A bit about last night’s debate. Plus: The Financial Times says “Romney vs. Obama is What America Needs”

By Paul Johnson | January 24, 2012 - 12:52 PM | 2012 Election, Bain, Barack Obama, Capitalism, Conservatives, Debate, Deficit Spending, Economy, Florida, Health Care, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Obamacare, RomneyCare 1 views

7 Comments

The Debate

We all saw the debate last night and in my view Mitt took it to Newt, and Newt didn’t quite know how to handle it. Great debate prep by Mitt. A couple other suggestions:

1. Mitt needs to continue taking it to Newt. One of the exit poll results showed that people made their mind up in South Carolina very late, and were influenced by a perception that Newt would be able to take on President Obama. Those of us watching debates for more than a week know Mitt has no difficulty debating, but, like the rest of his message, he’s going to have to keep pounding it again and again: he’s the only guy that can take on Obama, not only on the debate stage but also in the general election.

2. Besides the style points, in my view Mitt must also take on the concept that Newt’s got the “big ideas.” I believe that’s false, and Mitt needs to compare his ideas vs. Newt’s to show why Mitt is the superior choice, particularly on the economy.

3. Newt still will not win a general election. Mitt’s point is right on, and can’t be repeated enough: Newt had a chance to lead the GOP in the 90s and was forced to resign due to ethics violations. That man can’t be the GOP’s standard bearer, end of story. Most news outlets I read that move beyond the reporting about “momentum” are all chuckling, especially the Democrats, at the prospect that Newt Gingrich could possibly be the GOP’s nominee. Obviously we’re not there yet, but it’s a horrifying prospect. One joking report was that liquor sales spiked in DC after the South Carolina results: champagne for the Democrats and whiskey for the GOP.

4. This election will be decided by independent voters. The GOP will carry the right. The Democrats will carry the left. The king makers are in the middle. While I believe the independents are ready to shake off Obama, I don’t believe they will do so with as much ease as one might think. Particularly if the economy, due to its usual resiliency, recovers in any degree before November, which may in fact happen. Mitt’s point isn’t that Obama caused the recession, but that he prolonged it. And it won’t be to Obama’s credit if there’s a recovery, but a recovery lessens the sting felt by people and will make independents harder to earn. Also, independents may agree in part with Obama’s argument that it’s the old GOP that caused the issues the economy has. Newt, as the consummate Washington insider, can’t distance himself from the policies of George W. Bush and the early 2000s GOP as easily as Mitt can. As a result, Newt can’t win independents. Aside from more ties to Bush, his positions are too “grandiose,” to use his own term. I’d say “nutty.” You can see my prior post about arresting Supreme Court justices, and look at Newt’s positions on child labor, moon colonies and more. He’s “an idea a minute,” per Rick Santorum, but no leadership. Independents are less likely to vote for someone rightfully viewed as extreme or unreliable. They will remember Newt’s past. The Democrats will bring it up. And if Newt is our nominee, I don’t think he can win.

Gideon Rachman of The Financial Times Says “Romney vs. Obama is What America Needs.”

This headline caught my attention today. To summarize, Gideon Rachman of the Financial Times (one of the world’s most prestigious financial journals) says Newt, while an amusing side show, complete with jilted wife, can’t beat Obama. He suggests American needs a debate of the merits of capitalism, and Mitt vs. Obama is the only way America can have it.

(more…)

Gov Mitt Romney Writes Letter to Voters in South Carolina

By Jayde Wyatt | January 21, 2012 - 2:46 AM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Capitalism, Character, Conservatives, Deficit Spending, Democrats, Economy, Endorsements, Energy Policy, Family Values, Health Care, Jobs, Military, Mitt Romney, No Apology, Obama Isn't Working, Op-eds, South Carolina, Unemployment, Unions, Values, Videos, Washington D.C. 1 views

1 Comment

Governor Mitt Romney has penned an open letter to voters in South Carolina. The full letter will run in The State and The Post & Courier:

An Open Letter to the Voters of South Carolina

It is an election year and our country faces a momentous choice. We can continue with the flawed policies of a failing president, or we can embark on a fundamentally new direction.

“Hope” and “change” were the watchwords we heard repeatedly from Barack Obama back when he was a presidential candidate campaigning here in South Carolina. Three years into his presidency, he hasn’t delivered much in the way of hope. But we’ve seen a lot of change.

The change has come in the size and shape and reach of Washington. Barack Obama promised to fix our broken system. Instead, he’s grown it massively.

We have thousands of new regulations, many of them job-killers. We have hundreds of billions in new federal spending. The government workforce has grown by tens of thousands of new workers. The national debt now totals a stratospheric $15 trillion. We have a brand new and enormously expensive entitlement program known as Obamacare.

