Description: Viral quote / Satire
Circulating since: June 2012
Status: Fake / False (see details below)
Text example #1:
As posted on Tumblr, Aug. 15, 2012:
"That’s a good question, young man, and I would be happy to answer it. The Vietnam War came at a time in my life when I had other plans. I knew in my heart of hearts that I would one day serve my nation. That I would one day hold an office that would help not only our nation, but also the world. So I did what I could to make sure that I would be around to serve my nation, as well as serving God by teaching very important religious principles to a broader audience overseas. My father did not want me serving, and he convinced me that yes, I was too important to go to Vietnam. I had a greater purpose in life. I wasn’t neglecting my nation, but rather preparing myself for a future of service."— Mitt Romney on why he didn’t serve in Vietnam and did a year of Mormon Missionary work instead..
Text example #2:
As posted on Facebook, Aug. 21, 2012:
Mitt Romney qoute; I was too important to go to Vietnam. I had a greater purpose in life. I wasn’t neglecting my nation, but rather preparing myself for a future of service."
Text example #3:
As posted on Facebook, Aug. 21, 2012:
This is even even worse than dodging the draft! POS -- ". . . My father did not want me serving, and he convinced me that yes, I was too important to go to Vietnam. I had a greater purpose in life. I wasn’t neglecting my nation, but rather preparing myself for a future of service." says Mitt Romney during press outing - 6/7/2012
Analysis: Mitt Romney never said anything of the kind. This satirical story and all the fictitious quotes it contains originally appeared on Free Wood Post, a mock news website that bills itself as "almost reliable." As noted in the site disclaimer, "All news articles contained within FreeWoodPost.com are fiction."
The item received a major boost in circulation when it was reposted sans disclaimer on the blog of a Ron Paul supporter on Aug. 21, 2012, leading — that is, misleading — readers to believe it was an authentic news story. It was not.
Though he was old enough to drafted for military service during the Vietnam War, Mitt Romney received deferments to attend college and to serve as a missionary for the Mormon Church, according to the Boston Globe. He would have become eligible for the draft when his last deferment expired in 1970, but received a high number in the selective service lottery and was not required to serve. Romney is on record saying he would have gone to Vietnam if drafted, the Globe reported.
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• Ann Romney: 'Why Should Women Be Paid Equal to Men?'
• Mitt Romney: 'Of Course I'll Win, I'm the White Guy'
• Did Caroline Kennedy Call President Obama a Liar?
Sources and further reading:
Mitt Romney: 'I Was Too Important to Go to Vietnam'
Free Wood Post, 7 June 2012Mormon Church Obtained Vietnam Draft Deferrals for Romney, Other Missionaries
Boston Globe, 24 June 2007Mitt Romney Bio
About.com: U.S. Politics
Last updated 08/21/12
