Powerful New Romney Ad

The Romney camp released this video.  It is probably one their most effective ads to date.

True leadership requires more than a speech to provide chills up your spine.

True leadership makes change happen.

True leadership requires skill and ability to implement that change.

What kind of leadership did our president provide?  The chills and that's about it.

***

It has been four years.  Our country is still on the brink of another recession.  This time around, lofty speeches, feel good words and eloquent campaign slogans are not enough.

This time around, help is what we need.  Sorry Mr. President, your beautifully inspired words over the past four years didn't even come close.

My family can't afford to find out if you get it wrong...again.

Go Mitt.

Is this the recovery we were so boldly and confidently promised?

Obama ran on the promise to be the "fix-it" guy to improve the economy.  He promised more jobs, lower deficits, and renewed prosperity.  We believed him and a record turnout of voters handed him the keys to the oval office.

image from mpg.org

For four years, Obama has done everything he could to fix that mess.  He spent hundreds of billions of dollars to stimulate our economy.  Do you see the benefits of it in your community?

Obama spent hundreds and hundreds of billions to create jobs.  He even promised to lower the unemployment rate to 6%.  Yet, unemployment has been stuck above 8% for 43 months.  Are your friends and neighbors back to work in your community?  If so, are they working for less pay and fewer hours?

Obama promised to help desperate families who were facing foreclosures on their homes.  He spent $75 billion on a government backed refinance program.  The program was a complete failure.  Even the New York Times reported that the program "fell vastly short of its goals."

Obama promised to help middle class families.  New reports show that under Obama's watch, median incomes are down 8.2%.

Is this the recovery we were so boldly and confidently promised?

***

The Commerce Department released an extremely concerning report today regarding the state of our economy.  The demand for U.S. goods and services unexpectedly dropped for the third consecutive quarter.  Orders for durable goods inexplicably fell 13.2% last month alone.

Most alarming?  The report shows a revised figure for the growth of the U.S economy / GDP.  The number has now been revised from 1.7 to 1.3 percent.

The Obama team would argue, well, at least it is still growing, right?

It is important to realize that just one year ago, in the third quarter of 2011, the GDP was growing at 3 percent. The GDP has slowed and now hovers just above 1 percent.  The truth? We are declining from just one year ago.

A slowdown in GDP is devastating news for a fragile and recovering economy.

Forget the question, "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?" The new and more pertinent question?  "Is our economy even better off than it was a year ago?"

No.

image from realclearpolitics.com

CNN reported that growth of at least 3% is needed for the economy to produce enough jobs to meaningfully lower the unemployment rate.  If we are falling further away from 3%, how will we possibly create enough jobs to help 23 million Americans who are still struggling to find work?

Is this the recovery we were promised:  A slowdown of GDP to 1.3 percent--Unemployment still over 8%--a still crumbling housing market and $6 trillion added to the debt.

It would be hard to argue that this Obama recovery is actually a recovery.  No wonder many are now asking what it will take to "recover" from Obama's "recovery."

***

Obama must have forgotten that his job description was to fix the mess he inherited.  Does he think the job description was merely to find out who was to blame?  Sorry Mr. President, we didn't hire you to solve a mystery, we hired you to fix our economy.  You didn't.

The left seems perfectly willing to blame the financial crisis on one man, but they refuse to blame this stagnant and pathetic recovery on one man's failed attempt to fix it.

This isn't a recovery.

For this reason, I will support the candidate whose resume shows that he knows how to fix a problem rather than just identify who is to blame.

We must ask ourselves, "Does Obama deserve a second chance to fix something he already failed to accomplish?"

My family can't afford to find out what happens if he gets it wrong...again.

Go Mitt.

Will Anyone Hold the President Accountable? We Can. We Should. And We Will.

The media wants the election to be over.  As shocking as it is, the media is done vetting this president.

In the past few weeks, their endorsement of Obama's second term has become blatantly obvious.  Any conservative would describe this shift in their coverage of the election.

We feel it.  We see it.  And quite frankly, we are disgusted by it.

Image from reddogreport.com

The press anxiously waits to pounce on Mitt Romney's mistakes, while the president's mistakes (and there have been plenty) have been largely overlooked and quickly forgiven.  Yesterday, the president's UN speech alone and his indefensible comment, "The future does not belong to those who slander Islam," should have provided any news editorial page with enough material to last for weeks.

But what dominates the opinion pages today?  Continued focus on Mitt Romney's 47% comment.

The liberal drum beats are getting louder.  Members of the media want to reward this president for another "brilliant" campaign rather than hold him accountable for the failure of the job the American people hired him to do.

Conservatives are now brazenly labeled as weak and extreme.   Is it any wonder that poll numbers are shoved in our faces as often as possible?  They want us to lose confidence.  They want us to be discouraged.

Is it working?  Amidst all the noise, can conservatism prevail?  Is the election over?

Absolutely not.

First of all, how many times during the primaries did the press declare Mitt Romney's campaign as dead?  Believe me.  Dozens of times.  I was watching it all like a hawk.

But amidst all the noise, one powerful thing remains in our hands: Our Vote.  We must never forget that while the media does not want to hold the president accountable for his dismal record, we can.  We should.  We will.

Unemployment remains above 8% for an unthinkable 43rd month.  The president spent hundreds of billions with the assurance that it would drop the unemployment rate to 6%.  He was wrong.

The press does not want to hold him accountable for this failure, but we can.  We should.  We will.

Image from thegrio.com

The president continues to declare himself an "Advocate of the middle class" and "Big Brother to the Poor."  Yet, under his watch, millions and millions of Americans have dropped out of the middle class and are now living in poverty.  Under his watch, 1 in 6 Americans now lives in poverty.  Obama is an "Advocate for the middle class?"  Please.  Those are empty, feel good words that have nothing to do with his record.