With government swelling at a rapid pace, the private sector, unsurprisingly, has stagnated. Nearly 24 million Americans are out of work, struggling to find full-time work, or no longer even looking. Here in South Carolina, unemployment is an appalling 9.9 percent. As I’ve traveled this state and traveled the country, I’ve heard story after story of heartbreak, of homes lost, of retirement plans replaced by jobs at minimum wage, of dreams shattered.

If we are going to undo the damage, this year’s election is critical. The destiny of our country is at stake. We can choose to live in the Entitlement Society that Barack Obama has been constructing, a society built around dependence on government. Or we can return to the merit-based Opportunity Society built by our Founding Fathers.

The drafters of the Declaration of Independence wrote that the Creator endowed us with unalienable rights, among them, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In America, we would be free to plot our own course. Ours would be the land of opportunity, where people achieve their dreams through hard work, education and daring.

Nearly two-and-half centuries of American history demonstrate the brilliance of our founding principles. America has produced pioneers and inventors of distinction in every field. We have excelled in science and industry. We have built an Opportunity Society that is prosperous and free and strong.

Barack Obama has taken us on a detour away from our founding philosophy. He’s mismanaged our economy, weakened our military, and apologized for America around the world. In October, I spoke at The Citadel, where patriotism is a passion. The spirit of sacrifice I found there, the love of our country and everything we stand for, only reinforces my belief that we need change in Washington DC and change in the White House. I want America to be respected around the world. I want to return America to the path of greatness and I know how to bring us where we need to go.

I’ve spent most of my life in the private sector. I’m not a career politician. I know how misguided government policies can choke off investment and kill jobs. I also know how government can get out of the way to foster economic growth.

My administration will make America the best place in the world for entrepreneurs, inventors, and job creators. I’ll lower and simplify taxes, especially for middle-income Americans. I will repeal every unnecessary Obama-era regulation that kills jobs or hurts economic growth. I will fight the union bosses who build their power at the expense of the very workers they purport to represent.

I’ll open up new markets for American goods. I’ll press to exploit fully our abundant energy resources. I will cut and cap spending, and lead us toward a balanced budget. And I will repeal Obamacare. On my first day as president, I will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to grant waivers from Obamacare to all 50 states.

Let’s not be under any illusions that change of the sort I am proposing will be easy. Barack Obama, the Democratic machine, and the entrenched interests behind them are going to fight to retain their power and their privileges at every step of the way. We need to fight back. Fortunately, we have a simple tool at hand: it’s called the truth. And the truth is that President Obama has failed, and his vision for America is wrong. Reversing that failure, and correcting our course, is what the election of 2012 is all about.

(emphasis added)

South Carolina voters, Governor Romney is the only Washington outsider / jobs candidate in the race. We ask you to give your vote to him today and help give America the best man to lead our nation.

Thank you!

Please forward this as soon as possible to everyone you know.

► Jayde Wyatt

Timothy Dalrymple: Open Letter to Mitt Romney Skeptics, Especially Evangelicals

By Victor Lundquist | January 20, 2012 - 12:44 AM | 2012 Election, Abortion, Arizona, Barack Obama, Capitalism, Conservatives, Debate, Deficit Spending, Democrats, Economy, Endorsements, Family Values, Florida, Foreign Policy, GOP, Health Care, Immigration, Issues, Jobs, Mitt Romney, National Security, Nevada, Newt Gingrich, Obamacare, Olympics, On-site Polls, Op-eds, Polls, Religion, Rick Santorum, RomneyCare, Ron Paul, Same-Sex Marriage, South Carolina, Spending, Statements, States, Unemployment, Values 1 views

3 Comments

Thanks to John Schroeder of Article VI Blog for connecting Mitt Romney Central with Timothy Dalrymple. The following open letter is another outstanding endorsement of Governor Romney as the candidate best suited to represent conservative values as our President of the United States. Tim’s three main arguments below are compelling, especially regarding Governor Romney’s moral leadership.

Timothy Dalrymple is the Director of Content for Patheos.com, the largest religion website in the country, and the managing editor of its Evangelical Portal. He earned his Ph.D. in modern western religious thought at Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and contributes to Evangelicals for Mitt. Raised in non-denominational evangelical churches in California, Dalrymple has ministry experience in youth ministry, college ministry, prison chaplaincy, teaching apologetics, and leading overseas missions. Formerly of Boston, he is now a member of Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, Georgia. You can follow him at Philosophical Fragments or Facebook.

Timothy Dalrymple

See the just-released ebook from Evangelicals for Mitt for a comprehensive explanation of why Romney is the best positioned to represent evangelicals’ values in the White House.

By Timothy Dalrymple

Dear Mitt Romney skeptics, and especially my fellow evangelicals,

Do you remember how it felt when the economy began to implode in those anxious, waning months of 2008? We were coming down to the wire in the election contest, and the candidates we had to choose between were Barack Obama and John McCain. Given the choices, of course, I supported McCain. I still think he would have made a far better President than Obama has proven to be.

