Mayor Rocky Anderson remembers a pre-flip-flop Romney RAW STORY

Published: Friday July 20, 2007 Print This Email This Hardball's Mike Barnicle, besides being a tad on the defensive about Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson's pro-impeachment stance, inquires about a Mitt Romney the Mayor once knew: The "pre-flip-flop" Mitt Romney that had solid positions on topics such as human rights, peace, and abortion rights, and held closer to what the Mayor says are more compassionate Mormon values. Mayor Anderson also has very strong words about the Bush Administration, the war in Iraq, and respect for the United States Constitution. The following video is from MSNBC's Hardball, broadcast on July 20. TRANSCRIPT: # MR. BARNICLE: Welcome back to Hardball. Utah may be the "reddest" of the "red states," but the mayor of its largest city -- he might surprise you. He's calling for the impeachment of President Bush, and he's not sure America is ready for its first Mormon president, at least not when it might be Mitt Romney. Mayor Rocky Anderson is the mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah. He joins us now. Mayor Anderson, thanks for joining us. Let's skip over the impeachment of President Bush because it's not going to happen and get to Mitt Romney. How about that? You tell me: Why do you think there is [sic] so many questions and so many lingering suspicions out there about a Mormon for President? Why's this happening? MR. ANDERSON: I don't think it's about a Mormon for President, necessarily, although I know a lot of people have questions about the Mormon religion. But I think almost all religions are fundamentally headed in the same direction, and that is the concern for the poor, peace--the value of peacemaking, the value of human rights. And that's where I think the extreme right wing of that Republican party is so wrong, and that's why I think Mitt Romney has been so wrong in not just being who he really is and caving in to his handlers who obviously have convinced him to basically flip-flop on all of these sorts of issues, and not standing up for what his religious values really ought to be if they are--and I think they are because I know Mitt Romney, I know his wife, and I know at least how they used to value human rights and these more progressive values. MR. BARNICLE: How long have you known the Romneys? I mean, I know them--I mean, they're nice people. They're good people. How long have you known them personally and politically? MR. ANDERSON: Well, we worked very closely leading up to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. We've known each other since early 2000. In fact, before I was sworn into office in January of 2000 we worked very closely together. I know Anne Romney was a major player in bringing the emphasis on human rights to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. I had discussions with Mitt Romney before he ran for Governor. I know he believed that Roe v. Wade provided the best solution for issues of choice in this country; that we needed to get away from the divisiveness between the extreme right and left in this country. We needed to find ways to bring people together, and I--you know--all this emphasis on religion, I really wonder, when are people really going to go back to fundamental religious roots and talk about the value of not only making peace after we engage in war, but whether we can morally engage in a war of aggression like this administration has done. And then in the execution of it: Engaging in the worst kinds of officially sanctioned human rights abuses in the history of our nation. Those are the kinds of religious values we ought to be discussing. MR. BARNICLE: But, you know, Mayor, a lot of people watching this show and listening to you right now, you know, they might think "Now wait a minute. Mayor Anderson says, on the one hand, you know, he wants to bring people together, and he thinks that's an important priority for this country." Most people would agree with that. Yet, on the other hand, you're calling for the impeachment of the President of the United States, something that is clearly not going to happen. Why would you do that? MR. ANDERSON: Well, I do that because, I think, even if the House of Representatives is too timid and not respectful enough of our constitution and what the founders had in mind and why they included the Impeachment Clause in the Constitution, that we can at least come together in a non-partisan way and say that kidnapping, torturing people: these are not American values. That the warrantless wiretapping of American citizens is not an American value. That engaging in the war of aggression, the invasion and occupation of a nation that posed absolutely no security risk, and being deceived into that war; that those aren't American values, and they're certainly not our moral or religious values in this nation. MR. BARNICLE: You know, getting back to religious values and Governor Romney's campaign, do you believe that there are a percentage of Americans who think "Mormonism" is a cult? MR. ANDERSON: Well, they use that word, but I don't think it's very helpful to the discussion. I think that if you looked at the fundamental beliefs--and I was raised a Mormon--I was raised to think a great deal about those who are in need and the opportunities we have to serve. But I also, in reading the scriptures, learned a great deal about our social responsibilities, and not dividing people over issues like abortion or gay rights; that we ought to be more concerned with lending a helping hand. Being more compassionate, more loving, towards our brothers and sisters-- MR. BARNICLE: --What did you think of the exchange that just took place this week between Governor Romney and Senator Obama over sex education in public schools? MR. ANDERSON: Well, I thought it was pretty absurd, especially--this is another instance, I think, of Governor Romney--Mitt Romney--completely flip-flopping because he, of course, sought out the support of Planned Parenthood and those who believe in the goals of Planned Parenthood. I think that age-appropriate sex education is absolutely vital and not only in protecting our youngest children, but in equipping our young people in this nation with good, solid information, with the truth; so that, instead of the growing instance of STDs, HIV, AIDS, all the rest -- that we can start treating our young people with respect by providing them that good information and education. MR. BARNICLE: Have you got a candidate yet for President? MR. ANDERSON: I do: Bill Richardson. I think he's the best qualified. He's a man who not only served in Congress and now serves as Governor, who's done a great job in New Mexico; but was US Ambassador to the United Nations. He believes in diplomacy. He was also Secretary of Energy under President Clinton and he knows the value of moving toward alternative energy sources and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. MR. BARNICLE: Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson. Thanks very much... #



