Thread: Supporting Mitt Romney for president

Supporting Mitt Romney for president
Daniel Hartman
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Op-Ed

As we approach Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, it's becoming clear that Americans are looking for a change in Washington and that they believe government is fundamentally broken. Over and over, Washington politicians have told Americans that they would end illegal immigration and secure our borders, that they would make health care affordable for all Americans and that they would end wasteful pork-barrel spending. They told us they would live by high ethical standards, fix social security and reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

However, they have failed to carry out any of these claims; hence, Washington needs a fundamental change. And when our country looks for fundamental change, it looks outside of the Beltway - for a leader who brings in a different set of life skills and experiences.

Governor Mitt Romney has succeeded in many types of enterprise, and he has proven to be a successful agent of change. With 25 years in the private sector, Gov. Romney founded Bain Capital and helped turn businesses like Staples and Domino's into the multi-million-dollar companies they are today. He also took over the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, an event ravaged by scandal and a $200 million debt, and turned it into a large success in the wake of Sept. 11.

Then, he came to Massachusetts and turned a $3-billion budget deficit into a $1-billion budget surplus - without raising taxes. It is that sort of leadership that the country is desperate for, and it is that sort of leadership that Gov. Romney will bring.

As our country enters an economic downturn, we must look at the candidates and their record on economic issues. Fiscal conservatism is a cornerstone value that holds all Republicans, and most Americans, together. This involves taxing less and spending less, thus reducing the size of government. In fact, Democrats frequently tout themselves as being fiscally conservative and certainly don't want to be seen as "tax-and-spend" candidates.

However, the three major Democratic candidates have pledged to raise taxes by rolling back the Bush tax cuts as soon as they get into office. It is thus important, and expected, that Republicans nominate a candidate who has a proven record of being fiscally conservative.

Gov. Romney has a history of detecting duplication and wasteful, needless spending in business and in government, and it is this fiscal responsibility that qualifies him to run the country as the CEO of the United States. There is no other candidate, of either party, who has the vast knowledge of businesses or the economy that Gov. Romney does, and that makes him the strongest candidate to take us out of the current economic crisis.

In terms of the Republican contest, Gov. Romney is the only candidate who can bring about the change that Ronald Reagan did in the 1980s. This change is attainable by drawing on the support of each of the three pillars of conservatism: fiscal conservatism, national security conservatism and social conservatism.

Gov. Romney has a strong record for keeping economies strong through cutting taxes, not raising them. Furthermore, Gov. Romney recognizes the threat of violent radical jihad, and thus puts winning the war on terror at the top of his issues list. Our enemies are looking to see the crumbling of nations that love freedom. Gov. Romney is looking to take that threat seriously, starting with making sure we achieve victory in Iraq, where much success is being reported every day.

Finally, Gov. Romney believes that the strength of America begins with the strength of American families, and that is why he is pro-life and pro-traditional marriage.

He believes in the value of human life and he believes the optimum situation for children is a family that has both a mother and a father. This combination unites Republicans, independents and even some Democrats, making Gov. Romney a candidate Americans can be proud to rally behind in November.

Those looking to research his ability to work with both sides of the aisle would be impressed by Gov. Romney's record in Massachusetts. Along with a Democratic legislature and the support of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Gov. Romney's healthcare plan led to Massachusetts becoming the only state in the nation with universal healthcare.

Even more impressively, he was able to do this without raising taxes or endorsing a government takeover like most Democrats propose. Instead, he used free market economics to allow Massachusetts residents to purchase their own, private health insurance.

I close by stressing the importance of leadership and management as we look for our next president.

There is a reason why America hasn't elected a sitting member of Congress to the presidency since 1960. It is because they are looking for candidates who actually have the experience of executive leadership and who have run things.

If you look at the current top-tier candidates, Gov. Romney is the only one who has actually run a government. It's an added bonus that he has also run the Olympics and a business.

As Americans look for change in November, they will look for a Washington outsider who can change government. They will look for someone who can turn around our economy. They will look for someone with proven leadership.

That person is Gov. Mitt Romney. Gov. Romney will lead America into a new era of strong economy, strong military and strong families.

Daniel Hartman is a junior majoring in economics and political science. He is the president of the Tufts Republicans.
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PLEASE FOLKS,Paul and Huckabee cannot win.Vote for romney not because you like all of his policies but to keep mccain and amnesty out.I mean no disrespect to any any PAUL OR hUCKABEE SUPPORTERS.

I will not vote for John McCain. If that is the best the Repubs can offer and the Democrats win-then so be it.

If the Dems win, we can blame them for the mess our country is in and for the 50 million illegals we will be dealing with in 4 years.

I would vote for Romney, but I would like to hear him tie the economy problems to banks giving credit to illegals without SS numbers and the hospital crisis, not to mention ID theft.

If enough of us contact him(Romney), maybe we will get a stronger committment on illegal immigration.

Please folks, please, please, please! Rally behind Romney for the nomination. We cannot let the Democrats or McCain take the White House! If that should happen we might as well face the fact that our country is lost!!!

I know that those who endorse RP and Huckabee are not Masochistic, have not marched in the streets, stood at Day Labor Centers, faxed, emailed and called voicing their thoughts against illegal immigration so that a traitor such as Mc Cain would become their President.

Please don't let all our hard work be for naught...Support Romney!