But as the very foundations of the American economy were shaking and falling away beneath our feet, and we faced the very real possibility of a Second Great Depression, how desperately I wished that Mitt Romney had emerged from the primary as the champion of the GOP. The presiding President and his party took the heat for the financial crisis, and McCain worsened the situation when his actions and statements inspired no confidence in his stability and expertise on economic matters. The election turned in Obama’s favor when he gave the impression of solidity and strength in the economic crisis.

Romney, however, had something Obama couldn’t even begin to claim: a brilliantly successful career in the private sector, and a world of experience specifically in the financial sector, where our most intractable problems lay. Between McCain and Romney, Romney was touted by the conservative commentariat as the conservative option, and I remember feeling as though the liberal media, independents and even some Democrats who were able to vote in primaries had shoehorned John McCain onto the GOP ticket. If Romney had been at the top of the ticket instead, I still believe we would have avoided the lamentable Obama Presidency; compared to a business titan, Obama would have looked like the inexperienced pretender that he was, and he could not have stood up to Romney’s economic expertise in the debates.

Well, we’re still in the midst of an incredible mess as a country. Our financial house is in shambles. Tax reform, regulatory reform, streamlining government, changes to our energy and immigration policies, will all help. But the character of the American people, the moral substructure that provides the necessary, nurturing environment for our democratic free market, has also disintegrated. Our problem is not merely political; it is also cultural. I am convinced of this with every bone in my body: We need to rediscover the virtues of the free market, and we also need to rediscover the economic virtues. On the one hand, we need a President who understands how companies grow and flourish, who understands how the economy works and what provides the predictability and clarity and the space for innovation that the market demands; Romney’s experience in venture capital, properly understood, is one of his truest strengths, because the venture capitalist learns a great deal about what kinds of ventures succeed and what kinds of capital they need. On the other hand, we need someone whose personal integrity and whose socio-political principles will strengthen the family, enrich the workforce, and restore our collective commitment to responsibility and initiative, stewardship and thrift, diligence and creativity.

I’ve written responses to some common misconceptions about Romney and his candidacy – and a long, specifically evangelical case for Mitt can be found in this ebook. The purpose of this letter is simply to set forth, in broad outlines, why I think Romney’s the right guy at the right time for this country. The Presidency is a position of enormously important economic, global and moral leadership. In all three of those areas, I firmly believe that Mitt Romney is the leader we need. He also, not coincidentally, stands the best chance of defeating Barack Obama — and if there’s one thing conservatives agree upon right now, it’s the profound importance of installing new leadership. As the country staggers toward decline, we need someone who can pick us up, rally the American people behind a positive and hopeful vision, and deploy all of his intelligence and experience and skill to move us toward a better future. That’s Mitt.

Economic and Global Leadership

Those who know him personally attest, without exception, that Romney is an extraordinarily intelligent, boundlessly competent, and thoroughly hard-working man. He built a towering reputation in the business world, accomplished a near-miraculous turnaround of the Salt Lake City Olympics (which was mired in scandal and red ink and on the verge of collapsing), and took an extremely liberal state (Massachusetts) that was deeply in debt and restored it to fiscal health and a budget surplus in the course of four years.

In the business world, Romney specialized in turning around failing companies, and he did so with great success. Sometimes, yes, that means eliminating jobs — but in most cases you’re eliminating jobs in order to avoid eliminating a company in its entirety. You make companies more profitable, more competitive, and thus more sustainable. You eliminate jobs now so that you can keep paying the salaries of those who remain, and ideally add more jobs again later. In other words, sometimes the most pro-jobs thing you can do is cut one job and save the company that employs ninety-nine more.

(more…)

WSJ: “Bain Capital Saved America”

By Victor Lundquist | January 19, 2012 - 3:17 AM | 2012 Election, Arizona, Bain, Cap and Trade, Capitalism, China, Conservatives, Debt, Deficit Spending, Economy, Florida, Georgia, GOP, Jobs, Mitt Romney, Nevada, Newt Gingrich, Op-eds, Regulations, Rick Perry, South Carolina, Spending, States, Taxes, Unemployment 1 views

Comments Off

Artwork by Chad Crowe

Daniel Henninger wrote this excellent article in yesterday’s The Wall Street Journal, Opinion section.

Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich would lead voters to believe that Mitt Romney was involved in some kind of evil for his work at Bain Capital. Americans know differently. Governor Romney does need to find opportunities to provide the many examples of how his turn-around work improved the lives of thousands of families.

Henninger’s opinion piece is outstanding.

Not only did Bain Capital save America, but no matter what turn Mitt Romney’s political career takes, Bain Capital may stand as the best of Mr. Romney’s lifetime contributions to the nation’s economic well-being. If only he’d tell the story.
[...]
Properly understood, the 1980s, including Bain, were the remarkable years when an ever-resilient America found a way to save itself from becoming what Europe is now—a global has-been.
[...]
Read through S&P’s justification for last week’s downgrades of nine European countries. Along with the expected dumping on those countries’ fiscal profligacy, one finds as well a blunt recognition of Europe’s moribund “fundamentals,” meaning their ability to produce “strong and consistent” economic growth.

