Thread: Romney's endorsement by The Oakland Press

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/ ... 1161.shtml

'Favorite son' Romney is best GOP choice in primary


EDITORIAL


The Oakland Press


Michigan's presidential primary election Tuesday certainly has stirred enough controversy nationwide with both political parties.
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And despite possible sanctions from both national Democratic and Republican organizations, it offers Michigan residents a chance to send a message and make a statement.

Particularly on the GOP ticket, where all national presidential candidates will be listed.

We urge Republican Party faithfuls to stand up and vote for Mitt Romney. Although technically not a home state "favorite son," his ties to Michigan are strong.

His father, George, was an outstanding governor for Michigan from 1963-69. The fact that he was a Mormon didn't hinder his performance as the state's leader, and we doubt that Mitt's faith will have any negative effect also.

The elder Romney's main political problems stemmed from a "brainwashing" statement about the Vietnam War that today may still not be completely understood.

Meanwhile, Mitt Romney certainly has the credentials to run the country. He is a former Massachusetts governor who turned that state's economy around and proved to be a more than able leader.

His ties to Michigan and Oakland County are obvious.

He is a former Bloomfield Hills resident who attended Cranbrook Schools from 1959 until his graduation in 1965. There were hints of an interest in politics, apart from his father's political career, even back then. The younger Romney, at Cranbrook, was part of a select group that participated in a world affairs seminar focusing on global issues.

Romney is the first candidate for president with Michigan ties since the late Gerald Ford.

If elected, he would be the country's only Michigan-born president.

His interest in Michigan has been strong, probably stronger than any other GOP candidate.

He officially entered the 2008 presidential race during a gathering of about 1,200 supporters at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn last summer. Romney, 59, has also appeared before the Detroit Economic Club and at the Republican state convention in Grand Rapids.

Romney has already garnered support from some prominent local leaders.

Oakland County lawmakers endorsing him include state Reps. John Stakoe, RHighland Township; Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy; Chuck Moss, R-Birmingham; James Marleau, R-Lake Orion; John Garfield, R-Rochester Hills; Craig DeRoche, R-Novi; and Fran Amos, RWaterford Township; and state Sen. Nancy Cassis, R-Novi.

His backers also include Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson; state House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche, R-Novi; and Oakland County Republican Party Chairman Dennis Cowan.

Looking at the obvious, Romney entered the 2008 race with impressive backing in Michigan, and his ties to the state are undeniable. He has firsthand knowledge of the auto industry and its importance to Michigan.

Equally critical, Romney knows how to get a state out of debt and, being from Michigan, he certainly has an empathy for the state that the other candidates, both GOP and Democratic, don't have.

With Michigan's horrible economy and other problems, we need as much clout in Washington as possible and Romney promises to give us that.

We don't know who the Democratic candidate will be because only one of three front-runners will be on Tuesday's ballot. It's difficult, if not impossible, to endorse one at this time.

But there's no doubt whom state Republicans should vote for - Mitt Romney.

Saw the Oakland Press for Romney headline and wondered did hell just freeze over, is there a snowball fight going on down there? Because living in the Peoples Democratic Socialist Workers Republic of California, I know thats the only way any press from Oakland, CA would endorse Mit Romney!