Thursday, February 15, 2007

Romney's symbolism

Any candidate for president should aim to represent all the American people. So it was disappointing to see that Republican Mitt Romney chose to launch his presidential campaign at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. (“Claiming Outsider Status, Romney Says He’ll Seek White House,” NYTimes, Feb. 14, pg. A18.)
Ford was, of course, a major industrial innovator, but he was also the most prominent anti-Semite in U.S. history. Not only that, but Dearborn was home to a Ford-sponsored magazine, the Dearborn Independent, which was the most visible outlet for anti-Semitic writing in the history of American journalism. Articles from the Independent were reprinted in a book published by Ford called The International Jew, which the Nazis later distributed in 29 German editions.
It is inexplicable that a presidential candidate like Romney -- who, as a Mormon, must predicate his entire campaign on the religious tolerance of the American people -- would choose such a backdrop.
In all this beautiful country, couldn't he find a more inspiring spot?

Boston, Feb. 14, 2007