If not for Bain Capital and the other, bigger players who commenced a decade of leveraged buyouts and hostile takeovers in the 1980s, the odds are that the U.S.’s “fundamentals” would be similarly weak. Instead, the U.S. corporate sector remade itself during the Bain years.
[...]
Thousands of Mitt Romneys allied with huge pension funds representing colleges, unions and the like, plus a rising cadre of institutional money managers, to force corporate America to reboot. In the 1980s almost half of major U.S. corporations got takeover offers.

Singling out this or that Bain case study amid the jostling and bumping is pointless. This was a historic and necessary cleansing of the Augean stables of the American economy. It caused a positive revolution in U.S. management, financial analysis, incentives, governance and market-based discipline. It led directly to the 1990s boom years. And it gave the U.S. two decades of breathing room while Europe, with some exceptions, choked.
[...]
Mr. Romney’s answer appears to be that voters want to keep hearing about him and his management résumé. Voters don’t want one man’s story. They want someone who understands how the next 10 years can produce an American economy that offers the opportunities for them that the 1980s produced for Mitt Romney.

* * * * * CAPITALISM * * * * * *

“What’s immediately profitable is the only kind of logic that capitalism understands.” — Susan George

“Whether we look at capitalism, taxes, business, or government, the data show a clear and consistent pattern: 70 percent of Americans support the free enterprise system and are unsupportive of big government.” –Arthur C. Brooks

SC: Romney Endorsed by Leaders, Gov Nikki Haley Weighs in on Debate

By Jayde Wyatt | January 17, 2012 - 6:41 PM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Conservatives, Debate, Deficit Spending, Economy, Endorsements, Family Values, Fox News, Jobs, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Nikki Haley, Rick Santorum, Right-To-Work, South Carolina, Spending, Values 1 views

5 Comments

Mitt Romney greets enthusiastic supporters while walking to his campaign bus after holding a rally in Florence, SC. Jan 17, 2012 (Photo/Reuters/Jim Young)

SC Governor Nikki Haley and former SC GOP Chairman Barry Wynn weigh in on last night’s presidential debate in Myrtle, South Carolina:

“Tonight, Mitt Romney once again displayed his vision, leadership, and grace under fire. He showed why he is without question the right man to end the chaos in Washington, D.C. and put America back to work. Neither our state nor our nation can afford four more years of President Obama, and it is critical that we nominate someone with Mitt Romney’s history of results. We need a president who has a record of not just talk, but of actually getting things done, and Governor Romney is that man.” ~ SC Gov Nikki Haley

“Mitt Romney came out ahead in tonight’s debate because he again showed that he is the best candidate to both take on President Obama and fix our economy. President Obama spent his life outside the private sector and it shows. Mitt Romney spent his life outside of politics, working in the real economy. In order to create private sector jobs in this tough economic environment, we need a president who worked in the private sector.” ~ former SC GOP Chairman Barry Wynn

Before South Carolinians vote on Saturday, Governor Romney has one more chance to show them his dynamic, determined, delightful self. CNN is hosting a debate on Thursday, Jan 19th in Charleston. According to most of the reports I’ve gathered, pundits say Newt Gingrich had a great night last night and Romney was winged. I agree that it wasn’t his best debate, but he held his own. I’m hoping we see more of the agile-smiling-sparring-superior Romney we know so well. And, the next time Newt or Rick Santorum interrupt The Gov, I hope he boldly says “chill” … then, charges in for checkmate.

More great news:

MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF SOUTH CAROLINA LEADERS

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced the support of key South Carolina business leaders, elected officials, veterans, and conservative activists.

“The wide range of support from conservatives across South Carolina proves that my message of a ‘Simpler, Smaller, and Smarter’ federal government is resonating with voters concerned about the direction of our country,” said Mitt Romney. “I’m happy to earn their endorsement and look forward to working with them for the vote of every South Carolinian.”

“The voters of South Carolina have an important choice to make regarding the future of this country,” said former South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bob Faith. “We need a conservative candidate who will defeat President Obama and reverse his failed policies. That man is Mitt Romney. He is committed to getting rid of failed government programs like Obamacare. He is against government entities like the NLRB interfering with free enterprises like Boeing who want to invest in South Carolina and create jobs for South Carolinians. He is for restoring conservative principles to government, so that Washington will stop spending and start letting this country’s entrepreneurs and business leaders get back to creating jobs.”

“Our nation is at a crossroads, and Mitt Romney is the best choice to lead our country through these challenging times,” said Greenville County Council Chairman and retired Brigadier General Butch Kirven. “He is a strong leader who we can trust to restore limited government to Washington, cut spending, grow our economy, and get our nation back on the right track. I was looking for someone who reflects my values, is strong on national defense, and knows how to get the economy going again. Mitt Romney is the leader who can positively do that, and he can win in November.”

