too much anvil throwing

Today, outside the General Motors Willow Run plant, Governor Romney held a media availability to address the indefinite lay-off of 200 GM workers that was just announced yesterday.  Tragically, announcements like this have become all too typical in Michigan today.   Below are excerpts of Governor Romney's remarks:

            http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Michigan_Layoffs_1.12

"The reason that I came here today is because General Motors announced today that they are laying-off another 200 people from this facility."

…

"This is not something which is designed just to get things back on track as part of a strategy to re-build and grow.  This is instead an indication of a long-term slide in the automotive industry, the domestic automotive industry.  America is not buying fewer cars.  Instead, we're seeing the domestic automobile industry continue to slide. 

"And as year after year goes by, more and more layoffs occur and more plants are closed, the question is, 'Where's Washington?'  You hear some say that these are jobs that are just going away and we better get used to it.  But where does it stop?  Is there a point at which someone says, 'You know, that's enough'?  Or are we going to let the entire automobile industry, domestic manufactured automotive industry, disappear and just say, 'Well, that was tough, that's just the way it is'?  

"That's not what I believe.  I believe it's important to preserve manufacturing in this country and to preserve the automobile industry, including the domestic automobile industry.  I will work together with labor, with management, with the leaders of the political structure here in Michigan and in Washington to strengthen the automotive sector, the domestic automotive sector and the state of Michigan.  It is inexcusable to me to see these jobs going away again and again and again.

"I do believe that policies to invest in research and technology, basic science and research to develop the products of the future can help stimulate and re-build this industry.  I believe also in a savings plan to reduce the burden on the American people so that we can afford products of the future…

"And I also believe that Washington is doing too much anvil throwing.  The first CAFE program was a huge burden on the domestic manufacturing of automobiles.  The next CAFE program promises to do the same thing, and what help has been associated with it?  It's almost like an unfunded mandate – a major change, a major burden on the automotive industry and then Washington saying, 'Good luck Detroit, try to keep up.' 

"Likewise, Senator Lieberman, Senator McCain proposed a unilateral cap and trade program on carbon emissions.  Look, we all agree that there should be a global effort to reduce carbon emissions.  But if you place that burden just on the U.S., you make the U.S. less competitive.  You make it more expensive to manufacture here, not only automobiles, but everything that we manufacture.  And so we need to have policies that are designed to strengthen our economy, strengthen our competitiveness, make sure that America can compete in the automotive industry and in others.  And as President, if I'm fortunate enough to have that job, I will not rest while Detroit continues to see layoff after layoff after layoff.  My heart goes out to the 200 people who are laid off from this facility or were announced to be laid off from this facility.  And I want to make sure that this doesn't just keep on happening year after year and year with Washington saying, 'So what?'"

For background on the GM plant, please see:  http://www.mlive.com

For background on Senator McCain's CAFE proposals, please see:  http://mittromney.com

Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney laughs with his wife Ann on a jet in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero) Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All right reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Pride of America

Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Pride of America." 

 

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkJ7LnyID7k

 

The ad features Governor Romney discussing the need to change Washington so we can invest in unleashing the power of Michigan.  Governor Romney grew up in Michigan and knows Michigan's potential.  For him, Michigan is personal, and he will work to end the state's one-state recession.  Governor Romney is asking the people of Michigan to vote for building a better future for their state and our nation.

 

The ad will begin airing as part of the campaign's rotation tomorrow in Michigan.  Script and ad facts follow.

 

Script For "Pride Of America" (TV:30):

 

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "I grew up in Michigan when Michigan was the pride of America.

 

"It breaks my heart to see us in a one-state recession.

 

"We can change that.

 

"We need new leaders with the experience and energy to turn us around.

 

"Let's invest in the future with new technology and innovation and unleash the power of Michigan.

 

"I'll work everyday to change Washington and bring us back, because Michigan is personal to me.

 

"I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message and ask for your vote."

