Romney tries to rally GOP troops
Even as Republicans choose their new national chairman today, Mitt Romney praised House Republicans for unanimously rejecting President Obama's economic recovery package, saying, "You put the best interests of the American people ahead of politics."
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who ran for president last year and is in the conversation for 2012, said the $819 billion plan is chock full of unnecessary spending and doesn't include real tax cuts that could stoke the economy.
"The difference between us and the Democrats is this: they want to stimulate the government, and we want to stimulate the economy," he said in prepared remarks.
Romney said that he is optimistic about the GOP's future and that the way to recover from the November election, when it lost numbers in Congress as well as control of the White House, is to stand firm for the party's core principles.
"I have often been asked what I think the Republican Party must do to recover. What I’ve said is this: My first concern isn’t about our party—it’s about our country," he said at the House Republican Conference Retreat hosted by the Congressional Institute at the Homestead in Hot Springs, Va.
"In fact, the two are closely related. The best way for us to advance the prospects of our party is to do what we know is right for the country. This is what the American people expect of us. And that’s what we should expect of ourselves."
Romney's full prepared remarks are below:
Thank you for the warm welcome. And thank you for the vote you took this week. You stood strong. You stood for principle. I got some calls yesterday, after the news. They said what I feel. We want you to know that we’re proud of you.
It sure feels good to be in a room full of Republicans who came out ahead on Election Day. You can be proud of your success. And don’t be afraid to remind the President of this: you, too, won your election.
After my own campaign was over, Ann and I just wanted to get away from it all. We ended up in Beijing, about as far away as you can get. We went to the Olympic Games, and one of the events we attended was women’s beach volleyball. I noticed a lot of people looking in our direction, pointing toward us and taking pictures. It’s always nice to be recognized, and I told Ann, let’s be sure to smile and look our best. Ann said, they might like us even more if we got out of the way—Kobe Bryant is standing right behind you.
A few months have passed since the election. It’s enough time to consider the outcome and take stock of our party’s future. I want to make clear that I’m optimistic: our ideas are good, our agenda will make America stronger, and your action this week showed that we have the kind of leaders who will stand up for what they believe in.
I have often been asked what I think the Republican Party must do to recover. What I’ve said is this: My first concern isn’t about our party—it’s about our country.
In fact, the two are closely related. The best way for us to advance the prospects of our party is to do what we know is right for the country. This is what the American people expect of us. And that’s what we should expect of ourselves.
This is a time of hardship and uncertainty for millions of Americans. The question is: whose leadership and ideas will turn things around. And in such a moment, it’s our job to offer the clear answers, the proven solutions, and resolute leadership that will make this country strong again.
The new President and the Congressional majority are having a difficult time doing that. After all, they have a lot of campaign rhetoric to make good on. And they’ve got plenty of special interests to pay back. As the opposition party, we’re entirely free to do what is right for the country. There are certain advantages to that kind of freedom, and I suggest we make the most of them.
That begins with a clear analysis of what’s needed to get the economy moving again. Predictions that we are almost out of the woods, based on the length of prior recessions, are wishful thinking. Americans have lost some 11 trillion dollars in net worth. That translates into about 400 billion dollars less annual consumer spending in the economy.
There’s something else people don’t talk much about: The pool of investment capital—all the money available for new investments, business start-ups, business expansions, capital expenditures, and new hiring. The size of that pool has shrunk by trillions of dollars. This was a huge loss in value, and the effect could be felt for years—in businesses that don’t start up or grow, in jobs that don’t get created.
Given these extraordinary conditions, I am convinced that a stimulus is needed.
So why not just spend and borrow with reckless abandon? Because we’re in a very delicate situation that could easily get worse if Washington does the wrong thing. The package which passed the House is a huge increase in the amount of government borrowing. And we’ve borrowed so much already, that if we add too much more debt, or spend foolishly, we could invite an even bigger crisis. We could precipitate a worldwide crisis of confidence in America, leading to a run on the dollar … or hyper-inflation that wipes out family savings and devastates the middle class.
We’re on an economic tightrope. That’s why it is so important to exercise extreme care and good judgment.
So far, the Democratic leadership hasn’t shown a great deal of that. They’ve passed 355 billion in infrastructure spending, 60% of which won’t be spent by the end of 2010. Billions for electronic medical health records—it’s a fine idea, but it won’t produce jobs for years and years.
Even worse are the liberal payoffs—50 million dollars for the National Endowment for the Arts, hundreds of millions of dollars to the states for STD prevention and education. Until your loud protests got it dropped from the bill, there even was 200 million dollars for the DC Mall. That might have grown some grass, but it wouldn’t have grown the economy. And they’re doing this when the economy is on a tightrope.
It’s still early in the administration of President Obama. Like everyone who loves this country, I want him to adopt correct principles and then to succeed. He still has a chance to step in and insist on spending discipline among the members of his own party. It’s his job to set priorities. I hope for America’s sake that he knows that a Chief Executive can’t vote “present.” He can’t let others run the show. He has to say yes to some things and no to a lot of others.
We need to stimulate the economy, not the government. A true stimulus package, one that respects the productivity and genius of the American people, could lift this country out of recession. And experience shows us what it should look like.
First, there are two ways you can put money into the economy, by spending more or by taxing less. But if it’s stimulus you want, taxing less works best. That’s why permanent tax cuts should be the centerpiece of the economic stimulus. Even Christine Romer, the President’s own choice to lead the Council of Economic Advisors, found in her research that tax cuts are twice as effective as new spending.
