Speaking to voters at Hotel Fort Des Moines in Des Moines, Iowa today, Governor Mitt Romney treated listeners to a powerful, plain-spoken speech on America’s federal spending addiction and our nearly incomprehensible national debt.

Prior to his appearance in Des Moines, the Romney campaign released a thought-provoking web video focusing on Iowans – “a few of the 23 million” – who are struggling under the oppressive Obama economy:

A Few of the 23 Million:

Before The Gov delivered his remarks, the Des Moines Register published an article by Jennifer Jacobs highlighting some of Romney’s remarks:

Romney speech: Prairie fire of debt doesn’t care if it’s a donkey or elephant in your lawn

A prairie fire of debt is sweeping across Iowa and our nation, and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will tell Iowans today he can douse the flames.

“That fire could care less if you have a donkey or an elephant in your front lawn, it’s still coming for your house,” Romney’s prepared remarks say, according to his campaign. “There’s plenty of blame to go around for both parties.

“But in my years leading businesses, an Olympics and a state, I’ve learned one simple principle of leadership that never falters: Leaders lead. I will lead us out of this debt and spending crisis.”

While Romney deftly blocks Obama’s fiery darts and keeps bringing the campaign dialogue back to the economy, Jacobs writes that the Obama re-election campaign is trying to “pierce” Romney’s message by running Iowa TV attack ads against the governor.

Romney intends to steer the conversation toward government spending and debt.

“President Obama started his days in office with the trillion-dollar stimulus package – the biggest, most careless one-time expenditure by the federal government in history. And remember this: the stimulus wasn’t just wasted – it was borrowed and wasted. We still owe the money, we’re still paying interest on it, and it’ll be that way long after this presidency ends in January,” Romney’s prepared remarks say.

VIDEO of Romney’s excellent speech may be viewed here.

★ Transcript of Romney’s remarks from Des Moines:

Thank you all very much.

It’s good to be back in Iowa. So many friends here hold a special place in my heart.

I’ve come here today to talk to you about an issue that affects the very heart of America.

Of course, Iowa is much more than a collection of beautiful farms and small towns and cities bounded by two of America’s great rivers. Iowa is a collection of the values that built America and that have sustained us through good times and bad. You know them well: hard work, taking care of our neighbors, family, faith in God and country. Common sense, kitchen table values. Not fancy, but enduring.

These aren’t the values that lead to out-of-control spending sprees, or to piling up massive amounts of debt you know your children – and grandchildren – will have to work all their lives to pay off. These aren’t the values of putting off difficult decisions with the hope that maybe someone else will solve them.

Today America faces a financial crisis of debt and spending that threatens what it means to be an American. Here in the heartland you know in your hearts that it’s wrong.

We can’t spend another four years talking about solving a problem that we know we are making worse every single day.

When the men and women who settled the Iowa prairie saw a fire in the distance, they didn’t look around for someone else to save them or go back to sleep hoping the wind might blow another direction. They knew that their survival was up to them.

A prairie fire of debt is sweeping across Iowa and our nation and every day we fail to act that fire gets closer to the homes and children we love.

This is not solely a Democrat or a Republican problem. The issue isn’t who deserves the most blame, it’s who is going to do what it takes to put out the fire.

Continue reading below the fold.

Read more…

They meet once a year in Washington D.C and attract lots of attention…

This year was no exception. The American Society of News Editors (ASNE) was privy to speeches from the two political figures the nation is focused on – President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney.

There was one exception, however. Yesterday, ahead of GOP primary election returns, Obama took an unusual turn in his speech… Previously rarely mentioning Mitt Romney by name, the President chose to deliver a stinging attack against Republicans and particularly, Mitt Romney.

Obama slammed The Gov for supporting Congressman Paul Ryan’s budget plan (which passed in the House last week) and the measures proposed therein to save Medicare and rein in spending. Obama claimed Romney and Ryan would see that mothers and young children wouldn’t get healthy food, college students would lose financial aid, the Dept. of Justice and FBI would be weakened, in certain parts of the country air traffic controllers would vanish, even weather forecasters would be harmed – that Governors would be tardy issuing hurricane warnings, and so on.

