Mitt Romney, Mexico, and Polygamy

[jsteele]

I have heard from time to time that Mitt Romney's father, George, was born in Mexico. I never really gave much thought to how that came to be. John McCain was born in Panama due to his father being stationed there and I sort of figured George's parents might have been in Mexico for work-related reasons. But, tonight I read a quote from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer in which he mentioned that George was born on a polygamist commune. I was surprised that I hadn't heard that before, so I did some quick research to see if it was true. It turns out, the answer is yes and no.

When polygamy was outlawed in the US, many Mormons immigrated to Mexico where they established colonies. Mitt Romney's great-grandparents, who practiced polygamy, were among this group. The family settled in Colonia Dublán. While George's parents (who were monogamists) were born in Utah, they were married in Mexico and George was born in Colonia Dublán. When the Mexican Revolution endangered the colony, the family moved back to the United States.

I wonder how far back in US history we would have to go to find both major candidates for President with fathers born outside the United States? Also, since many Muslims believe their religion allows men to have four wives, both have fathers from traditions that have practiced polygamy (though, Obama's father became an atheist and Mitt's family stopped practicing polygamy generations ago).

Maybe Mitt and Barack are not that different after all.

[Anonymous]

Obama ate a dog

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Obama ate a dog

Mitt is unable to say conclusively that he has not.

[Anonymous]

I wish we'd stop talking about this crap and focus on things that matter.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I wish we'd stop talking about this crap and focus on things that matter.

If you put a links to the threads you started about things that matter, I will join the discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obama ate a dog

Oh that is the first time you seriously made me LOL panty sniffer!!! LOLOL!

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I have heard from time to time that Mitt Romney's father, George, was born in Mexico. I never really gave much thought to how that came to be. John McCain was born in Panama due to his father being stationed there and I sort of figured George's parents might have been in Mexico for work-related reasons. But, tonight I read a quote from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer in which he mentioned that George was born on a polygamist commune. I was surprised that I hadn't heard that before, so I did some quick research to see if it was true. It turns out, the answer is yes and no.

When polygamy was outlawed in the US, many Mormons immigrated to Mexico where they established colonies. Mitt Romney's great-grandparents, who practiced polygamy, were among this group. The family settled in Colonia Dublán. While George's parents (who were monogamists) were born in Utah, they were married in Mexico and George was born in Colonia Dublán. When the Mexican Revolution endangered the colony, the family moved back to the United States.

I wonder how far back in US history we would have to go to find both major candidates for President with fathers born outside the United States? Also, since many Muslims believe their religion allows men to have four wives, both have fathers from traditions that have practiced polygamy (though, Obama's father became an atheist and Mitt's family stopped practicing polygamy generations ago).

Maybe Mitt and Barack are not that different after all.

Woof, woof. Mr. Steele. Woof, woof.

[Anonymous]

6 Presidents besides the current one had fathers or MOTHERS born outside of the U.S.

[Anonymous]

Jeff, check 19:16 at http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/229668.page:

So the question for me is whether the Dems will try to bring up subtle reminders that Romney's family spent a couple of generations in Mexico because polygamy became illegal here, or that Mitt did his missionary work in (YUK!) France. And if they do try it, can they do it as well as Rove?

You could have read it here first.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, check 19:16 at http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/229668.page:

So the question for me is whether the Dems will try to bring up subtle reminders that Romney's family spent a couple of generations in Mexico because polygamy became illegal here, or that Mitt did his missionary work in (YUK!) France. And if they do try it, can they do it as well as Rove?

You could have read it here first.

I read that message, but somehow didn't absorb that paragraph. Reading too fast I guess.

23:25 , out of curiosity, do you know how far back before Obama the previous President with a foreign-born parent was?

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:...
23:25 , out of curiosity, do you know how far back before Obama the previous President with a foreign-born parent was?

I'm not 23:25, but http://www.examiner.com/progressive-in-san-francisco/obama-is-the-seventh-president-with-a-foreign-born-parent gives the full story, and Hoover was the last, preceded by Wilson. Andrew Jackson's parents were both born in Ireland.

If you want to talk about birth in the United States, I think John Tyler, #10, was the first President born after ratification made this the USA, and U. S. Grant the first whose parents were.

[Anonymous]

Hoover's mother was born in Canada.

[Anonymous]

Romney is not an American.

[Anonymous]

I don't think we should be holding candidates accountable for the behavior of their great-grandparents. No one would survive that bit of digging around.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think we should be holding candidates accountable for the behavior of their great-grandparents. No one would survive that bit of digging around.

I fully agree.