Romney's announcement

Here is a Letter to the Editor I wrote that The New York Times published recently. I am posting it here because it touches, at least tangentially, on journalism history by citing the Dearborn Independent.

Romney's Announcement

Published: February 19, 2007

To the Editor:

Any candidate for president should seek the support of all the American people. So it was disappointing to see that Mitt Romney, a Republican, chose to launch his campaign at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. (''Claiming Outsider Status, Romney Says He'll Seek White House,'' news article, Feb. 14).

Ford was, of course, a major industrial innovator, but he was also the most prominent anti-Semite in American history. Not only that, but Dearborn was also home to a Ford-sponsored magazine, The Dearborn Independent, which was the most visible outlet for anti-Semitic writing in the history of American journalism. Articles from The Independent were reprinted in a book published by Ford called ''The International Jew,'' which the Nazis later distributed in 29 German editions.

It is inexplicable that a presidential candidate like Mr. Romney -- who, as a Mormon, must base his entire campaign on the religious tolerance of the American people -- would choose such a backdrop. In all this beautiful country, couldn't he find a more inspiring spot?

Chris Daly
Boston, Feb. 14, 2007

The writer is an associate professor of journalism at Boston University.