A Mormon in the White House?: 10 Things Every Conservative Should Know about Mitt Romney

Hugh Hewitt is explicit about this book not being about endorsing Romney or Mormonism. What he is doing with this book is introducing America to a man that he believes to be a good man, a talented man, and a man that could make a fine President of the United States. Hewitt is clearly not enamored of John McCain whom he calls a great American, a poor senator, and a lousy candidate for President. By way of disclosure, I am a Mormon but that isn't what interests me in Romney. Harry Reid is a Mormon and I could not be less supportive of him or his work in Congress. For me, it would be a pleasure to have a candidate who is not only articulate and obviously brilliant, but one who also has real and obvious in the way he treasures his wife and children and doesn't have a cargo ship of personal baggage. But this is really beside the point of the book. I am just letting you know where I am coming from. Hewitt divides this book into three sections. The first asks "Who Is Mitt Romney?" and uses four chapters to let you know about growing up in Michigan as the son of George Romney. His father was not only chairman of American Motors, he was a two term governor of Michigan and ran for President in 1968. We also learn about his schooling a and his superb and successful career at Bain Capital, his role in turning around the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and his life with his wife, Ann and their five sons. Section II talks about "What He Believes and What He Has Done". Here Hewitt talks about why he knows Romney is Pro-Life, for the absolute support of traditional marriage, and what Romney did as the Republican Governor of the bluest of blue states. Massachusetts has a completely Democrat delegation in Congress. Talk about a challenge! Section III talks about "The Campaign Ahead". Hewitt gives us a chapter of what he believes are Romney's advantages, a chapter on what seem to be the negatives (the campaign will actually decide what they are), and a chapter on "The Mormon Problem". Hewitt is of the belief that most of the problem will come from the left who are really against having a President who actually has a deep faith in God that is more than metaphor and use the Mormon connection somewhat cynically. Hewitt cites many great examples of this. The author talks about some of the evangelical problems with Mormons, but argues why they shouldn't use their theological differences, which Hewitt himself holds to, against a great candidate. I find Hewitt persuasive in part because it is how I vote in most every election. My choice isn't who believes most like me in all aspects of my life, but who will do the best job in supporting the values that matter in our public life. Hewitt supplies a transcript of a dialogue with non-Mormons discussing this matter in the appendix. This book will help its readers get to know Romney is a deeper way than you are going to get from the TV, radio, and print media. After you read it, you may still wa

This book covers well the life and career of Mitt Romney. It is not a comprehensive work, but rather an insightful approach to all important aspects of Governor Romney's past and what makes him tick. Clearly the evidence is well presented that Romney is a solid conservative who is arguably the most intelligent of all the candidates running for president in 2008, whether on the left or right. Not including the Appendix, the book is 269 pages with 10 chapters. It is easy reading and is most compelling. The mainstream media would have us believe that Mitt Romney is purely an opportunist. My reading of this excellent book leads me to the opposite conclusion: That Romney may well be the only statesman among all politicians aiming at 2008. My purpose in buying the book was to carefully study the man's character, as I think very few other traits in a leader matter more than his core character attributes. My conclusion from reading this book is that not only is Romney a highly principled leader, he is motivated chiefly by a long-standing family value or desire to serve others selflessly. I join with Mr. Hewitt in stating that America may make a horrible mistake if she does not elect Mr. Romney as our next president. My conclusion upon completing the book is that Romney's tremendous business experience, extraordinary CEO skills, principled leadership, and drive to attain the highest of goals imaginable place him well above all other candidates (as to qualifications) who seek power in the presidency. Since the DNC is doing everything in its power to assign trite labels to Mr. Romney, it is clear that they don't want anybody to read this book for the truth behind the man. In Romney, "What you see, is what you get." I recommend this book as one of the best books on character and leadership that I have ever read and an outstanding addition to any library.