After his doomsday diatribe, Obama intoned, “This is not conjecture. I am not exaggerating. These are facts. And these are just the cuts that would happen the year after next.”

“One of my potential opponents, Governor Romney, has said that he hoped a similar version of this plan from last year would be introduced as a bill on day one of his presidency.”

“He said he’d be very supportive of this new budget and he even called it ‘marvelous’, which is a word you don’t often hear when it comes to describing a budget.” (Laughter.) “It’s a word you don’t often hear generally.” (Laughter.)

Obama further elaborated – calling the Romney/Ryan goal to stop wasteful spending a “Trojan horse – thinly-veiled social Darwinism.”

Obama’s speech reeked with the usual leftist M.O. – class warfare, scaring Americans, exaggerations, mischaracterizations, untruths, and dividing the electorate to score political points.

Obama has now clearly targeted Mitt Romney, the Ryan budget, Republicans, and our opportunity society.

The general election has begun.

Today, it was Governor Mitt Romney’s turn at the ASNE lectern. Fresh after long days of campaigning in Wisconsin with Congressman Ryan (and victories last night in said state, Maryland, and D.C.) he delivered a riveting, powerhouse speech – highlighting Obama’s “Hide and Seek” campaign. It was characterized by a CNN politico as a very sobering, somber speech.

In the course of Governor Romney’s campaign-defining remarks, he underscored Obama’s lack of CANDOR with the American people, especially in light of Obama’s live mic incident with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev:

… “[I]nstead of answering those vital questions, President Obama came here yesterday and railed against arguments no one is making – and criticized policies no one is proposing. It’s one of his favorite strategies – setting up straw men to distract from his record.

And while I understand why the President doesn’t want to run on his record, he can’t run from his record either.
. . .
On what other issues will he state his true position only after the election is over?”

C-Span aired Romney’s speech (great Q&A included):

Here’s the transcript of Romney’s ASNE speech (you won’t want to skip over this):

Over the last ten months, I’ve come to know a good deal about some of the journalists who write for your newspapers.

We’ve aired our dirty laundry together – sometimes literally as well as figuratively. We’ve bathed hour upon hour in the fine diesel aroma of a campaign bus. And we’ve shared more birthdays and holidays with each other than with our families.

One of the reporters covering our campaign is Maeve Reston of the Los Angeles Times. For Maeve’s birthday, I got her a cake and sang her a birthday song. For my birthday, she was kind enough to remind me that I’m now old enough to qualify for Medicare.

In just the few years since my last campaign, the changes in your industry are striking. Then, I looked to Drudge or FOX or CNN online to see what stories were developing. Hours after a speech, it was being dissected on the Internet. Now, it’s Twitter, and instantaneous reaction. In 2008, the coverage was about what I said in my speech. These days, it’s about what brand of jeans I am wearing and what I ate for lunch.

Most people in my position are convinced that you are biased against us. We identify with LBJ’s famous quip that if he were to walk on water, your headline would read: “President Can’t Swim.”

Some people thus welcome the tumult in your industry, heralding the new voices and the unfiltered or supposedly unbiased sources. Frankly, in some of the new media, I find myself missing the presence of editors to exercise quality control. I miss the days of two or more sources for a story – when at least one source was actually named.

How your industry will change, I cannot predict. I subscribe to Yogi Berra’s dictum: “Forecasting is very difficult, especially when it involves the future.”

But I do know this: You will continue to find ways to provide the American people with reliable information that is vital to our lives and to our nation. And I am confident that the press will remain free. But further, I salute this organization and your various institutions in your effort to make it not only free, but also responsible, accurate, relevant, and integral to the functioning of our democracy.

Given the number and scale of our nation’s current challenges, the November election will have particular consequence. It will be a defining event. President Obama and I have very different visions for America, both of what it means to be an American today and what it will mean in the future.

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Newt Gingrich has taken a bit of heat for his comments on immigration the other night. More than a few have equated his comments with amnesty.

