In his two previous campaigns, Romney said that regardless of his own
personal beliefs, abortion should be safe and legal. Now, he describes himself
as pro-life and argues that Roe v. Wade should be replaced with state abortion
regulations.

In his Senate race, he wrote a letter promising a gay Republican group
he would be a stronger advocate for gays and their rights than his liberal
opponent, Edward M. Kennedy. Now he emphasizes his opposition to gay marriage
and civil unions.

Then a registered independent, Romney voted in the 1992 Democratic
presidential primary for Paul Tsongas. Two years later, he said he did so
because he favored the Massachusetts senator's ideas over those of Bill Clinton,
and was sure President George H.W. Bush would be renominated. Now, Romney says he backed the candidate he thought might be the weakest opponent for Bush.

In his first two campaigns, Romney emphasized his support of gun-control
measures. In 1994, he said: "I don't line up with the NRA." Now, he is a
card-carrying National Rifle Association member. He joined the organization in
August.

Romney used to distance himself from President Reagan. Now he casts himself
as a conservative in the mold of Reagan.

Here are some views of Mitt Romney causing concern inside his campaign: His
hair looks too perfect, he's not a tough war time leader, and he has earned a
reputation as "Slick Dancing Mitt" or "Flip-Flop Mitt."

Romney and his advisers have identified those perceptions as threats to
his bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, according to an
exhaustive internal campaign document obtained by the Globe.