November 18, 2007
Posted: 10:20 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney begins airing a new television ad Monday that features the presidential hopeful and his wife discussing the importance of providing children with a solid moral background.

"It’s just essential to have a home where faith, where love of country, where determination, where all of these features that are so much a part of America’s culture are tied to our kids,” Romney says in the ad. “And without them, I don’t see how a society continues to lead the world.”

The 30-second ad will run in Iowa and New Hampshire.

– CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

Filed under: Romney • Tv ad


KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   November 18th, 2007 11:39 pm ET

Mitt has run over 2,000 TV ads in Iowa, and Rudy NONE… and still Rudy rocks the polls.

Catch a clue Mitt, time to join the real party.

DM Ethier, Sudbury, Ont, Canada   November 18th, 2007 11:57 pm ET

Yes faith is of utmost importance. But faith in what? The god of the Mormons is an evolving God. The God of the Bible says "I change not" the same yesterday, to-day and forever. Perhaps this explains Mr. Romney`s changes re: gay marriage and abortion. Will he change his mind again?

Denver, CO   November 19th, 2007 12:05 am ET

I'm confused. Mitt keeps telling us he's not running to be Pastor-in-Chief. But he really seems to want us to think he's running for Family-Man-In-Chief.

Arlen Hunsaker Pocatello, Idaho   November 19th, 2007 3:36 am ET

If America could realize that most of its problems basically begin with the dysfunctional family and deteriorating values in the home, then we can begin the process of heading back to the values generations before us had, back when America was looked up to. A beacon of freedom and ideas.
I can see why Romney wants to fix where he believes the source of a lot of our problems are. I don't think the source is outside our borders as much as it is within the four walls of our homes. That is basic, and it shouldn't take an LDS person (mormon) to realize that. But hey, I guess someone has to point it out!

Sam, IA   November 19th, 2007 4:17 am ET

Here's a family value for you mitt ole boy. If you think this Iraqi debaucle is so important that people shoud sacrifice their sons and daughters for it why no send those four party animal sons of yours over there instead of 24/7 campaign partying?

Shawnie Cannon, Grants Pass OR   November 19th, 2007 6:48 am ET

Romney is right. The American family is going down the tubes, and it is taking our society right with it. So many hurt and dysfunctional people. Our children deserve better. It CAN be better. Thanks for saying the truth.

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   November 19th, 2007 7:26 am ET

Yes, our children deserve the best we can give them: that's why the Republicans underfunded No Child Left Behind, decline to invest in health care for the uninsured and under-insured children, and of course when it comes to feeding those same children at school, ketchup is a vegetable.

Children don't get to choose their family: not everyone gets to be one of Mitt's "fortunate sons." For the others… sometimes they, and their families, need a little help from their government.

Wayne, Greenville TX   November 19th, 2007 8:12 am ET

Anyone who talks "values" as much as Romney does must have some world-class skeletons hanging in his closet. Just wait until they start coming out……

Terry, El Paso, TX   November 19th, 2007 8:15 am ET

"If America could realize that most of its problems basically begin with the dysfunctional family and deteriorating values in the home…" - Arlen Hunsaker Pocatello, Idaho

What are those values that need to be restored? Going to church on Sunday? Kids getting their homework in on time? Moms quitting their jobs and staying home to raise the kids? Fathers refusing to work overtime so they can spend more time at home? Reading the Bible to the family every evening?

How are we going to restore them? Mandatory church attendance? Married women with kids may no longer be employed outside the home? Employers may not require working fathers to work more than 40 hours per week? School counselors should start interrogating children about religious practices at home? Repeal of all divorce laws?

And how will this solve global warming, the declining dollar, children's health issues, problems in the distribution of income, violent crime, gun violence, lead paint on toys, etc?

The family values argument is bogus. It is a Conservative smoke screen designed to prevent meaningful action by government to solve the nation's problems.

freetobeme, Rochester, PA   November 19th, 2007 8:25 am ET

I am sick of family values and the ways in which these neo-con Republicans flaunt them as if they have a patent on them. All I care about is freedom. I am not interested in Romney's wife and all of the little Romneys. We are electing a President; not a President AND his/her spouse and children. If I have freedom, I can carry out MY responsibility of raising MY OWN responsible and moral children, all without the help of Government, thank you very much, but no thanks.

END Daddy and Mommy Government! Vote for Ron Paul and restore our Republic!

xtina - chicago IL   November 19th, 2007 9:27 am ET

Hard work, personal responsibility, faith and family are what built this country– not big government taking 40 per cent of our paychecks . We need strong conservative leadership to restore those values into America.

Happy Thanksgiving

Charles, Salt Lake City, Utah   November 19th, 2007 10:26 am ET

I read recently that Candidate Romney stated that he would "punish" states that offer blatent incentives to illegal immigrants such as in-state college tuition and driver's licenses. Good for him.

I wonder though, if he realizes that one of the handful of states that currently grants licenses to illegals is Utah?

Kate, Aurora CO   November 19th, 2007 10:47 am ET

Love of country? I'm sorry but how many of his children are enlisted? What war did he fight in? For that matter, how many other polititans of today have children enlisted? Instead, they call to us to sacrafice our children to protect their coward power hungry selves. I'm so sick of these politians touting their version of "family values" especially when so many have been exposed as liars. Just tell us how you plan on fixing the mess of our current situations. Leave your personal business at home, where it should be.