Second, any new spending must be strictly limited to projects that are essential. How do we define essential? Well, a good rule is that the projects we fund in a stimulus should be legitimate government priorities that would have been carried out in the future anyway, and are simply being moved up to create those jobs now.
As we take out non-essential projects, we should focus on funding the real needs of government that will have immediate impact. And what better place to begin than repairing and replacing military equipment that was damaged or destroyed in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan?
Third, sending out rebate checks to citizens and businesses is not a tax cut. The media bought this line so far, but they’ve got it wrong. Checks in the mail are refunds, not tax cuts. We tried rebate checks last year and they did virtually nothing to jump-start the economy. Disposable income went up, but consumption hardly moved. Businesses aren’t stupid. They’re not going to invest in equipment and new hires for a one time, short term blip.
You know, by proposing tax rebates, the Democrats are admitting that relief to families and employers works. Why can’t they shed their ideological bias and give the American people the kind of permanent, broad based tax relief that even they must know will relieve the suffering our country is going through?
Fourth, if we’re going to tax less and spend more to get the economy moving, then we have to make another commitment as well. As soon as this economy recovers, we have to regain control over the federal budget, and above all, over entitlement spending. This is more important than most people are willing to admit. I mentioned the economic tightrope before. There is a real danger that with trillions of additional borrowing—from the budget deficit and from the stimulus—that world investors will begin to fear that the dollars won’t be worth much in the future. They may fear hyper-inflation. It is essential that we demonstrate our commitment to maintaining the value of the dollar. That means showing the world that we will put a stop to runaway spending and borrowing. Senator Judd Gregg is rightly proposing a new bipartisan approach. It should be part of this bill.
Fifth, we must begin to recover from the enormous losses in the capital investment pool. And the surest, most obvious way to get that done is to send a clear signal that there will be no tax increases on investment and capital gains. The 2001 and 2003 tax cuts should be extended permanently, or at least temporarily.
And finally, let’s exercise restraint in the size of the stimulus package. Without restraint, it may grow as the days go by. Last year, with the economy already faltering, I proposed a stimulus of 233 billion dollars. The Washington Post said, and I quote: “Romney’s plan is way too big.” So what critique do they have for the size of the Democrat’s package? I’m afraid they’ve caught a bad case of liberal laryngitis. It’s everywhere these days.
In the final analysis, we know that only the private sector—entrepreneurs and businesses large and small—can create the millions of jobs our country needs. The invisible hand of the market always moves faster and better than the heavy hand of government.
The difference between us and the Democrats is this: they want to stimulate the government, and we want to stimulate the economy.
Government does have an obligation to address some of the abuses we’ve seen in the markets, particularly in the mortgage finance market and the mortgage guarantee sector. But when markets work as they should, when they are effectively and efficiently regulated, free markets create jobs and boost incomes.
As Republicans, we remain the confident voice of limited government and free enterprise. These principles are going to face another test when it comes to healthcare.
We should be first to propose a Republican plan to bring health insurance to all Americans, one based on market dynamics, free choice, and personal responsibility. I think what we did in Massachusetts is a good model to start from, but whatever direction we take, let’s not simply react to what the Democrats do. Their own plan would undoubtedly create a vast new system of costly entitlements and bureaucratic dictates, burdening the people and threatening the economy. Americans will be looking for a better alternative. Let’s give it to them.
Let’s also defend the rights of workers—against coercion and intimidation. The working people of this country should be able to unionize the way their fathers and mothers did – by free choice and secret ballot. The Democrats’ plan to take away those rights would result in economic calamity. More than that, it’s an insult to the dignity and common sense of working people. We’re going to defend the freedom of workers and the rights of labor. Interesting, isn’t it, which party stands up for workers and which one jumps for union bosses.
Ours is the party of freedom and enterprise, and we are the party of life. I know that I’m not alone in wondering why our new president, in the earliest hours of his administration, directed that international groups that promote and provide abortions be funded with American taxpayer dollars. Is that really what the world needs, more abortions?
In our party, we don’t have perfect agreement on the life issue. But with an administration that is firmly on the side of abortion, that answers to the most extreme wing of the abortion lobby, our duty is clear. We should be a voice for moderation and compassion. And even if the administration will say nothing on behalf of the child waiting to be born, we must take the side of life.
The new administration has also gained the favor of liberal commentators by pledging what it calls reform in the treatment of detainees who have taken up arms against America. And of course, President Obama says he will close Guantanamo.
But I wonder if he noticed that some of the men already released from Guantanamo have turned up in new al Qaeda tapes? I also wonder where the President now intends to send the terrorists we capture. Will he send them to nations that will release them to kill Americans? Or will he send them to US prisons, to infect our own criminal population?
There may be more steps like closing Guantanamo—and they will receive the predictable applause from law professors, editorial boards, and others who have no responsibility for protecting American lives. The Washington Post last week announced President Obama’s actions with this headline: “Bush’s War on Terror Comes to a Sudden End.” I hope this President knows that the terrorists are still fighting and killing Americans, and that they plan to keep killing Americans.
Here, too, our party will speak confidently. We have no greater duty than a vigilant defense.
This great party of ours has seen setbacks before. They have never defined us. For our party, I believe this will be remembered as the time when we demonstrated the strength of our convictions, when we defended the foundations of America’s prosperity, security and liberty.