The press may not want to hold the president accountable for this hypocrisy, but we can.  We should.  We will.

***

We must not forget that in 1980, before the debates, Ronald Reagan was trailing in the polls. Reagan went on to beat incumbent President Jimmy Carter by 10 points.

We must also not forget that in June, the press had written off the election in Wisconsin to unseat Governor Scott Walker.  Up until election day, the press showed that polls were tight and that Walker's chance of winning was minimal.  The press was wrong.  Walker won 54 to 45---it was not even close.

The key this election is to be a different kind of voter.  In order to win, we must become advocates.  Mitt Romney needs more than just our votes.  He needs our voices.  He needs our presence.

What are you doing to become that presence?  Click here to find out what you can do.

Image from mittromney.com

The president thinks he speaks for you.  The press is sure they speak for you.  Do they?

Too much is at stake.  Namely, the implementation of an extremely expensive and controversial health care law, Obamacare---a growing world crisis with Islamic extremists---a mounting economic crisis worldwide---a crumbling U.S. economy---a broken housing market---and a drastically weakened US dollar.

The press wants us to put Obama in charge of something he already failed to accomplish?  No thanks.

President Obama already vowed to help us once.  He couldn't.  He didn't.  He is now asking for more time to get it right.  Can your family afford to find out if he is wrong...again?

Go Mitt.

Should Change Take More than One Term?

Obama told a group of supporters on Saturday that he needs more time.  He said, "As we have always said, change takes more than one term.  Change takes more than one president.  More than one party."

Problem?

He hasn't "always" said change takes time---in fact, he has actually never said that.  He seemed pretty confident in his 2009 Today Show interview that if he didn't have the job done in one term, it would be a "one term proposition."

Image from boston.com

Well, after 4 years, this is what we got with his one term proposition:

• Unemployment remains over 8% for the 43rd month.
• $5 trillion has been added to the debt.
• 1 in 6 Americans are now living in poverty.
• Millions have dropped out of the middle class.
• 50 million Americans are now dependent on food stamps (highest number ever)
• Millions of Americans are still at risk for losing their homes.
• Unemployment for black Americans have reached an unthinkable 14.4%
• Price of gasoline has doubled.
• U.S. Credit rating has been downgraded for the first time in our history.
• Home foreclosures increased by 43%.
• Bankruptcy filings have increased by 42%
• Median household incomes have dropped 4%.
• Value of U.S. dollar has decreased by 8.7% (U.S dollar index).
• Most astounding?  According the U.S Treasure Office, Obama added $4 billion of debt per day.
• 
  

Hmmm...this has all happened under this president's watch.  I think it is pretty safe to say that Obama didn't get the job done.

But he is now asking for more time.  Asking for more patience.

At Saturday's event, in an attempt to mock Romney's words from a secretly taped video where Romney makes reference to the 47% of individuals who don't pay income tax and would therefore not be swayed by Romney's platform to lower taxes, Obama said that "change can happen, but not if you write off half the country."

Image from abcnews.com

He told supporters that on the night of his inauguration he spoke directly to the 47% of the country who voted for his rival.  He said, "I told the 47% of those folks who didn't vote for me that I may not have have won your vote, but I hear your voices.  I promise to be your president too."

Loud cheers.

Too bad that these "feel good" words don't have anything to do with his actual record.  Obama wants us to be outraged that Mitt Romney's comments alienated "47%" of voters, but he wants us to overlook the reality that his policies and leadership alienated and blatantly ignored "47%" of the country.

Which is worse?

When the stimulus bill was drafted, it did not include one Republican proposal.  Not one.
When he rammed his health care bill through without one Republican vote, he didn't exactly seem concerned that 65% of Americans didn't support the bill.

When he incessantly blames his predecessor and the Congressional leaders who represent "47%" of the country, it doesn't exactly feel like he cares about being "our" president.

It is ridiculous that Obama is still trying to sell a feel good message when his record reflects a leader who is incapable of it.

***

I refuse to reward a president for a clever campaign.  I will not reward a president for persuasive ads.  I will not be persuaded by feel good phrases which have had nothing to do with his record.

Sorry Mr. President, time is not what you need.

Because I firmly believe "change" is possible in one term.  I believe that change can happen with one president and I believe that one president can fix a broken government--and history has demonstrated it can be done in one term.

As governor, Mitt Romney brought about lasting fiscal reform to his state, he turned a $3 billion budget shortfall into a $2 billion rainy day fund, he reached across the aisle and passed bipartisan reforms, he eliminated wasteful spending.  He did it without raising taxes or borrowing a single dollar.

What is most remarkable?

He did it all in just one term.  The president's one term record hasn't even come close.

So Mr. President, time is not what brings about change---it's leadership.  And four years into your presidency, time has simply shown that leadership is what you lack.

Go Mitt.

Yes We Can? (Umm...Well, you couldn't and you didn't).

In 2008, Obama ran on the message of "Change" for the better and "Hope" for a stronger, more prosperous future.  He promised to improve our lives and fix everything—literally, everything including the ocean tides and even heal the planet.

• He promised to fix the economy.  Is it even close?

• He promised prosperity. 1 in 6 Americans are now living in poverty.  Is this prosperity?

• He promised to cut the deficit in half—he actually doubled it and added $5 trillion to our debt.

• He confidently promised to lower unemployment—it's still over 8% for the 43rd month.

• He promised to help millions of Americans who were losing their homes.  His $75 billion Affordable Refinance Program was a disaster and by all accounts a complete "failure."  The New York Times reported that Obama's mortgage relief plan "fell vastly short of its goals."

• He promised new jobs and he claims he added 4.5 million new jobs,—oops, CNN fact checkers disproved it and said the actual net gain has been a mere 300,000 new jobs to date.

• He promised to change the tone.  Yet, for four years, every misstep, missed opportunity and lack of progress has been brazenly blamed on individuals whose ideology represent half the country.

