A couple of days ago, (Sept 16th) Josh Romney delivered a message from his father, Mitt Romney, to a Republican luncheon in Fairbanks, Alaska:

FAIRBANKS — He has been traveling across the United States, campaigning for his father, and Friday, Josh Romney arrived in Fairbanks to do more of the same.

Josh is the son of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and it is his fourth trip to Alaska to spread his dad’s message to potential voters. Friday, he met with Fairbanks Republicans at Denny’s restaurant to speak and answer questions about his dad’s politics.

Being a family member, Josh said that he was allowed to share some details that Mitt doesn’t typically share with the crowds.

“He calls himself frugal,” Josh said. “My four brothers and I, we know he’s cheap.”

He told a story of how Mitt decided he and his boys would fix a 100-foot walkway rather than hire someone to do the job. It took five or six weeks to finish it, laying bricks on Saturdays. The job was completed at a lower cost than hiring a contractor.

“He may be frugal, which is good — it’s what we need in this country but he’s hard working,” Josh said.

As a former governor of Massachusetts, Josh said his dad was able to balance the state’s budget from a $3 billion deficit. When Romney left office, there was a budget surplus, Josh said.

“He knows how to turn things around,” he said. “That’s exactly what we need in Washington.”

(emphasis added)

Josh answered questions on health care, illegal immigration, and energy independence:

[...]
He also said that his dad believes that the U.S. needs to “finish the fence” on the Mexican border, and get rid of some of the “magnets” that are attracting illegal immigrants to the U.S. like some health care plans and education opportunities. Josh said Romney is a huge proponent of legal immigration.

Romney said his father believes “We’re not getting off oil anytime soon” and would be looking to increase oil production in Alaska while also looking at alternative energy sources for the future.

“Alaska plays a huge role, no matter how you slice it, in energy independence,” he said.

More on Josh’s response to energy:

“Alaska plays a huge role, in that Alaska will be a big part in helping us attain more oil, more natural resources, obviously in the gulf and other places.

We’ve got to explore other alternative sources as, including nucelar power and clean coal technology.

Alternative sources, these things all in concert will allow us to become energy independent if we have a plan and we really stick to it, as we start moving forward on it.”

Hopefully we’ll continue to see more of Mitt and Ann’s family as their campaign trail leads to the White House. Son Tagg and his eldest daughter were at the presidential debate in Ames, Iowa and accompanied Governor Romney to the Iowa State Fair. (Seems like a good place to say that I sure miss the Mitt Mobile. During the last campaign, Josh was the one who drove that thing to all 99 counties in Iowa!)

► Jayde Wyatt

We’ve got a couple of Romney interviews to share with you today, plus a Dick Morris LUNCH ALERT! video on Rick Perry…

On September 15, Mitt Romney was interviewed by Charlie Rose, host of the nightly PBS television program Charlie Rose:

The Republican Presidential hopeful stacks his job creation plan up against Obama’s—and talks about trade, taxes, and China.

What’s the essential difference between your approach and President Obama’s jobs plan?
The President’s plan is another short-term stimulus effort, akin to throwing a cup of gasoline on embers. What America needs is a more fundamental reform of the foundation of our economy to stimulate growth, investment, and hiring. The plan I’ve proposed is far more fundamental and far-reaching than a mere stimulus.
[...]
Do tax cuts create jobs?
When we tax people—the word tax means to burden—we take away part of their earnings. And if we spend that money on things that are not essential, we make it more difficult for the economy to grow and for people to have good jobs and rising disposable income. So tax cuts, which encourage investment and growth, ultimately lead to more jobs and higher revenues for the government. That’s why I propose a zero income tax for middle-income earners on their savings, meaning there would be no tax on interest, dividends, or capital gains for people earning $200,000 a year or less.

How would you attack the housing market’s problems?
The best way to encourage an increase in housing values is to have more Americans earning better wages and salaries so they can afford to buy houses. An economy with over 9 percent of her people unemployed and with stagnated wages is almost by definition going to have a troubled housing sector. And the best focus is not on bailing people out of housing problems but growing our economy and creating the conditions that lead businesses and entrepreneurs to invest.