America will be tested. It’s not for us to choose every new test that may arise. But we’re entirely free to choose how we will face those tests. We’ll face them as you did this week. And we’ll face them as Republicans have done before in our finest moments—with the clarity and the confidence of those who put their country first.
That is the work you have undertaken as Republican members of the 111th Congress. You gather in smaller numbers than last year, but you have ideas, energy, and convictions—and the resolve to lead America to a better future. The comeback for our nation and for our party starts with you. You can count me as an ally in the work ahead. Thank you.
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Brilliant. He should have been the Republican nominee and now President.
Go away already.............. Mitt Romney first interest is Mitt Romney. Always has been always will be. His political ambition overides the best interest of the nation at this very difficult time. His lack of political integrity was so apparent in his run for the Presidency where he said the exact opposite things he said and did in Massachusetts. The only Politician in the Country more phony than Mitt Romey is the former Governor of Illinois.
"Let’s also defend the rights of workers—against coercion and intimidation. The working people of this country should be able to unionize the way their fathers and mothers did – by free choice and secret ballot"
How ironic that the 2009 Republicans are defending unions, when the Democrats were saying the exact same thing in the 1930s and 1940s. So the Mitt is urging bygone Democratic values on Republicans?
Come on Mitt, it's a good speech, but you need to dig deeper and tell these house cats to challenge bills and inspire the public to get behind them. Not everyone voted for Obama, but the opposing party needs to make the party in power accountable, the exact way they gave GW and any one with an (R) after thier name when ever they opened their mouths.
Comeon
Does Mitt still wonder why he didnt get the nomination?
You are all so very wrong. Mitt Romney does get it and he is looking out us Americans who are hard working and pay taxes-not like those who are fleecing the system dry ( stop sucking off the system and go out and find a job and start paying taxes you bums)
I said many times before and say it again. Romney is the man we need at the top. Smart, patriotic, with real world business experience and record of accomplishments. We've had enough lawyers who have never done anything in their lives but running for some office or other. They run our country to the ground. We need businessmen who'll run America like business. Romney is the perfect answer. Romney 2012.
Romney 2012!! He get's it better than anyone.
Way to go on the speech Mitt!
Romney is a pathetically craven, irresponsible person. He will say and do anything to be elected --- be it governor, senator or president. He has all that money and so little class. Thank God he left the commonwealth. You can have him in the summer, New Hampshire, and hopefully Utah will keep in during the winter ski season, and perhaps the Romneys --- the whole family --- will go slithering back to a state where they can continue to perpetrate the MittFraud on its residents. Here in Massachusetts, once burned, we know better!
Mitt Romney should listen to the words of Yoda. "Try, you will not. Do, you will" (Yoda, Empire Strikes Back)
"The invisible hand of the market always moves faster and better than the heavy hand of government."
ROMNEY 2012!!! The change we need!
votemuff.com The only kind of republican ,that can win.
There is no new talent in the GOP.
Obama has not named any new talent either.
2012 will be vote muff or die!
IF the Republican party went back to it's roots it would win.
"The difference between us and the Democrats is this: they want to stimulate the government, and we want to stimulate the economy," he said in prepared remarks.
The only Republican want to stimulate is the pockets of Corporate CEO and their 18.4 Billion dollar bonus!!! What did Bush's bailout get us??
The Republican party is not conservative, they are authoritarian-that is how they governed, and that is predictably how they will govern if they ever get power again.
Republicans don't all fit into any single mold but they are intolerant of others in general.
Totally gets it. At least the fundamentals. Why do politicians NEED to throw unnecessary garbage in bills? He knows how the economy works. I'm a Democrat, but I am not ashamed to say someone from another party understands something so simple.
At least he has better ideas than giving more money to the government and less to the people who allow the government to remain their government.
The Republican party is not conservative, they are authoritarian-that is how they governed, and that is predictably how they will govern if they ever get power again.
Republicans don't all fit into any single mold but they are intolerant of others in general.
The combination of neocons, religious fanatics, and members of the industrial/military complex known as the Republican Party used their infinite wisdom to execute a coup de etat of our government and foisted their "solutions" on us for the last eight years and look where we are.
It is a good story, but lacks credibility.
The past eight years we used the policies you suggest.
How has that worked out for us?
Wake up and smell the coffee, Mitt.
You are obstructiog progress.
Please put the Country first, and get over it.
We want the elected President to have control of this economy.
"You put the best interests of the American people ahead of politics"... What a tool! Is he seriously thinking that people dont realize that by rejecting the attempts by Obama to revitalize the economy that was wrecked by the GOP over the pat 10 years with tax cuts and military spending and unaccountability is nothing but Neo-Con poliics? Lame Lame Lame.
Thank God America figured out to bounce them out of a majority position. Now lets get back to working and prosperity again... for all, not just the Super Rich.... By the way, Congrats to Exxon for making so much $ in 2008 despite the reduction of gas prices and the flailing economy.
The article didn't say they lost congress last election, it said they lost numbers. Read before you type.
It is more like:
"You put the best interests of your rich friends ahead of the American People."
Shame on you Romney. Are you trying to take the crown of "Grand Moron" from Bush?
I heard the economy has gotten so bad that even Obama had to lay off some of the media he has in his back pocket..
Nice job Mitt. You do get it and it looks like the republicans that were voted into office do to. Hopefully Obama will figure it out before his parties "trickle up poverty" takes over.
