Elections Blog

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_4550616 Continuing the fight to elect Republican governors, Gov. Romney was in Colorado yesterday.

“What they don’t always expect is that Republican governors … understand and can make a difference for things like our schools and improving our quality of life through better health care,” Romney said.

~~~Thomas

Addendum

I think that these quotes from the piece deserved some “airtime” too, so I’m quoting them below.

“This is a big player, big dog. And more than just a pretty face - like another one I guess was in town yesterday - he can actually point to a record of accomplishment,” said Beauprez, referring to Tuesday’s visit of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who has said he also is considering running for president.

Mary Pat Link, a Republican businesswoman, said she sees similarities between Beauprez and Romney.

“I was impressed with the common-sense process he brought to government. Hearing him now, he’s very sharp, very poised, and that’s why I like Bob too,” she said.

Thanks Thomas for posting this!

Ann Marie

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http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=155506 Gov. Romney testified at Cambridge on the No Child Left Behind law that was amongst the first laws President Bush passed.

“We all want to be successful based on our rhetoric, not actual, measurable results, and I’m afraid that in the world marketplace, our kids are only going to be successful based on their performance, and that requires measurement,” the governor told the No Child Left Behind Commission during a hearing at Lesley University.

He added: “I think the president was right to insist on measurement. I think the measurements themselves have a long way to be perfected, and a lot of room for improvement.”

Gov. Romney is correct on both counts. NCLB was a step in the right direction, though there are many problems in the measurements (hopefully to be improved in the reauthorization). It’s important to keep working towards improving schools.

No word on vouchers.

~~~Thomas

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http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060826/NEWS09/608260348/1001/NEWS Here in Iowa Romney spoke with local Republicans yesterday about an important issue . . . the fact that English is the language of our country.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, campaigning for Iowa Republicans on Friday, said that while the United States should embrace its diversity, all students should be immersed in the English language.

“If you’re going to be successful in America, you have to speak the language of the land,” Romney told a group of about 60 Dallas County elected officials and Republicans on Friday in West Des Moines.

Romney spoke at a fundraiser breakfast for state Rep. Ralph Watts, who is seeking re-election in November. Watts, of Adel, faces Democrat Russ Wiesley of Waukee.

Romney is eyeing the 2008 presidential nomination. This is his seventh trip to Iowa since 2004. The 2008 Republican presidential nominating process is scheduled to begin with the Iowa caucuses.

Romney said he has been a proponent of “English immersion,” in which a bilingual student is placed in a classroom where all materials, books and instruction are in English.

Voters in Massachusetts approved a ballot initiative for English immersion in 2002, the same year Romney was elected.

Romney vetoed legislation the next year to soften the law and allow bilingual education to continue, but his veto was overridden.

Romney said English immersion has worked in Massachusetts, where fourth- and fifth-graders this year rated first in the nation on standardized English tests.

Having grown up in California and living in Latin America (immersing myself in their language and culture), I agree that English Immersion is the only way to go. It’s better for EVERYBODY in the long term and helps UNITE rather than divide our populace.

Jeff

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http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=152036 The foiled London air attacks reminded me of a story I forgot to cover last week. It appears that the Massachusetts legislature has cut the tuition benefit for Bay State soldiers, after earlier granting the same benefit to illegal immigrants. From the Boston Herald:Lawmakers have slammed the classroom door shut on Massachusetts soldiers home from Iraq and seeking to go to state college, failing to cough up $8 million needed for crucial tuition waivers.
Army and Air National Guard soldiers expecting to be rewarded for their war duty under Gov. Mitt Romney’s “Welcome Home” bill found the welcome mat ripped out last week by the Legislature as it ended its formal session without approving money for the waivers.
“One of the main reasons I joined the Army was to get money to go to college,” said David Cowing, 23, of Rockland, an Iraq war veteran who is taking out at least $3,500 in loans to cover tuition for his first year at UMass-Boston because his benefits won’t kick in in time to pay the first bills.
“I went and fought in Iraq. I shouldn’t have to worry about tuition. I should be able to go wherever I want.” Later in the article, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey makes an interesting observation. Lashing out at the “wrong priorities” of lawmakers, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said, “The Legislature has made the appalling decision to vote on things like tuition breaks for illegal immigrants, but they couldn’t take the time to take a vote to help our Massachusetts war heroes . . . I find it deeply disturbing.”
National Guard officials say the bureaucratic red tape has left some soldiers scrambling to meet tuition costs. So the Romney Administration wants to honor our returning heroes with tuition assistance which will certainly pay back dividends to the state, but the Legislature can’t find the money for the plan, even though they gave similar breaks to citizens of other countries who are here illegally. Can someone explain that to me?

