Romney is a Wimp?---Is This Slimy Reporting?

This week's cover of Newsweek magazine is sure to ignite some controversy.  And rightfully so.

Michael Tomasky's article presents a critical and scathing analysis of Mitt Romney.  The headline reads: 

"The Wimp Factor.  Mitt has bowed to reporters, cowered from the right and hides his taxes.  He's a candidate with a serious wimp problem.  Is Mitt Romney just too insecure to be president?"

Mr. Tomasky's disdain for Mitt Romney and his adoration for our president has been obvious for some time, so the content of the article does not come as a surprise, but I would argue that this time around, Tomasky has crossed the line.  

Are we to assume that there was nothing else in the news?  It is shocking to me that this is the cover story Newsweek chose to run at such a pivotal time in the election.

This is the same week that our president revealed his deep conviction about why it is okay to raise taxes on small businesses with his "You didn't build that" speech.  It also comes out days after Friday's alarming Commerce Department report showing that our fragile economy is showing signs of crumbling---crumbling despite 3 1/2 years of Obama's best efforts with his unprecedented $800 billion stimulus package, clean energy initiatives and jobs creation efforts.  Every one of his efforts that have not helped our economy.

And yet 100 days before an extremely pivotal election and Newsweek thinks that the question Americans should be asking themselves is whether or not Mitt Romney is a wimp?

Please.  Shame on Newsweek for participating in this slimy, biased and pointless coverage of the presidential election.

I'd like to invite their news organization to now present a critical and scathing analysis of Barack Obama's presidency.  Perhaps with a cover showing a picture of the president with the headline:

"The Competent Factor.  Is Obama competent enough to fix our economy?  Is he capable of working with politicians who don't share his ideology?  Furthermore, can Obama offer real economic solutions or does he simply know how to deliver a speech to make us feel good about ourselves?"

I guess it is safe to assume that Newsweek won't run that kind of story because our president has demonstrated with his actions that the answer to each of those question is of course, no.

Go Mitt.

(Thoughts?  Is this media coverage business as usual or has Newsweek crossed the line?)

It Worked?

The US Commerce Department reported today that in the last three months, economic growth slowed to 1.5%---down from 2% in the first quarter.  Spending is down and consumer confidence is dropping.

July's unemployment numbers will be released next week and most analysts see it difficult to imagine how those numbers will drop below the current 8.1%.

Wait....this is what recovery feels like?

Well, apparently if you were to ask the president, he would tell you it is.

Just this week, President Obama stood in front of supporters and tried to make the case that his economic policies are working.  In regards to the state of our economy and tax increases, Obama said, "Just like we've tried their plan, we tried our plan.  And it worked."

It worked?  It did?  That is amazing.

How should we break it to the overly qualified individuals who are still tirelessly standing in employment lines?  Or to those who are working multiple jobs to make ends meet?  How about our countless neighbors who are about to lose their homes?  Or to the many families who are struggling to pay their bills?

How about the 200,000 small businesses who have closed their doors since 2008 which eradicated in excess of 3 million jobs?

Does the president really feel that he can tell those Americans that things are working?

No, because they are not.

Image from NYDailynews.com

Unemployment remains over 8% for the 41st month straight---the GDP has dropped to some of its lowest levels of Obama's presidency---there is a drastic slowdown in private-sector hiring---more Americans are dependent on food stamps than any other time in history and yet, our president is trying to make the case that his efforts have worked?

(In honor of President Clinton, I guess that all just depends on what the definition of "worked" is).

The Obama camp is of course crying foul and furious that the president's words have been "taken out of context."

Please.  If the president wants to run his campaign on his record, then it is is utterly absurd to get offended when people want to remind him of exactly what that record is.  The truth remains, he has a lousy record.  The economy is in the toilet and our country is teetering on another recession.

What are his proposals for his second term?  More stimulus packages and higher taxes to pay for it.

Wait, I think we have been trying that for the past 3 1/2 years.  It hasn't worked.  Why would more time make it more effective?