MITT ROMNEY 2012. . .
the joke is Sarah Palin. . .joke of the republican party, joke of alaska, joke of the country. . .glad she's not from the lower 48!!
As a big wig for Bain Capital, Romney steered the spinoff, privatization, and then public trading of the company where I was employed. All that happened in two years and made multi-millionares out of the top 0.2% of the company. There was no trickle down. Sounds like a Republican kind of plan....
Great Speech Romney; wake those fools up. Creditability, and who's creditable? Obama the guys that has zero experience? Yeah, what a great comment?
My god, what planet does he live on.
Hey koolaid. He gets it. You guys don't get it- Just keep your hand out waiting for the cheese. The dumbing down has started which is obvious by bemused. dumb society=dependant society=democrat wildest dream= end of free will. You guys are just jealous because Romney can form a complete sentence without an "um" or an "uh", unlike your messiah.
I agree with Mitt Romney when it comes to the real concern of how to grow the economy to the point where it really gives us better results in the future rather than our children and grandchildren bearing the burden.The stimulus package sounds very nice at this moment but wait until it comes down to the wire it change its tune.
SJB & Bemused. You are less intelligent than Nancy Pelosi. Nobody is going to fund your shopping spree. Not the US taxpayer or China. Hey, maybe Hugo Chavez will come through for ya.
go away romney.. core principle is too kill for profit which is you...go away
Mitt Romney is scary. He used to be one of the most left-wing politicians until he reinvented himself as the new Ronald Reagan. He is a pompous, mean-spirited jerk who just does not get that people could care less about his opinions.
Where was all this fiscal restraint over the last eight years when George W. Bush and thre Republicans spent money like drunken sailors? They all but ruined our great country and now instead of trying to fix the problem they are now complaining about the massive deficits George W. Bush got us into. I cannot believe anyone still listens to their rhetoric. What a joke!
The so-called abortion clinics don't actually promote abortion. They only state it as a reasonable option along with birth control and other things. The third world countries are in a cycle of poverty that they can't get out of because of the shortage of birth control and people having too many children. These clinics are only trying to help the poor of those nations
"You put the best interests of the American people ahead of politics."
Right. The Republican Party allways puts it OWN best interests ahead of the country. They don't have any credibilty in my book. Why would anyone care what that pack of losers say? They set there for 8 years whil Bush bankrupted the country and now they say we are spending too much?
How is a Republican like a dinosaur? Let's see....
From fossilnews, 1999:
"It is commonly said that dinosaurs had unusually small brains, and must have been very stupid"
Ummmm, after the bangup job the Mitt-Witt did in MA I would think he would just ride off into the sunset. The guy was a disaster; brought no new jobs to the state, raised every fee and then claimed he didn't raise taxes and left a huge budget deficit for the next guy. Mitt, please get off your soap box and go back to private industry.
If you're laughing you obviously didn't read what he said.
Genius! Anyone with a college education, or advanced knowledge of the economy know that everything Romney says here is correct. There are right and wrong answers to the problems we face, and bigger government is the wrong answer. Spend, spend, spend is not the answer. I hope Romney runs in 2012, he will have my vote.
good thoughts, most people do not even know Bush is a big READER, and went to Harvard, Obama AUTHORED one book that was written for him, unless you count the other one, but he did not actually writte that either, Great article. Democrats are purely REACTIONARY, which is great for childrens sports, but not adults. A leader, and GOOD men have to be more than active, they have to be PROACTIVE, which is the reason we watch sports of TV and in big stadiums live. That means the sport has to be what simple people enjoy, and not chess or anything that takes Proactive or Active abilities.
"I have often been asked what I think the Republican Party must do to recover. What I’ve said is this: My first concern isn’t about our party—it’s about our country,"
Sure, that's why you jerks just pulled the dog and pony show of unanimously voting against Barack's economic plan? Because you're not for the party, you're for the country.... Riiiiiiigggghhht. Hey, I know a guy who's got some great intel in WMDs in Iraq to sell ya too! I think Mitt's magic underwear is on a bit too tight.
You know it and I know it, that stimulus package is filled with too much "extras" that will not fix our economy. At least Romney has concrete ideas to stimulate the economy without making government bigger. Without serious and permanent tax cuts we are just giving more money to the government while hoping the stock market saves us and giving little thought about the dollar losing its value.
It is Ironic financially how the Republican party is so quick to not support the president when he isn’t a Republican that gave no accountability for the monies already given out by the Bush administration to make sure there wasn’t any bonuses given out like the almost 18 billion to the same people that made this mess. They should be the ones in jail for there miss handling of funds knowing they were just moving paper around hoping that it wouldn’t catch up on there fraud on t6he American public.
The Republicans should go to every house hold, and beg for forgiveness for there the party that made this mess with there trickle down politics that made industries get greedy on the backs of the American people.
Republicans stand for Greed is good.
Ron Paul 2012
Romney presents a sane, rational, coherent explanation of the principles and actions required to bring America out of the present crisis and into a better future. And what do you say? "This guy is such a joke," and "still doesn't get it." Obviously, liberals do not use the logical and analytical section of their deficient brains. Liberals appear to live almost entirely in a delusional fantasy world where socialist programs and government largess create prosperity and happiness for America and the world, and where thinking warm fuzzy thoughts about America's enemies will make them go "Poof!" and turn into gay flower-child hippies who will love us and make peace with us. And, of course, liberals respect life only when it is useful to the state (sound familiar? hint: communism), which does not seem to include unborn children. Hopefully the conservative and right-leaning moderates in the Senate will strike this awful "stimulus package" down and will make an effort, a REAL effort, to keep American tax dollars from being used to fund the murder of children in the womb.
