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As the Republican convention gets under way, Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, sit down with PARADE contributor Lynn Sherr at their Lake Winnipesaukee home in New Hampshire to reflect on the campaign, the controversies, and the challenges ahead. In this Sunday’s issue, the candidate and his wife also answer some very pragmatic questions from PARADE readers about Romney’s wealth and how he would have voters’ backs if elected president.
Here are some highlights from the PARADE interview that will be featured in Sunday's edition of The Valdosta Daily Times:
Governor Romney addresses a PARADE reader question on how he can identify with folks “trying to scrape by, living on food stamps”:
MITT ROMNEY: Each of us faces struggles of one kind or another. Our life was not characterized by financial stress as much as it was by health issues. I served as a pastor of a congregation and saw people with various challenges and did my best to help them. I believe my experience in the private sector, the voluntary sector, and government has helped teach me what it takes to help people with different types of challenges.
The Romneys on tithing [the Mormon practice of giving 10 percent of one’s income to the church]:
ANN ROMNEY: I love tithing. When Mitt and I give that check, I actually cry.
MR: So do I, but for a different reason. …
Our church doesn’t publish how much people have given. This is done entirely privately. One of the downsides of releasing one’s financial information is that this is now all public, but we had never intended our contributions to be known. It’s a very personal thing between ourselves and our commitment to our God and to our church.
Governor Romney on what he admires about President Obama’s White House:
MR: I think the Obamas have done a nice job of welcoming various artists and having people come enjoy the White House. I also think, by the way, that having two children in the White House is a good thing. I hope, if we are lucky enough to be there, our grandchildren could come on occasion.
Governor Romney answers a reader question about whether he has “ever felt like a loser”:
MR: I define myself by my relationship with God, my wife, and my family. And in those relationships, I’m not a loser. I don’t worry about what happens in politics and the opinions of others, or I’d lose my hair!
Governor Romney responds to a reader question on whether he would bank in the United States if elected:
MR: My investments have been managed for almost the last 10 years by a blind trust. A trustee decides where to put our money. If I’m president, my understanding is the same principle applies, that I may not direct any of my investments. I can’t tell you what my investments might be because I won’t make them. But I’m happy to have every investment in the United States.
On how the candidate and his wife picture the Republican Party post convention:
AR: United.
MR: We’re united now. You go and ask people who voted for John McCain: “Are you thinking of voting for anyone other than Mitt Romney?” And you will have a very hard time finding someone who’s thinking of voting in a different direction. … We go to the convention with high hopes. There’s a lot of enthusiasm for new leadership.
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Ann and Mitt Romney on the cover of PARADE magazine.
Discussion
PARADE Interview: Governor Mitt and Ann Romney
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