Governor Romney Participates in "Sign Up America!"

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Boston, MA – After nearly 1,000 Debate Watch House Parties, "Sign Up America!" continues today with a national call day to sign up 24,000 new supporters from across the country in just 24 hours. Well on the way to achieving this goal, Governor Romney addressed "Sign Up America!" call day participants at Romney for President National Headquarters:

Governor Romney: "Wow, this group has been working today. We keep doing unusual things. This is a political rally. This is a 21st century political rally. You see, in the past when they had political rallies they came together on the town green and you got as big a crowd as you could get – 100, 200, 1,000 people. And we decided to take it into the 21st century. Instead of just having it in a town, we have it in the entire country. And we would connect ourselves by Internet and as a result of that we've got folks all over the country holding parts of this rally and calling friends."

To watch video of Governor Romney's remarks, please see: http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=62045

"Sign Up America!" Video Updates Hosted By Tagg Romney:

Wednesday, 4:00 P.M. Update Video: http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=62043

Wednesday, 12:00 P.M. Update Video: http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=62039

Tuesday, 11:00 P.M. Update Video: http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=62037

Governor Mitt Romney On The Democrats' Budget Proposal

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kevin Madden (857) 288-6390

Boston, MA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on the Congressional Democrats' proposed $2.9 trillion budget and the need for strong fiscal benchmarks in Washington:

"Today, Democrats in Congress have agreed on a plan that balances the budget on the backs of hard-working American taxpayers. Only liberals in Washington would think that fiscal responsibility means billions of dollars in new taxes and new revenue for government. Instead, we need to balance our budget by making Washington adhere to strong fiscal benchmarks. These benchmarks include capping spending, lowering taxes, giving the President line-item veto authority and reducing government waste.

"Fiscal responsibility in Washington should never come at the expense of the American people. We must bring conservative change to Washington and force government to live within its means."

Background On The Democrats' Budget Proposal:

Congressional Democrats Have Proposed A Budget Plan That Will Lead To Billions In Higher Taxes. "Congressional Democrats have sealed an agreement on a $2.9 trillion budget blueprint for the 2008 fiscal year, a House Budget committee spokesman said. The nonbinding plan, to be officially released later Wednesday, caps weeks of private negotiations and paves the way for action this summer on annual spending bills totaling $1.1 trillion. The Democratic budget promises a balanced federal ledger in five years, but relies on tax revenues generated by the expiration of many of the tax cuts enacted in President Bush's first term. ... Republicans said Democrats managed to project a balanced budget in 2012 only by assuming tax rates on income, dividends and capital gains revert to pre-Bush levels, costing taxpayers more than $200 billion in alone." (Andrew Taylor, "Democrats Agree On $2.9 Trillion Budget," The Associated Press, 5/16/07)

Governor Romney's Fiscal Benchmarks:

CAPPING SPENDING: Governor Romney Will "Cap Non-Defense Discretionary Spending At Inflation Minus One Percent." "It's time for some economic conservatism in Washington as well. America has seen an embarrassing spike in non-defense discretionary spending. And, as you know, I'm proud to be the first presidential candidate to sign Grover Norquist's tax pledge. But I have another pledge I'd like to make to you today: If I'm elected president, I'm going to cap non-defense discretionary spending at inflation minus one percent. That would save $300 billion - $300 billion - in 10 years. And if Congress sends me a budget that exceeds that cap, I will veto that budget." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Conservative Political Action Conference, Washington, D.C., 3/2/07)

LOWERING TAXES ON ALL AMERICANS: Governor Romney Proposes Lowering Tax Rates For All Americans. "We should strive to keep marginal tax rates on America's families and businesses no higher than those imposed by our major global competitors. We should end tax penalties against saving and investment, and promote fairness and simplicity by ending special interest loopholes and lowering tax rates for all Americans." (Romney For President, "Governor Romney's Remarks At The Club For Growth," Press Release, 3/29/07)

RESTORING THE LINE-ITEM VETO: Governor Romney Supports Line-Item Veto Authority. "And, by the way, if Congress doesn't want to do the cutting itself, then give me the same line-item veto I had as a governor and I'll do it for them." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Conservative Political Action Conference, Washington, D.C., 3/2/07)

REDUCING GOVERNMENT WASTE: Governor Romney Says He Will "Lead A Top-To-Bottom Review Of Government Programs, Agencies And Procurement And Spending." "One more thing in this regard: If elected president, I will personally - personally - lead a top-to-bottom review of government programs, agencies and procurement and spending. It is time to cut out the mountains of waste and inefficiency and duplication in the federal government." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Conservative Political Action Conference, Washington, D.C., 3/2/07)