Dave

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http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=N2VlMjAwZGQ0YTNlZjNhZWQwZDE0MGYxNTMxOWU0M2I= Carrie Lukas, on Governor Romney’s veto of the preschool bill last week:Politicians all talk about “fiscal responsibility,” but few put that principle into action — particularly when faced with a call for a politically attractive program. Governor Mitt Romney (R., Mass.) deserves applause for doing just that by vetoing a bill last week that promised to provide universal preschool to Bay State toddlers.
Universal preschool is not the way to help parents realize that goal. These programs are expensive. Without Gov. Romney’s veto, Massachusetts taxpayers would have faced a billion-dollar-per-year price tag. Virginia’s program would cost $300 million annually. Families would see their tax burden rising, making it more difficult to make ends meet on just one salary.

Policymakers should join Governor Romney in opposing universal preschool. It may sound like a political winner, but when government expands, we all lose.This was another unpopular but correct move on the Governor’s part, and it’s nice to see people recognize that.

Dave

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http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Education Education Sub-Categories

Charter Schools
Education Reform

Mitt Romney’s Education:

* Undergraduate at Stanford and Brigham Young University (Highest Honors). J.D. and M.B.A. from Harvard University (Baker Scholar).

Romney graduated from the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills (now Cranbrook Kingswood School). He met his future wife, Ann Davies (born in 1949), when she was at the Kingswood School.

After attending Stanford University for two quarters, Romney served for two and one-half years as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France. Upon returning from his mission, he transferred universities and subsequently received his B.A. with Highest Honors and as valedictorian from Brigham Young University in 1971. In 1975, Romney was awarded an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and was named a Baker scholar. In 1975 he also received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.

Quotes from Mitt Romney on Education

“It’s time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on math and science, and involving parents from the beginning of a child’s school career.”

“Seeing this groundswell of student support only boosts my belief that what we are trying to do in our higher education system is right,” Romney said. “I am committed to our plan, which guarantees quality, affordability and accessibility to all of our campuses for all Massachusetts residents.” Source: 04-07-2003 Press Release

“Education reform is working in Massachusetts,” Romney said. “I am proud of the progress shown by our students,” said Romney. “My Administration will continue to push for high standards that will restore the value of a high school diploma and better prepare our students for life after school.” Source: 09-03-2003 Press Release

“We need to get our underperforming school districts back on track,” Romney said. “It is time for the interests of the entrenched educational bureaucracy to take a back seat to the interests of our children and teachers.” Source: 10-29-2003 Press Release

“Massachusetts has some of the best schools and teachers in the nation,” Romney said, speaking tonight from the historic House Chamber at the State House. “Education reform, adopted a decade ago, raised standards and closed funding gaps. But it was the first step, not the last.” Taken from a 01-15-2004 Press Release

“There are critical investments we can and should make in our children,” Romney said. “But those investments will only be made possible if we continue down the road to reform. I hope you will join with me in working for change.” Source: 01-16-2004 Press Release

“Families all across the Commonwealth are struggling to pay to send their children to college,” Romney said. “The new Adams scholarship will make the dream of obtaining a college education a reality for thousands of Bay State students and keep our most talented students right here in Massachusetts.” Source: 01-20-2004 Press Release

“I am committed to unlocking the potential of every child, no matter which school they attend,” Romney said. “Our children cannot wait for slow, methodic changes. They need our help now and this report will serve as a blueprint for immediate reform.” Source: 02-25-2004 Press Release

“Let there be no doubt, I will veto any charter school moratorium that reaches my desk,” said Romney, appearing at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School with parents of children affected by the proposed moratorium. Source: 05-05-2004 Press Release

“Families all across the Commonwealth are struggling to afford to send their children to college,” Romney said, during a rare appearance before a meeting of the Board of Higher Education. “The new Adams scholarship will make the dream of obtaining a college education a reality for thousands of Bay State students and keep our most talented students right here in Massachusetts.” Taken from a 06-15-2004 Press Release

“Massachusetts has often been at the forefront of educational reform. In the spirit of that reform, less than seven months ago, I stood in the House Chamber surrounded by members of the General Court and asked them in my State of the State address to work with me to ‘take every step, to prepare every child, for an ever more competitive future,’” said Romney. He added, “The centerpiece of my Legacy of Learning initiative included an ambitious school building program. Today I am pleased to say that, working with the Legislature, we delivered on that promise.” Source: 07-28-2004 Press Release

“Massachusetts has a choice,” Romney said. “We can provide our kids with a first-rate science education today or we can learn to live with a second-rate economy tomorrow.” Source: 01-25-2005 Press Release

