Taxpayers group head says he was ‘disappointed’ Romney didn’t sign pledge earlier

In today’s Boston Globe, reporter Scott Helman reports that Mitt Romney became the first potential Republican presidential candidate to sign a no tax increase pledge.

Grover Norquist, the powerful head of Americans for Tax Reform, which administers the pledge, said an interview with the Globe that while he was pleased that Romney signed it this year he was “disappointed” Romney did not sign the same pledge when he ran for Massachusetts Governor in 2002.

“I am not exactly sure why he didn’t sign it, but the fact is he didn’t sign it and that is disappointing,” said Norquist, a native of Weston.

Signing the no tax pledge has been a staple part of running for the Republican nomination since the pledge was introduced in 1986. When Bob Dole refused to sign in 1988 it became an issue during a New Hampshire debate. In 1996, he did sign the pledge, as had every Republican presidential nominee since it began.

Shortly after Romney signed the pledge, Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, a Republican also eyeing a presidential run, followed suit. Brownback, however, has always signed the pledge.

Interestingly, Norquist said Romney would not be free from criticism if conservatives learn that while Romney did not increase taxes he did increase fees.

“Fees are the same as tax increases in my book,” said Norquist.

Also in Romney news, the Laconia (N.H.) Citizen reports that Romney is getting good reviews among Republicans who live near Romney’s summer home in Wolfeboro.