What They're Really Saying About Governor Mitt Romney At The South Carolina GOP Debate - Vol. 2

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kevin Madden (857) 288-6390

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford: "I think that Romney looked very presidential." (Fox News' "Fox & Friends," 5/16/07)

Club For Growth President Pat Toomey: Romney was "reasonable, articulate, and conservative." ("The Second Date: An NRO Symposium," National Review Online, http://article.nationalreview.com, Posted 5/16/07)

National Review's T. J. Walker: "Mitt Romney is too slick. Of course by 'too slick' what I really mean is that I can't think of a single way to fault Romney's style, intelligence, grammar, emotion, or ability to connect with an audience. ('Too slick' is the last refuge of a scoundrel political/media critic who can't think of any other way to attack someone who has communication gifts beyond mere mortals)" ("The Second Date: An NRO Symposium," National Review Online, http://article.nationalreview.com, Posted 5/16/07)

New York Daily News' Michael Goodwin: "Romney had another solid performance, and it's easy to see him gaining modest traction with each appearance." (Michael Goodwin, "Rudy Scores With Assist From Debate Rival," New York Daily News, 5/16/07)

- Goodwin: "Romney's quick and smart and has made a good impression in both debates." (Michael Goodwin, "Rudy Scores With Assist From Debate Rival," New York Daily News, 5/16/07)

Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH): "...Mitt really understands the management side of the federal government and one of the things I think that is really strong in his favor is that he has had management experience." (WMJI-Cleveland Radio's "Lanigan & Malone," 5/16/07)

- Voinovich: "The man that is going to be President of the United States, it is the biggest business in this country. ... And one thing this man understands is management." (WMJI-Cleveland Radio's "Lanigan & Malone," 5/16/07)

The Politico's Mike Allen: "Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney continued to look smooth and leaderly." (Mike Allen, " Politico Playbook: Fight Night," The Politico, 5/16/07)

National Review Washington Editor Kate O'Beirne: "As a talented overachiever, Romney's fate is to be judged on a tough curve." ("The Second Date: An NRO Symposium," National Review Online, http://article.nationalreview.com, Posted 5/16/07)

- O'Beirne: "Romney can be expected to be thoroughly prepared and he's a natural salesman. So again he was confident and sure-footed." ("The Second Date: An NRO Symposium," National Review Online, http://article.nationalreview.com, Posted 5/16/07)

CBN's David Brody: "Romney was once again smooth. He was able to ... make positive points on his business leadership skills. A high marks performance." (David Brody, "South Carolina Debate: The Brody File Reaction," The Brody File, www.cbn.com/CBNnews/158584.aspx, posted 5/16/07)

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins: "I think Governor Romney comes across well as understanding the issues." (CNN's "American Morning," 5/16/07)

Sound Politics' Eric Earling: "Mitt Romney - a very solid performance..." (Eric Earling, "Another Debate Round-Up," Sound Politics Blog, http://soundpolitics.com/archives/008623.html, Posted 5/15/07)

Syndicated Columnist Mona Charen: "Romney was smart and smooth as usual..." ("The Second Date: An NRO Symposium," National Review Online, http://article.nationalreview.com, Posted 5/16/07)

Dean Barnett: "I have a feeling that Mitt Romney will emerge from every one of these shindigs as the most articulate, well informed and appealing candidate. In terms of debating skills, it's a man amongst boys out there." (Dean Barnett, "Quickie Debate Recap," TownHall, www.townhall.com, Posted 5/15/07)

"Sister Toldjah" Blog: "Who do I think won? ... I have to give the edge to Romney. He came off as the most prepared, and sounded very presidential and looked it, too." ("GOP Presidential Candidates: The 2nd Debate," Sister Toldjah Blog, http://sistertoldjah.com, Posted 5/15/07)

- "Sister Toldjah": "I have to say as someone who has struggled wondering who to support, Romney is starting to sound very good to me." ("GOP Presidential Candidates: The 2nd Debate," Sister Toldjah Blog, http://sistertoldjah.com, Posted 5/15/07)

The Politico's Roger Simon: "Romney once again gave a smooth, controlled performance..." (Roger Simon, "Gloves Come Off At Second GOP Debate," The Politico, 5/16/07)