From the 2008 Opposition Research report prepared by the McCain Campaign.
POLITICAL ISSUES
In late 2002, Romney described himself as “a progressive-on-social-issues governor of Massachusetts.”
Romney left the state GOP weaker than when he took over as governor, with the party described as being “at its weakest point in years.”
During 1998 panel on urban issues, Romney addressed need for Boston business communities to work together and claimed “Hillary Clinton is very much right, it does take a village.”
In 1994, Romney opposed the Contract with America without even reading it.
Romney has made political contributions to Democratic candidates, saying he places friendship above
politics.
Romney appeared in 2003 TV ad endorsing Democrat Rocky Anderson – who has been outspoken in calling for President Bush’s impeachment over Iraq war – for reelection as Salt Lake City mayor; Romney featured an Anderson testimonial in his own TV ads while running for governor in 2002.
Romney proclaimed he wasn’t a Republican during the Reagan years, saying “I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I’m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.”
Romney was an independent until deciding to run for the Senate in 1994.
Romney voted for Paul Tsongas in the 1992 Democratic presidential primary.
Romney has surrounded himself with policy advisers – like Gregory Mankiw, Vin Weber, Kerry Healey, Bill Weld and more – who do not share his beliefs on key issues.
Top Romney campaign aides and surrogates have ties to several recent Washington ethics scandals.
Romney’s spending decisions as chairman of the Republican Governors Association during 2006 election cycle “raised eyebrows” in light of his presidential aspirations.
