Economic Recovery: One Step Closer to Getting it Right

Last night, Mitt Romney swept 5 primary contests with victories in Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania.  Today's announcement that Gingrich is officially suspending his campaign has all but assured Romney an uncontested path to August's GOP convention.

A corner has been turned.

AP Photo/Jim Cole

Last night during Mitt Romney's remarkable speech, it became clear that something has changed in this candidate.  He is more confident, more on message and appears more prepared than ever for the November fight.  Something is different.  Something is better.  Mitt Romney is ready and he appears more presidential than ever.

It was a game changing speech and I would argue that it was his best speech yet.  The White House will undoubtedly be on the defensive.

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Mitt Romney started by addressing those who have been hit hardest by these hard economic times.

He said, "For every single mom who feels heart broken when she has to explain to her kids that she needs to take a second job...for grandparents who can't afford the gas to visit their children...for the mom and dad who never thought they would be on food stamps...for the small-business owner desperately cutting back just to keep the doors open one more month -- to all of the thousands of good decent Americans I've met who want nothing more than a better chance, a fighting chance, to all of you, I have a simple message: Hold on a little longer.  A better America begins tonight."

Romney reminded us that we, as Americans can do better---that we should and can expect more---that economic stability is attainable---and that prosperity is possible.  We just need the right leader with the right experience to get us there.

President Obama has proven that he is not that leader.

Image from Washington Post

For 3+ years, President Obama has tried to make things better.  Policies have changed, legislative initiatives have been passed, and trillions of dollars have been added to our debt as trillions of dollars have been spent to artificially stimulate our broken economy.  One thing remains clear: it has not worked.

We must not forget that when President Obama took office, he had the rare luxury of a Democratic majority in the House and Senate.  President Obama had the perfect environment to make a huge impact.

Yet, despite all that he has tried, instability continues to stare each of us in the face.

Last night Mitt Romney said, 'The last few years have been the best that Barack Obama can do, but it's not the best that America can do.  What do we have to show after three and a half years of President Obama?"

Reuters Image

Every American needs to ask themselves these questions posed by Romney:

1. Is it easier to make ends meet?
2. Is is easier to sell your home or buy a new one?
3. Have you saved what you need for retirement?
4. Are you making more in your job?
5. Do you have a better chance at getting a better job?
6. Do you pay less at the pump?

Romney said,
"If the answer was "yes" to those questions, President Obama would be running for re-election based on his achievements...and rightly so.  But because he has failed, he will run a different campaign of diversions, distractions and distortions.  That kind of campaign may have worked at another place at a different time, but not here and not now.  It's still about the economy...and we're not stupid."

"People are hurting in America and we know that something is terribly wrong with the direction of this country."

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Watching this Administration attempt to fix our broken economy has been like watching someone attempt to shove a square peg in a round hole.

With enough attempts, one can eventually get it to fit, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the attempts were justified or worth it.

No matter how noble, how expensive or how determined, this Administration's solutions have not worked.  Why should we trust that somehow more time will make it right?

How many people can afford the luxury of granting more time for him to get it right?  The urgency is real.  The risk is too great.  The repercussions are too severe.  Time has run out.

Last night, Mitt Romney promised Americans that he has the vision to make it right for our economy.  The best news?  His skills and experience show that he will.

Image from canstockphoto.com

Romney's approach to fix the economy and jump start job growth is based on years of experience and years of successes.  He won't be trying to jam a square peg in a round hole.  He'll be using proven methods with proven results.  There is a difference.

Contrasting Visions for America

Obama's Vision for America
Romney said, "This President is putting us on a path where our lives will be ruled by bureaucrats and boards, commissions and czars.  He's asking us to accept that Washington knows best--and can provide all.

"We've already seen where this path leads.  It erodes freedom.  It deadens the entrepreneurial spirit.  It hurts the very people it's supposed to help.  Those who promise to spread the wealth around only ever succeed in spreading poverty.  Other nations have tried chosen that path.  It leads to chronic high unemployment, crushing debt and stagnant wages."

Romney's Vision for America
He said, "I have a very different vision for America and of our future.  It is an America driven by freedom, where free people, pursuing happiness in their own unique ways, create free enterprises that employ more and more Americans.  Because there are so many enterprises that are succeeding, the competition for hard-working, educated and skilled employees in intense and so wages and salaries rise.

"I see an America with a growing middle class, with rising standards of living.  I see children even more successful that their parents--some successful even beyond their wildest dreams--and others congratulating them for their achievement, not attacking them for it."

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I would argue that time is not what this Administration needs.  They need something much different.  They need years of experience in learning what it takes to fix broken systems to make them stronger.  They need years of learning how to create jobs and what it really takes for sustained economic growth.  They need years of analyzing and scrutinizing numbers.  The need years of learning how to adapt.  Quite frankly, they need years of being accountable with other people's money.

This is what Obama needs--more time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue can't adequately offer it.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Mitt Romney addressed our economic fragility and articulated his plans for true and lasting economic recovery.  He invited Americans to join him in the path to brighter days and he ended his speech with a powerful reminder.  He said, "This time we'll get it right."

I believe him.

Go Mitt!