Like Obama, you’re calling for more free-trade agreements. Unlike him, you’re calling for sanctions against China. Does that risk a trade war?
Trade is good for America if the trade agreements are created in a way that is mutually beneficial. … [But] if people, as in China, steal our intellectual property, hack into our computer systems, and manipulate their currency to artificially depress the prices of their goods, then we can’t simply sit by and pretend that’s not happening. We must take action against cheaters, or the agreements themselves will work to harm America’s industry and workers.

Full transcript may be found here.

Click here for AUDIO of the Rose/Romney interview.

Yesterday, The Gov was interviewed by Brian Kilmeade on his FOX News radio show Kilmeade and Friends. Kilmeade also co-hosts the weekday morning program Fox & Friends:

Dick Morris’ LUNCH ALERT! video series:

In this video commentary, I discuss Rick Perry’s chances of winning the GOP presidential nomination. He was way out ahead. Then he took some tough shots. Will Rick Perry make it?

Morris discusses five major Perry liabilities; video here.

H/T Crystal, Morris video

► Jayde Wyatt

Mitt Romney will repeal Obamacare.

Romney has said that if he should be so fortunate to be elected President of the United States, on day one of taking office, he would issue an executive order paving the way for Obamacare waivers for all 50 states. Then, he would begin the process of fully repealing the legislation.

Beyond calling for the repeal of Obamacare, Governor Romney has also spelled out steps he would take to reform health care by giving the states incentives to make market-based reforms.

Romney’s proposals:

Restore State Leadership
Restore to the states the responsibility and resources to care for their poor, uninsured, and chronically ill:

• Block grant Medicaid and other payments to states
• Limit federal standards
• Flexibility to deal with uninsured: e.g., free care pool, charity, exchanges, subsidy for private coverage
• Flexibility to deal with chronically ill: e.g., high-risk pools, reinsurance, risk adjustment

Empower Individual Ownership
Give a tax deduction to those who buy their own health insurance, just like those who buy it through their employers:

• Ends tax discrimination
• Greater consumer choice—can buy what you want, not only what your employer wants
• Promotes portability
• Helps control health costs

Focus Federal Regulation
Focus federal regulation of health care on making markets work:

• Correct common failures in the insurance market
• Ensure that individuals with pre-existing conditions who are continuously covered for a specified period may not be denied insurance
• Empower individuals and small businesses to form purchasing pools
• Eliminate counterproductive federal constraints
• Remove barriers to the sale of insurance across state lines
• Allow providers to design plans that meet consumer needs

Reform Medical Liability
Reduce the influence of lawsuits on medical practice and costs:

• Cap non-economic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits
• Innovation grants for state reforms: health courts, alternative dispute resolution, etc.

Introduce Market Forces
Make health care more like a consumer market and less like a government program:

• Unshackle HSAs—e.g., permit HSA funds to be used to buy insurance
• Promote “co-insurance” products
• Encourage Consumer Reports-type rating of alternative insurance plans
• Facilitate IT interoperability, cost and quality transparency
• Promote alternatives to “fee for service”

*Note on Romney information: Besides MRC’s own resource pages (which Dave P. maintains; see tab at top of page), another great resource is WhyRomney.com. Site owner Ryan Larsen has done a terrific job of compiling Mitt facts. Ryan informs me that his brother Phil will be taking over; new content will be added and the site will be changed somewhat. Check it out!

► Jayde Wyatt

We’re very happy to announce that Saul Anuzis, former Michigan GOP Party chairman and current MI Republican National Committeeman, has endorsed Mitt Romney:

From Governor Romney:

Boston, MA – “Saul Anuzis is a widely respected leader of the conservative grassroots movement, not only in Michigan, but across the country,” said Mitt Romney. “I am thrilled to have him on board our leadership team in a critical state like Michigan.”

“I am proud to endorse Mitt Romney for President,” said Anuzis, “His singular focus on fixing our economy combined with his Michigan roots and ability to relate to the hopes and dreams of Michigan voters make him the one candidate that can and will beat Barack Obama.”