“It’s really simple, the only person of either party running for President who has created significant private sector jobs is Mitt Romney,” said retired executive Bill Hewitt. “He will implement the policies necessary to turn the economy around, start of story, end of story.”

(emphasis added)

South Carolina Leaders Supporting Mitt Romney:

Upstate
State Representative Don Bowen, Anderson
Greenville County Councilman Joe Dill
Greenville City Councilwoman Amy Ryberg Doyle
George Dean Johnson, Jr., Chairman, Johnson Development Associates, Spartanburg
Greenville County Council Chairman Butch Kirven
State Representative Phil Owens, Easley
Rick Pennell, Metromont Corporation, Greenville
Specialist John Snyder, U.S. Army, Ret., Greenville
Greenville Mayor Pro Tempore David Sudduth

Midlands
John H. Burriss, Owner of Gold’s Gyms of Columbia
Former York County GOP Chairman Henry Eldridge, Rock Hill
Richard J. Gaton, Columbia
Richard Jackson, CEO, C.R. Jackson, Inc., Columbia
Leighton Lord, Former Chairman, Nexsen Pruet, Columbia
State Representative Ralph Norman, Rock Hill
Former York County GOP Executive Committeewoman Karen Walto, Rock Hill

Coastal
Sally and Richard Coen, Mount Pleasant
Former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon, Charleston
Former South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Robert A. Faith, Chairman & CEO, Greystar Real Estate Partners, Charleston
Rear Admiral, James Flatley, U.S. Navy, Ret., Charleston
William B. Hewitt, Retired Executive, Charleston
Former Bluffton Mayor Hank Johnston
Former South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Buck Limehouse, Charleston
Brigadier General Cliff Poole, U.S. Army, Ret., Charleston
Bill Prezzano, Charleston
Charleston County Treasurer Andy Smith
Jonathan Zucker, President, The InterTech Group, Charleston

*Company/business names are provided for identification purposes only.

Endorsers are retired or not on active duty. Use of military rank and job titles does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or any department thereof.

Love to see the endorsements rolling in from across the state… Now, let’s win this thing!

► Jayde Wyatt

Obama Voters Who May Vote for Governor Romney: Democrats and Independents

By Victor Lundquist | January 16, 2012 - 4:14 AM | 2012 Election, Arizona, Barack Obama, Cap and Trade, Capitalism, Congress, Conservatives, Debate, Deficit Spending, Democrats, Economy, Family Values, Florida, Foreign Aid, Foreign Policy, Free Trade, GOP, Health Care, Immigration, Jobs, Jon Huntsman Jr., Mitt Romney, National Security, Nevada, Newt Gingrich, Obama Isn't Working, Obamacare, Op-eds, Regulations, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, South Carolina, Spending, States, Unemployment, Unions, Values 1 views

4 Comments

Recently, I extended the invitation to a fellow Californian who will again vote for President Obama. Her name is Pauline Kejmar and she lives in Redlands — she is a Democrat. Her grandson Drew is my son-in-law.

There are still ardent supporters of President Obama and Pauline is one. Through Drew, I asked her if she would give me a TOP 10 list of reasons she believes President Obama is superior to Governor Romney as POTUS and why she plans to support Obama again.

You may ask why I would post subject matter of this type in a grassroots forum such as MittRomneyCentral. My reasoning is that it provides a simple glimpse into the mind of one Democrat and if we are successful here at MRC, we should be able to appeal to the Blue Dog Democrat as well as to the Independent voter (Americans all). To do so, we need to understand their motivations and expectations. I presume that Pauline is far from being a disaffected Democrat as her views below seem to align well with the more liberal wing of the Democrat party.

Governor Huntsman’s likely endorsement of Governor Romney today is the first of four hopefully, which will shift the focus of the campaign away from the Republican competitors to President Obama. WELCOME to any and all supporters of Governor Huntsman and to any of the supporters of Gingrich, Santorum, and Perry who are hoping to join a winning, organized, strong movement to restore America’s standing! Welcome to you!

It is too early to predict of course, but Romney could be on course to beat Reagan’s 1980 win over Carter — impressive indeed. In that race, Reagan won 44 states and 489 electoral votes to Carter’s six states (plus DC) and 49 electoral votes, and America is in far worse shape today. I remember those days. Reagan entered office with a mandate, in part because of Democrats that crossed over to vote for him. By the way, are any of you as sick and tired as I am of hearing Mr. Gingrich invoke the name of Ronald Reagan at every turn? I wish I could ask President Reagan his candid opinion of Gingrich!

President Obama

REQUEST: For any of our readers that voted for Obama who became disillusioned with the direction his lack of leadership has taken America, and who is seriously considering a vote for Governor Romney this time (should he be the Republican nominee), please leave a comment as to why. I may contact you later to invite you to elaborate in a guest post — if you would like.

Following is one Democrat’s opinion as to why President Obama is the superior candidate for POTUS.

