By NBC's Peter Alexander and Ronnie Polidoro
Rock Center
The Romney brothers could soon become America’s first sons. Ranging in age from 31 to 42, their names are Craig, Ben, Josh, Matt, and Tagg – but you may have seen them spoofed on Saturday Night Live as Taggart, Tanner, Tigit, Targalac, and Tic-Tac. Which one of them is the biggest mama’s boy? NBC’s Peter Alexander found out during an interview for an upcoming Rock Center story airing Thursday, July 19 at 10pm/9c.
Just like any group of brothers, they like to pick on each other, even during their first sit-down interview of the 2012 campaign. They say Josh, the middle son, is the mama’s boy.
“Thanks guys. Let’s take it easy here,” replied Josh, one of three Romney sons who works in real estate. Another son is a doctor. The eldest runs a private equity firm like their father once did.
They are all married and have a combined total of 18 children. If Romney wins, he’ll have more grandkids than any sitting president in U.S. history.
The Romney sons grew up in Belmont, Mass., an affluent suburb outside of Boston. All of the brothers attended the same private school and later the same college, Brigham Young University. Three of them went on and received their MBA’s from Harvard, just like their father.
The boys were raised in a Mormon household where Saturdays were devoted to service. And all five followed their father’s footsteps by going overseas on two-year missions to spread their Mormon beliefs.
They are campaign veterans, on the trail stumping for their father since he first ran for Senate 18 years ago. But when it came to Romney’s second run for the White House, four of his five boys didn’t want him to run.
“I didn’t want him to run again. I really didn’t,” Matt said, “I thought you know, you gave it your best shot in 2008, you felt like you had to do it, you had to go and give back to the country and you tried, and they didn’t take you, so let’s move on.”
Matt and the others eventually came around. And again the Romney 5 have joined in Mitt Romney’s march to the White House.
Along the way, they have heard about how their father has struggled at times to connect with the public. The campaign hopes the sons can help explain some of their father’s more idiosyncratic moments, for example, when Romney told an audience, “It just feels good being back in Michigan. You know, the trees are the right height.”
“He’s a little goofy,” said Tagg, “That’s part of his charm, I think.”
But the biggest criticism is that the wealthy Romney family can’t understand the economic challenges facing the average American family. The sons insist their family and their father are not out of touch.
“We've obviously been very blessed,” Craig said, “And because of that we feel a responsibility to make sure we can do everything we can to make this country as great as it can be.”
They say they are not put off by the accusations, even within the Republican Party, that their father is aloof and a flip-flopper.
“His true identity will come out and we know what a great father he is, we know how much he loves the country, we know how much he loves our kids,” Matt said, “It’s not ambition that’s driving him. It is really a desire to give back. and this is how he thinks he can give back. And we agree.”
Editor’s Note: NBC’s Peter Alexander’s full report ‘The Romney 5’ will air Thursday, July 19 at 10pm/9c on NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams.
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No real man would ever consider voting for a democrat, especially not a marxist democrat like barack hussein obama. Helpless, hopeless, can't work to provide for yourself - must rely on other people to do everything FOR you. C'mon men. Rise up. The entire platform of the democrat/socialist party is a philosophy of wusses and helpless do-nothing leeches.
Mitts sons do know a few Middle Class people: their chauffeurs,maids,butlers,pool boys,gardeners and the rest of the "hired' help.
Do you think they pay them fair wages to even be middle class? I bet they are the working poor. Just wondering if they all have their proper papers don't forget the rich live by different laws than the rest of us and when they get caught they claim stupidity and they trusted another peon to do the hiring.
As it is for anyone else, joining the service is for volunteers. If they choose not join the military, that's their choice. I don't see a whole ton of the 99%ers joining the service either. Neither had our good President either.
There is a difference between being Goofy and "Goofy Charm" for those that choose to see it. Fact is that if your a Liberal, nothing Mr. Romney can say or do will cause you to support him because he is not a Democrat. The Hateful comments come from a sense of frustration that the Liberal agenda has failed.
I onder if Mitt sons have offshore accounts like their dad. Yes that's supporting America just like his job outsourcing overseas. A "real" patriot.
Did you know Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have offshore accounts also? What do you think about that?
Miryn, did YOU know that neither Pelosi or Reid are running for President & have no public disclosure obligation?
Wow, this is a surprise. All the Obama supporters are criticizing Romney, and all the Romney supporters are criticizing Obama. No one can really be objective, but it does help to understand where we stand as a country, and our relationship to the world, determine what our primary problems are and who might be best to resolve them.
