The Choice

THE CHOICE: 

MITT ROMNEY OR BARRACK OBAMA

EDUCATION

ROMNEY’S EDUCATION

·       Romney attended Stanford University, but later graduated from Brigham Young University.

·       He attended Harvard Law School; 1 of 15 accepted into the JD MBA program at Harvard Law and Business School. 

·       Graduated cum laude from law school and awarded the prestigious top academic honor at HBS, the Baker scholar.

OBAMA’S EDUCATION

·       Graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School.
 

·       His class standing is unknown—all of his records and transcripts have been sealed.

PROFESSIONAL / BUSINESS BACKGROUND

ROMNEY’S PROFESSIONAL / BUSINESS BACKGROUND

·       Upon graduation, he joined Boston Consulting Group and was later hired by Bain & Company, a Boston-based management-consulting firm.

·       In 1984, Romney left Bain Consulting to cofound the private equity firm, Bain Capital.  He and seven founding partners took drastic pay cuts, pooled their savings together to start the business.  Romney led the firm for 14 years.  Under his leadership, Brookstone, Dominoes Pizza, Sports Authority, Clear Channel, AMC Entertainment, Toys R Us, Staples, and countless other companies became thriving businesses/household names.

·       Bain Capital is considered one of the most successful private equity firms in the world.  A recent Bain Capital investor report shows that Bain Capital investments have been successful 80% of the time.

·       In 1991, his former employer Bain & Company was on the verge of collapse.  Romney returned to help the struggling business.  As CEO, within 1 year, Romney completely restructured the company and actually returned it to profitability.  He is credited for accomplishing it without any layoffs.

·       After achieving a remarkable turnaround, in 1992, he returned to Bain Capital and reclaimed his title as president.

·       In 1999, Romney left Bain Capital and took the position of president and CEO of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games.  Despite scandal, fleeing sponsors and near bankruptcy, Romney rescued the games, attracted new sponsors, and just 4 months following the tragic events of 9/11, he worked with Homeland Security and put on what many have called, “The Most Successful Winter Games on Record.”

·       Romney was elected Governor of Massachusetts.  He is credited with working with an 87% Democratically controlled State Legislature.  When elected, Massachusetts was facing a recession.  Romney balanced the budget, passed health care reform, cut taxes, lowered unemployment to 4.6%, drove public schools to #1 in the nation, turned a $3 billion budget shortfall into a $2 billion surplus.   Accomplished it all without raising taxes or borrowing a single dollar. 

OBAMA’S PROFESSIONAL / BUSINESS BACKGROUND

·       Prior and post law school, Obama worked as a community organizer in Chicago.

·       He was adjunct constitutional law professor/faculty at University of Chicago. 

·       He served 3 terms as a state Senator (voted “present” 129 times).  In three terms, he had no significant legislative accomplishment.

·       In 2004, he was elected United States Senator.  Two years later, he launched his presidential campaign.  As a US Senator, he neither sponsored nor co sponsored any significant legislation. 

·       In 2008, Obama was elected the president of the United States.

·       Obama has no experience in the private sector.

RELIGION

ROMNEY’S RELIGION

·       At the age of 19, Romney spent 2.5 years as a volunteer missionary for his church in France.

·       Romney was a bishop (pastor) of a Boston-area congregation from 1981-1986.  He later served as a Stake President (like a Diocese) from 1986-1994.  The LDS Church has lay clergy, meaning all positions are volunteer basis without pay.

·       Mitt and Ann raised their 5 children in the LDS faith.  They attend weekly service, even on the campaign trail.

·       Despite political pressure, Romney remains committed to his beliefs.  Has never disavowed his faith in any fashion.

OBAMA’S RELIGION

·       For 20 years, Obama regularly attended the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.  The controversial Reverend Jeremiah Wright was his pastor and spiritual leader.  Wright officiated at the Obama’s wedding and he later baptized their two children.

·       In 2008, controversial sermons made by Wright were made public.  Obama tried to distance himself from Wright’s statements, but mounting political pressure led Obama to denounce the church and he and Michelle later resigned their membership in the church.

·       Obama’s current church activity is unknown.  Since taking office, Obama has limited his references to his faith to official occasions such as the National Prayer Breakfast, Easter or Christmas. (Washington Post 9/6/2012)

CAMPAIGN PROMISES

ROMNEY’S CAMPAIGN PROMISES

·       Kept every one of his 44 campaign promises he made while running for governor.