Mitt Romney is such a joke. I do hope the Republicans run him in 2012.
Mitt,
We listened and rejected you. Get a clue....go away.
"... it's our job to offer the clear answers, the proven solutions, and resolute leadership that will make this country strong again. The new President and the Congressional majority are having a difficult time doing that."
Um... it's only been ten days.
"After all, they have a lot of campaign rhetoric to make good on."
Mitt? Hey, Mitt? It's only... it's only been ten days. Can we just... try to --
"And they've got plenty of special interests to pay back."
*Siiigh*
Type your comment here...Romney/Palen .........what a pair. I can't wait for it to blow up in their faces.
Apparently Romney has just returned from another planet. While he was gone the Republican Party lead by George W. Bush took this country to war, cut taxes and ran up a big credit card bill. Now we have to pay it. Can't do it with tax cuts, Mitt.
Mitt and Palin and Boner are all losers who don't get it. Go away already.
Romney STILL "gets it" and has plenty of credibility outside the leftist conglomeration of northeast states. The congressional $800 BILLION spending bill is the true "joke" circulating in politics currently.
Romney plan at 233 billon to big, Pelosi plan over 800 billon no comment. There's no liberal bias in the press?
No credibility whatsover.
This man is a most contemptible, repugnant narcissist.
"The invisible hand of the market always moves faster and better than the heavy hand of government"..
The hand of the market is quite visible now and it is extended in begging for bailouts from the government.
"The difference between us and the Democrats is this: they want to stimulate the government, and we want to stimulate the economy."..
Well, you had 8 years to do it. I wonder who was stopping you. And why are we at this pass if thats what you wanted to do.
"As soon as this economy recovers, we have to regain control over the federal budget"..
again, didn;t you have 8 years to do that?
Stupidity and ignorance are the strong points of liberals. It's been well documented: Liberals are "Just stuck on Stupid" and "You just can't fix Stupid!". They also seem to have problems understanding written English; SJB can't understand the reporter's statement on loosing control of the White House and seats in congress. And Bemused doesn't understand the joke is on himself; Obama fooled you; not conservatives. So, for the next four years I will enjoy telling everyone "Obama is Stupid and It's Obama's fault" Now that is funny.
Bemused and Stassen, it would be very interesting to know what you two have accomplished in this life to qualify you to make such judgements. How embarrassing for the Globe that the likes of you represent most of those who have responded to this article.
Really Romney I used to think you were a smart guy----but only a few short sentences HOW DID WE GET HERE, ON WHO'S WATCH, FOR WHAT IN SOME DESERT, AND JUST LIKE THE OLDER BUSH IT TAKES SOMEONE OF OURAGE AND CONVICTION TO BAIL US OUT. You Romney like McCain in your Mansions really get it Huh, Oh I do not understand economics, well I understand paychecks and needing to buy. Interesting lets take pot shots at everything-----reminds me of a Senator I used to know----he said "yes we passed a bill in the Senate that was to help 10 inner city kids get an eductaion, but it only helped 4-5, well was it worth it? How about you Romney you innercity, yes you jackasses could not even see this coming what great government management. anybody that believes in this party GOP is just getting dumb and dumber!
Maybe if we can somehow look past the Obama-new-car-smell and clear the echcos in our ears of all the great speeches, then maybe we can clearly see things for what they are. Everyone complains about 8-yrs of Bush, but no one was complaining about the 1st 6-yrs when everyone was making money and most were refinancing at will to cash out more to payoff the credit cards they kept running up or buying investment properties. Then the last 2 yrs go south and everyone forgets about personal responsibility…oh, I’m sorry “personal responsibility” is not a politically correct…time to stop being POLITICALLY CORRECT and start simply being CORRECT. The blame game is not political, but personal. If you want the blame to be political then keep in mind that the democrats ran congress for the last two years.
Have you noticed that they all hate Obama's plan, but fail to explain why additional business tax cuts are what we need. If business tax cuts are what we need, why have none of them worked since the Bush 2000 tax cuts?
Former Govenor Mitt Romney hit the nail on the head . I wish he had been McCain's choice for V.P. He has more financial sense, experience, common sense, values and is realistic. Having been a Democrat most of my life, I am fed up with the party and voted Republican in the last three elections. Having worked in low income schools, hopitals, housing under MHFA and Hud, I have seen more waste and people cheating the system . No one deserves a free ride. CUT TAXES, REDUCE capital gains tax(Ireland, reduce government and stick to a budget like working class people. STOP spending $ you don't have,protect our country. Make the tough decisions that you have not had the grealistic goals not idealistic ones.
Good job Mit way to alienate even more of the American people, what was thought previously impossible
Go Home already. Mitt Romney's is all about Mitt Romney and not the best interest of the Country. The guys doesn't stand for anything, what he said in his Presidential race was the opposite of what he said and did in Massachusetts. He's a complete joke. So go ahead Mitt waste more of your millions running helping out those primary states with employment needs. It's about all you can accomplish because no one takes you seriously anymore.
Good speech. Romney, along with a handful of others, is a voice of sanity during these insane times.