***

He has certainly tried to fix the mess and he has been overly optimistic in just about everything he has tried.  He promised that is $800 billion stimulus would bring unemployment below 8%.  It didn't.  Most recently, his administration predicted that the GDP for 2012 would be around 4%.  It isn't.  He also predicted that Americans were going to love healthcare reform.  We don't.

It is important to remember however, that back in 2009, a newly inaugurated President Obama said of his plan to fix the financial crisis he inherited, "if I don't have this done in three years, then there is going to be a one-term proposition."

This is the one prediction he actually got right.  He accurately predicted one-term and I think we should hold him to it.

As Mitt Romney so frequently reminds his supporters, "We are here to collect."  It is time for change---economic change.

It is time to finally get this economy into the hands of an individual whose career has more substance than that of a community organizer and into the hands of an individual with a lengthy and sterling career of actually turning things around.

Go Mitt.

Does President Obama Really Understand Job Creation?

A lot has been said about Obama's speech last week in Virginia.    The Romney camp is claiming that the speech is a true reflection of the president's principles and core convictions.  The Obama camp is crying foul and that his, "You didn't built that" quote was simply taken out of context.

Was it?

(Click here for a link to the unedited 3:57 minute speech).

I for one, am having a hard time understanding why the president is not fully embracing his speech.  After all, wasn't it simply another rallying cry for Americans to embrace his "Fair Share Doctrine?"

He was simply reiterating a long-held belief that the wealthy should pay "a little more" because they didn't get it on their own and that businesses and corporations need to pay a little more in taxes because they would never have succeeded without the contribution of the federal government.

His "You didn't build that" comment completely supports his Fair Share Doctrine.  How exactly was it "out of context?"

Image from CS Monitor.com

Like it or not, the president said it and I truly believe that he meant every word.

***

The speech struck a cord with hundreds of small business owners across the country and many are now voicing serious concern over the president's remarks.

Why all the fuss?

Because it is a reflection of the president's core ideology that the government should and needs to be even bigger and stronger---that successful businesses should not be rewarded---and that the wealthy in this country should somehow be demonized for their successes---an ideology which attacks the entrepreneurial, free market spirit in this country.

According to the US Department of Labor, 65% of all net new jobs in this country are created by small businesses.   Does the president acknowledge that the vast majority of small business owners report their income as deriving from either sole proprietorships, LLC partnerships or S Corporations?  All of which are taxed at ordinary income tax rates?

No wonder Republicans are fighting hard to reject an increase on the "wealthy."  It affects more than simply the wealthy individuals like the Mitt Romney's and the Brad Pitt's.

image from blog.smallbusinessadvocate.com

It is important to realize that the president is proposing raising taxes on the wealthy--individuals making over $250,000 a year---this means that small businesses will undoubtedly be hit.

How can this president argue that he is an advocate for the middle class if he attacks their livelihood?

Senator Paul Ryan recently went on MSBC's Morning Joe and said, "About 80% of our American businesses file their taxes as individuals.  Everybody thinks that we are just going to tax the hedge fund manager and the movie star, what you are getting is successful small businesses."

Many business leaders are voicing their deep concern over the president's remarks.

Steve Caldeira, CEO of the International Franchise Association went as far as to say that the President owes small businesses an apology.

He was interviewed by Fox Business and said, "If I am a small business owner, after all the difficult time I am going through, I now have a president saying that the federal government built my business?  He owes small businesses an apology."

(Click here to see his fascinating perspective and full 4 minute interview).

He is extremely critical of the president's proposal to increase the taxes on the "wealthy."  He does not believe that attacking small businesses will strengthen our broken economy.  Furthermore, he says that small business owners are scared.  They are facing many uphill battles: the inability to secure loans and access credit, the unforeseen and impeding costs of health care and now a possible increase in tax rates.  

Caldeira recently wrote a letter to the president and argued that small businesses feel like they are "under assault" by the administration.  He says that the president's policies are not working and that the president's efforts are actually hurting small businesses.

Caldeira is not a Mitt Romney staffer.  He is the CEO of the heart of small business development in this country---franchising.  He is openly telling the president that his approach is wrong.  Steve Caldeira is now supporting Mitt Romney.

Is the president listening?

