OSKALOOSA — To a crowd of more than 70 people, former Gov. Mitt Romney spoke Friday at Smokey Row Coffee House on topics ranging from marriage to military. Romney leads Republicans in Iowa in a recent KCCI poll.
The former governor of Massachusetts said he would plow ahead on the principles of conservatism and strengthen the military, economy and families.
For the military, he said he would add at least 100,000 troops. He also said he would get away from foreign oil.
Romney said he would “make sure we use every power we can to make sure Iran doesn’t become nuclear.”
Some of the options he mentioned were economic sanctions, diplomatic sanctions, including the indictment of Iran’s president for incitement to genocide and bombing.
On family, Romney said, “Marriage comes before babies.” He also said obscenity laws should be enforced and computers should have a filter that can keep out pornography that parents can control.
He also said he would get tougher on sexual predators on the Internet.
“One strike and your ours,” Romney said.
His plan involves lengthening sentences and tracking convicted child predators by GPS.
Romney was surprised to hear someone ask a question from the audience about his stance on gay marriage. The man who asked the question said he had heard on a talk radio show that Romney was for gay marriage.
Romney also said the U.S. should be energy independent and he would keep the Bush tax cuts. He also said the U.S. would have to be serious and stand up to the war on terror.
While Romney was governor in Massachusetts when the state made gay marriage legal, he fought and did not support that decision.
Barb Lindenmayer said she is trying to form an opinion about whom she should vote for. She said she has seen Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, in addition to Romney.
“I liked a lot of what he had to say about many issues. I particularly like the part where he talked about the family training before they start school because I am an educator and I see a need for that,” Lindenmayer said.
Herald Staff Writer Wes Kappelman can be reached by email at news2@oskyherald.com
Local News
July 30, 2007
Romney greets large crowd at Smokey Row
- Local News
-
-
‘Hometown girl’ realizes bodybuilding dream
Abby Wilson says she is an average hometown girl who had a dream to step on the stage, and she has lived her dream as a bodybuilding figure competitor.
-
Arterburn found competent to stand trial
The decision means Bradley Arterburn may be tried in the 2011 death of Robert Horovitz.
-
Workshop to help women ‘escape to gain safety’
-
Kagame gives commencement address
President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, delivered the commencement address to the 2012 graduating class at William Penn University Saturday afternoon at the Penn Activity Center.
-
Junior poppy proclamation
Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt signs a proclamation recognizing the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #34 Poppy Program Friday afternoon. Pictured here are Junior American Legion Auxiliary members, back row from left, Andrea Mitterer and Mackenzie Marks, front row from left, Alyssa Colley, Krutzfeldt and Emma Whitt. The Poppy Program was adopted to raise funds for the rehabilitation program for veterans and serves as therapy for hospitalized veterans who make the poppies. Poppies will be distributed at Fareway, Hy-Vee and Walmart in Oskaloosa from 9 a.m. to noon. Saturday, May 19.
-
SLIDESHOW: Chamber awards banquet winners announced
Numerous individuals were presented with awards at the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group's awards banquet at the Pepper Tree Thursday evening.
-
Steps taken to preserve courthouse
-
Farmers spring into planting season
It might disrupt some people’s outdoor activities, but farmers need it for their livelihood.
-
City moves forward on dog park project
No location has been chosen, but a step toward a dog park in Oskaloosa has been taken.
-
SLIDESHOW: Sign marks future site of Caldwell Park Environmental Learning Center
A sign marking the future site of the Caldwell Park Environmental Learning Center near Oskaloosa is revealed Saturday night.
- More Local News Headlines
-
