Romney Talks Again About Childhood Mischief in ‘People’ Interview

BOSTON  – In a candid interview slated to be printed in People magazine early next month, presidential candidate Mitt Romney offered a rare glimpse into his life away from the spotlight, sharing anecdotes about his childhood and giving some examples of where he thought President Obama had done right.

A practicing Mormon, Romney reiterated his belief that he should not be a spokesman for his church when asked what misunderstanding he’d like to clear about his religion.

“That’s not my responsibility as a candidate, and the church could do a better job describing that than I,” said Romney. “But perhaps the greatest is that the real name is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We consider Jesus the son of God without parallel.”

Romney, who doesn’t drink  — not even caffeinated beverages — or smoke  explained to the magazine that “it’s a religious thing.

“I tasted beer and tried a cigarette once, as a wayward teenager, and never did it again,” said Romney.

While many were shocked to learn that Romney had once tasted alcohol, this is an admission Romney has made before. In a June interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan, Romney said, “”I have tested alcohol. I tried it on one occasion. It was not a good experience. But drugs, never.”

When asked to share “one thing” he thinks President Obama has done right as a nod to the holiday season of “comity,” Romney stopped short of full flattery.

“He’s a good example of a husband and father. Some of his education initiatives – merit pay for the best teachers and school choice – have been positive. The surge in Afghanistan was the right choice,” said Romney. “But the pluses are far exceeded by the places where I’d give him a minus.”