I would normally leave this topic alone, except that Newt Gingrich has decided to hit back against Romney by tweeting the following:

@Newt Gingrich: .@MittRomney Here’s a trip down memory lane: http://t.co/lFaAQrFz So what’s your position on citizenship for illegals again? (I oppose it.)

The video takes you to a 14 second youtube clip that makes it appear like Romney supports amnesty for illegal citizens. The problem is the video is clipped mid-sentence and is taken entirely out of context.

Here is a transcript of the Romney answer on immigration – the bolded part is what the clip left out:

My own view is consistent with what you saw in the Lowell Sun, that those people who had come here illegally and are in this country–the 12 million or so that are here illegally–should be able to stay sign up for permanent residency or citizenship, but they should not be given a special pathway, a special guarantee that all of them get to say here for the rest of their lives merely by virtue of having come here illegally. And that, I think, is the great flaw in the final bill that came forward from the Senate.

AND here’s video that shows both the deceptively trimmed portion plus the rest of the answer (more than what was quoted above) for the entire context:

So to answer Newt’s question on what is Romney’s stance on citizenship for illegals… he is against it, and you knew that Mr. Gingrich. Your trip down selective memory lane is nothing but a false attempt to tag Romney as something he is not in order to promote your own candidacy.

Unfortunately the shortened clip of that make it appear that Romney supports amnesty has racked up 10,000 views in the last 24 hours since it has replayed on a number of news sites. It will be the duty of Romney fans to share the correct information with those who continue to try to cast Romney as pro-amnesty.

~Nate G.

As Rick Perry doubles down on his illegal immigration stances, Romney for President has released a new video…

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President released a new web video, “Thank You Governor Perry.” The video highlights Governor Perry’s support for in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants. This position is shared by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Harry Reid, and President Obama, and in 2003, former Mexico President Vicente Fox praised Governor Perry for supporting in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.

Mitt Romney has a different view:

AD FACTS: Script For “Thank You Governor Perry”

VIDEO TEXT: “Who Supports Governor Perry’s Decision To Give In-State Tuition To Illegal Immigrants?”

VOICE: “Who Supports Governor Perry’s Decision To Give In-State Tuition To Illegal Immigrants?”

VIDEO TEXT: “Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid”

• While serving in the Illinois Senate, President Obama sponsored legislation to “allow undocumented immigrant students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.” “[T]he Senate voted 55-1 to allow undocumented immigrant students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Currently, the undocumented students are required to pay out-of-state tuition even if they spend their entire education in Illinois schools. House Bill 60 would change that, allowing in-state tuition rates for undocumented students who have attended school in Illinois for at least three years and graduated high school in the state.” (Rich Frederick, “Senate OKs In-State Tuition Bill,” The State Journal-Register, 5/8/03; Illinois General Assembly Website, www.ilga.gov, 9/29/11)

• In 2007, Senator Harry Reid supported a bill that “would have allowed illegal immigrants to become legal residents and qualify for lower in-state tuition rates at state universities.” “In late 2007, the Senate rejected an attempt to pass the Dream Act which would have allow illegal immigrants under age 30 to gain legal status if they attended college or joined the military. Fairness demanded action, said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, arguing that ‘children should not be penalized for the actions of their parents’ who brought them to the United States. But the bill would have allowed illegal immigrants to become legal residents and qualify for lower in-state tuition rates at state universities.” (Tom Curry, “Immigration Impasse Long In The Making,” NBC News, 7/29/10)

• “The Dream Act would allow students who have lived in the country since age 15 to apply for conditional legal residence… They would then be able to work and pay in-state college tuition rates. .” (Eddy Ramirez, “College Board Backs Bill To Legalize Undocumented Students,” USNews.com, 4/22/09)

• Reid: “Children should not be penalized for the actions of their parents.” (Tom Curry, “An Immigration Impasse Long In The Making,” MSNBC.com, 7/29/10)

