Most Revealing Fibs: Mitt Romney

Speaking to students in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, November 2007.

"Obviously, my position did change with regards to life. But on other issues, my positions have been very consistent with my principles and my views."
--Mitt Romney, CBS "Face the nation," September 21, 2007.

Of all the candidates, both Republican and Democratic, the former Massachusetts governor is most vulnerable to the charge of being a "flip-flopper." He has attempted to immunize himself from this accusation by making a virtue out of necessity, and acknowledging his most blatant U-turn, on protecting the right to abortions. But an examination of his record shows that his positions have changed on a wide variety of other issues, from immigration to gay rights to gun control.

A few examples:

The recent discovery by the Boston Globe that illegal immigrants continued to mow his lawn a year after the matter was first brought to his attention opens him up to the the charge of hypocrisy.

Romney's positions on abortion have shifted more frequently than he cares to admit, hardening during the primaries as he went after Republican votes and moving to the center during the general election. To claim that his positions are "consistent with my principles and my views" is a tautology that conceals the deeper truth that his views and principles have a habit of changing with the political season.

It is also a stretch for Romney to claim that he lowered taxes while Governor of Massachusetts. See my post here.

The Pinocchio Test

It is still too early to rank the candidates in terms of their overall truthfulness. I have handed out Pinocchios to all the candidates for individual statements that seem at variance with the facts, but will give them a pass this week. Let me know any other areas where Romney has not been honest about his record.