***

Obama promised to deliver on a lot of things.  But the fact remains, he's been wrong about everything.

He wants for four more years to get it right.  Problem?  My family can't afford to find out if he's wrong...again.  Can yours?

America deserves more than what this president has offered.  For this reason, I will continue to support the candidate whose resume shows me that not only does he know how to make promises, but he knows how to keep them.

For 25 years, Mitt Romney was hired time and again to improve profitability, resuscitate the bankrupt and fix a fiscal crisis.  (Sound familiar?)

He was successful nearly every single time.  Our president's record doesn't even come close.

Go Mitt.

Is foreign policy really Obama's strength? Or is it running a brilliant campaign?

Our embassies across the world are under attack.  For the first time in 30 years, a U.S. Ambassador has been killed.  (The last U.S. Ambassador to be killed was in 1979).  American flags are being burned.  Embassies are closing.  Anti-American sentiment is raging across the globe.

Is Obama's foreign diplomacy working?  Is foreign policy really his strength?

Image from dailymail.co.uk

The White House Administration is adamant that we need to be patient before drawing any conclusions about the nature of the attacks.  They continue to say that the unrest around the world and specifically the attacks in Libya were simply the "result of an anti-Islam video."

The White House has repeatedly condemned the video and apologized for its content.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the film is "disgusting and reprehensible" and a "cynical attempt to offend people for their religious beliefs."

Last Friday, White House spokesman Jay Carney said, "There was no actionable intelligence that could in any way have been acted upon to prevent these attacks."  Carney went on to say, "We have no information to suggest it was a pre-planned attack."

Things are starting to get a little sticky.

Today CNN reported that months before the attack, Ambassador Chris Stevens had voiced his concerns for his safety and that he knew that he was on an al Qaeda hit list.

CNN also reported that "three days before the deadly attack, a local security official met with American diplomats in the city and warned them about deteriorating security.  James Mabrouk, a member of the brigade told CNN that the "security situation wasn't good.  The situation is frightening, it scares us."

That was three days before the attack.

So let me get this straight, for months our ambassador feared for his life, a security guard warns about the lack of security and yet the "protesters"/attackers were still able to carry out their objectives?

Was anything done to beef up security?  To protect American interests?  To protect American lives?

State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland said, "As we did with all of our missions overseas, in advance of September 11, as we do every year, we did evaluate the threat stream and determined that the security at Benghazi was appropriate for what we knew."

It is disheartening then to learn that as the New York Times reported, the "protests" began at 10 PM with rocket-propelled grenades and by 10:15 the attackers had gained entrance to the main building."

The New York Times report continued, "Reports are that American and European officials said that while many details about the attack remain unclear, the assailants seemed organized, well-trained and heavily armed, it appears they had some level of advanced planning."

Hmm.

The White House would like us to believe that a few angry people who heard something about a little, obscure YouTube video, just randomly appeared with rocket-propelled grenades and were able to break down our "adequate" security and take over an embassy in a matter of minutes?  And just by coincidence, it happened on the anniversary of 9/11?

Please.

Should it surprise anyone that the Washington Post reported today, that a senior U.S. intelligence official is now telling lawmakers that "The U.S. ambassador and three other Americans killed last week in Libya died in the course of a terrorist attack."

Ouch.  What was the White House's response?

Matthew Olsen, director of the National Counter Terrorism Center simply corroborated the Administration's stance and said, "initial conclusions do not point to a planned assault.  Instead, the facts indicate that this was an opportunistic attack."

Image from dailymail.co.uk

Why not tell it like it is?  Is there really harm in calling it terrorism?

Based on the White House's response, yes.

I guess it makes sense.  All of this unrest and foreign policy breakdown reflect poorly on the president.

Will they still be able to say Obama's strength is foreign policy?  Can they still brand him the "healer" of extreme Muslim relations if it is obvious that these extremist still hate us.  Can they still avoid Bush's term, "War on Terror,"if it is obvious that this war is still raging?

Will it be harder to sell Obama's campaign theme that "America is safer now that Osama is dead" if our embassies are being easily overtaken by Islamic fundamentalists, American flags have been replaced by al Qaeda flags, our buildings are burning and an Ambassador has been brutally murdered?

This doesn't feel safer to me.  This doesn't feel like progress.

Image from nbcnews.com

In all fairness, maybe the White House did not know these specifics.  Maybe they didn't have all the details, but for an administration that is keenly aware of every single thing that rival Mitt Romney has ever said and everything he has ever done, it is a little hard to believe that they were somehow unaware of this global crisis.

What is our president doing today?  He continues to annihilate Mitt Romney for a secretly taped video where Romney is heard discussing the 47% of Americans who don't pay income taxes and why they would never vote for Mitt Romney.

I am of the belief that a president should not be rewarded for a "brilliant" campaign, but rather be rewarded for the job he has done as president.

America deserves better than what this president has offered.

Go Mitt.

Do Words Speak Louder than Actions or Actions Louder than Words?

The world of politics is exploding over a secretly taped video of Mitt Romney back in May at a fundraising event when he made some questionable remarks about the 47% of Americans who don't pay income tax and why those individuals would never vote for Mitt Romney.

The world of journalism is doing their part to ensure that this explosion will be the implosion of one man's presidential hopes.

Image from Foxnews.com

The press is outraged.  The press is disgusted, but make no mistake about it, the press is really just celebrating.  They seem perfectly ready to end the election and declare that Mitt Romney is not fit to hold the office.  They want us to believe that Romney has revealed that he doesn't care about the poor and obviously wants to separate the "haves from the have nots."

Are they right?  Is the election over?  Is this the final blow?

Absolutely not.  Although for the moment, this election appears to be about this video, like it or not, the election is still about the economic security of our people and to be blunt, despite all the president has tried, the economic security in America still stinks.