Many people regard the economy as the primary issue. From an economic standpoint, I would want the person with the best track record of fiscal management. I'd need to do a bit more research into Obama's experience, but as a community organizer and a lawyer I don't think he really gained the smarts or experience to understand what is best for a country. As someone who helped turn around an Olympics in trouble, helping manage a state's budget as well as private enterprise, it should be clear that Romney has more experience. Unless you feel like capitalism isn't a good idea, that everyone with a pulse is entitled to a job, or if they don't have a job, is entitled to government support.
We were in a very bad economic state in 2008 when Obama took the reigns. I didn't vote for him, but along with everyone else, was inspired by his message of hope. And he immediately wasted a year of his time trying to revamp our healthcare system. I agree that it was troubled, but that wasn't the best thing he could have spent his time on. And what we got wasn't good, it had way too many compromises and special accommodations, to the point where Obama himself wasn't even pleased. Meanwhile, companies were suffering and the job situation got worse. A large stimulus was an interesting thought, but it wasn't managed or spent well. Now that he's in a fight with Romney, he's finally agreeing that the economy is the biggest issue.
And listening to them both fight and attack each other on a daily basis sickens me. I wish we were all mature enough to want and demand to know clearly the vision of each candidate for the future, and proof to show that they have what it takes in terms of experience to accomplish it. Then we could debate the issues rather than whether we like their children or whether their personalities are slightly quirky. Oh well, I we enjoy the slop the media feeds us.
If Romney, wants to give give bring back all the jobs they outsourced!
Sure, and Obama can bring back the jobs that got oursourced with OUR stimulus money. Awesome!
Don't kid yourself ---- We all would love to have children like these fellows -- upright, well-mannered, diligent and most importantly, supportive. That makes their father a worthwile candidate of the presidency.
Before you go off half cocked -- I advise that you do a little research on the five sons. First off, Harvard has a legacy program. What that means is if you had a first or second generation relative who attended Harvard, then your application for admission was accepted. Period.
Americans who have children with a straight 4.0 GPA, community services and the money to pay for a Harvard education -- would probably have a 40% chance of getting into that institution. People, do you research. Don't be parrot like, gullible and sheep like.
A brief history of Willard the GOOF.
Lyin Willardo, the Mexican Mormon Moron tax evader, bankrupter, Etch A Sketch Champion, job outsourcer and draft dodger may be the worst repuke dunce of all. This guy has yet to provide his tax returns for the last 5 years. It should show how much he has evaded in taxes and how much unreported income he has stashed away in Cayman Island and Swiss bank accounts. He is your typical right wing thief.
There have been many rumors going around that little lyin Willardo was seen in a baby carriage in Tijuana. with a bottle of Corona Light in one hand and an Etch A Sketch in the other. The side of his carriage had the name "Little Lyin Willardo" on it. So when we see the long form of his birth certificate and it says Willardo on it and not Willard, we will know something is wrong.
Isn't it funny, that his new buddy Fox Top Trump never asked lyin Willardo for a copy of it?
What a joke. Less and less of the stupid right wing nuts come out to back lyin Willardo, the Mexican Mormon Moron tax evader and bankrupter and they rave about it. As most people know, the evangelicals consider the mormons an evil anti-christ cult. The mormons have been converting dead jewish people, without their knowledge to become mormons to enhance their religion. They baptise them when they are dead. These sick aholes were caught when they tried to convert Anne Frank to be a mormon. The Church of the Latter Day Saints has now ordered these mormon priests to cease this immediately.
These repuke dunces best bet is to bring back Herman (9Kampf) Cain, the dress slitherer. He can draft Jerry Sandusky for V.P. Who cares what they have done in the past, they are against abortion, that is all that counts.
CAIN/SANDUSKY 2012. The true repuke family values candidates.
I've had enough of goofy presidents, thank you. It took us 8 years to get rid of the last one.
You know, there is no pleasing some people. First you Romney haters say, "He isn't a good famil man because he has spent his life campaigning, not raising his family". When he spends time with family instead of campaigning, he isn't serious about his running for President. You don't like that fact that he likes to laugh and make corny jokes...what about the sorry jokes that Obama has tried to make and gotten negative response for. It isn't alright for Romney to make jokes, but Obama's okay doing it-it makes him "charismatic." You REALLY think a man with a successful business background got to where he is by being "goofy" during his dealings with others...come on, use some common sense. You're grasping at straws to find something to criticize. The law requires two years of tax returns which Romney is willing to provide and has provided. Why should he (or anyone else in the future) have to providce more than the law requires? How long did it take for Obama to provide a birth certificate when his origin of birth was questioned? It is a LAW for the President to be a natural-born citizen. Why was it like pulling teeth to get some proof of his birth? Why would he not just produce the evidence and settle it quickly? Even now there are questions as to the validity of the "proof" that was finally produced. No matter what Obama does or says, you are willing to follow whatever is said and not proven because you are willing to be led by the nose with no proof only rhetoric and innuendo. You follow blindly and take no time to compare the past of BOTH candidates. Romney did some unkind things in college/school. Obama was a dope-head/pot-head. Proven on both counts. But Romney's not to be forgiven, but Obama's past is not to be taken into account or questioned. Bad form, people. Compare apples to apples. If you want to be critical of one, be critical of the other.