Obama claims to be an advocate for the middle class, but his recent statements are simply a reflection that this president does not understand how the economy works or understand that true and lasting job creation does not stem from the government.

It is time for a change.

It is time for someone who understands what environment is truly needed for businesses to thrive in this country.

Go Mitt.

Let's Build Something...Together

Lowe's Home Improvement has an extremely effective ad campaign: "Let's build something together."

Brilliant.  It enables.  It encourages and above all, it instills a confidence that even the least likely can---with a little help---acquire the know-how to build a deck, paint a room or fix a leak.

It is probably a good thing that the Obama camp was not hired to help Lowe's with their advertisement strategy.  It would probably read something like, "Just who do you think you are coming in here acting like you can build something.  Well, you certainly you better realize that you can't do it without us."

Hmm.  I wonder how many weekend projects would ever get finished if every handyman was belittled and then told that they didn't have the right to celebrate accomplishments because they certainly didn't build it on their own.

Sadly, given President Obama's recent, "You didn't build that" speech, this is the approach he is taking with the entrepreneurial spirit in America.

***

President Obama and Mitt Romney have two very different strategies when it comes to rebuilding our fragile economy.  Who's approach will work?

It is becoming increasingly clear that as the two men look into the eyes of small business owners across this country, the president's message is, "You need me."  But Mitt Romney looks into the eyes of those same business owners and says, "No, actually, I need you."

Image from america is angry.com

There is a drastic difference in the approach these men would take to help the business environment in America.

Who is right?

Yesterday, Mitt Romney appeared on CNBC's "The Kudlow Report" and he talked about the economy and discussed the president's "You didn't build that" speech.

Romney said, "The context is worse than the quote.  This is an ideology which says, hey we are all the same here.  We ought to take from all and give to one another.  And that achievement, individual initiative and risk taking and success are not to be rewarded as they have in the past.  It's a very strange and in some respects, foreign to the American experience type of philosophy.  We have always been a nation that has celebrated success of various kinds."

Romney criticized the president's approach to fixing the economy.  He bluntly said that his efforts have not worked.  He said, "I think the president made an error coming into office and deciding that the economy would take care of itself.  He focused his energy on a series of liberal plans that he and his friends have been working on for years--a take over of the health care industry---a massive regulation of financial services---trying to impose unions where employees don't want them---a new energy policy---slowing down the leasing of federal lands for the production of oil and gas.  All of these things, not coincidentally, had the impact of slowing job creation and making them less likely for entrepreneurs to either open their doors or expand hiring."

Image from CNBC

I completely agree with Mitt Romney.  If we want to get people working again, we can't demonize success.  For nearly four years, the president has initiated legislation which has not helped businesses thrive.  In fact, the exact opposite happened and countless businesses have closed their doors.  As Mitt Romney told Larry Kudlow, Obama focused on the wrong things and America is still suffering because of it.

Our president is looking at small business owners in America and seems to be telling them, "Look, you didn't build that.  So, let me tell you exactly how you are going to build it."

Mitt Romney looks at small business owners in America and is telling them, "Not only did you build that, but let me help you make it even better, even stronger and even more prosperous.  Let's build something better...together."

Image from CNN

Romney's approach is unique.  His approach is inspiring.  I have no doubt that Romney's approach will enable rather than hinder growth.

So why can America trust that Mitt Romney is right?  Because his 25+ year track record reflects an individual whose approach has overwhelmingly---(80% of the time)---helped rather than hindered the success of countless businesses and institutions.

Can the same be said for our president?  Absolutely not.

When it comes to my weekend projects, I'll continue to go to a place that encourages me by saying, "Let's build something together."  When it comes to the rebuilding of my country's economy, I am going to continue to support the candidate who is saying, "You did build it and I am going to help you make it even better and even stronger."

Go Mitt.

  

Romney's Most Effective Ad Yet

In 1776, our founders tirelessly collaborated on ideas for the future of their budding nation.  It was an exhausting effort.  They faced resistance--even from each other. Yet, they were resolute in their will break free from the oppression they felt from an overreaching monarchy.

