Romney announces presidential candidacy
{{date|February 13, 2007}}
[[Image:Romney Announcement.jpg|right|340px|thumb|Mitt Romney announced his presidential candidacy yesterday.]]
Former [[Massachusetts]] [[w:Governor of Massachussets|Governor]] [[Mitt Romney]] formally announced his presidential candidacy yesterday outside of [[w:Detroit|Detroit]].

"I don't believe Washington can be transformed from within by lifetime politicians, there've been too many deals, too many favors, too many entanglements — and too little real world experience managing, guiding, leading," said Romney, who was a successful businessman before entering politics. Romney focused on his leadership experience outside of government. 

Romney made the announcement at the [[w:Henry Ford Museum|Henry Ford Museum]], something which the [[w:National Jewish Democratic Council|National Jewish Democratic Council]] heavily criticized saying that they were, "deeply troubled by Governor Romney's choice . . . to kick (off) his presidential campaign on the former estate of a well-known and outspoken anti-Semite and xenophobe." A spokesman for Romney said, “Governor Romney believes our country needs to put innovation at the forefront if we are to ensure a stronger, safer and more prosperous America, the Ford Museum embodies that bold, innovative spirit.”

Romney's record as a [[w:moderate|moderate]] and his [[w:Latter-day Saint|Latter-day Saint]] faith are expected to be his primary campaign challenges.

Romney, born in Detroit, the son of former [[w:Governor of Michigan|Michigan Governor]], [[w:Republican|Republican]] Presidential candidate, and automotive pioneer [[w:George Romney|George Romney]], attended [[w:Cranbrook Kingswood|Cranbrook School]] of Michigan and [[w:Harvard|Harvard]] Business and Law Schools. Romney ran against senior Massachusetts senator and Kennedy family member, [[w:Ted Kennedy|Ted Kennedy]]. Romney won 41% percent of the vote against Kennedy in the closest election in Kennedy's entire tenure in the [[w:United States Senate|United States Senate]]. Romney was also CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee which was in charge of planning the [[w:2002 Winter Olympics|2002 Winter Olympics]] from 1999 to 2002, he took charge after the [[w:2002 Winter Olympic bid scandal|2002 Winter Olympic bid scandal]]. He also sat on the board of Massachusetts-based office supply giant, [[w:Staples, Inc|Staples, Inc]].

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20070212-1332-onthe2008trail.html
|title=Romney criticized by Jewish group for honoring Henry Ford 
|author=Joan Lowy
|pub=Sign on San Diego
|date=February 12 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070213/ap_on_el_pr/romney2008;_ylt=AiwU16H4aY86ErBA_oqqg_DMWM0F
|title=Romney joins 2008 presidential race
|author=Liz Sidoti
|pub=Yahoo News
|date=February 13 2007}}
*{{source-pr|url=http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Presidential_Announcement_Remarks
|title=Governor Mitt Romney's Presidential Announcement
|author=
|pub=MittRomney.com
|date=February 13 2007}}

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[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Michigan]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:2008 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Mitt Romney]]
[[Category:Republican Party (United States)]]
[[Category:Ted Kennedy]]

[[fr:Le républicain Mitt Romney se lance dans la course à la Maison Blanche]]
Mitt Romney announced his presidential candidacy yesterday.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney formally announced his presidential candidacy yesterday outside of Detroit.

"I don't believe Washington can be transformed from within by lifetime politicians, there've been too many deals, too many favors, too many entanglements — and too little real world experience managing, guiding, leading," said Romney, who was a successful businessman before entering politics. Romney focused on his leadership experience outside of government. 

Romney made the announcement at the Henry Ford Museum, something which the National Jewish Democratic Council heavily criticized saying that they were, "deeply troubled by Governor Romney's choice . . . to kick (off) his presidential campaign on the former estate of a well-known and outspoken anti-Semite and xenophobe." A spokesman for Romney said, “Governor Romney believes our country needs to put innovation at the forefront if we are to ensure a stronger, safer and more prosperous America, the Ford Museum embodies that bold, innovative spirit.”

Romney's record as a moderate and his Latter-day Saint faith are expected to be his primary campaign challenges.

Romney, born in Detroit, the son of former Michigan Governor, Republican Presidential candidate, and automotive pioneer George Romney, attended Cranbrook School of Michigan and Harvard Business and Law Schools. Romney ran against senior Massachusetts senator and Kennedy family member, Ted Kennedy. Romney won 41% percent of the vote against Kennedy in the closest election in Kennedy's entire tenure in the United States Senate. Romney was also CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee which was in charge of planning the 2002 Winter Olympics from 1999 to 2002, he took charge after the 2002 Winter Olympic bid scandal. He also sat on the board of Massachusetts-based office supply giant, Staples, Inc.
North America United States Massachusetts Michigan Politics and conflicts Elections 2008 United States presidential election Mitt Romney Republican Party (United States) Ted Kennedy