“The most pressing issue facing Michigan and America is jobs and our economy. You can look at Mitt’s experience in turning around the Olympics, putting Massachusetts on a strong economic footing while cutting taxes 19 times and his career as a conservative businessman and see that he has the skills and experience needed to be President.”

Background On Saul Anuzis:

In 2005 and again in 2007, Saul Anuzis was unanimously elected Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. In 2009, he was elected as Republican National Committeeman for Michigan, and serves as Chairman of the RNC Technology Committee.

Saul Anuzis is a regular contributor to many other right-of-center blogs, and is recognized by many as one of the most tech-savvy RNC members in the country, leading the way in the use of technology as a tool in political party communications.

More from Anuzis:

After watching the last two debates, I have decided to publicly endorse and actively work in support of Mitt Romney’s effort to seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States. There are four primary reasons for my support:

ONE: He is uniquely qualified to serve as President – no one is better prepared.

TWO: He can beat Barrack Obama in November, early polls showing his strength.

THREE: He is a strong leader & has a vision to make America strong & prosperous.

FOUR: Mitt Romney will make Michigan competitive for Republicans in 2012 on the day he wins the nomination.

I have watched the nominating process unfold and as I have said over and over again, there is NOTHING more important for our country and our children than stopping Barack Obama and his policies.

To paraphrase William F. Buckley, I think now, more than ever, it makes sense to support the most conservative candidate who can win…Mitt Romney is that candidate and now is the time to start rallying our forces.
[...]
However, this election is so important and the task at hand so daunting I believe only the strongest, best organized, best financed and best prepared candidate can effectively challenge Barack Obama this fall across our entire country.

Romney’s singular focus on job creation combined with his Michigan roots and ability to relate to the hopes and dreams of native Michiganders make him Mark Brewer’s worse nightmare.

The most pressing issue facing Michigan and America is JOBS and our economy. No other candidate has the knowledge and experience creating jobs and turning things around. You can look at Mitt’s experience in turning around the Olympics, putting Massachusetts on a strong economic footing while cutting taxes 19 times and his lifetime career in the private sector.
[...]
Michigan clearly wants leadership with private sector experience because government has demonstrated they don’t have all the answers. America needs someone who gets it, who’s been there and done that, someone to help restore America’s confidence and greatness. We need something more than another career politician because it’s career politicians have gotten us into this mess and they aren’t going to get us out. Mitt is a conservative businessman and that’s the experience he will bring to the White House to turn our economy around.
[...]
To put it succinctly, with 25 years of experience in the private sector, Mitt Romney knows how our economy works and how to implement pro-growth policies that will produce jobs. Mitt is clearly the strongest candidate to take on President Obama and he has the skills needed to rein in spending, control our exploding deficits and bring fiscal sanity back to Washington.

Mitt Romney has taken a common sense conservative approach on issue after issue. From his jobs program, to taxes to support for a strong defense, his positions are sound. While some question his position as Governor on healthcare, we need to remember he was able to create their state’s program without raising taxes and by implementing a free-market plan, not a government plan. I believe that difference will be a strong issue for us when taking on Obama. He has also been clear that it was a state approach, which may not work in other states. That is why the issue should be addressed at the state level, not the federal level. And he is 100% clear on this: as President he will REPEAL Obamacare, and on day one will give all 50 states waivers from complying with Obamacare.
[...]
I firmly believe that Governor Mitt Romney is the right man, at the right time to step up and serve our country. As with every candidate, there will be things I don’t necessarily agree with or may have done differently myself. However, the ultimate test comes in the comparison to Barack Obama, his policies and Romney’s ability to offer our country a viable alternate.

Romney is tested, he’s ready, he’s committed and he is best prepared for the challenge ahead. I urge you to join me in supporting Mitt Romney to be our next President of the United States of America!

Saul Anuzis

Republican National Committeeman for Michigan

(emphasis added)

Continue reading here

Well done and well said!

Note: Michigan currently has an unemployment rate of 10.9%. Michigan stands a good chance to become a major player in the 2012 GOP primary if it moves its election up to February 28, as they are intending to do.

► Jayde Wyatt

Reeling from the Obamanomics punch to their economy, especially in their housing market, Arizona residents were happy to welcome Mitt Romney to their state. They turned out in large numbers.