They debated and debated and debated.  Many times, it appeared that it was all going to fall apart, but they resolutely persevered and were able to unify and successfully lay a brilliant foundation for their new government.

It was revolutionary.  It was the first of its kind.  It was brilliant and many of these men believed it was inspired by God.

Why was it different?  Because it was the foundation for a government that actually gave its power to its people.

The first line of the Declaration of Independence reads, "We the People..." Our founders envisioned a nation where the government would be for its people---not a people for their government.

***

Our country faces unsettling times.  Stability and prosperity feel like a blurry luxury of days long past.  Foreclosures, layoffs, unemployment lines, food stamps and uncertainty are no longer taboo words. Unfortunately, these words have become a reality for countless members of our neighbors, friends and family and are still dominating dinner conversations across the country.

Our country is enduring the longest and slowest economic recovery since the Great Depression.  Could it possibly get worse?

Unfortunately, history has shown that it absolutely could.

But we have two leaders who are promising that they each have the solutions to ensure that it won't.  Who can we believe?

Image from Salon.com

Fortunately, the deep set ideology of these two men is beginning to fully emerge making it easier to differentiate their visions for America.

Last week, President Obama revealed an important and perhaps the most crucial of differentiators in this race.  Standing in front of a crowd in Virginia, Obama carefully articulated that he believes that government can provide the solution to our problems and that the government is to thank for its people's successes.

He said, "If you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own. You didn't get there on your own.  I'm always struck by people who think, well, it must be 'cause I was just so smart.  There are a lot of smart people out there.  It must be because I worked harder than everybody else."  

Obama went on to say, "Let me tell you something.  There are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there.  If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help.  There was a great teacher somewhere in your life.  Somebody helped to create this unbelievable system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges.  If you've got a business, you didn't build that.  Somebody else made that happen."

What?  If you've got a business, you didn't build that?  Not exactly the message that countless small business owners who are struggling to keep their doors open and grasping to make payroll for their employees want to hear.

Mitt Romney, an individual who spent 25+ years running an extremely successful business which counseled small businesses on how to succeed, immediately pounced.  He released this ad today and I would argue that it is one of his most effective to date.

The real differentiator is that we have a president who advocates that people are for the government vs. Romney's belief that the government is for its people.

The left is crying foul arguing that the president's words were taken out of context, but the problem is they weren't.  The president spoke from the heart and it is hard to argue with conviction.  The president believes the government should stimulate the economy.

Problem? We have been trying this approach for nearly four years.

We watched our government spread its hands into dozens of new programs and various aspects of our lives.  We are trillions and trillions of dollars deeper in debt and it did not work.  It has not helped our economy.

Why would more time make this approach more successful?

***

Mitt Romney would argue that a greater blanket of coverage by our government will simply suffocate the potential of its people.  It will stifle growth and limit innovation.  Romney argues that bigger government with stronger regulation and taxation will create a dependency of a people on its government.

He's right.

Image from onlinejournal.com

Perhaps this is why Mitt Romney is now effectively making the case that America is enduring the weakest economic recovery because we have a president who doesn't understand the economy.

Mitt Romney believes that business will fuel the economy while the president believes a stronger government will.

The president is wrong and his policies have proven it.

***

William Bennett, author and CNN contributor, posed an interesting question yesterday here in a piece for CNN.  He said, "Romney had a "sterling business career," and those are President Bill Clinton's words.  Would anyone say the same thing about President Obama's tenure as the CEO of the American economy?"

The truth of matter is that the our government is a brilliant institution which has withstood the test of time.  Its role in our lives is crucial and essential.  Mitt Romney would never advocate for the removal of the government.  He just believes that the government is there to encourage growth, not regulate it.

One can't help but ask, which approach is closest in line with the vision of our founders?  I am betting on Romney every time.

Go Mitt.

Is Outsourcing Evil?

It is starting to get slimy.

The Obama campaign is now running an advertisement here in Colorado which, quite frankly makes my stomach turn. (click here for link to ad).

His camp is doing everything they can to discredit Mitt Romney and vilify his successes.  They would love to paint the picture that Mitt Romney is somehow a "danger" to America.

