Why I Support Mitt Romney for President

David Bradford

March 6, 2006

I thought I would share with you some thoughts my wife and I have had since we had the opportunity of getting to know Mitt and Ann Romney better.

Honestly, we had a bit of an epiphany. We finally saw a politician who we enthusiastically want to see elected president of these United States. That is Mitt Romney.

It is early in the political race of 2008 but I feel that our future as a nation is at a critical crossroads for as a nation we are hated abroad, face a war that is difficult to win and has become increasingly unpopular, are challenged by a threat to our world economic position from Asia (did you know China alone is graduating five times the engineering students every year then we are as the supposed world technology leader?). We need a change agent. We need a natural born leader. We need someone that inspires confidence rather than causing us to constantly find ways of being inspired.

What do I want out of my President? Someone who demonstrated leadership in business before he got to office —someone who had previously brought the nations of the world together in the most successful Olympics ever held. Someone who has the respect of world leaders, the charisma to charm the socks off radical college students, as well as little old ladies on social security, and the CEO’s of the world’s leading corporations. I want a man that as a Republican got elected in a place that is the bluest state in the nation—Massachusetts. I want a man that other State and National leaders respect so much that they elected him head of the National Republican Governor's Association.

During our session last night, he had answers on healthcare, education, immigration, national security and, most importantly, the Governor laid them out in a way that we, or any other person off the street, “got it.” Importantly, not only does Mitt talk about these things, he is leading the charge on many of them. His healthcare and education packages in Massachusetts have been praised for their innovation and their practicality. In many ways his healthcare plan could have been written by a Democrat but it provides healthcare to every person in this country without a socialized medical system. Why DO I believe he can pull this off? —I guess because he is doing it in his own state.

Another thing that I view as a plus when it comes to the electability of Mitt Romney is the fact that he is not a U.S. Senator. Think about it. Governors get elected President of the United States . . .Senators do not. Think back on George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Governor, Governor, Governor. Then think about Senator John McCain, Senator Hilary Clinton, and Senator George Allen, Senator, Senator, Senator. When was the last time a Senator got elected--probably 40 plus years ago. And there are good reasons for this. As the Governor of a state, they do not have to do “Washington speak” as we hear so much from our U.S. Senators. Senators get forced to cast votes on so many national political issues that people lose track of who these people really are and what they really stand for. Plus, U.S. Senators are more in the nature of committee persons. They are not really leading anything. Governor's on the other hand, are the CEO's of their State and must demonstrate leadership in the implementation of programs and practices that really work...

And talk about an added bonus, Mitt's wife Ann is every bit his equal--she is bright, articulate, gracious, beautiful, and has courageously faced and overcome challenges in her own life. She is someone who can match the Governor step for step and be an equal partner in helping our nation recapture world acceptance and world appreciation.

Mitt is also someone who has distinguished himself academically and in the business world. The man has a Masters in Business Administration from arguably America's #1 academic institution--Harvard. My fear has always been that by and large, the people who run for political office were not leaders in school or business – they lack the academic acumen and business savvy to make informed judgments in office. Not so with Mitt Romney. He made it in a big way in the business and academic worlds before getting started in politics. He founded and was the managing partner of one of the world's largest private equity funds, Bain Capital. He is a proven commodity in a way that few U.S. Presidents ever have been.

And he has helped create wealth and jobs—not from a political forum but rather as a real leader in real business, driving jobs in all sectors of the economy.

At this point in his life, Mitt Romney does not have to serve his country; at this point HE WANTS TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY AS DOES HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE BECAUSE THEY CAN AND THEY SHOULD; and we should help them get elected. We believe it is our duty as members of a wonderful citizenry that has helped us achieve many of our personal dreams to actively support and sustain great people for office.

And one more thing-the man can inspire. I wrote down two of his quotes from last night as he quoted Abigail Adams and his own Father.

In speaking of our ability to win the war against Terrorism, Mitt stated that:

"Great necessities call out great virtues."

And speaking of the difficult times we live in he added: “The pursuit of the difficult makes men strong."

And another thing, I don't give a darn what religion this guy professes – he can flat out lead. Whether he is Catholic, Mormon, Methodist, Evangelical, Hindu, Jewish or Muslim, he is a man of faith and a man of convictions.

In my life time, I have had great admiration for certain U.S.. Presidents--Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush (yes two of them are democrats). But what if you could take the best characteristics from each, add in some unique and powerful additional qualities, you would hope to get something close to Governor Romney. Take Dwight Eisenhower's understanding of national security along with his courage, the good looks and powerful vision of John F. Kennedy, the strength of Ronald Reagan's conservative views and his ability to articulate them, the charm of Bill Clinton (I have met the guy--he is very likeable), and the faith and convictions of George W . Bush. Then throw in the fact that none of these men was accomplished business executive that Mitt Romney has been. Further, none of them could demonstrate in actual fact the extent of family values that Mitt and Ann Romney possess with their five children (all married) and 8 grandchildren. None of these former presidents had the ability to get elected as a Republican in the most democratic state in the Union, and not one of them ran the most successful Olympics Games in the history of the planet, one that turned an amazing profit and brought pride to so many Americans

Yes, this guy is the real deal, the full package, and I want to see him given the shot to lead the next generation of Americans. Someone that we will remember for keeping America great in the first part of the 21st Century.

All my life, I have been hoping for someone who would bring it all together; someone I could respect for their moral as well as their political positions, and someone who could gain the respect of the entire world. Mitt is the guy. I am getting behind him now. I hope you will consider supporting him as well.

Warm Regards, David