By Pauline Kejmar

Ten Reasons why I would vote for Obama over Romney

I. He is better able to bridge the increasing gap between the rich and the poor in this country.

2. He has been very successful in fighting terrorism with the killing of Bin Laden and many other top Al Qaeda leaders and operatives.

3. He fights for consumer financial protection such as regulating credit card fees.

4. He would be less likely to lead us into a armed conflict with Iran using sanctions and cooperation with other allies.

5. He was able to help get Gaddafi out of Libya without using U.S. ground troops.

6. He would be tougher on environmental protection because he believes in global warming.

7. Has a sensible approach to immigration. Illegal immigration numbers have decreased under Obama and deportation of illegal criminals has increased. He has a concern for those young people brought here at an early age to receive a path to legalization.

8. He has brought an end to the nine years of war in Iraq and sent our troops home. He is drawing down in Afghanistan after ten years.

2ND REQUEST: Please leave a comment to this post if you voted for Barack Obama in 2008 but are seriously considering a completely opposite approach by voting for Governor Romney, should he win the nomination. Also, let me know if you would be interested in expounding upon your views and opinions in a guest post to help other readers that have similar concerns. If so, I will contact you via email.

Jack Welch: “Mitt Romney, the best I have ever seen!” Gingrich’s Opus: “The Audacity of Capitalism”

By Victor Lundquist | January 10, 2012 - 3:23 AM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Book, Capitalism, Congress, Conservatives, Debate, Deficit Spending, Democrats, Economy, Florida, GOP, Mitt Romney, National Security, Nevada, New Hampshire, Newt Gingrich, Op-eds, Rick Perry, South Carolina, Spending, States, Unemployment 1 views

4 Comments

Jack Welch is the former Chairman and CEO of General Electric. The 77 year old businessman gave what I think is the single best endorsement of Governor Romney that I have ever seen. This interview, given to Piers Morgan Monday night, is extraordinary on all counts. This clip is only 2:22 minutes in length, but look at the expressions, enthusiasm, and excitement! Rarely do you ever see a man pushing 80 this excited about anything. Literally every phrase and sentence ends with an exclamation point. The best part is at 1:50.

Following are just a few quotes by Mr. Welch from the interview. This video is extraordinary. Watch this short video clip ————————————>

Jack Welch, Former CEO of General Electric

“In this case, [Mitt Romney] really is perfect as a candidate for President of the United States, in these tough economic times!”

“As a presidential candidate, Mitt Romney is the best I have ever seen in the last 50 years!”

“Piers, you pick one person who is better than Romney!”

“You really can’t challenge my statement and pick a better candidate!”

“Look at his background!”

- – - – - SEE WHAT OBAMA IS UP TO BELOW THE FOLD – - – - -

Gingrich has completely lost it I think. Seriously! Quoting incessantly from The New York Times during the debate and in his townhall meetings? Gingrich and Perry are so desperate they are morphing before our eyes into the perfect Obama lemmings. Shills both. Maybe Perry and Gingrich are planning to co-author a new book titled, THE AUDACITY OF CAPITALISM. What do you think? I heard they have reached out to Obama’s publisher for ideas. Brilliant! Perry took the lead with the idea but Gingrich thinks himself smarter and told Perry he was his junior.

In all seriousness, I honestly believe that Gingrich has cast the dye for himself in history this week. As I have said many times in this forum, Gingrich’s peak as a presidential candidate was December 13th, his lucky day. Had he stopped speaking at that moment, he might still be in the hunt. I believe that Gingrich is allowing his wife and others to temper his temper while he expresses anger in the form of vengeance by spending millions in petty immaturity. In days to come, he will probably tell us again that he has matured since he now has grandchildren. Whatever goodwill he developed as Speaker of the House will soon be completely diminished by his base emotions in pursuit of revenge. The irony is that his rhetoric and actions will likely help Governor Romney’s candidacy as Americans are offended by Gingrich’s frontal attack of capitalism. It would not surprise me at all if we witness a backlash in the voting.

Consider that yesterday alone, at least 18 major news sources reported capitalism under attack by Gingrich or Perry or both. Extraordinary no matter how you cut it (see Jayde’s article below for greater detail of these). All 18 are listed here as follows:

Club For Growth’s Chris Chocola: “Newt Gingrich’s attacks on Mitt Romney’s record at Bain Capital are disgusting. … Attacking Governor Romney for participating in free-market capitalism is just beyond the pale for any purported ‘Reagan Conservative.’ Newt Gingrich should stop his attacks on free markets and apologize to Governor Romney for them.” (Club For Growth, Press Release, 1/9/12)

(more…)

Presidential Command in Leadership and Debate . . . . . . . A Request to Take Nothing for Granted or Let Up

By Victor Lundquist | January 8, 2012 - 12:28 AM | 2012 Election, Capitalism, Conservatives, Debate, Deficit Spending, Economy, GOP, Iran, Iraq, Jon Huntsman Jr., Media Appearances, Mitt Romney, National Security, Nevada, New Hampshire, Newt Gingrich, Paul Ryan, Polls, Regulations, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Same-Sex Marriage, South Carolina, Spending, States, Tea Party 1 views

Comments Off

Note: See my short debate analysis at the end of this post (below the fold). Hint: One word in the title above says it all for me.

