What Gov. Romney Should Learn from the Original Mormon Candidate, Joseph Smith ArticleOct 22, 2012 What Gov. Romney Should Learn from the Original Mormon Candidate, Joseph Smith Joseph Smith, who ran for president in 1844, believed in a platform that expanded the role of the federal government in order to preserve economic stability, national security, and individual liberty. Gov. Romney should take note of Smith’s lessons. Oct 22, 2012 Eliza Blanchard