Romney Touts His Business Experience

By: Charlotte Eby

Sioux City Journal

Thursday, Feb 15, 2007

"Republican Mitt Romney portrayed himself as a Washington outsider bent on reforming government during a stop in Des Moines Tuesday, the opening day of his presidential campaign.

"With a John Deere tractor in the background, the former Massachusetts governor said the federal government is in need of a transformation and argued he has the executive experience as a successful businessman and governor who could make those changes.

"'To have government change and transform, to have innovation come into government, you've got to have somebody who's spent their lifetime innovating and transforming,' he said.

"Close to 300 supporters huddled inside the building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds where Romney appeared with his wife, Ann, and sons while snow blew outside.

...

"Romney took a hawkish stance in the speech, pledging his support for President Bush's plan to send more troops stabilize the situation in Iraq.

"Romney said as the country looks at the face of radical jihad and the potential of nuclear proliferation, it must help lead the Muslim world to reject violence and extremism.

"'I think we have to recognize that our military might in this country should not be defined by the whims of an ever-changing political agenda,' Romney said. 'We need to remember that the best ally of peace in the world is a strong America.'

"And he said as Iran tries to become a nuclear power, the U.S. will have to lead the civilized world against that effort.

"'As a matter of fact, it's clear that in America we will not in any way engage with and negotiate with jihadists who are intent on destroying our nation, destroying our friends and destroying our way of life,' Romney said to applause."

...

"Chuck Laudner, a Republican from Rockford, liked Romney's message of winning the global war on terrorism and the war in Iraq. He argues it will be the issue that separates Republicans from Democrats in the next presidential election.

"'That's going to be the No. 1 issue today, tomorrow and in November of 2008,' Laudner said."

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