After hosting a round table meeting at a car dealership in Tucson, Romney headed to Sun Lakes, a retirement community located near Chandler, where he hosted a standing-room-only town hall meeting. Later in the evening, a fundraiser was held in Tempe.

The Gov addressed a variety of topics: his business-friendly jobs creation plan, health care, immigration, social security, the election of Republican businessman Bob Turner in New York’s 9th district, and more.

■ Reuters – Tim Gaynor

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney won support from business leaders in Arizona on Wednesday, pledging to cap government regulation and free up American business to get the country out of recession.

“We have to be honest about the challenges we have, deal with them directly, create the certainty that enterprise requires, then stand back and watch the American entrepreneur and businesses do what they have done over the last couple of hundred years, which is grow, hire and be profitable,” Romney told around 40 executives gathered at a Tucson Ford dealership.

Romney, who made a fortune running a private equity investment firm, set out a plan to kick start the economy by capping regulation, cutting healthcare costs and streamlining the immigration process to allow skilled, legal immigrants to boost competitiveness.

“I am devoted to making America the most attractive place in the world for business, for jobs to grow, for incomes to grow,” he said.

Romney also took a swipe at what he described as Democratic President Barack Obama’s failure to achieve economic recovery through stimulus spending.
[…]
“What’s wrong in America right now is not going to be cured by a little cup of gasoline on the fire,” Romney said.

“We need to fundamentally reshape the foundation of our economy and its relationship with government so that businesses are once again … incentivized to invest in America and to grow here.”

Romney talks with FOX 10′s Steve Krafft:

One-on-One with Presidential Hopeful Mitt Romney: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

■ Romney takes CEO message to car dealer in Arizona – Garrett Haake

TUCSON, Ariz.
[...]
In response to a question on the topic of immigration reform — an important issue in this border state — and Gov. Rick Perry’s position on offering in-state tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, Romney noted that this was an area in which he disagreed with Perry, but that he himself was strongly in favor of legal immigration — with highly skilled immigrants or those with advanced degrees moving to the front of the line.

In a nod to his host, local car dealer and major GOP donor and kingmaker Jim Click, who also hosted a luncheon for Romney later in the day, the former Massachusetts governor compared structural health-care cost problems to the car business.

“It’d be like in the automobile business if the customer came in and they paid $1,000 dollars — and that was it, that was effectively their deductible,” he said. “They pay $1,000 dollars and after that it’s free. They can get any car they want. They pay $1,000 dollars and after that it’s free, paid for by someone else. And then the sales person, they get a commission based on the more automobile they give you,” Romney said, describing the pay-for-service model of healthcare. “So we’d all be driving Ferraris and Rolls Royces. That’s what happened in health care, and we’ve got to change that.”
[...]
Romney also weighed in on last night’s special-election results in New York and Nevada. He pointed a questioner to Dan Senor’s op-ed in the Wall Street Journal this morning, which suggests President Obama (and by extension other democratic candidates) are losing the Jewish vote for what Senor (a Romney foreign policy advisor) considers to be Obama’s “one-sided” relationship with Israel.

(emphasis added)

In a local news interview, Romney explains his qualifications as a leader in the private sector, and outlines his campaign plans for Arizona:

■ More…

Romney, fresh from a fundraising luncheon, was buoyed by a crowd estimated to be nearly 800 strong — mostly seniors, whose parked cars stretched for block after manicured block here in the Sun Lakes golf and retirement community near Phoenix. It was perhaps the largest, friendliest Romney crowd of the campaign season, which one Romney aide said showed the candidate’s strength in Arizona[...]

The former governor of Massachusetts stung his biggest rival, Rick Perry of Texas, on issues likely to carry more than a little water in this now early-voting, senior-heavy, border state: Social Security and immigration.

On Social Security, Romney joked, “You may have watched the debate. It came out in a big way.”

“Social Security is not a Ponzi scheme,” Romney began telling a questioner, to the laughter and approval approval of the crowd. “Social Security has worked for 75 years pretty darn well. You guys have not taken advantage of Social Security; you contributed to it. It’s a savings plan, a pension plan. There are no bad guys in Social Security, so I don’t call it a Ponzi scheme.”