Romney is EXACTLY right. I wish we had this level of vision in the White House, but we will have to wait at least four more years...
While Obama and company kill our unborn babies and save the terrorists.
Don't forget, he supports the war in Iraq but none of his 5 sons serves and he compared their helping him on his campaign with fighting in Iraq! I would love to see Mitt actually make an effort and get his own hands dirty, just once. Why don't you go serve, Mitt, since you support it so much?
Look past your obvious disdain and start thinking fiscally. The bill has so much unneeded spending, which will not stimulate economic growth that it is wasted money. Stimulus is needed in the economy not the government. Stop pressing for government money to stimulate the government, and start pressing tax incentives to small and large businesses to re-invest so they can hire people.
But what would I expect from the globe and the people who post to it
Wow they really just don't learn do they?
Earth to Mitt--this kind of obviously partisan rant went out with the previous administration. If you can't focus and work with others (finally) then you're going to be obsolete by the next election. Stop being an elitist, have a conversation with a Democrat and find the common ground instead of pretending there isn't any just for partisan gain. Twisting facts isn't going to get you anywhere over the next four years.
Would someone please explain how tax cuts help the economy? Seems to me they just help CEOs line their pockets with exhorbitant bonuses and golden parachutes.
The Republicans need a leader to continue their pursuit to reduce taxes until there is no government. The United States is in a recession. A strong, arrogant, self centered leader, like Rush Limball is needed to enhance the recession, and upgrade it to a full Republican-Bush Depression.
Romney, like so many in his party, fails to accept that it was Republican policies, over a period of years, that got us into this dire situation to begin with. How could this nation possibly survive more of the same? Fortunately, and not too soon , Americans,having suffered enough, have made it clear that they cannot, and will not, tolerate the mentality and methods of Bush and his party that have disregarded the well being of this country for so long. The steps being taken presently may not suit the Republican taste, but they are the direct consequence of a failed agenda that has run this nation into the ground. May this proud country, through the direction of President Obama, elevate itself above the conditions we've been forced to endure and once again achieve the level of admiration and prosperity that it once enjoyed. Mr. Romney, don't feed us more of the same. It has all but sunk the boat.
Relieved
SAVE US MITT!! There would be a lot more confidence in economic recovery if Romney was in the Oval Office. And I believe he would have eaten Obama alive in the debates once the markets started falling apart. The democratic "stimulus" is just an excuse to fund every pet program they can think of. Oh--and a great strategy: create a situation where more than 50% of Americans are receiving some kind of entitlement or government benefit. That way, you've already bought your votes for the next election.
--You're all a bunch of sheep.
"Romney said that he is optimistic about the GOP's future and that the way to recover from the November election, when it lost numbers in Congress as well as control of the White House, is to stand firm for the party's core principles."
Mitt Romney couldn't take a firm stand if his feet were encased in cement...but it does make a nice visual...
He says bring health insurance to all Americans, based on market dynamics, free choice, and personal responsibility. Forcing people to buy health insurance that is almost worthless, is hardly free choice. He says the democrats health plan would create costly entitlements, bureaucratic dictates, burden people and threaten the economy. And this is exactly what you left behind in Massachusetts, Mr Romney. You are worst excuse for a Republican I have ever seen.
Typical republicans - spend money like crazy and fly the economy nose first into the ground at full speed, then claim theirs is the party of "enterprise". What a crock. Theirs is the party of "slow moving, never change, suck the life out of America, Big Business".
The "enterprise" comes from the entrepreneurs and new businesses - the little guys with ideas. These are the guys who get much more support from the Dems.
Its why the economy was in MUCH better shape before these morons came to power in 2000.
Wow, you guys really don't get how markets work do you? Everything he said was spot on. Increased government spending means increased borrowing and printing new money, all that does is decrease the value of the dollar and weaken the buying power of Americans making goods more expensive and putting us right back where we were. The only way to stimulate is to get lending going again, capital investments, new businesses, new projects, etc funded from the private sector and not the government. Tax cuts encourage investment. This guy that is a joke knows about 100x more than you when it comes to free markets, the global economy, economics, financing, the role of the dollar in the global economy, investing, etc.
"The best way for us to advance the prospects of our party is to do what we know is right for the country. This is what the American people expect of us. And that’s what we should expect of ourselves."
Actually, Mitt, the American people do not expect you to do what's right for the country. They expect that you will line your pockets and the pockets of your wealthy friends. They expect that you will shred the Constitution and civil liberties. They expect you to try your damnedest to destroy government's ability to help the less fortunate. They expect you to try to shove your religious beliefs down their throats. They expect you to meddle in their private lives, to spy on them, to lie to them, to kill their kids and hundreds of thousands of civilians in a war for profit, to lay waste to the environment, to destroy this country's once (and, thanks to President Obama, future) good name, to drag our collective reputation from the moral high ground to the cesspool of sadism in which you and your co-conspirators wallow. They've had more than enough of you and your ilk, Mitt. It's time for you to go. There is much to do to undo the damage that you people have done, and it's time you got the hell out of the way.
Romney should be in charge of turning around this economy he has the experience in corporate America and knows how to cut expenses ......I highly reccomend reading turnaround: Crisis, Leadership, and the Olympic Games by him. It gives a great insight into his business knowledge.
Dear Republicans,
Yadda, Yadda, Yadda. That’s all I hear from you all.