Please.

After highlighting that Romney's firm has participated in outsourcing and that some of his investments are in foreign bank accounts (all of which Romney has disclosed and revealed that he pays his taxes on every single investment), the ad ends with the statement: "Mitt Romney is not the solution.  He is the problem."

This is completely offensive.  Mitt Romney is the problem?  The problem?

What exactly is the president suggesting? 

I realize that I am just one American, but from my perspective, here are a few of the real problems in America:

- Too many Americans are out of work---millions and millions of Americans.

- Our politicians spend our hard earned tax dollars on broken and completely inefficient programs.

- They invest in programs where their campaign donors and lobbyists will always benefit.

- They refuse to limit their spending to the confines of a budget.

- Leaders are more concerned about their reelection than they are to solving real problems. 

- Overspending has surged our debt to an unthinkable dependency on foreign money.

- America is completely dependent on foreign oil.

- Our health care system is still broken.

- America's education system is shameful.

The president would like us to believe that Mitt Romney is America's problem?  I am quite frankly shocked that our president has allowed his name to be affiliated with an effort that shamefully distorts the character of a hardworking, respectable, honest and an accomplished American.

Mitt Romney is not America's problem, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear, our president doesn't know how to find the right solutions to America's problems.

The president and his team are trying to to conjure up images that outsourcing and off-shore investments are an evil and corrupt practice that should disqualify someone from filling the oval office.  Problem with this philosophy? Obama is guilty of it.

Philip Klein, Senior Editor Writer for the Washington Examiner wrote an interesting piece today.  He wrote, "President Obama has accused Mitt Romney of raking in profits from investing in companies that ship American jobs overseas, but according to his most recent financial disclosure, he and Michelle have hundreds of thousands of dollars in a mutual fund that has large holdings in corporations that outsource jobs." (Click here to read full article).

Outsourcing can appear to be an unfair practice---especially when unemployment is over 8%---but it is vital to remember that outsourcing is part of the reason why goods and services are affordable to all Americans.

Maybe someone should say, Hey Mr. President, you know those Apple products and smart phones you love?  Oops.  They are a product of outsourcing.  You know those appliances that clean the White House dishes, the linens and clothes or the air conditioner that keeps the temperature bearable in the balmy DC heat?  Oops.  Probably all made in China---every one of them is the product of outsourcing. 

Image from edible apple.com

I wish the president and his team would stop this foolish blaming and distortion of issues that will not help our economy stabilize or put more Americans back to work.  These things DO NOT MATTER.

Bain Capital is a respectable company that identified ways to cut costs and save money for its business investments.  They have not done anything illegal or dishonorable.  Period.

Smearing Romney's career and making people question when he left Bain to run the Olympics does help Americans pay their bills or feel confident that another Obama term will allow them to find a job or pay their bills to stay in their homes.

As Jennifer Rubin brilliantly wrote in the Washington Post today, "Maybe voters care more about their jobs than when Romney left his."

I am sick of the double standard.  I am sick of these slimy distortions.  Americans are yearning for stability and longing for prosperity.  

Image from neontommy.com

It is time to rally behind the candidate with a track record of doing what he says he can vs. a candidate who promised the moon and didn't even deliver the stars.

Go Mitt.

Will there be a tipping point?

After taking a few weeks off for vacation, slowly recovering from an injury and also enjoying the long summer days with my family, I find myself wondering how I can jump back into the passion I feel about the upcoming presidential election.  (I think astronauts are right---"reentering the atmosphere" stinks).

But the events of the past few days have reignited my determination to play whatever role I can---regardless of how small---in making sure that this president is granted only one term.

In recent weeks, the tone of the presidential campaign has taken a nasty and unsettling turn.  Things have become shockingly personal and the accusations that are flying make most observers question how it is only July and yet, it feels like it could be the first week of November.

Image from Northwestern Business Review

The attacks are vicious and unrelenting and at this point, it is difficult to tell who is winning.

One thing is becoming increasingly clear, the president and his team see that the only way they can win is if they can successfully annihilate their opponent Mitt Romney.  It is kind of an ironic switch for a president who once ran on a message of "hope" with calls for a greater civil tone from our leaders.