 

AD FACTS: Script For "Pride Of America" (TV:30):

 

Grand Rapids Press:  "We Stand At A Critical Moment, Bearing On Our Backs A Worst-In-The-Nation Unemployment Rate, Staring At An Uncertain Future."  "Many issues will confront the nation in the next four years, from the ongoing threat of terrorism to the need to find a sensible immigration policy. For Michigan, however, one challenge dominates: the economy. We stand at a critical moment, bearing on our backs a worst-in-the-nation unemployment rate, staring at an uncertain future."  (Editorial, "Press Editorial Board Endorses Romney," Grand Rapids Press, 1/11/08)

 

Oakland Press:  "'Favorite Son' Romney Is Best GOP Choice In Primary."  "We urge Republican Party faithfuls to stand up and vote for Mitt Romney. … Equally critical, Romney knows how to get a state out of debt and, being from Michigan, he certainly has an empathy for the state that the other candidates, both GOP and Democratic, don't have. With Michigan's horrible economy and other problems, we need as much clout in Washington as possible and Romney promises to give us that."  (Editorial, "'Favorite Son' Romney Is Best GOP Choice In Primary," Oakland Press, 1/11/08)

 

Grand Rapids Press:  "…Mitt Romney Has Our Vote In The Republican Presidential Primary."  "Among Republicans on the ballot in Tuesday's presidential primary, two candidates would offer solid leadership, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. However, when it comes to Michigan's challenges and needs, the passion and knowledge of Mr. Romney tip the scales in his favor. During a visit with Press editors this week, Mr. Romney vowed, 'I will not sleep until Michigan is strong and active and vibrant again.' Because of that focus, MITT ROMNEY has our vote in the Republican presidential primary." (Editorial, "Press Editorial Board Endorses Romney," Grand Rapids Press, 1/11/08)

From Miguel

I believe that John McCain is not being confronted enough on these debates with his immigration record.  What is not getting enough coverage is that when asked about his immigration bill, he never apoligizes for it.  He says we need to restore trust in goverment first by securing the borders.  Translation: you guys are very mad at me, once you come down a little bit, you are getting amnesty for ilegals.  This needs to be brought up in one of these debates, someone needs to get the senator to answer whether he still supports alowing illegals to stay here or not.
And Gov Romney shouldnt let him keep reminding us about his stand in Iraq.  Next time he brings it up he should ask him if we are supposed to forget about amnesty for illegals because of his support of the surge.  Or are we supposed to forget about Campaign finance reform, or forget about describing the Bush Tax cuts using the democrats talking points that they were tax cuts for the rich?
Romney should remind people that if it wasn't for the senators support of the war in Iraq and support of prolife issues, he has far more in common with liberal democrats than he does with Reagan conservatives.
That would be straight talk.

From My Man Mitt

John Nevin penned an op/ed for the Detroit Free Press yesterday. In that op/ed he argued that Mitt Romney is the best candidate for the Michigan and the Great Lakes:
 
Mitt Romney grew up in that tradition and has a firsthand appreciation of how important the Great Lakes are to Michigan's high quality of life. Romney knows that Michigan's ecology and economy depend on healthy Great Lakes and clean water that is safe for drinking, beaches that are safe for swimming, and fish that are safe for eating.

We go ahold of Mr. Nevin and asked him a few follow-up questions.

MMM: What part of Michigan are you from?

JN: I am from Holt, a suburb of Lansing, right near Michigan State University.

MMM: What is your occupation?

JN: I am a policy adviser to a binational group that provides advice to governments regarding water quality and water quantity issues. Previously, I wrote speeches and provided communications advice to Governor John Engler for 12 years.

MMM: How would you describe your political leanings?

JN: My political leanings are definitely conservative but with a pragmatic, common sense approach that emphasizes results more than ideology. I am strongly pro-life and wouldn't support a candidate who wasn't.

MMM: Why endorse Mitt Romney?

JN: I've endorsed Mitt Romney for many reasons. He's an experienced executive with a track record of success who understands how to manage change and to transform complex organizations. Second, just looking at his family, you know right away that he is an incredibly strong and compassionate leader. He doesn't need the presidency. The presidency needs him.

MMM: You say in your Op/Ed that Mitt Romney will be best for Michigan and the Great Lakes. Why?

JN: Mitt would be best for the Great Lakes because I know he wouldn't tolerate the lack of responsibility and accountability for current programs. He's the only candidate who would have the ability to slash the bureaucracy, reorganize and focus on the key threats to the lakes. The bottom line is that Mitt is all about results and that's the kind of leadership we need. And of course, it helps that he is from Michigan and has a true understanding and appreciation for how important the lakes are to our state, our economy and our culture.

Remember, We're Choosing a President

Return to the Article

January 08, 2008

Remember, We're Choosing a President

By Thomas Sowell

It was not that long ago that the big political question was how Rudolph Giuliani would do against Hillary Clinton in the November election.