***

The press can shout about this tape, but the fact remains that this election will be about our broken economy and our president's failed attempts to make things better.

I have no problem with the press holding a leader accountable for their words, but it seems a little disingenuous when they are not equally as determined to hold the president accountable for his actions.

Image from nytimes.com

Last night, our president appeared on David Letterman.  There was of course, talk of this Mitt Romney recording.  President Obama in his calming and reassuring way said,

"What I've learned as president is that you represent the entire country. If you want to be president, you've got to work for everyone and not just some.  You've got to be president to all the people."

Hmm.  That sounds really nice.  I think I even got a chill up my leg.

Problem?  Obama's actions as president have not reflected that sentiment.  In fact, this country feels more divided than ever and our president has been at the center of it.

Actions speak louder than words:

Religion
I for one, am a person of faith.  I strongly believe and defend our first amendment right which respects religious freedom and prohibits our government from making laws impeding the free exercise of it.

When the president made changes to the Affordable Care Act requiring non-profit organizations, including Catholic institutions to pay for birth control, contraceptives, morning after pills and abortions, even though such a requirement goes against their moral convictions, Obama brazenly pushed it through and instead made "amendments" which changed the wording but not the requirement.

Mr. President, your actions with this ruling did not represent me or millions of other people of faith.


Debt
I am also an American who firmly believes in moral spending limits.  Like many conservatives, I believe it is immoral to spend more money than we have.

Mr. President, I have watched you add $5 trillion dollars to our deficit in 3 1/2 years---more debt than any administration combined. A $16 trillion debt is reckless, irresponsible and as you once said, "unpatriotic."

With regards to spending and debt, your actions have not represented me or millions of conservatives who share my convictions.  


Free Enterprise
I am an American who believes that free enterprise works.  I believe that American businesses are at the heart of a thriving economy.  I believe that high taxes, government restrictions and impositions are hindering business growth and potential.  I am an American who is freaked out that 2011 saw the slowest start up rate for new businesses in 11 years.

Mr. President, when you say things like "You didn't build that," it didn't feel like you were representing me or the millions of Americans who disagree with your idea that success should not be rewarded.


Health Care Reform
I am an American who still does not want Obamacare.  I am one of the millions of Americans who opposed such an expensive, intrusive and unproven overhaul of our health care system.  I am one of the 65% of Americans who did not support this reform. (Remember, only 35% of Americans supported this legislation at the time it passed).

Mr. President, when you resorted to bribes and back room deals to get the votes needed to pass your signature piece of legislation, it did not feel like you represented me or the millions who disagreed with Obamacare.  When this bill passed without one Republican vote, it should have concerned you that its content did not represent half of the country.

***

Although there is widespread panic over Mitt Romney's remarks, it feels disingenuous.  It feels orchestrated.  It feels insincere.

Sadly, the press is more eager to hold Mitt Romney accountable for his words than they are willing to hold our president accountable for his actions.  We should not stand for it.

President Obama has been in office for nearly 4 years.  He vowed to improve everything--including the ocean tides and even the planet.  He promised to fix the economy.  He assured us that he would and he spent trillions to show that he could.  Well, 50 days before his re-election, it is hard to argue that any of his attempts have worked.

- 23 million people are still out of work.

- 1 in 6 Americans are now living in poverty.

- Nearly 50 million Americans are on food stamps.

- Millions of our neighbors are still losing their homes.

- Our country is still facing a fiscal cliff.

The president may say that he is the president for the all the people and say that he wants to help us all, but his actions speak louder than words.  He has never attempted to represent all of us and his efforts certainly have not helped enough of us.

Image from politico.com

Do Mitt Romney's words speak for his future actions?  Why shouldn't the president's actions speak louder than his words?

I am not buying it.  We are hurting.  We need help.  The president has miserably failed to help us.

We need to hold him accountable for it.

Go Mitt.

A Different Kind of Election Requires a Different Kind of Voter

According to the press, the election is pretty much over.  The Democrats apparently pulled off a "brilliant" convention, Obama got a slight bounce from it and now they are ready to drop the confetti and pull out the Greek columns.

They almost seem bored to have to still talk about Mitt Romney.

Image from pennlive.com

The media's love affair with our president is baffling.  Isn't their role to inform and hold our leaders accountable for their actions?  Accountability? Anyone? Anyone?  

We are less than 2 months from a pivotal election and our president's record remains a disaster.  The media's reaction?  The press is more obsessed with holding Mitt Romney accountable for his "lackluster" campaign than they seem willing to hold the president accountable for 4 years of failures.

Totally irresponsible.

What is his record again?

• This president is credited with the slowest recovery on record.  
• During his presidency, millions of people continue to drop out of the middle class and are now living in poverty.   
• This president failed to keep his promise to reduce the deficit in half in his first term.  He didn't--he doubled it. 
• The president has lead without listening.  (It is important to remember that when the stimulus bill was devised, it did not include one single proposal from the GOP House leadership.  Not one).
• This president leads with a complete lack of bipartisanship.  (His unprecedented overhaul of our health care system passed without one Republican vote).
• This president has demonstrated a blatant willingness to bypass Congress with Executive Orders in order to push his agenda--namely changes to immigration laws.  
• The president pushed an unprecedented $800 billion dollar stimulus bill and it failed to stimulate our economy.  (It is known that Obama's highest campaign donors and worker's unions benefitted tremendously from the stimulus money--our tax dollars).
• Unemployment remains over 8% for an unthinkable 43 months straight.

These are the highlights of Obama's first term.  This record is a disaster.

Obama is now asking for a second term without any specifics as to why it would be any different than the disaster of his first and all the press wants to discuss is Mitt Romney's campaign mistakes?

Where is the demand for accountability?  Where is the outrage?  Where is the disgust?