This is what I DO know as an AMERICAN. The man that froze in his house because he could not afford to pay his bill; the husband and wife who came home and took their children's lives and then their own because they BOTH lost their jobs on the same day and felt that they had no other way out, were AMERICANS and more importantly HUMAN BEINGS. No one cares if they were Democrats, Republicans or Independents or even if they shared YOUR ideologies.
For the love of GOD STOP! STOP playing politics with American lives. Shame on ALL of you for not recognizing that AMERICA is not only hurting but on 11/4/08 we made our voices heard loud and clear.
I have heard SO many objections from your party but not ONE SINGLE good idea that is different from what you have been doing for the past 8 plus years which is what got us all in this mess we’re in. You HAD your chance to show America your leadership and you chose to let greed and your ideologies take America from a leading strong, safe nation to the crumbling, disliked and disrespected, right for the picking nation you have made us into. Did that guy throwing a shoe at Bush not give you a clue on how the world views us? Did the fact that America AND the WORLD ALL rejoiced like NEVER before in history at the election of a new president with new ideas and a new direction not give you a clue that maybe you guys had lead us through the wrong paths.
A hand has been respectfully extended like never before (even though I personally don’t think you deserve it) and rather than unclenching your fists and standing with America to fix what YOU all broke you slap it away and continue to whine like the resentful loosing party that you are. Always blaming the other party, who is now cleaning up YOUR mess. Know that the blood of all the AMERICANS that are loosing their life’s while you are playing politics and following idiots like Rush (like the mindless sheep you are), will now and forever be in YOUR hands. Grow a conscience and do the right thing for once. You say you stand for America’s well being then put your money where your mouth is and for once put your ideologies aside and roll up your sleeves and start helping clean up the mess you ALL are responsible for creating in the first place. That is not only your duty as a public servant but as an American and more importantly as a human being.
Signed,
A proud American who voted for Change!!!
Will going trillions more into debt for many years to come, bankrupt not only our country, but the world economy? The movie IOUUSA gives serious pause that needs to be heeded. If indeed we are at a perilous turning point in the economic direction of our country, then the proposed stimulus/spending bill needs to be carefully debated. Let the voices of those who have concern be expressed to their elected representatives.
Hey SJB-What is your net worth? Bigger than Romney? I'm sure you are full of ideas on how to stimulate the economy...and...I'm sure you have first hand experience. Probably not!
Romney is right on! The Democrat/Socialist Party wants Government to take care of you. Well, that's not what America was founded on.
Is it too early to predict Obama as a failure?
Remember don't confuse slow delibrate platitutes for smarts.
In the last eight years my income has gone up from 50K to over 200K.
Guess what? The government had NOTHING to do with it.
And guess what? I'm paying over 60K in taxes...That's too much! I can't afford to get the house painted or to do the 45K extension...guess who loses? You.
Romney, as usual, is right.
Too bad he's not governor again. He knows how to handle a crisis (with spending reductions and reform, not with higher taxes on candy, soda, beer, hotels, restaurant meals, cigarettes, business profits, utility companies and on and on and on)
If it wasn't for the $2 billion-plus rainy day fund Romney left behind, the problem would be even worse.
I bet Deval regrets restoring the $500 million in cuts that Romney made as he left office.
Note to Dems: Do you even bother to educate yourself about the
corruption going on out there? A lot of Democrats in the news lately
aren’t exactly saintly themselves. And those who aren’t under
investigation are busy trying to pass laws taking away more freedoms
in the name of “saving us”. Gee, isn’t that what you claimed Bush was
doing? If you think your party is the good guys and the Republicans
the bad guys, no wonder so many of you are crazy. You’re bound for
some massive disappointments in the next 4 years. While this will
amuse those of us not blinded by your hubris, the fact is politicians
of any party are our servants. Some of them forget that and they
deserve our scorn. But your blind acceptance of one party, your blind
hatred of the other, makes you one-dimensional hacks. We seek truth
in our fiction, not propaganda. If you can’t deliver, McDonalds is
always looking for burger flippers.
I love MItt, knows exactly what the country needs, and will get my vote in 2012. He didnt take a salary in Massachusetts as Governor, which Obama should do as well with our country's economy in trouble. He turned our deficite into a surplus, and Patrick has squandered that. Mitt is the answer, he knows how to run a business, and frankly, the United States should be treated as a business.
Go Mitt GO!!!! The 2012 presidential election begins now and after 20 years of liberal spenders in the White House, we will finally be ready for a conservative. The problem with Bush wasn't that he was a Republican. The problem with Bush was that he spent money like a liberal democrat. Mitt being out there as a leader and a voice of reason will make it really easy for him to become President after the failed policies of Barack Neville Chamberlain Carter Obama.
Still doesn't get it?? What are you talking about? What business school did you graduate from? What VC firm(that's Venture Capital) have you made hundreds of millions of dollars for?
Everything this man touches turns to gold! You can't please all of the people all of the time but you sure can't say Mitt doesn't know economics. He left MA with a surplus and your boy Deval has us on the verge of bankruptcy!! But yeah, your right Mitt Romney doesn't get it...
How disgraceful! Republicans would rather see America suffer than accept that they lost the presidential election and help the Democrats do what needs to be done.
Apparently the Republicans don't care what happens to America as long as they can keep the Democrats from doing what they were elected to do by the American people. Shame! I am utterly and totally disgusted by the Republican party.
GOP = grossly obstructionist politicians
Bemused - I don't think YOU get it. I like to judge men by their records or by what they have accomplished. This is how people get their credibility.