I love these Rightwing hatemonger bigots who mention Hussein when mentioning our president. These little Redneck fascist Klan wannabes are Americas embarrassment.
If you don't want people to call him by his name, should we give him a make believe name? What name would you like him to be called? John, Steve, or how about Barry, I've heard that is his real name.
News flash you helpless do-nothing mooch. FASCISM IS JUST ANOTHER FORM OF SOCIALISM REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU'VE BEEN LED TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS ON THE "FAR RIGHT". FASCISM IS ON THE FAR LEFT ALONG WITH SOCIALISM/COMMUNISM/COLLECTIVISM/PROGRESSIVISM AND SO FORTH. Only, with fascism, there is only ONE person in control of your life instead of a group of people. Get your definitions straight then you can perhaps sound reaonably intelligent. You are the embarrassment sir. Any man who would vote for a philosophy of do-nothing-for-yourself mooches is no man at all. Helpless, hopeless, must take from others to pay for my lazy-butt 99% mentality because you believe the obama lie that "you can't succeed". What a disgusting attitude to have - both that you can't do anything for yourself and that you have to steal from others to live like a leech on the butt of society. Your philosophy is a philosophy of utter failure and destruction. Fortunately your philosophy will fail in the end and I will be glad.
After reading a dozen articles by NBC I still can't figure out which candidate they support? ( Sarcasm ).
Now let's be honest here. YOU didn't serve in the military either my friend. And neither did barack hussein obama. So shut yer pie hole you leftist guerilla you. You're just a liberal wuss, a helpless do-nothing leech.
This is the only guy that might be able to beat Obama, but when the repukes got done lying about him, you might think he was Satan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udzymvKOyCY&feature=related
Show America the tax returns. Show America the tax returns. Show America the tax returns.
Show America the tax returns. Show America the tax returns. Show America the tax returns.
Show America the tax returns. Show America the tax returns. Show America the tax returns.
I want to see the tax returns.
Whats really Goofy is 5 trillion in new debt, 8.2% unemployment, 1.9% GDP, and people still want Obama for four more years.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This guy raised 5 sons who have become good citizens. Which is more than all the bad moutheres yapping on this sight can say. This is a major accomplishment in todays world. If bhe can manage his household well, he would be an assest to the White house.
Big surprise Mitts supporters support a draft dodging,American job outsourcer who has secret accounts overseas,one in a country notorious for money laundering. Yeah a "real" patriot there. A yellow coward draft dodging Chickenhawk is more like it! So what is Mitt hiding in his "magic" underwear? The curious want to know! Why is most of Mitts money in foreign banks?
Goofy, maybe, but gorgeous and a brilliant man Mitt Romney has my vote.My daughter Lesley thinks I am goofy, too, but, hey, maybe it's the generation gap.
This might have already been said but, can the country afford what it will cost in security to have secret service for Mitt, Wife, five sons their spouses and 18 children. They would need to double up all vehicles to transport them around. I'm sure one Air Force One is expensive but needing two to fly them around with.
Yes and we can see the apple don't fall far from the tree.
And these young men have served their country in some capacity, for example in the Armed Forces? War zone service, anyone? Contributing time to some other cause? Honestly, who cares whether Mitt has a sense of humor. What has this family truly done to contribute to the betterment of anyone or anything beyond their own personal wealth? And is the Presidency simply another commodity on which the family intends to trade?
Romney's sons, Well their use to their father acting goofy. That's all they ever known. They been raise around a goofy father. Maybe the mother is goofy too, who knows. They have a easy life. Maybe all that money went to their heads. They may think their better then the average working Americans. I bet they do think that away.
The Romney have no clue how everyday hard working US citizens live.
Politics, a chess game.
Indy Patriot - I've been wondering the same thing for months. With five sons, not one of Mitt's sons did any miltary service???
McCain's son's went to Annapolis - kids of the first wife not the second, you know the wife who has no money. Bush's daughters didn't even talk about helping military families or sending care packages.
Rich people don't send their kids to die in wars their father's believe in. However, Englands royals went. How sad for the home of the brave!
The Bush family is very dedicated to our military personnel. What are you talking about?
obamas kids never spent a day either, typical lib bias