The headlines?  The press continues to mock Conservatives for being "angry" and ridicules Conservatives for becoming "demoralized."

It is a joke.

***

As I have mentioned before, we must never forget that on Obama's third day in office, he met with Congressional leaders to discuss the details of his stimulus bill.  Republican leaders were concerned about the cost of the stimulus bill, the burden on tax payers and skepticism that it would even create jobs.

Obama's response?  He looked right at Eric Cantor, the House Majority leader and brazenly said, "Elections have consequences.  I won."

The president was right about one thing, elections do have consequences.  And the consequences of this election will be even greater than any other in our lifetime.

This election matters.  This election has consequences. And since this election is different, it will a different kind of supporter.

I am convinced that a "Mitt Romney Victory" requires more than just a vote.

Image from reddogreport.com

The media would like to silence our outrage and continue to portray us as extreme and out-of-touch and "dangerous" because we want to restore fiscal discipline to Washington.  The press wants us to be demoralized.

We shouldn't stand for it.  So what do we do about it?

We need to become more vocal.  Our presence needs to be stronger.  We need to strengthen the grassroots efforts in our communities.  We need bumper stickers on our cars.  And we need to respectfully remind our neighbors as often as possible that our president has failed us.  He was wrong about being able to help us and we can't risk waiting to find out if he is wrong---again.

(Click here for ways to become this type of presence in your community).

image from cnn.com

The press refuses to hold our president accountable---but Mitt Romney will.  The press wants to silence and mock our positions---we shouldn't stand for it.  We need to show that our love of country is stronger and more powerful than the press's love affair with our president.

This election will require more of each of us---will we give it?

I think it is time to ask ourselves, what am I really doing to reclaim my voice in this election?

Obama Recovery vs. Previous Recoveries

There are many parts of the world where people who disagree or are dissatisfied with their government are left to suffer in silence.  In America, things are different.  We have the rare gift of being able to hold our leaders accountable for their actions.  If we disagree with a leader, we get to have a say.  We get to place a vote to replace them.

It is a gift to have that voice---we should never take it for granted.

We are 57 days from a pivotal and I would argue, a life changing election.  Americans have the opportunity to hold our president accountable for the job he promised he could do.

Will we?

***

Four years ago, President Obama knew the dire economic state of country.  He knew things were a mess, but he ran on the promise that he could help.  He promised the American people that he would restore fiscal discipline to our government, unite our country, strengthen the middle class and get Americans back to work.  He promised that his skills and his leadership would lead us out of the economic crisis.

As we look around at the state of our economy today, it would be hard to argue that he accomplished any of it:

• In one term, $5 trillion dollars was borrowed and spent to stimulate our economy.  It didn't work.

• 1 in 6 Americans, 43 million people are now living in poverty.  The highest levels in 52 years. (New York Times 9/13/2011)

• 50 million Americans--more than any number in history are dependent on Food Stamps. (ABC News 12/2/2011)

• 23 million Americans are looking for stable full-time employment.  During the month of August, for every job that was added to the workforce, 4 individuals just quit looking for work.  

But our president defends it and says that we are on the path to prosperity and recovery.  Wait, this a recovery?  Is it good enough?

President Obama loves to fault Bush for leading our country into this recession, but he forgets that he ran on the promise that he was going to be the leader to guide us out of it.  He hasn't.

According the National Bureau of Economic Research, the U.S. economy has experienced 10 recessions from 1946 to 2006.  Ten recessions with extended periods of decline, job losses and stagnant economic growth.

What is different about this recovery period?

It has had much deeper unemployment for longer periods of time than any other previous recessions.  The website The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has a fascinating web tool which allows users to compare the ten different recessions and the respective recoveries.

Previous Recoveries vs. Obama's Recovery

UNEMPLOYMENT

• In every other recession: Unemployment levels returned to pre-recession levels within 1.5 to 4 years.  
• Obama's Recovery: After 4 years, the unemployment rate remains above 8% for the 43rd month---nowhere near the pre-recession unemployment level of 4.5%.  
• At this current rate, our country is three years away from returning to pre-recession levels.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

• Reagan's Recovery: In the first 11 quarters of the Reagan led recovery in the 1980's, the economy grew at an average of 6.1% per quarter.
• Under Obama: The economy has grown an average 2.4% per quarter. (Wall Street Journal 4/27/2012)

JOB CREATION

• At this point in Reagan's recovery, 168,000 jobs per month were added to the work force totaling 4.078 million jobs.
• Under Obama: We are at a 30 year-low in new business start-ups. According to a survey from Challenger, Gray and Christmas, "2011 had the lowest start-up rate in 11 years." 
• Anthony Davies, Economic professor at Duquesne University argues that we should be adding 180,000 jobs per month for full recovery.  Obama's recovery has averaged 86,000 per month.

MEDIAN INCOME

• Median income has fallen 7.3 percent since Obama's inauguration---$4,019 per family. (Forbes 9/9/2012)

Obama is credited for the longest and slowest recovery in our country's history.  Long and slow months have passed.  Trillions of dollars have been borrowed and spent yet, our friends and neighbors continue to lose jobs, continue to lose their homes, continue to lose hope.

Obama is asking us to reward him for it?

Image from Politico.com

The president and his allies are now crying foul saying that we should give him a break because this was such a unique recession he inherited.  The problem with that argument?  I agree.

It was a unique recession which is exactly why the recovery will require a unique leader. Obama's dismal results and incessant blaming of his predecessor simply tell me that he is in over his head.  I don't have the need or patience to find out if he can get it right the next time around.

History has shown that there is a better way to recovery.

Mitt's unique training of helping companies, organizations and a state government turn around will benefit our country at this desperate moment.

We must never forget, the gift of Democracy---we get to hold our leaders accountable for their failures.   This time around, how can we afford not to?