But Romney, who said he wouldn’t touch the plan for current seniors, admitted the funding system would need changes in the long term to keep it solvent for younger generations. How would he accomplish this?

“No.1, we’re not going to change it by sending it back to the states. Gov. Perry, in his book, said: ‘Look, it’s unconstitutional at the federal level, give it back to the states,’” he said. “Look, you can’t have people who move from state to state to state having different plans state to state. I wouldn’t want the state legislatures raiding the trust funds of Social Security state by state. It needs to be a federal entitlement. I will save Social Security as a federal program and as a federal entitlement.”

► Jayde Wyatt

FACT CHECK: PERRY AND HILLARYCARE

During An Interview On Sean Hannity’s Radio Show On August 30, Perry Said He Signed A Letter Praising Hillary Clinton’s Health Reform Efforts Before The Full Scope Of Her Plan Was Known:

In A Letter To Hillary Clinton In 1993, Then-Texas Agriculture Commissioner Perry Praised The Then-First Lady’s Efforts On Health Care Reform. “Texas Governor Rick Perry has been among the most vocal critics of President Obama’s health care reform initiative, and of Mitt Romney’s preceding health care program in Massachusetts. But in 1993, while serving as Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Perry praised the efforts of then-first lady Hillary Clinton to reform health care, a precursor to Obama’s health care reform efforts.” (Alexis Levinson And Caroline May, “Rick Perry’s Camp Defends 1993 HillaryCare Praise,” The Daily Caller, 8/30/11)

• Perry To Hillary: “I Think Your Efforts In Trying To Reform The Nation’s Health Care System Are Most Commendable.” (Alexis Levinson And Caroline May, “Rick Perry’s Camp Defends 1993 HillaryCare Praise,” The Daily Caller, 8/30/11)

• Perry’s Letter Was Dated April 6, 1993:

During An Interview On Sean Hannity’s Radio Show On August 30, Perry Said That He Had No Idea Of The “Monstrosity” That The Clinton Health Care Reform Bill Would Become At The Time He The Letter. “And, [Perry] said, at the time he wrote the letter, he did not know what a ‘monstrosity’ Clinton’s final proposal would be. ‘I had no idea that was going to be the end product. What I thought they were truly going to work towards was trying to reform health care, and we had no idea.‘ he said.” (Caroline May, “Perry Hits Back: Obama’s Policies Are ‘Dumb’,” The Daily Caller, 8/30/11)

• Listen To The Interview Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUc7JpPqEFc

However, An Article That Was Published Before He Signed The Letter Said Aspects Such As An Employer Mandate Were Already Known Parts Of The Clinton Health Plan:

Los Angeles Times On April 5, 1993: The Clinton Plan Would Mandate That Employers Provide Their Workers With Health Insurance. “Barring unexpected hitches, the Clinton plan also will: (…) Phase in a requirement for employers to provide workers with health insurance, with government subsidies to help the smaller businesses.” (Edwin Chen, “Shape Of New Health Plan Is Emerging,” Los Angeles Times, 4/5/93)

Los Angeles Times On April 5, 1993: The Key To The Hillary Clinton Health Care Plan Would Have Been The Creation Of Regional Health Insurance Cooperatives. “The key to making this concept work nationally is the creation of government-certified regional health insurance purchasing cooperatives. Most Americans would be grouped into the large cooperatives, with consumers able to choose from a variety of insurance networks — ranging from HMOs to traditional fee-for-service plans that allow the patient to choose any physician.” (Edwin Chen, “Shape Of New Health Plan Is Emerging,” Los Angeles Times, 4/5/93)

• Los Angeles Times On April 5, 1993: While The States Were To Be Given Latitude, Some Smaller And More Rural States Would Be Allowed To Set Up Single-Payer Systems. “Within the federal system, states will be given considerable latitude. In small states and rural states, where size rules out the existence of more than one provider network, states may be empowered to set statewide rates in an arrangement known as a single-payer system.” (Edwin Chen, “Shape Of New Health Plan Is Emerging,” Los Angeles Times, 4/5/93)