• House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi supports in-state tuition discounts for illegal immigrants, saying “Our country does not benefit by depriving our young people of an education.” “Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stopped in Tempe on Monday to tout congressional Democrats’ push to make college more affordable for young people, including those without legal residency. … Pelosi made reference to the effect of Proposition 300, an Arizona initiative passed by voters in November that requires illegal immigrants to pay out-of-state tuition to attend public universities and community colleges. Pelosi said she met with a young woman Monday who wants to attend college but lacks documentation proving legal residency. ‘Our country does not benefit by our depriving young people of an education,’ Pelosi said.” (Josh Kelley, “Pelosi Addresses College Cost,” The Arizona Republic, 2/20/07)

VIDEO TEXT: “Even”

FORMER PRESIDENT OF MEXICO VICENTE FOX: “I Want To Publicly Recognize Governor Perry And The State Of Texas By Having Taken That Step Forward”

• Vicente Fox: “I want to publicly recognize Governor Perry and the state of Texas by having taken that step forward.” (Vicente Fox, Remarks, Austin, TX, 11/6/03)

• Houston Chronicle: “Fox Praised Perry For Texas’ Policy Of Allowing Qualified Undocumented Migrants To … Pay The Same Tuition As Citizens And Legal Residents.” “Fox, Perry and their aides met behind closed doors Thursday morning to discuss policy issues and appeared at a joint news conference. Perry hosted Fox at a luncheon … Fox praised Perry for Texas’ policy of allowing qualified undocumented migrants to attend state universities and pay the same tuition as citizens and legal residents.” (Dudley Althaus and Armando Villafranca, “Fox, Perry Square Off Over Immigration, Water Issues,” The Houston Chronicle, 11/7/03)

FOX: “When You Decided To Give Access To Mexican Migrants To Universities In Texas”

• Vicente Fox: “When you decided to give access to Mexican migrants to universities in Texas.” (Vicente Fox, Remarks, Austin, TX, 11/6/03)

RICK PERRY: “If you say that we should not educate children who have come into our state for no other reason than they’ve been brought there by no fault of their own, I don’t think you have a heart.”

• Rick Perry: “If you say that we should not educate children who have come into our state for no other reason than they’ve been brought there by no fault of their own, I don’t think you have a heart.” (Republican Presidential Candidates Debate, Orlando, FL, 9/22/11)

VIDEO TEXT: “Mitt Romney Has A Different View”

MITT ROMNEY: “Four years of college, you’re almost $100,000 discount if you are an illegal alien to go to the University of Texas. If you are a United States citizen from any one of the other 49 states, you have to pay $100,000 more. That doesn’t make sense to me.”

• Mitt Romney: “Four years of college, you’re almost $100,000 discount if you are an illegal alien to go to the University of Texas. If you are a United States citizen from any one of the other 49 states, you have to pay $100,000 more. That doesn’t make sense to me.” (Republican Presidential Candidates Debate, Orlando, FL, 9/22/11)
(emphasis added )

► Jayde Wyatt

(Other sessions of the conference may be viewed here.)

UPDATE: It looks like Mitt Romney has opened up a new TOUT account. I’m not even sure what TOUT is but it appears to be short video sharing in a Twitter-esque format. There is a short clip of Romney behind the scenes of his speech today: http://www.tout.com/u/mittromney

Mitt Romney’s full remarks as prepared for delivery:

It’s a privilege to be addressing the veterans who defended our liberty in the past, and who defend the memory and dignity of every veteran today.

I was born in 1947 – a quintessential baby boomer. I grew up in the shadow of World War II, and then came the wars in Korea and Vietnam. As a boy, I knew that it was American soldiers and sailors and Marines and airmen who had saved us from German Fascism, and who protected us from Soviet Communism. You were our heroes then, and you are today.

You know better than most that the world is still infected with purveyors of hate and oppression. Some are jihadists, some are communists, and some are simply tyrants who clothe themselves in any convenient political manifesto. And so once again, American heroes are called upon to defend liberty.

We rightly call our fathers and mothers the Greatest Generation, but every man and woman who has or now defends American liberty – from the beaches of Normandy, to the Mekong Delta, to the valleys of the Hindu Kush – shares in their heritage of greatness. Every veteran is the greatest of his generation.