Obama's recovery efforts have failed.  I can't think of one reason why we shouldn't hold him accountable for it.

Image from businessweek.com

Go Mitt.

 

In case you missed it....

This is the video which was presented at the RNC to introduce Mitt Romney to the American people.

In case you missed it, this short video is well worth a few minutes of your time....

Mitt Romney is a unique individual with a remarkable and exemplary skill set.  He has helped countless individuals and organizations reach an unrealized potential.

I have no doubt that America will benefit from his leadership.

Go Mitt.

Obama Promises Prosperity---Can We Afford to Find out if he is Wrong...Again?

60 days from today, Americans will chose the leader to guide our country in these uncertain times.

The conventions are over, the nominations have been secured, bases have been rallied and each side has made their case to the American people.  The race is on.

Last night, President Obama delivered a crucial speech.  Expectations were high and many expected him to knock it out of the park.  A lot was riding on this speech.  After all, Obama's future is hinging on whether or not he can convince us again that he is the man for the job.

Did it work?

Image from NPR.com

As Obama took the stage, he wasted no time pledging to the American people that the path he has set us on will lead to a prosperous future.  He assured us that "Our challenges can be met" and that he can lead us to a "better place."

He asked for patience and assured us that he is in the fight to "restore values that built the largest middle class and strongest economy the world has ever known."

It all sounded really nice...hmmm...and remarkably familiar?

Many political pundits have pointed out today, that several of things he said last night were plucked directly out of speeches and State of the Union addresses that he has been giving for the last four years.

No wonder we were a little bored.  We have already heard this.  No wonder his delivery was a little dry, he has already made these promises dozens of times.

The only thing remarkably different about his speech?  It lacked passion and I would argue that it is because he lacks the conviction to know he can actually get it done.

***

The president made promises, but these are promises that have already been made and sadly, these are promises that have already been broken.

He already promised us a prosperous future.  He already promised us that "change" was possible.  He already promised us that his path would strengthen the middle class.

He has been wrong about it all.

It would be difficult to believe that we are truly on a "path to prosperity."  Our country is now burdened with $16 trillion deficits, unemployment remains above 8% for almost two years straight, GDP trends now mirror trends of the Great Depression and our federal leaders are completely incapable of finding compromises and solutions.

This president has overseen it all.  This is the path to prosperity?

I am not buying it.

Image from Daily News.com

The president is asking for patience---patience that we frankly don't have.   He is now pleading for a second chance---yet millions of Americans have lost their chance to pay their bills, find a job and stay in their homes.  Obama wants to strengthen the middle class, but under his leadership 2.3 million Americans have slipped out of the middle class and have joined the 1 in 6 Americans now living in poverty.

***

By all accounts, his speech last night was not his best.

He has been criticized for a speech that was void of specific changes for a second term.  With all the talk of "Fair share...fair shot...fair rules," one can only assume that his "Big Idea" for his 2nd term continues to narrowly revolve around raising taxes on the wealthy.

Does anyone want to remind him that he already tried to pass his "Fair Share" bill back in May?  It failed to pass.  What if it fails again down the road?  Then what?  Time and again his promises and "big ideas" have come up short.  We are not better off and it is still remarkably unclear if we will be better off 4 years from now.

The president is asking for a chance to make things right.  He wants to prove that change just takes time.  But can we really afford to find out if he is wrong....again?

No thanks.

I will continue to support the candidate who has demonstrated time and again that he knows how to actually make change happen.  The candidate who has shown that he can actually solve difficult problems.  The candidate who as a lone Republican in a sea of Democrats turned a $3 billion deficit into a $2 billion rainy day fund.  He did it in 4 years and he did it without raising taxes and without borrowing a single dollar.

Image from NYDailyNews.com

The president's speech left even his greatest supporters scratching their heads, saying "That's it?"  But I am hoping that the president will soon find out that in America, our leaders aren't judged on the oration of their speeches, but rather the execution of their goals.

This is where the president has come up short.

The Labor Department's dismal job report today showing unemployment remaining over 8% reflects this failure perfectly.  Therefore, I am hoping that Obama's days in the oval office have dwindled to 60 because Americans are desperate to really get on a path to prosperity.  We just need the right leadership to get us there.

Go Mitt.

One thing is clear: Obama is no Bill Clinton

William Jefferson Clinton.  Democrats love him and admittedly, even some Republicans are now longing for the good ole' days when the disdain we felt for our liberal president was based on a little blue dress and an intern named Monica.

Longing for the good ole' days when bipartisanship was attainable and compromise was achieved.

Last night as our former president took the stage, he reminded us of his successes and the achievements he experienced during his presidency.  He talked about his legacy and how his approach to governing brought about real results.  He then boldly endorsed Barack Obama and made the case that despite our broken economy, trillion dollar deficits and high unemployment, this president has placed us on a path to prosperity.

Really?  Sounds good.

Hmm.  Still not buying it.

Image from BET.com

It was a feel good speech and Democrats are hoping that his rock star status will distract from the dismal record of this president.  Time will tell if it was successful, but there is one blaring reality to emerge from his speech: President Clinton was successful because he mastered the art of compromise.  Obama hasn't even tried.

Like it or not, President Obama is no Bill Clinton.

It is hard to sell the "Bill Clinton Success Story" when Obama's approach has been the exact opposite.  I think it is important to remember that starting on Obama's third day of his presidency, he brazenly declared to his rivals on the other side of the aisle, "I won."  No compromise.  No respect for the opposing position.  No interest in finding a middle ground.  Starting on day 3, this was our president's approach to leading his country.  This has been his approach from the start.

Is it any wonder that our government is broken?  Is it any wonder that his presidency is overshadowed by failure and lack of accomplishments?  Even his few successes only came about without one Republican vote.