Los Angeles Times On April 5, 1993: Clinton’s Plan Would Guarantee A Basic Set Of Benefits For Everyone Including Mental Health Care And Prescription Drug Coverage. “Barring unexpected hitches, the Clinton plan also will: Guarantee that a uniform package of basic benefits will be available to everyone, although not all the uninsured will get this coverage right away. Among the basic benefits would be hospital and doctor services, including mental health care, and some prescription drug coverage.” (Edwin Chen, “Shape Of New Health Plan Is Emerging,” Los Angeles Times, 4/5/93)

Los Angeles Times On April 5, 1993: The Clinton Plan Would Bar Insurers From Refusing To Cover People With Pre-Existing Conditions. “Barring unexpected hitches, the Clinton plan also will: (…) Create a standardized insurance form and bar insurers from refusing to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions, in order to enable people to change jobs — and insurers — without fear of losing coverage.” (Edwin Chen, “Shape Of New Health Plan Is Emerging,” Los Angeles Times, 4/5/93)

Believe in America ★ Believe in Romney


To see enlarged letter, click here.


► Jayde Wyatt

On this day after hurricane Irene thundered her way across the eastern U.S., we’re happy the damage wasn’t as extensive as originally feared, but we’re sorry to hear about the loss of life and damage left in her wake. Our condolences to those who who lost loved ones. We hope electricity will soon be restored to all and that those involved in restoration and clean-up stay safe.

Governor Romney cancelled fundraisers over the weekend due to the hurricane which we would have covered today, so we’re posting video of Mitt Romney’s entire lively town hall meeting held in Lebanon, New Hampshire last Wednesday (8/24/11). The meeting is divided into six parts; the first part contains Romney’s sharing of interesting information on his and Ann’s family backgrounds. He also introduced special guest Doug Scamman, former Speaker of the New Hampshire House. (Romney announced his candidacy for president at Scamman Farms):

Governor Romney in Lebanon, NH Part 1

From MittRomney.com

Mitt [...] addressed a crowd at Lebanon Senior Center, where he emphasized that “government is not the source of American greatness.” Mitt proceeded to answer questions from voters, offering his view of the issues facing our nation. “This has been fun, I’ll tell ya. This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time. This is a great group. This is what’s so fun about town meetings in New Hampshire. You guys care. You’re informed.”

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

► Jayde Wyatt

~Update from Ross
Mitt’s been doing so many townhalls lately it’s tough to keep them straight. The picture and the commentary are from Mitt’s townhall event in Lebanon and the videos are from Mitt’s townhall event in Exeter.

Also, Mitt called President Obama’s presidency a “DDD presidency — it’s a presidency that’s been associated with debt and with downgrade and delay.” and then he tweeted the following since President Obama prefers AAA”:

Rick Perry.

There’s only so much one can hear from him regarding Mitt Romney.

Following the example of Governor Romney, we’ve made allowances for Perry here at MRC the last couple of weeks. Today, my Perry measuring cup reached ‘full’ so let’s be clear, this is a Jayde Wyatt article.

I’m responding to a conversation the Texas Governor had yesterday with Laura Ingraham on her radio program about Mitt Romney and the private-market health insurance program in Massachusetts:

Perry told Ingraham the law was a “total debacle” and would be a “huge problem” for Romney.

“I think Mitt is finally recognizing that the Massachusetts healthcare plan he passed is a huge problem for him,” Perry said. “It was not almost perfect.”

Perry then went on to offer a curious statement:

“[T]he answer to our healthcare problems can be found in our states.”

Really?

I know Governor Romney will address Rick Perry’s criticisms on the debate stage; I look forward to it. Extensive articles on the private-market health care insurance program in Massachusetts have been posted here at MRC, so I won’t rehash the details today. Although there is MUCH to be discussed about Rick Perry’s background and record, let’s learn a little about one glaring, alarming stain on the Texas Governor’s record – his very own health care “debacle”:

Perry’s Gardasil Problem

[...]
Why in early 2007 did he [Governor Rick Perry] sign an executive order mandating that 11- and 12-year-old girls in Texas be given the vaccine Gardasil?

