Reply #8: Romney: Leading Off at the SRLC [View All]

Chris Cillizza's Politics Blog -- The Fix
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washingtonpost.com's Politics Blog
Posted at 07:03 PM ET, 03/10/2006

Romney: Leading Off at the SRLC

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) got the distinction of being the first potential 2008 presidential candidate to address the Southern Republican Leadership Conference earlier this afternoon.

The biggest applause line of Romney's address came when he discussed his opposition to same-sex marriages in Massachusetts. "Marriage is primarily about the raising and nurturing of children," said Romney. " Every child in America has the right to a mother and father." A prolonged chorus of applause followed.

Romney stayed away from any talk concerning his 2008 intentions, insisting that the reason he was at the SRLC was in his capacity as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. "Republican principles are working at the state level," Romney said. "I want you to go to work to elect Republican Governors across the south and across the country.

Romney did not make any direct reference to his Mormon faith, but it was a clear undercurrent in the room. Saul Anuzis, the chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, said Romney's belief system "is an issue because a lot of people don't understand the Mormon religion." Anuzis added, however, that in his home state "the Mormon issue isn't a big deal."

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