Why doesn't it concern anyone that rather than follow the lead from his predecessor Bill Clinton and learn the "art of compromise," Obama is now bypassing Congress all together and is applying Executive Orders? (Namely immigration).

Yesterday, CNN contributor William Bennett quoted Newt Gingrich who once said that there are two types of conventions for a party in power: accusation conventions and achievement conventions.  Does anyone have to guess what type of convention has been presented over the past few days?

I don't think so.

Perhaps if Obama had been willing to follow the lead of the former president, it would be a different story.  Perhaps we would not be facing the fiscal cliff we are now facing.  Perhaps if Obama were showing signs of being willing to learn from his mistakes, he wouldn't be virtually tied with an "unlikeable murderer from Massachusetts."

Tonight Obama will make his case to the American people that there is somehow still reason to believe that he will get this done.

But the blaring truth that will haunt him?  Obama is no Bill Clinton.

$16 Trillion? What is the number when we all can agree enough is enough?

$16 trillion?  $20 trillion?  $100 trillion?  A friend once asked me, "Will we ever reach a number when our leaders will actually agree that enough is enough?"

At one point in time, just a few years ago, our president adamantly insisted that $9 trillion was officially that mark.  With disgust he labeled the $9 trillion debt as "irresponsible."  He even went so far as to brand it "unpatriotic."

But he did nothing about it.  Our debt continued to grow.

Then we hit the $12 trillion mark.  This alarmed our president enough to make the promise to the American people that he would cut the deficit in half in his first term in office.

He didn't.  Our debt continued to grow.

At one point in time, our president used to believe that our deficit was cause for outrage.  He even warned that left unchanged, our debts would lead to a double dip recession.

But what has he done about it?  Absolutely nothing.  Yesterday, the U.S. debt crossed the unthinkable $16 trillion threshold.

What does our president feel now?  Outrage?  Disgust?  Alarm?

Nope.  Apparently, he is now just indifferent.  When asked to grade his performance as Commander in Chief, Obama simply gave himself an "incomplete" for the job he has done to oversee it all.

***

In less than four years, $5 trillion  has been borrowed and spent.  Do we have anything to show for it?  The answer is sadly, no.

Our leaders made $5 trillion "investments" that were not sound and the U.S. economy is still teetering on the edge of a fiscal cliff.  Entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare and even the U.S. Postal service are still on the verge of bankruptcy and to make matters worse, our GDP has slowed to an unthinkable 1.5%.

Our president has always been eager to provide just the right words to appeal to those of us who are truly disgusted with the overspending in Washington---but his $5 trillion actions speak louder than words. (Click here for link to following video).

Apparently, President Obama is no different than the rest.

He like all the others, simply views foreign  money as a limitless credit card and a guilt-free way to fund his failing policies which he continues to "hope" will somehow stimulate our economy.

He like all the others, views our deficit as a debt for some other leader down the road to repay.

Well, I am just one voice, but enough is enough.  Overspending is reckless.  Over borrowing is immoral and yes, Mr. President, overspending is irresponsible.

That is why I will continue to stand by the candidate with a 25+ year career and track record of being accountable with other people's money.  For 25+ years, people would would hand over their money to Mitt Romney and they knew he would treat their money with care and respect.  They knew he would carefully scrutinize every investment.  They knew that he would keep his word and provide a return on their investment.  And do you know what?  Mitt Romney always did and most of the time, he exceeded their expectations.

Isn't it about time that we have a leader who views our hard earned tax dollars with the same respect?

Excessive debt.  Excessive spending.

It is immoral.  It is wrong.  It is not necessary.  $16 trillion---and I would argue that we have reached "that" number.  It is time to say, enough is enough!

Go Mitt.

Are You Better Off? Will You be in 4?

As the Democrats prepare to take the stage tonight, they are hoping to steer the attention away from the blaring question looming over the convention center.  The question, "Are you better off today than when Obama took office?"

Up until this point, the Obama team has been able to evade this question.  I guess that is what happens when millions of dollars are spent creating distractions from the economy by elaborating stories about how Mitt Romney is a greedy, vulture and a felon who callously kills people.

But things have changed.  From here on out, those distractions are going to be a little harder for them to pull off.  Like it or not, the American people have learned a lot about Mitt Romney.  We have learned of his remarkable leadership and innate ability to fix dire problems.  Over and over again in his career, Romney has achieved remarkable success and over and over, when hope seemed to be lost, it was Mitt Romney's skills and abilities which offered the solutions.

Above all, we have learned of Romney's kindness and that his life has been filled with quiet acts of service---hardly an individual Americans should fear.

Here we are, 63 days before a pivotal election.  The reality?  Four years into a president's term and despite everything that has been tried and promised, passed and overturned---things are not better.

Unemployment remains over 8% for an unthinkable 42 months.  GDP has slowed to an unthinkable 1.5%.  1 in 6 Americans are now living in poverty.  1 in 4 college graduates are now living with their parents.  23 million Americans are still out of work.  The debt has surged to an unthinkable $16 trillion and economic trends mirror those of the Great Depression.  Our nation is bitterly divided and sorry Mr. President, the rise of the oceans has not slowed and our planet is far from healing.

Four years into this president's term and the blaring truth is that the "Hope" we were eloquently promised offered nothing but empty rhetoric.

The economy has not stabilized and we are not better off.

The Democrats know that distractions are still needed and the DNC will be filled with plenty of them.  I am sure they are hoping to distract us by reminding us as often as possible of the 2008 campaign.  I have no doubt that we will see plenty of images of Obama's 2008 speeches to spark memories of Greek columns, tingly legs and people moved to tears.

We will undoubtedly hear themes of "fairness" and "rights."  And without fail, we will hear incessant blaming of a predecessor and plenty of talk of reason to fear Mitt Romney and why there is cause for panic.  But one theme will undoubtedly be missing: any mention of what Obama failed to achieve and the real state of our economy.

