This afternoon, the ‘Grok went over to Weirs Beach in Laconia, NH to see Governor Mitt Romney (of Massachusetts, formerly) as he is criss-crossing the state. No WiFi there, so no immediate blog report. However, a bunch of pictures, notes, MP3s and a crack at a video from a new webcam (Doug will have better quality later).
The room is packed and Mitt just walked in – it is 4:17pm.
Here is the complete audio of the event: click here.
Judy Krahulec is introducing Mitt to a standing O to the crowd – over 200 people (they expected much fewer). She announced the Red Sox won and the Sachems won. Mitt is her guy (she is the Belknap County organizer for Mitt and his campaign asked her to do the honors). Big applause from those gathered as she turns it over to Mitt.
There was an amusing moment as Mitt retold a Boston voting story about Billy Bulger (former Speaker of the House in Massachusetts and head of UMass Amherst). It was remarked that 246 votes had been recorded from a single triple decker (a three story house, each with a separate family, common in Boston neighborhoods). It was recorded that Billy replied “yeah, the third floor was empty”.
Mitt asked if any in the crowd has been to any of his previous events…and only a few claps could be heard.
Note to candidates: I think that it is telling that local Republicans are willing to come out and see the candidates if only they would come during hours that we working folks can see them! Certainly Mitt seemed to be impressed that he basically was talking to a fresh crowd.
The beginning of his speech was replete with examples of people who showed American values and gives him confidence in the future of America. He especially talked about the Olympic athletes that he had met (both during the Salt Lake City Olympics he managed and others):
- Peekaboo Street – the skier – talk about enthusiasm!
- Dan Janseen – the speed skater – who went to 4 Olympics to finally get his Gold medal – the story of persistence and determination. Quality of the human spirit.
- He mentioned the US Hockey team at Lake Placid – our amateurs vs the world’s pros. He praised their patriotism, their spirit and their emotion.
Gives him confidence in our future.
As he talks to the crowd, he seems very confident in his material and his style; certainly a lot less formal than what I have seen him on the TV debates. While one could tell that some of the speech was “canned”, it was more an intimate talk instead of a cross swords moment with the moderator and other candidates (and face it, at this time during the campaign, they ALL have canned snippets!).
More pictures after the jump along with the MP3s and video (either tonite or tomorrow)!
He told that he has heartland values in Iowa and Southern values in the South (“A t-shirt with “Yankee Governor with Southern values” got a good laugh). He sees a love of country, a willingness to sacrifice for the future, respect of God and family, and a willing to work hard – all needed to keep and make this country strong.
He then switches to the challenges of the country. Why can’t the politicians in Washington get the job done on spending, immigration, energy? He is running because of that inability to get the job done. With his 25 years of business experience, he knows why jobs come and go; ditto with companies. In the private sector, you have to be a can-do person as talk is cheap in the private sector – only results matter. In politics, it seems, the talk counts and results matter little.
Admits it will be tough to compete with China – we have to raise the bar to compete well. Experience also shows that our asymmetric foes, the Islamofacists want a caliphate and want rule. They are crazy but not stupid. They know and understand the interconnectedness of the West; they will attack where it hurts.
He will stop the petty politics and score-settling and get the job done.
He mentioned that he felt that the Founders thought that most of those that would follow them would be like them – come to Washington, do job, and then go home. It concerns him that politics has become a profession and not a duty. He is concerned that he wants America to continue to be the strongest and greatest nation on earth.
He wants to strengthen the Nation but opposite the way that the Democrats think it should be done. First, he wants to add about 100,000 more troops for the military. We can create a better economy but not raising taxes on SS, income, business, death as the Dems think. After all, just look at the new pumpkin tax in Iowa that had to be repealed due to the derision of the nation. He wants to lower taxes.
He wants to get rid of death tax. He believes that ALL people earning under $200K / year should be able to save any amount by any means (savings, dividends, capital gains, etc.) – all types. This will allow and incentivize people to save money for their future and not take it away from them.
He mentioned from an event in Nevada, Iowa that John Edwards had just said he would allow $250 to be tax free – the crowd booed. That quick changed to laughter as Mitt talked about what that wouldn’t do and someone said it wouldn’t pay for Edwards’s haircut either.
