One believes in the power of government solutions. One believes in the power of its people.
I truly believe that Mitt Romney's vision, leadership and his rare ability to execute are the reasons why he deserves our vote. Americans can confidently stand with this man.
Why am I voting for Romney?
He Does What He Says
If Romney says that he can lead America to a more prosperous future---his resume reflects that he will know how to actually get it done.
In Massachusetts, like today, Romney campaigned in the middle of a fiscal crisis. His state faced a massive budget deficit and Massachusetts was knee-deep in a post dot-com recession. Romney ran on the promise that he would lead a recovery, lower unemployment, lower taxes, strengthen education, cut spending and balance the budget. (It is important to remember that he made these promises facing an 87% democratically controlled state legislature---undoubtedly, a hostile environment for any conservative).
How did he fare? Mitt Romney did what he said and somehow kept every single one of his 44 campaign promises.
At the end of his term, he had successfully led his state into a solid recovery. He cut spending, eliminated waste, strengthened education, cut taxes 19 times, balanced the budget, passed significant legislation and he accomplished it all in just four years. Even more remarkable? He turned a $3 billion budget shortfall into a $2 billion surplus without raising taxes and without borrowing a single dollar.
Most remarkable? He did it all in a respectful, bipartisan-led fashion.
Has our president even come close?
Changing the Tone
I believe that the current hostile and divisive tone in America has crippled and demoralized our great country. The bitter tone in Washington has trickled down to nearly every suburb across the nation.
We all feel it. We all hate it.
What was the most refreshing message of Candidate Obama back in 2008? He promised to bridge that divide. He promised to unite America and change the tone. We all remember "No Red States, No Blue States, just the United States." It all sounded so hopeful. So possible.
But here we are 4 years later, and in my lifetime, our country has never felt more divided and I would argue that Obama's leadership style has actually made things worse. It started on his third day in office when he rejected Republican proposals for the stimulus bill. He brazenly said, "Elections have consequences. I won."
Bob Woodward (hardly a right leaning commentator) recently told ABC News that the president's "gaps in leadership" and statements that day were was essentially "the beginning of a war" with conservatives.
President Obama set the precedent. The result? Under his watch, nearly all legislation passed along strict party lines. Bipartisan proposals were nonexistent. Bipartisan collaboration was avoided. And crucial legislation failed to pass. Division literally paralyzed our government.
I realize that compromise is needed on both sides of the aisle, but Obama's presidency has been void of it. His campaign this time hasn't even mentioned changing the tone---no inspirational "Red States, Blue States, United States." In fact, President Obama recently told supporters not to boo Romney's name but to vote against him. He said, "Voting is the best revenge."
Revenge? Wow. Revenge is not even the word he used to describe America's response to the terrorists in Benghazi. Revenge is a hostile and divisive word, but I believe in sums up exactly how the president must feel about those who support a conservative agenda. He views us as the bad guys. We are his enemies---it sucks to know this is how my president regards me.
Under Obama's leadership, it certainly hasn't felt like a democracy.
The reality is that President Obama failed to change the tone in America and I think it is the greatest failure of his presidency and he hasn't given me any reason to believe that his second term would be any different.
We deserve better.
Need for Real Recovery
Yes, Obama inherited a mess, but his skill-set has proven incapable of fixing it. He promised his agenda would lower unemployment, cut the deficit in half, rebound our economy and strengthen the middle class---he has failed to accomplish any of it.
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Unemployment has been stuck near 8% for nearly his entire term. Labor force participation is at the lowest level in decades. 23 million Americans are struggling to find stable employment. Median incomes are down. Poverty is at record highs. The housing market is still crumbling and America is teetering on a fiscal cliff---the president has yet to produce a credible plan to address any of it.
Sorry Mr. President, asking the wealthy to pay a little more is hardly a robust plan to fix robust problems.
The contrast? Mitt Romney has actually led a successful recovery. He'll know what to do, not just what to say. He has a career of balancing budgets. He has a career of leading the bankrupt back onto the path of prosperity. He has a career of being accountable with other people's money. He has a career of fixing messes he inherited--and he has been successful nearly every time.
Change is Possible--It Just Requires the Right Leadership
Americans are desperate for stability. We are aching for prosperity. And we are fearful that the American Dream is slipping from our grasp.
But with the right leadership, it all can be preserved. I agree with candid analysis of Obama's failed leadership from Peggy Noonan of the Wall Street Journal. She said that Obama's leadership failed because his vision was, "Confidence without Capacity." America is better than this. It is time for a change.
As I have said before, to echo Paul Ryan,
"I don't think there has been a time in our nation's history when a man and the moment have met so perfectly. Everything Mitt Romney has done in his life has prepared him for the kind of leadership we need now. This is a defining moment."
Mitt Romney's entire career has prepared him for this moment, for this fight. He can do it. He is ready. And I am confident that under his leadership, the recovery will be real.
I invite you to stand with me. The time is here. This is the moment. America needs Mitt.
Great compelling argument Alecia. Well done and thank you for being there through this campaign to bring insight and information in a thoughtful and intelligent way.
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