Gardasil was developed to prevent the human papillomavirus (HPV), the most commonly transmitted sexual disease in the United States. In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug, which is made by the pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. The treatment was initially hailed as a breakthrough in protecting against four strains of HPV that are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancer cases and 90 percent of genital warts.

In January 2007, Gardasil was put on the “recommended” immunization schedule issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control. Merck immediately mounted a massive lobbying effort of state legislatures around the country to get Gardasil added to their respective lists of state-mandated vaccines.

But in Texas, Gov. Perry chose to

bypass the legislature

and on Feb. 2, 2007, he issued an

executive order

making Texas the first state in the country requiring all sixth-grade girls to receive the three-shot vaccination series (which cost about $120 per shot). The move generated a fierce public debate. Conservatives slammed Perry for promoting what they saw as an intrusion by the state into private health decisions of parents and their children. Some also complained that the mandate would encourage promiscuity among teenagers.

Many doctors, including Bill Hinchey, the president of the Texas Medical Association at the time, questioned the wisdom of rushing to mandate a drug that had been on the market for less than a year.

“We support physicians being able to provide the vaccine, but we don’t support a state mandate at this time,” Hinchey told the Houston Chronicle. “There are issues, such as liability and cost that need to be vetted first.”

The controversy over Perry’s decision deepened as it came to light that his former chief of staff was a lobbyist for Merck and that his chief of staff’s mother-in-law, Rep. Dianne White Delisi, was the state director of an advocacy group bankrolled by Merck to push legislatures across the country to put forward bills mandating the Gardasil vaccine for preteen girls.

Surprise! Perry received a $6,000 donation from Merck lobbyists just days before the executive order was issued.

When the New York Times praised Perry’s actions, he figured he needed to do some fancy PR work. He quickly penned an op-ed to paint his actions as being ‘pro-life’. USA Today published it.

Perry’s attempt to frame his action as both an urgent public health necessity and the work of a “pro-life” politician failed to dissuade those who felt he had shoved this vaccine down the throats of the public without a full airing of the potential benefits, costs and long-term health implications of the drug.

Roughly 60 state lawmakers called on Perry to rescind the order. He refused. Just six weeks after Perry put pen to paper, the Texas House rebuked him on March 14, 2007, passing HB 1098, overturning his executive order by a vote of 119-21. The Senate followed suit the following month by a vote of 30-1.

(emphasis added) Read more here.

Now, that’s what I call a total debacle.

More on gardasil (article includes footnotes):

Governor Rick Perry’s Gardasil ‘Mistake’ Cost Girls their Lives

PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 22, 2011 – According to VAERS analyst and SANE Vax team member Janny Stokvis, Governor Rick Perry should have been aware and taken action on the mounting injuries from Gardasil in Texas before an attempt to mandate the vaccine. VAERS reports one girl died post-Gardasil vaccination, there were 14 life-threatening situations and 31 girls became disabled after Perry’s attempt to issue an executive order. The effort to introduce the drug into Texas schools turned into one of Perry’s greatest defeats. His admission of a ‘mistake’ five years later is reprehensible.

Perry’s order would have become effective in 2008 and girls would be involuntarily immunized unless they ‘opted out’ upon entry to the 6th grade. Texas was the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against a multi-strain virus to prevent ‘cervical cancer.’ Unfortunately, the National Cancer Institute has not directly linked the virus to cervical cancer.1

Is this poor judgment from a man running for president?

During a 16 month investigation of Gardasil, side effects were documented in a disturbing number of cases to VAERS including 3,589 during a 16 month period.2 Even though thousands of girls reported adverse reactions to the vaccine, Perry found no reason to modify or withdraw his executive order. Those numbers have now risen to over 22,000 and yet, it took political posturing for Perry to admit his ‘mistake.’
[...]
According to VAERS, Texas has had its fair share of reports of adverse reactions:
As of July 12, 2011 the total number HPV vaccine adverse events reported to VAERS is 22,619 – with an estimated 1 to 10% of the HPV vaccine injured population reporting.4

19,170 reports are from the U.S. – 3,127 of those events are from unknown locations.
914 reports out of the 19,170 reports are from Texas. But considering the fact that 3,127 reports have an unknown location, this number could be higher.5

Gardasil Adverse Events in Texas:

• One death report of a 26 year old woman who died Nov 20076
• 67 reports are listed as serious7
• 14 reports of Life threatening situations8
• 433 reports of emergency room visits9
• 45 reports of hospitalization10
• 10 reports extended hospital stay11
• 174 reports where the girls did not recover from their injuries12
• 31 reports of girls now disabled13

Rick Perry: Merck Shill

► Jayde Wyatt

“The anointed one calls for an all-out assault on Mitt Romney.”