I believe that the voters and delegates deciding whether to give Romney the Republican nomination in '08 have an obligation to read this book and think deeply about Romney in making that determination. This work is researched from a non-LDS perspective by a well-known constitutional law professor, trusted for his honesty and intellect in conservative religious circles. Hewitt's entire thesis, which I find credible, is that the Christian right faces a defining moment in its history with the 2008 election (attacks from the left threatening every fiber of America abound). If the Christian right mistakes friends like Romney and Mormons for enemies, it will lose the fight with its real enemies from across the world in time. As a Christian, I am aware of the seriousness of this decision. I am thinking deeply about Romney's compaign; physical, mental, moral and spiritual abilities; capacity for good; and religion. It was an outcast, a Samaritan, who saved a Jew on the side of the road and was praised by Jesus, not the Levite or Rabbi. Differing faiths can help each other when it is called for.

You don't need a taste for politics to devour this tome. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of inside baseball here - details to satisfy even the most politically addicted among us - but the layman will also appreciate this candid and fair examination of Governor Mitt Romney and his presidential aspirations. From the meticulous picture of Romney's Mother Lenore to the savvy analysis demonstrating the angst that many conservatives have towards John McCain, Hewitt weaves facts and insights in a way that is both sympathetic and honest. The picture that emerges is not the fainting, fawning, flush that some detractors predicted. Rather, the famous chiseled chin (which Hewitt admits will be used for and against Romney) comes even more clearly into relief; wrinkles and all. And, from the interviews in the book, this seems just fine with Mitt. "Hang a lantern on your problems..." a maxim that Romney cites in the book seems a savvy approach to both business and politics. Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, calls it "facing the brutal facts." No doubt this was something that Romney practiced in the private sector. It's also something that Hewitt employs throughout the book. Whether detailing the failures of George Romney's presidential bid or handicapping the Mormon issue for Romney 2.0, Hewitt pulls no punches pressing sons, associates and political pundits about Mitt's advantages and disadvantages in the 2008 race. Admittedly, I'm a fan of Romney, but the book provided me with numerous angles and views I hadn't considered before. For example, in my mind Romney has always stood solidly in the spotlight, always providing the solo with some ragtag chorus as backup. Hewitt brought into the foreground the interesting characters of Peter Flaherty, Kevin Madden, Spencer Zwick, and many others. In truth, what Hewitt shows, is that Romney is the man who brings the "team of rivals" together, constantly looking for people to challenge his assumptions and forge new ideas. Hugh also handles the Mormon question extremely well. He provides both the pro-Mormon doctrinal viewpoint (from noted Mormon lawyer Rex E. Lee) and the detractors' stance (from Walter Martin). Hewitt wisely leaves this doctrinal debate to the professionals but elucidates the constitutional precedent for disposing of denominational litmus tests pretty handily. The book also does a masterful job of defining what bigotry against Mormons really looks like. Hewitt's ultimate warning is this: "if because of his faith, he lost the Republican primaries to a less able candidate and that in turn led to the election if Hillary, the defeat of Romney on the grounds of his religious beliefs would be a great tragedy." [page16]. In short, "A Mormon in the White House" is great read about a tremendous subject and a boon to the conservative movement in this challenging election season.

If you're a social conservative deciding on a Romney candidacy, this book should be a part of your analysis. It's divided into three sections. The first answers the question "Who is Mitt Romney?" with useful biographical information. The second reviews his positions and record, focusing on issues of concern to social conservatives. The final section analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of his candidacy within the Republican primaries and the general election. Obviously, Hewitt argues in favor of his candidacy but he also honestly explores the downsides so this book will help you come to an informed decision. Also, Hewitt issues an important warning to those who would oppose Romney simply on the basis of his unique religious beliefs: "There is a steep and very slippery slope in front of the passionate anti-Mormon who takes that passion and funnels it into anti-Romney activism because of the theological concerns. Such activists are building a weapon of political war that will be used against them, and those who they might approve for office based on theological soundness in this and future cycles... If the various and disparate camps within what the Left lazily and condescendingly calls the 'religious right' join with the secular agenda journalists of Left... in mocking Romney's sincere religous belief, they can expect the same arguments to be turned against them in even greater force than they have already encountered."