

http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_new...outh-of-border

Romney supporters: "Meh, it's a non-issue."

I bet you most supporters don't even have an ounce of clue of this, but what does it matter right? I'm sure Romney won't mention this during the general election to gain support of the Mexicans AND the Mexican government haha.

Originally Posted by googler

Romney supporters: "Meh, it's a non-issue." I bet you most supporters don't even have an ounce of clue of this, but what does it matter right? I'm sure Romney won't mention this during the general election to gain support of the Mexicans AND the Mexican government haha.

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Originally Posted by googler

Romney supporters: "Meh, it's a non-issue."

I bet you most supporters don't even have an ounce of clue of this, but what does it matter right? I'm sure Romney won't mention this during the general election to gain support of the Mexicans AND the Mexican government haha.

I'm Not a Romney supporter, but I've known about his dad being born in Mexico since before the 2008 primaries. It's NOT an issue, nor is his Mormonism- at least not an issue for me. Mitt Romney does not belong to the radical sect of Mormonism that boasts the likes of Warren Jeffs, child molester and others who practice polygamy. I'm familiar with Romney's form of Mormonism as I grew up with Mormon grandparents and regularly attended the Church of Latter Day Saints in a mid-sized Virginia city. Regular Mormons are not the weirdos that some would like to make them out to be, and there's certainly no reason to disqualify Romney as a presidential candidate because of his religion. I'd MUCH rather have a Mitt Romney Mormon than a Barack Obama socialist muslim as POTUS. Just my 2 cents worth ...

Originally Posted by googler

Romney supporters: "I bet you most supporters don't even have an ounce of clue of this, but what does it matter right?"

You are absolutely wrong again, we know his Daddy was born in Mexico to United States Citizens, all this came out the first time he was vetted by Oh! let's see McCain, Clinton, and Obama.

You should show some respect for our new "President"

In his public life Mitt Romney has said and written little about his ancestors' history in Mexico. In one oft-repeated quote he said his family left the U.S. for Mexico to escape persecution for their religious beliefs.

In fact, Romney's great grandfather, Miles Park Romney, led that first expedition to escape not persecution but prosecution for polygamy, or what Mormons called ‘plural marriage.’

.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

In his public life Mitt Romney has said and written little about his ancestors' history in Mexico. In one oft-repeated quote he said his family left the U.S. for Mexico to escape persecution for their religious beliefs.

In fact, Romney's great grandfather, Miles Park Romney, led that first expedition to escape not persecution but prosecution for polygamy, or what Mormons called ‘plural marriage.’

Oh but that's his great grandfather... It's not like they're related in any way right guys?

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Mitt Romney's family in Mexico reveals candidate's heritage south of border

And??????



I have not been on the site in a while because of it quickly turning from an anti-illegal immigration into a pro ron paul site instead.

No longer is the record of the candidates on illegal immigration looked at but instead, how no one is better than the great ron paul. I see many have stopped posting here and I suspect it is because of the attacks they get for going against the great ron paul. Attacked for their refusal to go off the cliff for a candidate (ron paul) who in my opinion and the opinion of many others, is down right dangerous for our country.

I have asked this many times and will ask again, what is so great about ron paul? This is what I see….




Paul Admits 'Some Responsibility' for Racist Newsletters
http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/p...2/29/id/422542

Ron Paul is truly dangerous
http://www.unionleader.com/article/2...ON01/712299993

Ron Paul uses non-profit groups to evade campaign finance disclosure laws
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/42586

The Madness of Ron Paul

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/..._ron_paul.html

The Nasty Truth Behind Ron Paul’s Appeal
http://catchkevin.com/nasty-truth-ron-paul/

American Right To Life Rejects Ron Paul's Pledge
http://alaska-native-news.com/articl...s_Pledge/24102

TNR Exclusive: A Collection of Ron Paul’s Most Incendiary Newsletters
http://www.tnr.com/print/article/pol...ters-exclusive

Flashback: Ron Paul Endorses Cynthia McKinney, Ralph Nader For President
http://brian-therightperspective.blo...s-cynthia.html

Ron Paul: Why Stop Iran From Getting Nukes?

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepa..._getting_nukes

And on and on it goes.



I am also starting to see certain people show their disdain for Romney in the form of “Romney’s grand dad a Mexican” "polygamy" references. While I don’t believe in polygamy, persecution and threats against ones life will cause people to go to extremes sometimes, including leaving a country where your life is at stake. I have never read anywhere that Romney’s grandparents renounced their U.S. citizenship. If they did, please point me to the source.


Romney is our only hope now. While I don’t agree with him on everything, his stand against illegal immigration is the best we have right now. He is a man of impeccable character, family values, knows business like no other, has turned failing company’s into money makers again, and IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BEAT OBAMA.

Just imagine ron paul debating obama. The dictator would wipe the floor with him, no doubt.

While my first and foremost passion is fighting against illegal immigration, our very country is under attack right now by a wanna be king that needs to be booted out of office ASAP. He is destroying our country on a daily basis while some become rabid over a man ( ron paul) who can not and will not win.

A vote for ron paul is just a vote for obama!

Originally Posted by googler

Romney supporters: "Meh, it's a non-issue."

I bet you most supporters don't even have an ounce of clue of this, but what does it matter right? I'm sure Romney won't mention this during the general election to gain support of the Mexicans AND the Mexican government haha.

Did so know about it. This was discussed on a thread at the old Alipac. He has relatives in another country. The cousin said he never visits. Who cares? I think we all have relatives in another country. Do I want to go overseas and visit my relatives? No. They scare me. Practice saying it now. President Romney.

Haven't seen a candidate I like since Tom Tancredo.