Pick a Republican: Mitt Romney

So I was somewhat late on Herman Cain. His candidacy was withdrawn on December the 3rd, to the surprise of pretty much nobody. So, on with the show. Let’s look at someone a little less crazy.

The Candidate: Mitt Romney

Brief Bio and Experience: Romney was born on March 12, 1947. He is a married Mormon, with 5 sons. His home state is Michigan, and he received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in 1971, followed by an M.B.A and a law degree from Harvard in 1975. He is the son of a former Michigan governor, and founded an investment firm in 1984. He lost to Edward Kennedy in 1994 in a bid for a seat in the US senate, but was elected governor of Massachusetts in 2003. He attempted to run for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2008, and was defeated by McCain.

Major Platform Points: Wants to reduce the corporate tax rate by 10%, eliminate the death tax, and introduce a flatter tax rate. Wants to appeal the Health Care Program implemented under Obama. Wants tighter accountability for costs of proposed environmental regulations. Plans to pursue trade with nations with open markets. Supports free trade. Wants to designate China a currency manipulator, and discontinue government procurement from China until they commit to GPA. Supports building a pipeline for Canadian oil, and wants to deregulate shale oil production. Is not supportive of organized labor. Wants to raise visa caps for highly skilled foreign workers coming into the country. Plans to cap federal spending budget at %20 of GDP, and pursue a Balanced Budget Amendment.

Abortion: Previously pro-choice, now pro-life, believes life starts at conception.

Death Penalty: Yes

Gay Marriage: Previously semi-supportive, now supports the anti-homosexual marriage Defense of Marriage Act

Likelihood of Candidacy: Romney gets a lot of press, and while he’s conservative he’s not so far to the right that he’s going to take a drunken stumble into the wall. He’s taken some heat from his competition for having previously been more lenient on certain flash-point issues, but is still coming in 2nd or 3rd place in most major polls. He’s not a long shot, but he might be mid-range.was withdrawn on December the 3rd, to the surprise of pretty much nobody. So, on with omney gets a lot of press, and while he’s conservative he’s not so far to the right that he’s going to take a drunken stumble into the wall. He’s taken some heat from his competition for having previously been more lenient on certain flash-point issues, but is still coming in 2nd or 3rd place in most major polls. He’s not a long shot, but he might be mid-range.