Mitt continued on by saying that by fixing immigration, we would strengthen economy. Secure border, hire only legally to work – that will stop illegals from wanting to come here. For those Illegals that are here, he would allow them to get in line but would not have a special or expedited pathway to get here. No amnesty – crowd claps loudly.
He continues on that one of his main points is that he wants to strenthen families – that is the most important thing in the US is strong families – that is the foundation on which this country is based upon. We have to have . good schools, health care, and a safety net does not discourage marriage. Marriage costs about $6K in benefits – that should not happen!. Teach kids to get married before making babies.
He believes he will be elected with the crowd’s help – loud clapping – this crowd is full of Mitt supporters!
We will care for our vets properly. You will not be embarrassed by my family.
He now opens up the time for question and answers:
What is your approach to arms control?
First, we have to make sure that Iran does not get the bomb. Believes Achmadidajad has said (get rid of Israel) and that we should believe him. He would tighten sanctions economically and diplomatically. He would consistently inform the public of this peril. It seems that Mitt believes that if ever Iran used the bomb, Iran and the countries that helped them to build it will suffer terrible consequences by the rest of the world. He believes that the military option should always be on the table. He will continue research and deployment of SDI. He wants Pakistan to become more stable.
What is the difference you and the other candidates?
First, he lives just across the lake (big laughs, as he has a home in Wolfeboro).
He starts to tick off different issues:
- Immigration – Rudy allowed NYC to be a sanctuary city (“we welcome and protect you”). Mitt empowered the Mass State Police to work with ICE.
- No DREAM Act…no in-state tuition break. Huckabee – is in favor of this and fought for that as Governor of Arkansas. Others believe in amnesty
- Different life experiences – he is the ONLY one running that has managed both small and large businesses. He has spent his life in the private sector, ran the businesses, then managed the Olympics, and then ran Mass as a Governor. This is a rare combo. The country needs more of it.
How is MA care is going?
Those in the Public sector said it couldn’t be done – you cannot get everyone onto insurance. In the private sector, you cannot say it cannot be done. He got experts together, reduced the state mandates on insurance coverages and the rates went down. Those making $54K and above have to buy it. They should not expect someone else to pay with free care. Poor – $15K and below – would be subsidized.
He is rather upbeat, but is not sure of outcome as he is no longer Governor. He wants the Feds to allow each state to do the same thing or what makes them able to take care of this problem in their way.. he does NOT HillaryCare (loud clapping) Free market works. She want gov’t to take over and he wants to get gov’t out
Presidential security – how would that adversely affect Wolfeboro boat traffic?
Mitt jested – no boating for 4 years on the Big Lake – lots of laughter!
He does not want to affect boat traffic…but would like to have his home in Wolfeboro to be the official summer residence. He does not want to intrude on the normal life here.
He wants to be here, as this is where his family gathers (wife, sons, grandchildren) and that is most important to him.
Here’s the actual Question and Response
Note: I caught up with Steve Loughlin after the event for a couple of quick questions here.
Would you continue to pursue spaced based weapons or put that money in respite care givers instead? >
It is not an issue of one or the other. Medicaid and other programs have to be effective. We cannot pull from defense as there are evil people in the world (talks that the Bible starts off with the story of Cain and Abel as an example that evil has always been with us and isn’t going away any time soon). God shows us that evil is in the world. As weapons become more evil, we have to be at the cutting edge to keep from losing our freedom. He will do what EVER is needed to keep us there.
Follow Up – the government is not doing a good job! (It is obvious that this lady does NOT like this answer – it seems that she may be a care giver that want more government assistence)
Everyone has a bag of rocks – problems that weigh on your mind all the time. We all have challenges and he wants to help to lighten to load.
Will you be reinstituting the draft?
No.
We have to take troop levels up by 100K and we may have to up incentives for that to happen. Mentions that rotations are causing big problems and strain on families – we have to make that easier.
In MA, for the National Guard – they changed things so that life insurance was paid for, tuition at state schools would be free. From a loss of 6% / year, enrollment went up 30%
Deficit?
$161 Billion this year – it is down and we are still fighting the war. He wants to make sure that the spending bills will be the Inflation rate – 1%. Reign in spending and get rid of ineffective and overhead programs. Teams to go through each area in government, take things apart, and make it smaller and smarter.
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Audio Interviews:
I put the interview with Steve Loughlin up with his question above.
I was introduced to one of the campaign’s interns, Diedre Parson, so I asked a couple of questions!
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