Romney's Political Forebears
Saturday, February 24, 2007; Page A17
In "What Is Mormonism?" [Outlook, Feb. 18], Richard N. Ostling stated that Mitt Romney "is the first member of what is officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to have a shot at a major party nomination for president."
Ostling should remember that Mitt's father, Republican Gov. George Romney of Michigan, was a leading candidate for the presidency in 1968. At one point, a Gallup poll in mid-1967 showed Richard M. Nixon with 39 percent, followed by George Romney with 25 percent.
George Romney also had a potential problem that highlighted his Mormon faith. He was born of U.S. citizens abroad, raising for certain people a constitutional question about his qualifications for the presidency. His parents were living in Mexico when he was born.
-- Bob Keefe
Washington
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