Voters in New Hampshire will make their mark in two and half days. If you have been following the news in the mainstream media (MSM) and in the “new media”, much of it is positive for Governor Romney.

Please don’t allow yourself and others to be lulled by any positive news about Governor Romney.

Governor Romney

This site, MittRomneyCentral.com is a grassroots website promoting the candidacy of Mitt Romney for President of the United States. Those of us that write for MRC, and many of our readers, are working very hard behind the scenes to help Governor Romney succeed in every caucus and primary state until he garners at least 1,150 delegates. We cannot let up until that is accomplished.

In recent days, including this morning, and throughout the day, Governor Romney has been asking volunteers and voters who wish to help out, to not let up. He specifically referred to survey results and polls that have emerged showing him leading in NH, SC, or nationally. The one audio clip I actually heard today from Governor Romney was his almost pleading not to let up. He asked his supporters to more or less ignore the polls and do whatever they can to help him get voters to the booths in New Hampshire next Tuesday. He said he has seen polls change dramatically, even the day of the vote. We have all witnessed voting results that disappointed because voters had presumed their candidate had a comfortable lead. We simply cannot let that happen in any primary state, including New Hampshire.

Please do whatever you can to encourage and motivate all volunteers and voters — within your influence — in New Hampshire to get as many people out Tuesday to vote for Governor Romney. I guarantee that Ron Paul supporters will never let up and they are determined to win. We must outperform them and all other candidates’ supporters by a factor of 10! Governor Romney is not taking anything for granted and we must follow his lead with even greater intensity.

Bush Library, College Station, TX

Now, to my second favorite subject at MRC: Mr. Newt Gingrich. How can I say it best? At the risk of sounding entirely cliche, Gingrich is the gift that just keeps on giving! I can honestly say here publicly that I sincerely hope Gingrich never drops out of the race. He is a truly amazing human being. I don’t think he is a short man, but he seems to exhibit the Napoleon Syndrome. He continues to say things that simply defy all logic and he cannot see it. It is fascinating how he so easily allows his intelligence to be completely overridden by his ego. Fascinating!

You may wonder why I keep focus on Mr. Gingrich. The reason is that I think he is dangerous (much like a cornered Doberman Pinscher), though he seems quite determined to marginalize himself at warp speed. Bar none, the very best candidate declaration of the 2011 political year was this one by Mr. Gingrich. Does it get any better than that? In the same breath he says he doesn’t mind if people attack him and then he spends the next several weeks throwing tantrums about the attacks by several candidates, but blaming them all on Governor Romney.

Here’s great analysis in this note for example from HotAir:

(more…)

Tea Party Activist Jennifer Horn: “Romney is a Man of Conservative Character”

By Jayde Wyatt | January 7, 2012 - 2:43 PM | 2012 Election, Barack Obama, Conservatives, Debt, Deficit Spending, Economy, Endorsements, Family Values, Foreign Policy, Jobs, Jon Huntsman Jr., Mitt Romney, National Security, New Hampshire, Newt Gingrich, Obama Isn't Working, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Spending, Taxes, Tea Party, Values 1 views

8 Comments

Boy scouts listen as Gov Mitt Romney delivers the keynote speech addressing the theme of 'Building Character' at the Boy Scouts of America 100th Anniversary Celebration.
Grand Rapids, Michigan - Feb 18, 2010

This caught my eye for two reasons:

1. More Tea Party support for Mitt Romney (thoughtful, strong endorsement)

2. It’s published in the New Hampshire Union Leader (newspaper that endorsed Gingrich and by the way, are co-sponsors of Sunday’s presidential debate in Concord, NH).

Tweet from Team Mitt:

MT @NHJennifer Why this conservative teaparty grassroots activist chose @MittRomney: http://t.co/6uGfGTIa #FITN #Mitt2012

“Mitt Romney Is A Man Of Conservative Character”
By Jennifer Horn
Union Leader
January 7, 2012

The next President of the United States is going to face the enormous challenge of reversing four years of the most economically devastating policies our nation has seen in my lifetime. Contrary to his own declaration of being one of the four greatest Presidents in our nation’s history, Barack Obama has been a measurable failure and must be replaced.

As a lifelong conservative who came to politics after first owning a small business, raising a family and being very involved in my community, I am less concerned about party and politics and much more concerned about what kind of world my children will raise their families in. Above all else, this election is about preserving freedom in America; it is about preserving an America of limited government and unlimited opportunity.

That is why, as a conservative, as an activist, and as a mother I am voting for Mitt Romney for President.