Thus spoke Sean Hannity on the lead-in to his TV program tonight. The FOX News host was referring to Obama and his Scheme Team’s strategy to to ‘kill Romney’ which was revealed this week. Hannity also said the issue wasn’t receiving enough attention.

Hannity devoted the first 20 minutes of his show to a fast-paced twenty minute interview with Gov Romney:

Obama Camp Plans to ‘Destroy Romney’ Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

► Jayde Wyatt

With the desolate, shuttered stores of the Valley Plaza Shopping Center (N. Hollywood) in the background, Mitt Romney held a press conference today in Los Angeles, CA. He highlighted Obama’s audacity of indifference regarding the economy and California’s 11.7% unemployment rate. The event was livestreamed by Politico.

MittRomney.com/blogs

President Obama, During An April Visit To Los Angeles: “We Have Made Extraordinary Progress Over The Last Two And A Half Years…

We can go down the list. But we also know we’ve still got a lot more work to do. We’ve just started, and we’ve got a lot more work to do.”

“I Don’t Want You To Lose Sight Of How Much We’ve Gotten Done. What We’ve Done Here Has Been Historic, And We’re Only A Quarter Of The Way Through.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks in Los Angeles, CA, 4/22/11)

Then-Senator Obama In September 2008, When The Most Recent Jobless Rate In California Was 7.5%: “We Can’t Afford Four More Years Of This So-Called ‘Progress.’” OBAMA: “We have the highest unemployment rate in five years. Home values have plummeted. It’s harder to save and it’s harder to retire. Those are the day-to-day challenges that people have. We can’t afford four more years of this so-called ‘progress.’” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks In Dover, NH, 9/12/08)

Few Places In America Are More “Stressed Out” Than California, A State Suffering From Rampant Unemployment And A Struggling Economy:

• California’s 11.7% Unemployment Rate Is Second-Highest In The Nation And Is One-Fifth Higher Than When President Obama Took Office. In January 2009, the unemployment rate in California was 9.7%. The rate had increased to 11.7% by May 2011, an increase of 20% from January 2009 levels. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, 7/19/11)

• The Number Of Unemployed Californians Has Increased By 20% Since President Obama Took Office. Over 350,000 more Californians are unemployed today than in January 2009. Currently, more than 2.1 million Californians are out of a job. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, 7/19/11)

• Under President Obama, California’s Labor Force Has Fallen By More Than 200,000 And The State Has Lost Half A Million Payroll Jobs. California’s labor force has contracted by an estimated 225,000 workers since January 2009. Over the same timeframe, the state has shed an estimated 497,100 nonfarm payroll jobs. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, 7/19/11)

• California Ranked 48th In The Country In Personal Income Growth In The First Quarter Of 2011. (Bureau of Economic Analysis, www.bea.gov, 6/22/11)

• Retail Gas Prices In California Are Roughly 80% Higher Than When President Obama Took Office. The average retail price per gallon for all grades/formulations in California was $3.826 for the week of July 11, 2011. For the week of January 19, 2009, the average price in California was $2.11. (Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov, 7/19/11)

CONTINUE reading here.

With a background of 25 years experience working in the private sector, Romney easily pointed out seven points to get the economy working again:

“[President Obama] didn’t focus on the economy.He delegated the stimulus to Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, and they may have had less experience in the economy than he had.” ~ Mitt Romney

Additional photos may be viewed here.

UPDATE -TV COVERAGE: MITT DISCUSSES JOBS AND THE ECONOMY IN CALIFORNIA

► Jayde Wyatt