·       Mitt Romney now promises 12 million new jobs, to lower unemployment, to stop the immoral deficit spending from our leaders and return America to the path of prosperity.

OBAMA’S CAMPAIGN PROMISES

·       Promised to fix the economy in one term—Economy growing slower now than it was even just one year ago.

·       Promised the unprecedented $830 billion stimulus would lower unemployment to below 6%—Unemployment remained above 8% for 43 months of his presidency.  23 million Americans are still out of work.

·       Promised to unite the country and end bitter tone in Washington—many would argue that our country has never been more ideologically divided. Obama is also credited with one of the most divisive and negative campaigns on record.

·       He promised to close Guantanamo Bay Military Stockade—It is still thriving.

·       He promised to end the Bush Tax Cuts—In 2010, he actually extended the Bush Tax Cuts arguing that during a recession is no time to raise taxes on anyone. 

·       He promised Obamacare would lower health care costs—Health care costs have actually increased by $2500 per family.

·       Promised energy independence—Gas prices have doubled since his inauguration.  Obama opposed all oil drilling expansion; he stopped the Keystone Pipeline Project and has decreased off shore drilling permits by 2/3.

·       He promised to “heal the planet” and “slow the rising tides of ocean”—Pretty safe to say that didn’t happen.

CHANGE UNDER THEIR LEADERSHIP

ROMNEY’S CHANGE

·       Nearly every circumstance where Mitt Romney led an organization, unprecedented success and profitability occurred. 

OBAMA’S CHANGE

·       Obama was unable to help our leaders find compromise and reach common ground in the debt ceiling talks.  Obama’s last minute changes to negotiations led to a downgrade in our AAA credit rating—the first time in our country’s history.

·       Under Obama’s watch, the federal government now consumes the largest share of the GDP than any time since WWII. 

·       47 million Americans are now dependent on Food Stamps—more than any time in American history.

·       1 in 6 Americans now living in poverty.

GOVERNING STYLE

ROMNEY’S GOVERNING STYLE 

·      Romney faced an 87% democratically controlled state legislature, yet he successfully and repeatedly reached across the aisle to bring about bipartisan reform and substantial legislative changes.

·      Never once blamed his predecessor for the recession or fiscal mess he inherited.

·      Met weekly with legislative leaders.  He frequently met with legislators in their homes to earn their trust and discuss pertinent legislation.

·      Romney has shown that he knows how to bring about bipartisan reform.

OBAMA’S GOVERNING STYLE 

·    Four years later, Obama repeatedly and harshly criticizes former President George Bush.

·    On his third day in office, he brazenly told Republican leaders, “Elections have consequences. I won.” 

·    Never met with Republican leaders on a regular basis.  This set the precedence for his entire presidency. 

·    The stimulus package did not contain one Republican proposal and did not receive one Republican vote.

·    Obamacare was passed with no inclusion of ideas from Republicans and was passed without a single Republican vote.  This is the only time in history that a new entitlement program has passed without bipartisan support.

·    Despite the resistance from Congressional leaders and the American public, when Obamacare was passed, Obama said, “This is what change looks like.”

·    Constitutional Checks and Balances Ignored.  In two separate instances, Obama invoked executive privilege and bypassed congressional approval for unilateral changes to welfare and immigration status for illegal immigrants.

·    Many fear this will set a dangerous and reckless precedent for future presidents.

·    Obama has repeatedly failed to create consensus and compromise on important issues.  

·    Obama has shown an inability and refusal to reach across the aisle to find middle ground.

RELATIONSHIP WITH SMALL BUSINESSES

ROMNEY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH SMALL BUSINESSES

·       Small business leaders overwhelmingly support Mitt Romney’s candidacy.

·       Steve Caldeira, CEO of the International Franchise Association has openly said that Obama’s policies have hurt small businesses in his industry.  Caldeira strongly endorses Mitt Romney.

·       Countless CEOs of the largest American companies past and present, have endorsed Mitt Romney saying that his unique business background will help him to create the kind of tax environment small businesses need be successful.

·       According to the US Department of Labor, 65% of all net new jobs are created by small businesses.  Small businesses are responsible for 60% of all new hires in America.

OBAMA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH SMALL BUSINESSES

·       During Obama’s presidency, America is at a 30-year low in new business start-ups.

·       Small business owners do not support Obamacare.

·       Obama is running on the promise to raise taxes on the wealthy, but he won’t provide exemptions for small businesses.  Tax codes allow small businesses to file as S Corporations, Partnerships and LLCs—all taxed at individual rates.  This means that small businesses, like the “wealthy” will be asked to pay a little more. 

