Saturday, July 7, 2012

For Romney, big family at center of life, campaign

Photos At Buzzfeed

His five sons, five daughters-in-law and 18 grandchildren — "a bevy of Romneys," he's called them — were front and center on Independence Day - KASIE HUNT/AP/SF Chronicle

At a time when nontraditional families have become more common, and when even the Romneys watch "Modern Family," a popular sitcom that centers on unconventional family arrangements, the Romney brood stands out. Mitt and Ann Romney have been married for more than 40 years.

It's an embodiment of the family values message that resonates with Republicans and Democrats, and it offers a chance for Romney to portray himself as caring and authentic. That's a handy perception for him to cultivate in the face of Democratic attempts to paint him as a heartless millionaire....

There are five Romney sons: Tagg, Matt, Josh, Ben and Craig. All tall and photogenic, they range in age from 31 to 42. Three work in real estate, one is in private equity, and the fifth is finishing his medical residency.

...next summer, the lakefront estate could be the Wolfeboro White House. Surrounded by his family on Wednesday, Romney said he and his wife woke up that morning and marveled.

"We looked at each other," Romney said, "and said, 'Oh, gosh, our love really started something, didn't it?'"