“I am grateful to each of these individuals for volunteering their time and expertise to helping my Administration successfully integrate all of our early education services under one roof,” Romney said. “Not only will this new agency ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent more wisely and efficiently, it will also improve the care we provide to our youngest citizens and their families.” Source: 03-14-2005 Press Release

“This is a great day for education reform,” said Romney. “Massachusetts is nationally recognized for its leadership on education reform, and we need to continue down the same path if we’re going to help our kids maximize their potential.” Source 07-14-2005 Press Release

“This is a huge shot in the arm for our public colleges and universities,” said Romney. “By targeting these resources to construct new facilities and upgrade existing ones, we can put our higher education system in a position to deliver the first class facilities that our students deserve.” Source 07-18-2005 Press Release

“I applaud the students, teachers and staff of these excellent schools for the hard work and creativity they have demonstrated as we continue making progress toward higher achievement for all students in Massachusetts,” Romney said. Source: 09-13-2005 Press Release

“If we’re serious about keeping our kids at the forefront of a highly challenging and competitive world economy, then we have to take the necessary steps to energize our education system,” said Romney. Source: 09-22-2005 Press Release

“We’re making progress, there’s no doubt about it, but we have more work to do,” Romney said. “These test scores reflect the hard work and creativity of our students, teachers and schools, but they also reveal that some are still struggling. It is increasingly critical that we advance bold reforms to ensure greater accountability and performance in every classroom.” Source: 10-19-2005 Press Release

“Teachers like Jasmine Lellock and Thabiti Brown are critical to the success of our education initiatives and are doing an outstanding job preparing our children for future success in the classroom and the world,” Romney said. “Teaching professionals are the backbone of our educational system and the best should be recognized and rewarded.” Source: 10-28-2005- Press Release

“Our Presidential Award nominees set a great example, not only for educators in Massachusetts, but for the nation,” Romney said. “Distinguished math and science teachers like these are the critical components of a public education system that will prepare us for the next century, and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work, creativity and dedication.” Source: 11-07-2005 Press Release

“Paying for college is one of the largest financial challenges facing Massachusetts families,” said Romney. “For the second year in a row, I’m pleased to reward some of our most promising and hardworking students. When it comes to figuring out how much it will cost to send a son or daughter to college, the Adams scholarship will help ease some of that burden.” Source: 12-15-2005 Press Release

“The world is growing more competitive every day, and it’s no secret that skills, education and knowledge will be crucial to success in the workforce of the 21st century,” said Romney. “Unless our kids are fully prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead, Massachusetts will fall behind in the competition for the best jobs.” Source: 01-11-2006 Press Release

“The men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard perform admirable service for our Commonwealth and for our nation,” said Romney. “By making a public college education entirely free for Guard members, we recognize their tremendous dedication and sacrifice.” Source: 07-20-2006 Press Release

Beliefs about Mitt Romney and Education.

1. Mitt Romney would be the best candidate to reform education.
2. Mitt Romney supports charter schools.
3. Mitt Romney did better in school than any of the other candidates, Republican or Democrat.

Mitt Romney’s education related press releases while governor of Massachusetts.

2003

03-03-2003, ROMNEY RELEASES LATEST MCAS RETEST RESULTS FOR CLASS 2003
04-07-2003, ROMNEY WINS STUDENT SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PLAN
09-03-2003, ROMNEY LAUDS STUDENTS’ HIGH SCORES ON 2003 MCAS
10-29-2003, ROMNEY TAPS GROGAN TO HEAD EDUCATION TASK FORCE

2004

01-15-2004, ROMNEY FOCUSES ON EDUCATION IN 2004 STATE OF THE STATE
01-16-2004, ROMNEY TARGETS RESOURCES TO LOWEST PERFORMING DISTRICTS
01-20-2004, ROMNEY OPENS DOOR TO COLLEGE FOR TOP SCORING STUDENTS
02-20-2004, ROMNEY APPLAUDS STUDENTS FOR EARLY MCAS PREPARATION
02-25-2004, ROMNEY ENDORSES FINDINGS OF GROGAN TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION
05-05-2004, ROMNEY VOWS CHARTER SCHOOL MORATORIUM VETO
06-15-2004, BOARD OF HIGHER ED OVERWHELMINGLY OKAYS ADAMS SCHOLARSHIP
07-28-2004, ROMNEY, AS PART OF ED AGENDA, SIGNS SCHOOL BUILDING REFORMS
10-05-2004, HEALEY RECOGNIZES 2004 COMMONWEALTH COMPASS SCHOOLS
10-19-2004, BOARD OF HIGHER ED GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO ADAMS SCHOLARSHIP
12-10-2004, 13,000 MASSACHUSETTS STUDENTS WIN FREE COLLEGE TUITION

