NewsRomney: ‘I'm a Reagan Republican'By Chris Faulkner/MVM News NetworkFORT MADISON - Talk among political analysts is that conservative Republicans are looking for another Ronald Reagan. It's then said, or at least implied, that none of the crop of candidates for president fits that bill.
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney would beg to differ. During an exclusive interview Friday - before he addressed about 100 people at Alpha's on the Riverfront annex - Romney tackled the question about struggles in the Republican Party and the concern by many conservatives about President Bush's spending habits. “We've run an ad in newspapers that says, ‘Change begins with us,'” Romney began. “Republicans (in Washington) have spent too much, they've earmarked too much and their ethical standards have been the butt of nighttime TV jokes.” Although Democrats have a laundry list of complaints about President Bush, it's clear that Romney has a different set of laundry. “When Republicans act like Democrats, America suffers,” Romney said. “I'm a social conservative, a fiscal conservative and a foreign policy conservative.” As President Reagan was? “I'm a Reagan Repulican,” Romney said. One hour later, Sharon Nagel of Fort Madison had just finished listening to Romney's speech and his question-and-answer session. She is still shopping for a candidate and was asked what she thought of Romney. “He's very Reaganesque,” she said. Romney presented another trifecta of ideals, promoting strong families, through a strong economy, protected by a strong military. Nagel said she liked his “three-pronged message.” Many of those attending were wearing the yellow Romney T-shirts from the Iowa Straw Poll, but a good number were those still checking all the options. Even a few Democrats showed up to present their concerns and see where Romney stood. But first, Romney spoke on the family values part of his campaign. “We should tell young girls that before they have babies, they should get married first,” Romney said. He then said that people should know what marriage is. He's in favor of a federal amendment that defines marriage as being only between one man and one woman. To keep families strong, “We need a strong economy,” Romney said. He wants to keep current tax credits in place and also said he wants to “kill the death tax.” Pun intended? Romney also would push for alternate fuel sources, including biodiesel, biofuel and ethanol. Later, one questioner asked if Romney would avoid listening to some environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club, which apparently complained about windmills because some birds are being killed by flying into them. Romney said he there's nothing wrong with carrying for the earth and being an environmentalist. “But some people get carried away,” he said. He would drill for oil in Alaska and support windmills and other alternate sources. Romney said he likes “legal” immigrants and opposes giving driver's licenses to illegal aliens and in-state tuition breaks as well. He supports the line-item veto. As for the military, Romney didn't specifically address the war in Iraq, nor was he asked. But he said would add 100,000 troops and buy new equipments and armaments to protect the U.S. soldiers “and care for them when they get home.” Pre-meeting publicity declare the follow-up session as “Ask me anything.” Don Lucas, a Fort Madison veteran, applauded Romney's work with veterans in Massachusetts. He said some veterans he has talked to online, however, wanted to know if National Guard soldiers would be better used fighting the wildfires in California and let regular military fight the war in Iraq. Romney said the Guard and reservists have had far too much put on them in repeated trips to Iraq. But he said, “We need professional firefighters who know what they're doing” in California. Michael Pierce of Montrose said he has never voted Republican but still wanted Romney's answer to, “What do you tell the children who go to be hungry? Whose parents work for less than a living wage?” Romney said the best solution was “to give them better opportunities.” In Massachusetts, Romney said he helped people get into private insurance policies. “I didn't have the government take over.” Although a believer in individual responsibility, Romney said there are already government programs in place such Food Stamps and the Earned Income Tax Credit. “We have safety net programs,” he said. Romney said he worries more for the middle income families who don't have the benefit of wealth but don't qualify for outside help, yet are being squeezed in the middle by excess taxes. Julie Hays of Keokuk represented Keokuk for Darfur. She noted that Romney has divested his holdings in companies doing business in Iran and wants to know if he has or will do the same for companies doing business with Sudan. As governor, however, Romney had to turn over management of his investments to a trustee to avoid potential conflicts of interest. “I haven't managed my funds for four years,” he said. He did say, however, “I've asked the trustees to keep my investments consistent with my values, but that isn't always possible.” Celine Schule of West Point, an ardent spokesperson for Social Security and Medicare issues and a regular letter writer to the Daily Democrat, and Daily Gate City, asked Romney where he stood on those two topics. Romney said he was not in favor of total privitization but said he supports President Bush's idea of letting individuals dictate where a portion of their Social Security taxes would be invested. Romney called them private accounts, and Schulte said she still thought that was privatization and was against it. “I don't want kids to invest it,” Schulte said. “If they got it, they wouldn't invest it, they'd blow it.” After sorting out the semantics issue, Romney said that under Bush's plan, individuals would not get cash, with the hopes they would spend it wisely. “The proposal the president made was (individual workers) can direct a trustee in approved investments,” Romney said. Romney said, “I don't believe in raising taxes” and that private accounts or even extending the retirement age were better solutions. Copyright © 2009 - Daily Gate City
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