With a weakening economy, dismal jobs numbers, unemployment staying above 8% for the 41st straight month, and an ever deepening deficit, the president has very little to boast about.  How many of his campaign ads are tooting his own horn?

Living in the swing state of Colorado, I can assure you that most of the ads that end with the words, "I am Barack Obama and I approve this message," have very little to do with anything he has accomplished while in office.  Most of his ads attack Mitt Romney's exemplary business record at Bain or try to paint the illusion that Romney's ability to shrink Massachusetts' unemployment numbers down from 5.6% to 4.6% in just four years is somehow not praiseworthy. (Source Bureau of Labor Statistics).

The Obama team is desperate to discredit Romney's record and they are having a hard time given his, to quote President Clinton, "sterling" business record.  A few days ago, however, things just went too far.  Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager and strategist for Obama made the baseless and shameful charge that Mitt Romney is possibly guilty of a criminal behavior.  She said, "Either Mitt Romney through his own words and his own signature was misrepresenting his position at Bain to the SEC, which is a felony."

Image from The Washington Times

The Obama camp is trying to tie Mitt Romney to the outsourcing that took place after he left Bain Capital to run the Olympics.  Multiple sources from Bain Capital have independently confirmed with The Washington Post and multiple reports from CNN and even David Gergen, have overwhelming supported the fact that Mitt Romney did not play a role of any kind in the decisions that were made after he left Bain Capital.

Yet, here we are days later and the Obama camp refuses to back down and offer an apology for such a defamatory accusation.

Mitt Romney is naturally furious that the president would participate in this type of distortion and called on Obama and his campaign to apologize.  Despite multiple sources discrediting these charges, they refuse to take back what they said.  Stephanie Cutter even told CBS, "He (Romney) is not getting an apology."

Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel took things even further and went as far as to say to Romney, "Stop whining."

Stop whining?  Stop whining?  This is shameful campaigning and the American people should demand more from our president.

In many ways, I sort of feel like the "Stop whining" message is exactly what this president is telling us to do whenever we try to hold him accountable for the dismal economy that he promised he could fix.  He doesn't want to be reminded that he promised his astronomically expensive stimulus bill would take unemployment below 8%.  It didn't.  He doesn't want to hear that his policies have failed.  He doesn't seem to be learning from his mistakes.  And his plan for the next four years appears to be simply a reflection of what he has already tried.

Well, I am one American who is not going to stop whining.  Yes, this president inherited a fiscal mess, but he ran on the promise that he could fix it.  He hasn't.

I saw this image yesterday and it made me laugh.

The reason why I support Mitt Romney is because in Mitt's lifetime, in multiple situations, he too, was hired to fix a mess that he inherited.  In 1999, he was hired to fix the Olympics.  The Olympic preparations in Utah were a mess.  Scandal, bribery, misuse of funds, rescinding sponsorships and warnings that the International Olympic committee was preparing to pull the games from Salt Lake City.  Romney inherited a mess.  But I cannot think of one interview where Romney complained that his job was hard because of the mess he inherited.

Can we imagine if four years into his job, if he had failed to save the games and only blamed his predecessors for the mess they left him?  Had he not "fixed" the mess he inherited, he would have been fired---and rightly so.

Image from NBC News

Romney didn't blame.  He fixed.  He saved the Olympics and was praised for one of the most successful games in Olympic history.

He inherited a mess, but he knew how to fix it.  Can we say the same for our president?

***

The polls remain virtually tied.  The president and his team are desperately searching for the tipping point that will tip things in the president's favor.  They are clearly hoping that the tipping point is to annihilate Romney even if it means using false and defamatory accusations.

I however, would argue that the tipping point needs to be the economy.  The tipping point needs to be that things are not better.  The tipping point needs to be that Obama's efforts have not worked.

Image from Business Week

The tipping point is that we have a remarkable individual with an exemplary record of fixing broken companies, guiding the bankrupt to become profitable and fiscally running a state government without borrowing money or raising taxes.

The tipping point for our economic future is Mitt Romney.

Go Mitt.