The quiet heroes who have fought for our country come from the most diverse backgrounds imaginable: from farmers and subway riders, Ph.D.’s and high school graduates, and from every ethnic background of the American melting pot. But they are united by far more than what divides them.
Read more…

Governor Romney was a guest today during the first hour of the Hughniverse (Hugh Hewitt’s radio program). Romney was asked about Obama’s foreign policy in Libya, the future of nuclear power, and his presidential plans for 2012:

Monday, March 21, 2011
HH: Joined now by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Governor, always a pleasure, welcome back.
MR: Thank you. Good to be with you today.

HH: What is your reaction to President Obama’s announcement of air strikes on Libya?
MR: Well, first, I support military action in Libya. I support our troops there and the mission that they’ve been given. But let me also note that thus far, the President has been unable to construct a foreign policy, any foreign policy. I think it’s fair to ask, you know, what is it that explains the absence of any discernable foreign policy from the president of the United States? And I believe that it flows from his fundamental disbelief in American exceptionalism. In the President’s world, all nations have common interests, the lines between good an evil are blurred, America’s history merits apology. And without a compass to guide him in our increasingly turbulent world, he’s tentative, indecisive, timid and nuanced. And as a result, I think, he says, for instance, he’s committed to our success in Afghanistan unless it means commitment beyond 2011. He stands with our ally, Israel, but condemns its settlement policy even more forcefully than he condemns Hamas’ rockets. And he calls for the removal of Muammar Gaddafi, but then conditions our action on the directions we get from the Arab League and the United Nations.

HH: Did he wait too long, Governor Romney, to strike against Libya?
MR: There’s no question but that his inability to have a clear and convincing foreign policy made him delegate to the United Nations and the Arab League a decision about our involvement there. And I happen to have a very personal concern. I mean, 270 people were killed as a result of that tragedy over Lockerbie. We now know that that was ordered directly by Muammar Gaddafi. One of my colleagues at Bain & Co, and a friend, named Nicholas Bright, was killed in that flight. And the President had every piece of information he needed to be able to take action in America’s interest.

HH: Does he appear weak?
MR: You know, I think one of the comments I’ve heard from individuals abroad is that in the past, America has been feared sometimes, has been respected, but today, that America is seen as being weak. We’re following the French into Libya. I appreciate the fact that others are participating in this effort, but I think we look to America to be the leader of the world. You know, the cause of liberty can endure the mistakes that are inevitable consequences of human fallibility. But liberty’s standard can’t prevail if it’s not proudly, decisively and consistently held aloft.
[...]

At the end of the interview, Hewitt mentioned Tim Pawlenty’s exploratory announcement today and asked Romney about his plans:

HH: [...] Last question, Governor Romney, we’ve got about 45 seconds. Former Governor Pawlenty announced his exploratory committee today. Do you have any idea when you’ll be deciding whether or not to do the same thing?
MR: I have an idea, Hugh, but I’d tell you quietly, but I’m afraid you’d let your listeners know, so I’ll have to be giving that some thought, but no definitive plans right now.

HH: Are you going to the Reagan Library debate that Politico wants to hold in May?
MR: Well, that depends on when we get things organized, and that’s not something I’m ready to come out with right now. But I can tell you that I’m doing what I’ve got to do to make sure that if we decide to go ahead, that we’ll have a successful effort.

HH: Mitt Romney, always a pleasure, Governor, thank you for joining us.

(my emphasis) Read the entire transcript here.

UPDATE: Here’s an audio portion of the Romney/Hewitt interview:

I’m giving a shout-out to 16 year old Tyler Keegan for creating this new video
Mitt Romney – Common Sense for America:

Although I trust Mitt’s timing on when to get in the race, I’m getting excited for a Romney candidacy! Are you?