The Iowa caucus votes have made that question sound like ancient history, if not science fiction. The results of the Iowa caucus are only a small part of the story of this election year but their implications are significant.

One implication that reaches well beyond politics is that a state that is 95 percent white gave its biggest vote total to a black man.

More Iowa women voted for Obama than for Hillary. So much for the "race, class and gender" mantra among the intelligentsia.

So much also for the "inevitable" or "invincible" candidacy of Hillary Clinton. Perhaps the biggest story out of Iowa is that 71 percent of Democrats voted against Hillary.

The next biggest story is that no one in either party won a majority. It is still a wide-open race in both parties.

As for the Republicans, Mike Huckabee won by 8 percentage points in a state where 60 percent of the Republican voters were evangelicals.

However surprising his victory, it was not massive by any means and the large evangelical factor will not be there in most other states, even among Republican voters-- much less in the general election in November.

With all the media attention to the various political rivalries in both parties, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that all of this is ultimately about choosing a President of the United States.

The question of what kind of President each candidate would make is infinitely more important than all the "horse race" handicapping that dominates the media.

By far the best presentation as a candidate, among all the candidates in both parties, is that of Barack Obama. But if he actually believes even half of the irresponsible nonsense he talks, he would be an utter disaster in the White House.

Among the Democrats, the choice between John Edwards and Barack Obama depends on whether you prefer glib demagoguery in its plain vanilla form or spiced with a little style and color.

The choice between both of them and Hillary Clinton depends on whether you prefer male or female demagoguery.

Among the Republicans, there are misgivings about the track record of each of the candidates, especially those who have shown what Thorstein Veblen once called "a versatility of convictions."

There are fewer reasons for misgivings about Fred Thompson's track record in the Senate but more reason to be concerned about what his unfocused and lackluster conduct of his campaign might portend for his performance in the White House.

When it comes to personal temperament, Governor Romney would rate the highest for his even keel, regardless of what events are swirling around him, with Rudolph Giuliani a close second.

Temperament is far more important for a President than for a candidate. A President has to be on an even keel 24/7, for four long years, despite crises that can break out anywhere in the world at any time.

John McCain trails the pack in the temperament department, with his volatile, arrogant, and abrasive know-it-all attitude. His track record in the Senate is full of the betrayals of Republican supporters that have been the party's biggest failing over the years and its Achilles heel politically.

The elder President Bush's betrayal of his "no new taxes" pledge was the classic example, but the current President Bush's attempt to get amnesty for illegal aliens, with Senator McCain's help, was more of the same.

President Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon probably cost him the 1976 election and cost the country the disastrous Carter years.

McCain's betrayals include not only the amnesty bill but also the McCain-Feingold bill that violated the First Amendment for the illusion of "taking money out of politics." His back-door deal with Democrats on judicial nominations also pulled the rug out from under his party leaders in the Senate.

The White House is not the place for a loose cannon.

Copyright 2008, Creators Syndicate Inc.

Page Printed from: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/what_does_it_mean.html at January 09, 2008 - 03:13:54 PM PST

From the Corner:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NTIwZDQ2YjVmNWZlMGE5ZWVmODRjMzM3MGY2YjU4Nzk=

RUSH:

I want to remind all my Republican friends that there are many states after Iowa and New Hampshire where the Republican populations are far more indicative of the conservative base, and to get caught up in what happened in Iowa, to get caught up in what's going to happen in New Hampshire as though they're the only two states that matter and that they're going to determine the fallout on both parties is a little bit over the top.

Iowa is a caucus; it's a weird setup. New Hampshire allows independents to vote in the Republican primary, which is why McCain is doing as well as he is doing, and it's why the media want this to be a bellwether against Romney. I mean, Pat Buchanan came in second. He came in a very strong second in New Hampshire in 1992. Now, I'm not saying that these contests are not to be taken seriously here, and that they're not to be fought and to be won, but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves. New Hampshire is no longer the conservative barometer it used to be. The state has changed, it is now quite liberal. A lot of people who used to live in Massachusetts have moved into New Hampshire to escape New Hampshire's high taxation and other problems. New England generally the northern states, states like Iowa, is not where the conservative base resides in large numbers. The Drive-By Media would love to destroy the conservative coalition. They would love to destroy the conservative base to the Republican Party. That's why they are promoting Huckabee; it is why they are promoting McCain.