ALTON, N.H., May 29, 2007
Romney Would Donate Presidential Salary
GOP Candidate Cites Personal Financial Success, Pledges $400K Presidential Pay To Charity
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(AP Photo/Jim Cole)
"I never anticipated that I'd be as financially successful as I was, and then my business went far better than I expected it would," Romney told a woman at a Liberty Mutual office in Dover, N.H., when she asked if millionaire candidates could resolve government problems in Washington.
"I wouldn't disqualify somebody by virtue of their financial wealth or their financial poverty," Romney added. "I would instead look at their record, what they've done with their life and whether they can make a difference, whether the things they have learned will enable them to be an effective leader."
A former venture capitalist who headed the 2002 Winter Olympics and served one term as Massachusetts governor from 2003 to 2007, Romney is the wealthiest of all the candidates, Democrats and Republicans. His assets are estimated at $190 million to $250 million.
Later, speaking with reporters, Romney said he would likely accept the presidential salary of $400,000 annually but donate the money. While governor, Romney declined his $135,000 annual salary.
"I haven't really thought ahead that far," Romney said initially. "There are some questions I haven't forecasted, perhaps because that would seem presumptuous of me."
Then, he added: "I presume I would take the salary and then I would donate at least that amount — or more — to charity."
Romney is expected to report more precise figures on his assets in the coming weeks when he files a financial disclosure report required of all presidential candidates. He sought an extension from a mid-May filing deadline but provided a broad estimate of his wealth.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Romney and his fellow Mormons are expected to donate 10 percent of their salaries to remain members in good standing of the church.
Later in the day, Romney visited Prospect Mountain High School in Alton, near Lake Winnipesaukee, where students peppered him with a series of questions about the Iraq War, gay marriage, stem cell research and his ability to work in a bipartisan fashion.
One student asked Romney which of his rivals is the biggest threat to his candidacy.
"Me," he said. "I don't want to mess up in some way and knock myself off the stage."
Moments later, he called Matt Lauer of NBC's "Today" show to the stage and Lauer, compiling a piece for the morning program, followed up on a student question by asking Romney if he would still support leaving U.S. troops in Iraq if the current level of violence extends into the fall.
"I don't want to forecast for anything other than success," Romney said as he stood before an enormous U.S. flag. "I recognize there are bad things that could happen, and we always have the options available to us then that we have today. ... But if there came a time when there's no reasonable probability of a success of that nature, then obviously I'd reconsider our alternatives."
Romney started his day on a sour note, when a restaurant patron declared he would not vote for him because of his faith.
"I'm one person who will not vote for a Mormon," Al Michaud of Dover shouted at Romney when he approached him inside Harvey's Bakery in downtown Dover.
Romney kept smiling as he asked, "Can I shake your hand anyway?"
Michaud replied, "No."
Michaud later told reporters he was not "a right-winger," alluding to some evangelical Christians who have compared Romney's faith to a cult. Instead, Michaud said he was a liberal who planned to vote for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., should she win her party's nomination.
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Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
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See all 34 CommentsYou aren't right or wrong..you're expressing an opinion and a hope.
I think both parties have changed so much since the 1860s and 1920s that there's no pure historical record for either on issues of race or *** but both contemporary parties have plenty of African-Americans and women who could conceivably do it.
I agree about Hillary's character issues. I don't see her so much as being left or center. I see her more as which way is the wind blowing today?
As far as Obama's experience is concerned, who of these candidates has any more? Personally, I'm looking more at judgement and character than experience because experience is a double-edged sword. Cheney and Rumsfeld had plenty of experience but it didn't help to inform their judgement.
Cut the guy some slack.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 10:38 AM : May 30, 2007
...problem is Hillary Rotten-Clinton is well to the "left" of center and has major "character" issues.
....Obama simply has no real "experience" and I believe the first Black President will be from the GOP since it was the GOP that freed the slaves during the 1860's over the strong objections, (the Civil War), of the Democrats
I believe the first woman president will be from the GOP since it was the GOP that "first" gave woman the right to vote during the early 1920's.
Where am I wrong?
Snow Job - Snow Job
I enjoy watching these "Republican"
Party members who post saying :
They have been life long : "Democrats"
and people should have more respect :
For a decent man.
Republican candidates are nothing more than :
"A Trojan Horse"
With the "Nazi Manifesto" in their back pockets.
If they didn't -
The Republican Party - would never give its endorsement.
Another Snow Job -
Lastdance
BTW: Look out for his campaign TV ads. He's hot on one issue only: Ensuring the USA remains the world's sole military superpower. (Which means that debt will have to be paid back, but that's not his point.) It's kinda hard to be a rabid leader of an empire whose infrastructure is outsourced when there's no money left to pay for anything. We need an infrastructure and we need to get the debt down so we CAN fund a military. Look what happened to Russia.
BTW: Clinton raised the Presidential salary, not Bush.
Cut the guy some slack.
And if you think ANY candidate for presidency NEEDS that salary money, you're smoking something. They wouldn't even BE a candidate if not for success prior to. And saying Mr. Romney wouldn't have anything at stake if he worked for no salary is a bit kindergarten'ish...his money will continue to compound regardless if he were President, burger-flipper, car-washer or unemployed.
Mit and Rudy are the only candidates that can fit that bill.
Mit was elected Governor in the "bluest" state in the union.
Rudy was elected "twice" to the "bluest" city in America.
Both Mit and Rudy are "moderates" and Americans are moving to the "center" in 2008......... right where these two great leaders reside.
Posted by ramos937
Bush and Cheney have amounted to a huge windfall to the Oil and Gas industry... an industry they will no doubt return to upon their departure from the White House. At the end of the day, the presidential salary will be as irrelevant to "W" as his presidency will be on the historical landscape.
His father was a popular 3-term Govenor of Michigan during the 1960's....and very "moderate".
Mit has all the cross-functional experience anyone would want.
Successful business man
Saved the 2002 Salt Lake Winter games
Govenor of Massachusetts
Mit married his High School sweetheart has five boys who married five girls and now has 10 grandchildren.
When Americans get a good look at him and see what he actually "has done" in his career they will be draw to him.
If Americans liked Ronald Reagan they are going to LOVE Mit Romney.
The only threat to Mit will be the "type" of coverage he gets from our liberal MSM wolfpack.
What????
Hype - Hype - Hype -
He would be in violation of :
"Federal Labor Laws"
Only a Communist or a Nazi works :
"Free" for the State ! !
Only a Communist or a Nazi will :
Endorse : "Slave Labor"
Slave Labor - An entire country of : "Slave Labor"
The hopes, dreams and aspirations of :
"The Bush Administration"
Seems the entire GOP.
Shares the same mentality! ! !
Lastdance
Will he give it all to the Mormons?
Oh now all the candidates can make a list of all of the worthy causes they will give money to...
They can be flexible too...
Like he can give a donation to Planned Parenthood one year and Right to Life the next...
Or you can give to conflicting groups at the same in the ration to the primary you are aiming for- like $100 to the NRA and $50 to the Jim Brady gun control group- where the pro-gun vote is 66% to 33%.
I still don't understand why he says that Scientology book is his favorite novel...
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See all 34 Comments