H/t to Sam for audio

► Jayde Wyatt

Due to a late bus (grrrrr) I arrived just in time to catch the back end of Mitt’s speech. The blogger lounge has a balcony and I went out onto it to catch a glimpse of the crowd but found it was completely full with overflow seating. The crowd was very energetic, supportive, and just plain…(what’s the word?) … HUGE. From what I understand team MRC members were near to the front and Luke & Aaron were responsible for the crowd chants that broke out afterwords.

The Twitter reviews, and from what I’ve heard from the gaggles of Romney supporters who seem to be everywhere, indicate that the speech was a knock-out. I am intrigued by few things which make me think we are witnessing the inauguration of the official slogan for Mitt’s 2012 campaign (if he runs of course, wink…wink).

First, the subtitle of Romney’s book No Apology was officially change to “Believe in America”. On a national conference call with fundraisers a couple weeks ago Meg Whitman asked Romney if we were indeed seeing a potential slogan for his 2012 campaign (Mitt did not say yes or no to that). Before the speech Romney asked via Twitter that attendees use the #BelieveInUSA hashtag when tweeting about the speech. Then, when I arrived here and I see the PAC is giving out “Believe in America” stickers that are everywhere. And lastly, of course, the speech itself is actually entitled “Believe in America”. Is this the 2012 camapign slogan? What do you think folks – am I wrong in my guess? I suspect we will know in less than two months…

(Update: Aaron reminds me that Erin McPike of RCP previously speculated on the campaign slogan.)

So… I want to watch this speech as much as you, so I will cease with the banter. Here is Mitt Romney’s 2011 CPAC Speech (from his official YouTube Channel): Believe in America

From Mitt’s official website we have his complete remarks as prepared for delivery:

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Two weeks ago we linked to an interview I did with conservative blogger Tim Knight of Jumping in Pools. After giving time for it to be read there I am posting it here in it’s entirety since some may not have clicked through to it and because I’d like to preserve it here on our site as well.

Below are the questions from the interview. Click any of them to jump to that question.
1. What would be the difference between a President Romney and a President Obama?
2. What is the purpose of Mitt Romney Central, and what do you hope to achieve?
3. What can you tell us about Mr.Romney’s just-released book?
4. According to some recent polling data, Romney would win in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida if the 2012 Republican Primaries were held today, what is your reaction?
5. Would a “Mitt Romney” campaign fracture the Republican base as much as some Cultural Conservatives predict it will?
6. Give me three reasons to support Romney for the Republican nomination in 2012.

From Jumping in Pools:

Tim Knight – Mr.Gunderson, what would be the difference between a President Romney and a President Obama?

Nate Gunderson – Well the differences would be vast and numerous. Perhaps the two most noticeable differences are their approaches to foreign policy and to the economy. Obama’s policy with foreign nations is to kiss-up to our enemies while snubbing our allies. Just this last weekend he snubbed Israel’s Prime Minister, fortunately he received a bipartisan rebuke from congress for doing so. He’s full of concessions and appeasements for our enemies, actions that have not been reciprocated, and all the while he offers our friends a stiff arm. Romney on the other hand believes in peace through strength. He often quotes Reagan when he says that of all the wars that came about in his lifetime, none of them were because the U.S. was too strong. Romney believes that our nation’s interests and the safety of our children depend on having a strong military and he suggests raising our annual output for military spending to 4% of our GDP, as he has outlined in his new book No Apology. That’s a great read by the way, if you haven’t read it. I’m two-thirds through it.

Anyway, the other item of difference is the economy. You can be certain that if Romney were President now our domestic agenda would be entirely different. This health care debacle certainly would not have passed. We wouldn’t be entertaining ill-conceived ideas like Cap and Trade, Cash for Clunkers, and government control of the auto industry. We would not have utter misuse and lack of accountability with the TARP funds and stimulus money. A stimulus package under a Romney administration would be designed to bring short-term, instant stimulus to the economy through creating incentives for employers to hire. The current stimulus is nothing more than a big payback to those who supported Obama in his run to the White House and is drawn over many years. It has virtually nothing to with jobs, just vast amounts of pork-barrel spending. Romney criticizes Obama for trying to do too much, when he should be focusing on the economy. With millions of people out of jobs and millions of families suffering because of it, I’m certain a President Romney would have done much better to focus on the economy and his policies would have been wiser and better implemented.