·       Small business owners are fearful that an Obama 2^nd term will hurt ability to grow, expand and hire more workers.

TONE OF THE CAMPAIGN

TONE OF THE CAMPAIGN for ROMNEY

·      Romney has run a campaign on the premise that the president has failed to fix our economy.  

·      Romney wants to hold the president accountable for failed promises and failed policies.

·      Romney disagrees with the president, but uses only respectful words when talking about the president and his character.  

·      Romney has repeatedly said that Obama is a good person and solid family man.

·      Romney has never used profane or offensive words to describe the president.

TONE OF THE CAMPAIGN for OBAMA

·       Obama is credited with running one of the most negative campaigns on record.

·       Obama’s campaign and his Super PACs have spent millions of dollars to destroy Mitt Romney’s character.

·       The president was perfectly willing to let an Obama Super PAC run an ad that falsely alleged Mitt Romney was to blame for the death of a steel worker’s wife.  Her husband was a steel worker at a mill where Bain Capital had invested.  What the ad failed to mention?  She died 7 years after the plant closed and lost health insurance from her own employer.

·       Obama has repeatedly called Romney a liar.  Recently told Rolling Stone Magazine that Romney is a “Bullsh***.” 

BUDGET

ROMNEY’S BUDGET

·       Romney balanced the budget all four years as governor.

·       He has a career of balancing budgets, making wise investments and being accountable with other people’s money.

OBAMA’S BUDGET

·       During his entire first term, he did not require the leaders to pass a budget.  

·       Our leaders have been unrestrained by the confines of a budget and have accumulated $5 trillion of debt in Obama’s first term.  Our national debt has passed an unthinkable $16 trillion; this equals $50,000 debt liability per American.

·       Candidate Obama called Bush’s $4 trillion in 8 years “unpatriotic” and “unacceptable,” yet he has nearly spent more than all previous presidents combined.

·       Obama failed to submit a single credible budget.  The only budget he submitted was rejected 98-0 in the US Senate.

 ROMNEYCARE / OBAMACARE

ROMNEYCARE 

·      Romney passed comprehensive health care reform for his state—the only state to have done so.

·      A bipartisan 70-page health care bill was passed with only two dissenting votes.

·      Taxes were not raised to pay for the reform and it is funded within the existing Massachusetts’s budget.

·      60% of Massachusetts’s residents overwhelmingly supported the legislation and still do.

·      Romney believes health care reform should be left up to each state and he does not support a federal overhaul of the healthcare system.

·      Romney believes that Obamacare was poorly written, unfairly passed and he strongly believes the same objectives can be achieved in a better more fiscally responsible way.

·      Romney has vowed to repeal Obamacare.

OBAMACARE 

·      The Affordable Care Act Bill was passed with rumors of back room deals and bribes.  

·      Passed along strict party lines—not one Republican vote.

·      This is the only time in history that a new entitlement program has passed without bipartisan support.

·      It was a 2700 page bill, which many legislators confessed they did not read.

·      Cut $718 billion from Medicare to help fund Obamacare.

·      Obamacare has failed to reduce the cost of health care for Americans—costs have increased by $2500 per family.

·      Obamacare will cost over $2 trillion over ten years.

·      Obamacare imposes a penalty on employers of $2000 per employee for non-compliance.

·      Only 35% of Americans supported this legislation at the time it was passed.

·      It remains wildly unpopular today.

***

In a matter of days, Americans will choose between two very different paths for our country---one that believes in the power of our government and one that believes in the power of our people.

Our president is confident that the government can provide the right solutions to enable our economy to recover.  He believes that government programs are the solution.  We recognize however, that Obama has also been leading the slowest economic recovery on record.   Under his watch, millions of Americans continue to lose their jobs, countless Americans continue to lose their homes and millions of Americans are still hurting.  Despite all Obama has tried, this recovery doesn’t feel like a recovery.

If it didn’t work in 4 years, why should we have confidence that things would be any different if the leadership remains the same?

Mitt Romney has a different approach.  He believes in the potential of our people.  He believes that government is most effective when it enables our economy to thrive rather than hinder its growth potential through regulation and taxation.  Mitt Romney believes that prosperity is attainable for anyone.  And he firmly believes that we need to hold our leaders accountable for their spending.  

Romney's entire career has been built on the premise that leadership isn't just about having a vision---it's about knowing how to execute one.

The major difference between these two presidential candidates?

Results.

That is why for me, the only choice is Mitt Romney.