Mitt Romney’s son recruiting students

Craig Romney was on campus Thursday to stump for his father and promote the innovative fundraising program, Students for Mitt, which he started to help his dad’s campaign.

Craig, one of Mitt Romney’s five sons, spoke to nearly 100 people in the TSC and encouraged Aggies to participate in Students for Mitt.

“My dad is running for president but he can’t do it alone. He needs your help,” Craig said. “Fundraising can make a big difference in this grassroots campaign.”

Unlike most fundraising campaigns, Students for Mitt pays people for their efforts. Mary Romney, who helped create the program with her husband Craig in March, said students who raise more than $1,000 receive 10 percent back of their fundraising total.

Mary emphasized the importance of raising money and said the final total often separates the real contenders for president from those who don’t have much of a chance.

Craig also stressed the significance of campaigning and raising money for his dad’s bid for the president. He said people should do anything possible to prevent Hillary Clinton from becoming president.

“If we do not do everything we can, we will have eight years of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I can’t think of anything more disastrous,” Craig said.

He said Clinton and Obama would lead the United States in a “sharp left turn,” curbing the country’s spirit for entrepreneurship and capitalism, turning it into a “left wing socialist like state.”

Craig said Students for Romney offers the greatest opportunity to really make a difference and have an influence in the upcoming elections.

Craig and Mary came to USU as part of a nationwide university tour which the Romney brothers are doing to recruit volunteers for the program.

For more information about Students for Mitt, visit www.studentsformitt.com.

In addition to highlighting his fundraising campaign, Craig spoke a great deal of his father’s qualifications and past experiences that, Craig says, will help him as president.

He cited many instances during the Salt Lake City Olympics that proved Mitt to be a man of action and commitment. Mitt came to Salt Lake and rescued the winter games from disaster and near cancellation by throwing himself right into it, Craig said. Mitt even trained for the skeleton with Olympian Jim Shea to attract people to the Olympics and capture the spirit of the games again.

“He risked life and limb to get people back on his side and save the games. He is literally willing to do anything for success. He can take the same resolution to the same problems and the same ability to the government,” Craig said.

The biggest issue that might prevent voters from choosing his father, Craig said, is name recognition. Mitt is not nationally known like many of the other Republican candidates but Craig said once his father spends time with people and speaks with them, there aren’t any problems.

Craig said voters do not even have a problem with Mitt’s LDS faith. While it has been an issue magnified by the media, he said it is not an issue for voters.

“When you get on the road, it’s not a concern for him. It is more of a benefit. They see him as a person of faith and a person of values. He is committed to his faith. It is more of a benefit than a deterrent.”

-arie.k@aggiemail.usu.edu

Craig Romney was on campus Thursday to promote a fundraising program he started to help his dad win his bid for the presidency. (Noelle Berlage)