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SALT LAKE CITY -- Since throwing his name into the political ring filled with Republican candidates vying for the Party's nomination, much has been said about Mitt Romney and his presidential platform, including his apparent flip-flopping on hot button issues.
It came as little surprise that Romney would put together another run at the presidency, particularly since his candidacy was trending in a positive direction. No one can argue that since Romney bowed out of the 2008 presidential primaries, he has patched together a calculated strategy to securing the GOP nomination.
Although he may be the apparent early Republican frontrunner, many conservatives have criticized Romney about his health care plan -- RomneyCare -- because they believe it is too similar to ObamaCare.
Several top Republican officials have even recommended that Romney distance himself from RomneyCare to become a more viable candidate. But Romney is holding strong to a principle of his presidential platform that could potentially make-or-break the former governor's chance at the White House.
I know there is a lot of people that would say my political prospects would be much, much better if I were to just say, ‘Oh, it was just a mistake; it was a boneheaded idea; I'm so sorry. It may well be true; that would help my political prospects a lot. The only problem with that is, it wouldn't be honest.
–Mitt Romney
In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Romney said he was standing by his health care plan because it was something he believes will help America.
"I know there is a lot of people that would say my political prospects would be much, much better if I were to just say, ‘Oh, it was just a mistake; it was a boneheaded idea; I'm so sorry,'" Romney said. "It may well be true; that would help my political prospects a lot. The only problem with that is, it wouldn't be honest."
In a recent political speech, president Obama complimented Romney, saying he agreed with the former governor's health care plan, saying: "In fact, I agree with Mitt Romney, who recently said he is proud of what he accomplished on health care in Massachusetts."
Morgan asked Romney if he was worried that the Democrats, particularly Obama, are praising him for the work he put in to create a health care program for the state of Massachusetts.
"Well the great news is that when I finally debate President Obama, it will be wonderful because he won't be able to say I'm some heartless Republican that doesn't care about people; he'll say I was the inspiration for what he did," Romney said. "I'll say, Mr. President, how come you didn't call? How come you didn't ask me about your plan because it will not work; it will bankrupt America."
Romney went on to describe the differences between the two health care plans, saying: "The idea behind [my] plan was to have a state deal with its own problem, on a bipartisan basis. We said this: ‘If people have the ability to care for themselves, they should not be able to go to a doctor or a hospital and expect government to pick up the tab for them.' We said personal responsibility has to play a role when it comes to health care."
Romney added that the President does not see health care in the same manner, despite saying that he believes each state should have a say in the process.
"What [Obama] says and what he does are very different." Romney added. "Give it to the states. What he did was put in place a one size fits all federal takeover of health care. Should a state, under its constitution, have the ability to care for its uninsured? My answer is yes, but the federal government should not take over that power."
Morgan also questioned Romney on gay rights, saying that the former governor was not for equal rights for homosexual couples looking to get married.
"I've always been in favor of preventing discrimination against people, whether they are homosexual or straight," Romney said. "At the same time, I've said that marriage is between one man and one woman and that position has not changed. I am in favor of gay rights, but I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman."
Asked if Romney would adopt his church's beliefs about gay rights if president, Romney said: "I separate quite distinctly matters of personal faith from the leadership that one has, in a political sense. You don't begin to apply the doctrines of a religion to responsibility for guiding a nation or guiding a state. One thing I'm not going to do in running for president is become a spokesman for my church or apply a religious test, which is simply forbidden by the Constitution."
Romney concluded his discussion on gay rights by saying that he would stand up for equal rights if elected president.
"As a leader of the American people, I will do everything in my power to treat all people with respect and dignity," he said. "I'm not here in a religious context, I'm here as a candidate for president. And as a candidate for president, or as a president, I would have to represent the interests of all the people."
To watch Piers Morgan's interview with Mitt Romney about health care, click here.
E-mail: jfurlong@ksl.com