Sorry such a long answer on that one but your question hit a hot spot for me.

Tim Knight – Mr.Gunderson, what is the purpose of Mitt Romney Central, and what do you hope to achieve?

Nate Gunderson – MittRomneyCentral.com is a grassroots website designed to promote Mitt Romney for President in 2012, and we’ll certainly promote a lot of conservative candidates and causes along the way. Our goal is to inform the masses, via the internet, regarding Governor Romney and his potential run for the White House. We are currently a team of about 10 people, each with roles to help develop the site in one way or another, whether it be through promoting the site through social-networking websites, or writing page content, or blogging. We launched just six months ago so we are rather new. We currently have about 1000 daily visitors to our site and are growing very rapidly. Very soon we hope to gather some who are quite dedicated to Romney in 2012 and we’ll do training to make a coordinated on-line effort to promote Romney, and to work on correcting much of the misinformation there is out there about him.

Let me add too, just for clarification, that we have absolutely no ties to Romney or his PAC. I’ve shaken Romney’s hand five times, but I’ve never talked to him. We are strictly grassroots and are not supported nor approved by his PAC in anyway.

Tim Knight – Mr.Gunderson, what can you tell us about Mr.Romney’s just-released book?

Nate Gunderson – It’s great. I read his first book “Turnaround”, which I loved, but this one is still much better. As I mentioned already I’m two-thirds through “No Apology”. I just read the chapter today about education and I found it very insightful and well-written. In the book Romney takes on a number of issues and with each one he discusses how its affects America. He has a process how he analyzes each policy and decides whether it will strengthen America or hurt America. The beginning is heavy on foreign policy, but makes one extremely proud to be an American at the same time. He talks about how to create environments for innovation and productivity to flourish in free markets. He discusses the backwards policies we have in regards to immigration. He dedicated a chapter to education and our failing schools. And not least important is his chapter on health care. There is so much to be understood on this subject, especially with the passage of ObamaCare and everyone trying to link it to Romney and Massachusetts. If everyone could read this chapter on health care they would see the great difference between Obama and Romney in solving the problem.

In all, the book is well written, every bit written by the Governor himself. He may not say it, but I certainly will: this is a campaign platform for 2012. If you want to know what Romney is all about, it is in the book. It’s much more informative than 30 second TV spots and 140 character Twitter encapsulations.

Tim Knight – Mr.Gunderson, according to some recent polling data, Romney would win in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida if the 2012 Republican Primaries were held today, what is your reaction?

Nate Gunderson – Polls are fun, especially when they bring good news. I’ll be the first to admit that they mean very little this far out. But I must say that I’m very pleased with the results of the Florida poll. That’s a very good sign.

Tim Knight – Mr.Gunderson, would a “Mitt Romney” campaign fracture the Republican base as much as some Cultural Conservatives predict it will?

Nate Gunderson – My opinion is that no it won’t. People may be divided, even passionately in a primary, but no matter who wins I have a feeling we will quickly band together for the good of the party, and ultimately for the good of the nation as we make ousting President Obama a top priority. Romney was an excellent example of this kind of unifying quality as he full-heartedly and quickly endorsed, campaigned for, and otherwise promoted McCain,even after a brutal primary. Even so, I think the candidates will have learned a lesson from 2008, even Romney. I expect the debate to be a lot more calm and civil as we all have a common target.

Tim Knight – Mr.Gunderson, give me three reasons to support Romney for the Republican nomination in 2012.

Nate Gunderson – One, economy. No matter what point the economy is at in 2012, it can and could have been better under a President Romney. Romney has advised, operated, consulted, managed, and launched hundreds of businesses. These include businesses from all sectors of the economy from manufacturers, food chains, retailers, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, hotels… you name it – not to mention the 2002 Winter Olympics. He understands why jobs and businesses come and go. He knows the great impact, both positive and negative, that policies have on businesses. And he knows all too well that businesses make jobs and stimulate the economy, not government.