Have you ever read about the success that Romney had in the private sector? He helped businesses generate billions in revenue (Staples, Domino's, Sports Authority) and by such turned many businesses around. As a one term governor of Massachusetts, he turned the state from a $3 billion dollar deficit to a $700 million dollar surplus. And he cut taxes in the state.
So when you say that Romney has no credibility - it makes me think that YOU are the joke, or that YOU have never done any research. You may not agree with everything he believes in or even everything that he wanted to do in government, but that doesn't hide the fact that he knows how to get things done and he knows what he is talking about. From his life successes, it is obvious that he knows quite a bit about economics and how to handle money.
I don't mean to pick on you, but seriously, if you want to criticize people, tell us why you are criticizing them and don't just leave blatantly uneducated comments.
The problem with ignorance is that we have so many people voting on wrong principles. I am sick of getting up to go to work day after day to support welfare cases and illegal immigrants who have no business being in this country collecting my hard earned tax dollars. Due the pathetic govenor of this state, police, fire and teachers are loosing their jobs and little kids will be taxed for buying soda and candy bars. Meanwhile, the governor is flying first class to China spending $25000.00 of our hard earned tax money. Romney did not take a salary as governor, but worked. I wonder if our current governor took a salary.
This state and country are headed down the tubes giving our hard earned money to corrupt people. We complain about Wall-street but Main Street signed those mortgages they could not afford. It is in black and white when you sign the document. If you can't afford to buy it, YOU DON'T!!!! Wall Street should not have given the loans, but ACORN should not be enforcing them at the tax payers expense. YES above Republicans did loose control of congress in 2006, and look at the economy since, You can't blame GW for everything, can you?
Great article - I think that Romney brought out some key things that the republicans need to focus on. Though I don't agree with Bemused. I think that Romney has plenty of credibility. Look at his success in the Olympics, Massachusetts, etc.
I think Romney would make a great president. Romney 2012!
I thnk Romney's remarks are right on.
Romney was born to be president. Never has there been a candidate so uniquely qualified and experienced to lead. Valedictorian, simultaneous Harvard JD and MBA degrees. A proven track record of success in the face of daunting challenges. This is the can-do candidate. And his vision and values in this very speech are my own--solid and conservative.
His critics are to be ignored because they are blinded by their hatred and refuse to see what is in plain view--a good leader who is thoughtful and brilliant.
I fear for the Republican party when I consider that it has far more Romneys and Limbaughs than Buckleys and Kirks.
"While it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative." So wrote John Stuart Mill. Regarding the conservative comments here, I can only say "Quod erat demonstrandum est."
It seems that Obama is full of rhetoric and ideas without substance.
Although I have my own opinions about romney, this man's speech addressed more of the issues than obama ever has.
Example
obama - "we need to gain control of spending"
Romney - "we need to gain control of spending, and this is how we are going to do it."
Do you see the difference?
As a former business owner, and now an executive for a small company on the west coast - I can share that tax cuts are exactly what is needed to create jobs and stimulate growth in the private sector. Refunds and one time stimulus checks won't provide lasting incentives to businesses to hire new employees nor expand the top line revenue. Nor will spending tax money on projects like growing grass on the Capitol Mall.
Romney is directly on target.
Both Bush and Clinton contributed greatly to the conditions that led to this crisis. Lots of blame to go around. But Romney has the experience and wisdom to guide us back. While I wish Obama success in doing the same, it has been disappointing to see what legislation and projects are being rolled out...
By the way, the old mantra tossed about that Mitt is flip flopper is unwarranted when you compare his changes to those changes embraced by Obama...
I would admonish us to stop leveling sophmoric labels at Romney rather than to stop and consider what the man is saying... I for one grow very weary of flip flop label... when ones takes an objective look at politicians and flipping positions - it is obvious that others do it as well. However, I accept flipping if the reasoning behind is explained (such as an expanded view on a topic or added information led to a change of mind). So, for me I don't necessarily discount someone because they changed their position on an issues - PROVIDED that the reason for the shift was based on new insights or new information that provided the basis for a thoughtful re-evaluation of the issue.
This country needs carefully thought out debate of ideas versus simplistic labels being bantered about by people who refuse to employ their god given mental faculties.
Romney,
A great leader and hope for the future. Hang in there Mitt Romney! We need you and yes he is real---good ,honest ,with integrity with real hair-- We watched Mccain and Huckabee play games in the Presidential Primaries, but you are the man with the Integrity! Our children need Mentors like you!
There are so many comments here that don't have a clue how to grow the economy.Mitt Romney is an economist and an expert on how to do just that "grow the economy".Usually people that against the truth of what Romney is suggesting concerning our economy they are brainwashed in believing that their lives will make a sudden change under the new administration.Well that may be the talk of the moment but as Obama puts it on the night of his victory speech "the road ahead is not easy" oh yeah it is a long long road to real economic recovery some of you might not "live to see it happen".Shortcuts and fantasies are the hope of dreamers like many here are spewing out aginst the reality Mitt Romney is trying to get through you dreamers head.
Lee said: "We want the elected President to have control of this economy".
That's brilliant. Let's give up our free enterprise system and let Obama run a top down government controlled economy. Wow. That kind of thinking takes my breath away. Lee, you may very well get your wish but if you do, I'm outta here.
Good luck my Marxist friend. Empires usually crumble from within and we are no exception.