CBS's Wallace to Romney Sons: 'Not One Agreed or Thought About Serving in the Military'

The May 13 edition of "60 Minutes" ran a generally positive piece on former Massachusetts Governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Correspondent Mike Wallace’s toughest questions were on topics where conservatives expressed concern, such as Romney’s inconsistent stances on social issues. However, one aspect of the interview involved Wallace’s question of Mitt Romney’s five sons with a less than subtle implication.

The veteran CBS journalist asked if any of them decided to "put on a uniform and go to war." When they admitted to not serving, a shocked Wallace noted, "not one agreed or thought about serving in the military." Wallace then asked Mitt Romney if he ever served. After Romney admitted to not serving, Wallace emphasized that the former governor’s "very high lottery number" never came up.

The implication on display is that Romney, a staunch supporter of the Iraq War, has not and will not sacrifice himself. The entire transcript is below.

MIKE WALLACE: While all of them have served their church doing missionary work around the world... has any one of you ever decided that you're going to put on a uniform and go to war?

JOSH ROMNEY: I feel guilty having not done it.

BEN ROMNEY: I've seen a lot and read a lot that has made me say, "my goodness, I hope I never have to do that."

WALLACE: Not one agreed or thought about serving in the military.

MATT ROMNEY: There are other sacrifices to make as well, and I hope to be able to make a sacrifice of that, you know, of that caliber at some point in my life.

WALLACE: Did you ever serve in the armed forces?

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: I did not.

WALLACE: Why not?

ROMNEY: I was at college. Then I went off and served my church for two and a half years.

WALLACE: In a mission.

ROMNEY: In a mission.

WALLACE: And because of his high lottery number, he was never drafted to serve in Vietnam, something he says he regrets to this day.