Romney’s combination of private sector and public sector experience makes him uniquely qualified to confront the economic woes of our time. After 34 months of unemployment in excess of 8 percent, we need a President who understands how jobs grow. During his years in the private sector, Mitt Romney had a hand in growing over 100,000 American jobs. Mitt Romney understands the nuts and bolts of business; with 13.3 million Americans looking for work we need a President who understands how intrusive government regulations crush opportunity.

Mitt Romney has offered a detailed, step by step plan to restore economic stability to America. It may not be sexy and it may not come with a catchy tag line but it is a sound, comprehensive approach that will put America back to work. His plan includes all the common sense initiatives that conservatives have always fought for. It is based on free markets, individual rights and limited government intervention.
[...]

The following paragraph from Ms. Horn is another refutation of the lie Newt Gingrich continues to trumpet – that Governor Romney raised taxes in Massachusetts (Newt’s calling Mitt a liar is abhorent and flat-out wrong, while Newt IS one. Wait! That’s exactly what Newt did when he publicly denounced Bill Clinton’s philandering with Monica Lewinsky while he, himself, was engaged in worse.):

As a Republican governor in a painfully liberal state, Mitt Romney made a conservative mark. He issued hundreds of line-item vetoes in bills passed by the Democrat-controlled legislature. He cut taxes, eliminated a $3 billion budget deficit and left behind a $2 billion rainy day fund. Mitt Romney was able to apply the common sense knowledge we all have that you cannot continually spend more than you take in, and a state economy that had been mired in recession once again began to create jobs.

Ms. Horn continues:

More important than a candidate’s position on any one policy, however, is his ability to lead. We understand as conservatives, as business owners and as parents, that integrity is measured by how you behave when no one is paying attention. No one will ever accuse Mitt Romney of cheating – on his taxes, in his business or on his family. There has never been a hint of scandal associated with him, in business or politics. When it comes to choosing the next leader of the free world, character matters.
[...]
Mitt Romney’s grassroots campaign has proven his respect for the role of that each citizen plays in our democratic process. He has answered thousands of unedited questions from thousands of voters. He eloquently and passionately expresses his love of God, country and family. When asked at the We The People town hall what core principle would guide him as President, he answered “The oath of office, where I place my hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.”

Mitt Romney is a man of conservative values with a successful record of growing jobs, leading under difficult circumstances and making tough decisions when called upon to do so. He is a man of great personal integrity and possesses the character and strength to lead.

(emphasis, image added)

DO read the entire endorsement here.

Spread this far and wide.

Note: Ms. Horn is founder of We the People: A First in the Nation Freedom Forum.

► Jayde Wyatt

Mr. Baconpocalypse Goes to Washington

By Victor Lundquist | January 7, 2012 - 4:39 AM | 2012 Election, Conservatives, Deficit Spending, Economy, Family Values, GOP, Mitt Romney, New Hampshire, Op-eds, Rick Santorum, South Carolina, Spending, States 1 views

5 Comments

Senator Rick Santorum is getting his turn now in the bleaching of the noonday sun. He was promoted last week from the minor leagues. This Politico piece is a good example of what Santorum can expect to see and hear about himself as he takes the plate in the Majors. His first comment upon taking the podium in Iowa was, “Game on!” He is now standing at the plate with big league pitchers throwing high and tight at 98 MPH.

Guest writer Greg Stapley has submitted two prior pieces here and here. In this opinion, Greg illuminates Santorum’s unapologetic participation of “earmarks” while serving in the U.S. Senate:

Pork Marked

There has been a lot of speculation over the cause of Rick Santorum’s late and meteoric rise in Iowa this week. I think I just figured it out. If it’s lunchtime where you are, grab yourself a BLT and I’ll explain.

At the exact same time that Santorum was surging, the powerful Iowa Pork Producers Association was ramping up for its annual Blue Ribbon Pork Festival. This year’s theme? “Baconpocalypse Now: I love the Smell of Bacon in the Morning.”

I did not – and you cannot – make this stuff up. And here’s another imagination-defying factoid: according to their website, IPPA sold out the event (that’s 4,000 tickets, folks) within 25 minutes.

Clearly, bacon is a big deal in Iowa.

So why wouldn’t they love a candidate who has built his career on bringing home the pork?

Senator Santorum

Santorum has been lauded by pundits and politicians everywhere for his deftness in what they call “retail politics.” In saying so they refer to the way he got out and pressed the flesh with “regular” Iowans in his four-month, 99-county, 300-zillion-town-hall jaunt across the state.

But this kind of direct-relationship politicking, which has been Santorum’s hallmark over the years, has other, more insidious faces.

Rick Santorum is a master earmarker.

Earmarks are those “little” expenditures tacked on to major legislation that would never be able to stand on their own merits. Earmarks are a key implement in the toolbox of most career politicians, one they wield strategically to fill their campaign coffers and preserve their incumbency. Politicians like Santorum use them to buy votes in their home districts.

But earmarks are political cocaine.

(more…)