ClydeR
08-30-2011, 11:17 AM
Republican presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rick Perry are developing a rivalry for the White House, but their bitter personal feud dates back much further - to a spat over the role of Boy Scouts as volunteers in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
“Several years have gone by, and neither Mitt Romney nor anyone else who served as an official of the 2002 Winter Olympics has given a clear and logical explanation of why the door to volunteerism was shut on a willing ‘army’ of Boy Scout volunteers,’’ Perry wrote in his 2008 book, “On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts are Worth Fighting For.’’
The Texas governor suggests that Romney made the decision based on political opportunism, citing the controversial issue at the time of Boy Scouts not allowing gay troop masters.
Romney said then that Boy Scouts couldn’t volunteer because most weren’t 18 years old, the mandatory minimum age the Olympics set for volunteers.
The dispute serves to highlight the contrast between two very different candidates for the presidency who appear headed toward a bitter clash for the nomination. They will appear on the same debate stage for the first time next week.
More... (http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/08/30/romney_perry_feud_dates_back_to_2002_olympic_games/)
When they finally debate next week, the Boy Scout issue needs to be a major point of discussion.
“Several years have gone by, and neither Mitt Romney nor anyone else who served as an official of the 2002 Winter Olympics has given a clear and logical explanation of why the door to volunteerism was shut on a willing ‘army’ of Boy Scout volunteers,’’ Perry wrote in his 2008 book, “On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts are Worth Fighting For.’’
The Texas governor suggests that Romney made the decision based on political opportunism, citing the controversial issue at the time of Boy Scouts not allowing gay troop masters.
Romney said then that Boy Scouts couldn’t volunteer because most weren’t 18 years old, the mandatory minimum age the Olympics set for volunteers.
The dispute serves to highlight the contrast between two very different candidates for the presidency who appear headed toward a bitter clash for the nomination. They will appear on the same debate stage for the first time next week.
More... (http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/08/30/romney_perry_feud_dates_back_to_2002_olympic_games/)
When they finally debate next week, the Boy Scout issue needs to be a major point of discussion.