Here are a few reasons why the Obama Camp should be worried:

1) The debates are coming and Mitt Romney is going to hold the president accountable for his dismal record of job creation, deficit spending and inability to stabilize the economy.

Mitt Romney is a man whose "sterling" career was successful because he was always laser focused on getting results.  In contrast, Mitt Romney will show that Obama has been laser focused on blame and policies that don't work.

2) This election IS about the economy and we aren't stupid.

According to a recent CBS News poll, 54% of Americans cite the economy and jobs as the number one focus of this election.  For Mr. Obama, that is going to sting a little.  According to the poll, when registered voters asked who they believe will do a better job of handing the economy?  49% believe Mitt Romney while only 41% cite Obama.

The poll also showed that when it comes the federal deficit, taxes, and illegal immigration, Mitt Romney holds a commanding lead. (Click here for poll results).

3) It is no longer 2008.  
For many, "Hope" has turned to "Nope."

***

Are you better off today?  The answer is sadly, no.

And despite what the DNC presents, I refuse to be distracted by the fact that my friends and neighbors are still without jobs.  Our streets are still lined with foreclosed homes.  The cost of living is skyrocketing.  The cost of gasoline alone has jumped from $1.84 to $3.82.  The median income has dropped from $54,983 to $50,964.  Many of us are still barely getting by.  A college degree is becoming a luxury and the middle class is shrinking before our eyes.

Above all, I will not forget that we hired this president to fix those things and he promised that he would.  He promised that he could.  He hasn't.  He has failed us.

The Democrats are now asking us to again hold out on the "Hope" that Obama's second term will be better, but the "Hope" that was promised last time came at a too great a price.

Are you better off?  No, but that isn't the question.  Rather, we should be asking ourselves, "Will we be better off in four?"  The answer is simply I hope so.  Well, the president is basically asking us to give him another chance with the "hope" that he is right.

But this time around, can we really afford to find out if he is wrong....again?

Image from MPRnews.com

No thanks.  It comes at too great a price.

That is why I am standing with the candidate who believes we can do better and whose resume is filled with substance rather than empty "Hope."

Go Mitt.

Deficits, Unemployment & An Economy in Decline--Achievements & Milestones?

This week the president will take the stage and make his case for a second term.  Without making it seem like he is begging for a second chance, he is going to have to highlight some of his successes.

(Wait, what were those again?)

Image from NBCnews.com

In all fairness, there were a few significant milestones which were reached under his leadership, but I'll bet that we won't hear mention of even one.  Why?  Because these milestones are nothing to brag about.

Like it or not, these "milestones" all happened under his watch:

1) Thresholds Crossed in Deficit
In the next few days, the U.S. deficits will reach the $16 trillion mark.  The debt obligation for each tax payer has now reached $140,000.  (Translated, each tax payer would have to pay $140,000 to the government in order to pay off these debts.  Last time I checked, most Americans are having a hard enough time paying their own bills let alone the excessive and immoral spending habits of our politicians).

More money has been spent and borrowed in one term than the total of every previous administration combined.  Hmm.  There was a time in 2008 when Candidate Obama rebuked President Bush for the $4 trillion he added to the deficit in his 8 years in office.  He even branded such deficits as "unpatriotic."

If that was the standard, Mr. President what does $5 trillion in 3 1/2 years say about you?

2) Unprecedented Stimulus Bill was Passed
An unprecedented $800 billion was spent in an effort to artificially stimulate our economy--it didn't work.  Our president promised that this money would bring unemployment below 8%.  It hasn't been below 8% in 42 months.

23 Million Americans are still out of work.

3) Milestones in Poverty Rates
1 in 6 Americans are now living at or below the poverty level.  As the New York Times reported, this is the highest number in 52 years.

4) Record Levels of Americans on Food Stamps
1 in 7 Americans are now dependent on food stamps.  This is the highest number in our country's history.

5) First Ever Downgrade in U.S. Credit Rating
One year ago, Standard & Poor downgraded the country's AAA credit rating.  This is the first time in history.

6) Health Care Reform
President Obama was the first president to achieve health care reform in America.  Will he boast about such an achievement?

Don't count on it.  He doesn't want to remind us that only 35% of Americans supported it at the time it passed.

Image from Zimbio.com

He doesn't want to remind Americans that this bill passed with rumors of back room deals and bribes in order to get the votes needed from members of his own party. And that it passed without one Republican vote--a party which represents the ideology of nearly 50% of Americans.

Health Care Reform--the president isn't talking about this achievement because he knows that we didn't want it then and we still don't want it now.

He doesn't want to remind anyone for two critical years he focused on health care reform while millions of Americans were losing their jobs, their homes and their livelihood.

***

Deficits, unemployment, and an economy in decline -- achievements and milestones?

The president may have promised "Hope and Change," but like it or not, these achievements are what his policies produced.

The president has 64 days to make the case that it was all worth it.  Mitt Romney has 64 days to make the case that it wasn't.

Image from politico.com

This week, the Democrats will make their case.  Without mention of milestones, what are we going to hear about at the Democratic National Convention?  Most likely incessant blaming of a predecessor -- that women deserve free birth control -- and that the wealthy need to pay their "fair share."

Are those really the solutions to these uncertain times?

Can we really afford to find out if the president will get it right the second time around?  Because right now, the president is essentially asking us to put his job security ahead of our financial stability.

President Obama may want a second term, but has he earned it?

I would argue, absolutely not.

For this reason, I will continue to support the one candidate in this race whose resume actually reflects someone who turned deficits into surpluses, bankruptcy into profitability, saw decreases in unemployment rates, and a leader who accomplished it all with bipartisan support, without raising taxes, and without borrowing a single dollar.

Image from Wall Street Journal

Milestones--we just need the right leader to help us achieve the milestones that matter.

Go Mitt.