2005

01-25-2005, ROMNEY MOVES TO MAKE SCIENCE A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
03-14-2005, ROMNEY NAMES NINE-MEMBER EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE BOARD
06-22-2005, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES 2006 TEACHER OF THE YEAR
07-14-2005, ROMNEY ADMINISTRATION AWARDED $2 MILLION HIGH SCHOOL REFORM GRANT
07-18-2005, ROMNEY UNVEILS CAPITAL BUDGET, MAJOR FOCUS ON HIGHER ED
09-13-2005, ROMNEY HONORS 2005 COMMONWEALTH COMPASS SCHOOLS
09-22-2005, ROMNEY FILES COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION REFORM PACKAGE
10-19-2005, ROMNEY LAUDS NATION-TOPPING PERFORMANCE BY MASSACHUSETTS STUDENTS
10-28-2005-, ROMNEY JOINS IN SURPRISE PRESENTATIONS OF NATIONAL EDUCATOR AWARDS TO TOP MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS
11-07-2005, ROMNEY HONORS SIX EDUCATORS FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATH AND SCIENCE
12-15-2005, ROMNEY AWARDS FREE TUITION TO 14,000 MASSACHUSETTS STUDENTS

2006

01-11-2006, ROMNEY TESTIFIES ON EDUCATION REFORM
07-20-2006, ROMNEY PROPOSES $8 MILLION FOR NATIONAL GUARD COLLEGE FEE WAIVERS

Please help me organize the best stuff first. I want it to be comprehensive. Lets links to all the blogs, and anything.

Mike

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http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/blog/2006/08/romney_gone_all.html I picked this up by my stats software. Someone came to this blog through The Globe’s Political Intelligence blog.

Governor Romney is set to return to Massachusetts Monday evening after a long weekend politicking in Tennessee and attending a National Governors Association meeting in South Carolina.

Romney attended a Republican fundraiser in Tennesssee, chronicled by one of the many Romney blogs popping up [Note: The one they are speaking of is this one]. (Looks like Mrs. Romney joined the trip.)

The governor’s office told the Globe’s Adrienne Samuels that on Saturday Romney attended an NGA session on health care and before that he gave a presentation on responding to emergencies. Monday, the governors are to focus on education and will recognize the outgoing governors - including Romney.

The NGA is meeting in Charleston, SC.

Meantime, columnist Robert Novak, who has been closely following Romney’s early presidential maneuvers, reports that the Mass. governor has the lead in early organizing for 2008, particularly in Iowa. Novak calls Romney’s name ID with Republican voters “anemic.”

And the Nashua Telegraph [Note: You must scroll down to get to the part of the article in which Mr. Dahl is referencing] reports that on Thursday, Romney bused “14 GOP state senators to a Boston fund-raiser to benefit the Gatsas-led Senate Republican Victory PAC.” Gatsas is the state Senate President in NH. The paper reports that the fundraiser took place at the penthouse at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Posted by David Dahl, Political Editor at 08:00 AM

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http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/08/04/romney_vetoes_bill_to_create_pre_kindergarten_programs/ What? Do we need pre-kindergarten? I skipped kindergarten!

Read about it at the Boston Globe.

Kevin

Addendum by Jeff:

I’m not a huge fan of free pre-K programs. I know this is an unpopular opinion to voice . . . but I feel (and even more so, my wife feels) that children are generally better off in a setting with a parent in their home whenever possible. These universally applicable pre-K programs end up being a costly “entitlement program” and often people who do no need to use them end up using them . . . sometimes to the detriment of the children. A hard-line stance, I realize and individual exceptions obviously exist, but this is, down deep, a BIG GOVERNMENT program that is fiscally unwise and get kids under state tutelage sooner than is beneficial.

Now, that’s my personal opinion and I don’t think Romney is quite as hard line on it . . . or maybe he is. I’m just glad that he vetoed it. I hope this veto stands!

Gov. Mitt Romney vetoed a bill Friday that would have moved Massachusetts closer to universal pre-kindergarten, saying the program could end up costing taxpayers as much as $1 billion a year.

Yikes . . . that’s a huge chunck of change. Romney shows wisdom in denying such a plan.

Romney said the state should instead wait to see the results of a smaller $4.6 million pre-kindergarten test program before embarking on the more ambitious statewide initiative.

“Before we create an expensive new burden on Massachusetts taxpayers, one that could lead to future tax increases, we ought to await the results of the pilot program, particularly as it relates to the cost of a large scale operation,” Romney said.In other words, even if it has some obvious merits, the feasibility and wisdom of funding such a program should be the deciding factor. Now that’s our fiscally conservative future President at work, doing what he does best!

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