Shawnie Cannon, Grants Pass OR   November 19th, 2007 10:55 am ET

Charles from Utah:

Romney isn't from Utah, and he won't make exceptions….

Tom W, Dedham, Mass   November 19th, 2007 11:21 am ET

And how will this solve global warming, the declining dollar, children's health issues, problems in the distribution of income, violent crime, gun violence, lead paint on toys, etc?

The family values argument is bogus. It is a Conservative smoke screen designed to prevent meaningful action by government to solve the nation's problems.

Posted By Terry, El Paso, TX : November 19, 2007 8:15 am

Terry I respect anyones opinion, but do you actually believe it is the gubments job to "fix" everything and to redistribute incomes?

I don't care who is in office a Democrat or a Republican, I don't want anyone spreading the wealth or using social programs to try and fix what's wrong.

HELP people EARN the TOOLS and let them FIX their own problems.

Never had a lot growing up, graduated and joined the service, Used VA benefits to go to college………….

No handouts, no whining, self responsibility. How un-American nowadays.

Darren, Syracuse, NY   November 19th, 2007 11:50 am ET

Family values should have a high impotance to everyone whether Dem or GOP. to say you're sick of it or try to spin it into a smokescreen calling it bogus pretty much tells us where you're at. there are enemies to the family unit everywhere.

Kap, Orlando, FL   November 19th, 2007 11:53 am ET

Feel sorry for you there, Z. And DM is another misinformed or uneducated person.

kate lee   November 19th, 2007 2:08 pm ET

What concerns me about this ad is the "faith" part. Whose faith? I have known many Islamic families in whose lives faith plays a very important part–to say nothing of my Christian and Jewish friends and those who live what are perceived to be "good, golden rule" lives without adherence to any particular faith. Faith is a wonderful thing, but "faith" in an election ad makes me see "convert" as the hidden message. Is he saying that his form of "family values" will save our society from attacks, from global warming, from high gas prices, from a recession, etc. Now, that's a hard argument to accept!

Arlen Hunsaker Pocatello, Idaho   November 19th, 2007 3:58 pm ET

What did the country used to be like 50 years ago? And why has the world hated us progressively ever since? I can trace a few problems back to how the parents brought up their children. It's the governments job to provide a way for people to make a living for themselves, not to give out handouts. If it was, I would be screaming for money from the government right now!
The government will still help those who really need it. Divorce will happen.Not everybody is going to go to church. You don't need to be religious to be a good parent, you need common sense and a sense of teaching your kids better than you were taught. Teach them not to litter. Teach them responsibility for their own actions, and yes they will be punished for the bad things they do but how else do you learn? Positive and negative reinforcement, people!
I also like how people are saying that responsibility isn't an American trait anymore, and honestly, it isn't, at least to the politicians whose only goal is to rise in office and power. There are a few public servants who actually care. Great for them! Lets get some people who actually will care about the issues we face today instead of their public image and their paychecks…

Alex Tempton, TX   November 19th, 2007 4:02 pm ET

Good call Mitt! Fixing the nation's problems starts at home. It doesn't have much to do with religion, but has a lot to do with choices parents make. Yours is a great example of solid family values and children that make good choices in life.

Keep up the great work!

C in Kansas City, Missouri   November 19th, 2007 5:44 pm ET

Gov. and Mrs. Romney, you’re probably the only American parents who have ever discovered that it is important to provide children with a solid moral background in homes where faith, love of country and determination are important! In fact, before your lesson to us, America is probably the ONLY country in the World where these “values” can or will be taught to children and it’s all because you have shared this epiphany with us! It is unimaginable to think that anywhere else in the World can children be found who are taught these values by tender loving parents. It will be through your great example, and 30-second ads, that this can ever be possible in America and around the World! In fact, it could possibly be the rarest occasion to find parents anywhere else in the World who have made a lifetime of sacrifice for their children! You go Mitt!! Now that you’ve imparted this little gem of wisdom with our society (you know, the one that continues leads the World) - we don’t need you to be President any more! Your job is done! Thank you so much!

Brad, from the great state of Texas   November 19th, 2007 7:02 pm ET

You're right on the money, Tom W. While there are people out there who genuinely need some help getting on their feet, too many think the government should pay them for breathing! It really ticks me off when I see low-lifes getting all kinds of freebies while driving on shiny wheels and wearing bling-bling and grills in their mouth. Meanwhile, I tried to get some help for my son, who was born with cerebral palsy– guess what the Social Security office says? I make too much money, even though I am just a teacher. Well, excuse me for getting an education and trying to make a living!

The real solution is not to expand these programs, like Democrats want, but to enforce the rules and give help to those who REALLY need it, and let the leeches take responsibility for their lives!

Sorry if I rambled a bit…

Ashley FL, starke   November 29th, 2007 6:08 pm ET

What I want to know is how the mormon God changes. He seems to be the same to me. Don't make accusations without backing them up. Children is our future and we do need to teach them morals, values, and educate them. MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT!!!

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