Two, size of government and government waste. There is so much waste in our government. We have far too many agencies that perform the exact same tasks. So much of government intrudes into our liberties and wastes our hard-earned tax dollars. We have extremely burdensome and unfunded liabilities in our entitlement programs. We have a congress that spends like a runaway train. Romney points out very clearly in his book that if these habits don’t change, if our entitlements are not reformed, if fiscal sanity is not returned to Washington, we are on a steady course for disaster. It will take more than a “good person with their heart in the right place” in the presidency to change these enormous and complex problems. Romney is the turnaround champion. He has on numerous occasions jumped into imminent disasters, rallied the troops, wrought great change, and brought hope and competency to the respective institution. Did I just use the words “change” and “hope” in the same sentence?

Three, he is in it for the right reasons. No one who reads Romney’s book can doubt his patriotism. He loves his country and he loves his children and grandchildren. Romney’s foray into politics has nothing to do with money due to his successful career in business. In fact he hasn’t taken a paycheck since he left Bain Capitol in 1999 to become CEO of the Olympics. He donated his salary from the Olympics to charity, he did not take a salary as Governor, he is donated all his proceeds from his book to charity, as well as his speaking fees, and in 2008 had promised he would do the same as president. Romney has no ties to special interest groups or lobbyists – no one to pay back favors from the White House. His only motivation is to help make America a better place because it is the land he loves and he wants to leave it well intact for his grandchildren. He feels he has the skills and the know-how to effectuate meaningful change in Washington, and so do I.

History remembers her… a wee Irish lass. With her two younger brothers, Anthony and Philip in tow, young Annie Moore from County Cork, Ireland, courageously stepped onto the Isle of Hope on New Year’s Day 1892 – her 15th birthday, and became the first immigrant to be processed through the newly opened Ellis Island Processing Centre.

On this St. Patrick’s Day, we take a brief breather from the contentious, ever-changing health care debate to remember the courage and fortitude of Annie Moore and the more than 17 million immigrants from many nations who, seeking freedom and opportunities to work, passed through the portals of Ellis Island to become… Americans:

It is estimated that over half of all Americans have an ancestor that passed through Ellis Island. Legal immigration is the rainbow that leads to America’s pot o’ golden opportunities. Inspired by his first visit to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, Dustin James presents America:

“America, sweet land of liberty, I hear you calling me. I’m on my way.”

Now, on to the party! Sure and begorrah, on this day of shamrocks, shillelaghs, and shenanigans, in our nation of immigrants, everybody is Irish! Celtic Thunder – a rousing group consisting of four Irish lads and one Scot, kick things off. Launching their family-style entertainment three years ago performing at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City, these five male vocalists are currently promoting their new show ‘That’s Entertainment’ on PBS. Celtic Thunder was named Billboard’s Top World Album/Artist in 2009. The group consists of George Donaldson, Paul Byrom, Ryan Kelly, Keith Harkin, and young Damian McGinty. At the time of their debut, McGinty was just 14 years old. In this video, while singing a solo line, on the last note, he playfully motions downward – signaling that his voice has changed. Turn up the volume and try substituting ‘Romney’ or ‘America’ for ‘Ireland’ and you’ll feel like marching all the way Capitol Hill! Here is Ireland’s Call:

“Hearts of steel and heads unbowing, vowing never to be broken… We will fight until we can fight no more, ’til our final requiem is spoken.”

While Obama, Pelosi, and Reid spread their blarney this week, today is the time for the wearin’ o’ the green! How thankful we are for ALL who sacrificed so greatly to immigrate to America and for their work ethic, talents, and traditions. Here’s hoping for some of that Irish leprechaun magic… Now, back to work to defeat Obamacare!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!

Governor Romney is at the top of his game in this interview that is well worth the time to listen. Romney interviews with the hosts of the show and takes several questions from callers. The interview is part of his No Apology Tour, more info at NoApology.com, and http://bit.ly/RomneyBook. A full transcript of his portion of the interview is available below the fold.

PART1:

PART2:

Full Transcript: From NPR.org
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