- Local every day in
Mitt Romney Drives Home Message of Government 'Spending Cuts' in Shelby Township
Michigan native Mitt Romney hosts town hall forum Tuesday at Shelby Township-based defense spending firm.
GOP Candidate Mitt Romney addresses about 500 people at town hall meeting Tuesday in Shelby Township.
Photos (6)
Photos
As Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney made a campaign stop in Shelby Township on Tuesday, he told a crowd of about 500 people at Eagle Manufacturing that his main goal if elected president of the United States would be to “cut the spending.”
“We need to balance our budget and do more things to reduce our spending,” he started off by saying.
Romney, who appeared relaxed in jeans, said he plans on achieving that goal by keeping taxes flat, or lower, cut government spending and end entitlements.
The Michigan native said he chose to hold the town hall forum at the Eagle Manufacturing, a Shelby Township-based defense manufacturing plant, to drive home the notion that the private sector in America will be the key to job creation, not the government.
“I know you have to get the government out of the way and let the private sector create jobs,” said the former Massachusetts Governor.
Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis echoed Romney’s sentiments, stating Eagle Manufacturing has promised to bring more than 30 jobs to the township.
Romney, the son of former Michigan Gov. George Romney, clarified that unlike his competitor, Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, who spoke in Shelby Friday at Palazzo Grande, he has not spent his entire career in Washington and understands the struggles of a businessperson.
“I’m the only guy in the race who has worked in the private sector,” Romney added. "I am looking to get that job so I can change Washington, not so I can be a part of it."
Romney said his tax plan for the U.S. would be to make them flatter, fairer and simpler.
“If you raise taxes on anybody in America, you’re going to depress job creations,” he said.
On government spending, Romney told the crowd that his plan would be very different from Obama’s $1 trillion dollars per year.
“If we continue at this rate, we’ll be like Greece,” he said.
Romney said he’ll spell out his full economic plan when he addresses the Detroit Economic Club on Friday.
Romney's plan for the auto bailout was reinforced again Tuesday. He supported a managed bankruptcy for the Big Three in 2009. Romney told the crowd that United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger had told Washington that nobody would buy cars from bankrupt companies.
"I was right and he was wrong," said Romney.
While on the topic of government spending, Romney said it’s important that the government do everything it can to protect Medicare and Social Security for future generations.
Lisa Richter of Washington Township, who came to the town hall with her children and nieces in tow, said she supports Romney, and agrees with his policies on ending entitlements and cutting spending.
Richter visibly shivered when she recounted her 5-year-old niece’s words told to her and her mother just yesterday.
“My niece here said if Obama’s in office she should not work because he’ll give her money and if she does work, he’ll take her money. It’s a little scary the children are thinking that mindset that early,” she said.
Before introducing Romney to the crowd, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who called Romney “the comeback kid,” said Romney is the only candidate who could defeat President Barack Obama in the next election.
“Someone needs to stop Obama and that person is Mitt Romney,” he said.
Romney took a range of questions from the audience, ranging from religious freedom to abortion to who he would choose as his running mate and his stance on Iran.
Romney, who is a Mormon, told the crowd he was pro-life, and although he hasn't even begun to think about who his running mate would be, that person would also have to be pro-life and conservative to the core.
While in town, both Santorum and Romney criticized Obama's diplomacy with Iran and the threat that Iran poses in possibly building a nuclear program.
Romney said that if "crippling sanctions" and other strategies failed, the military, which he plans on amping up by at least 100,000 people, would be on the table because it is "unacceptable" for Iran to become a nuclear power.
"We will prepare our military so that they (Iran) will not have nuclear weapons that threaten America," said Romney Tuesday.
In closing, Romney has said he has toured all 83 counties in Michigan while helping his father win the governor's race and his mother Lenore run for senate in 1970.
"Macomb County has always been very good to me, my dad and the Romney family," he said.
Dawn Beauvias of Shelby Township brought her sons, Steve, 17, and Michael, 19, both first-time presidential voters, to hear Romney speak.
Beauvais said she found it interesting that both GOP candidates made a stop in Shelby Township leading up to the primary elections on Feb. 28.
"I really think Mitt should win this state based upon his history and his father being the governor, but I do think his talk about not supporting the bailout of the car industry has really hurt him a bit in Michigan," said Beauvais. "That’s why Rick Santourm came here to win the state’s vote, but Mitt has to follow suit to get more support and get his message out."
Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.
Marina Cracchiolo
5:19 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
If you had to vote today between Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, who would you pick?
Dawn Beauvais
6:17 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I was completely undecided before attending the town hall meeting today. I like most of the things that Mitt Romney said today. I'm going to do some more research over the next couple days; but if were voting today, it would be Mitt Romney.
Judith Kristy
5:39 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Almost sounds like black Democrates who think Obama should win cause hes black. Mitt should win Michigan because he's from here, maybe we all need to look harder about what they stand for than just that he was born here. I'm tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. Give me less government regulations . Our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves this is not what they fought for.
Jenny Whalen
6:10 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I honestly have no idea who I'd pick. This afternoon I saw a campaign ad with Mitt Romney toting a paint gun and shooting pop-up Rick Santorums in a warehouse. The Romney clone was laughing maniacally. This is what the campaign has come to? I thought I was watching the old Batman TV show.
Dawn Beauvais
6:19 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I hate all of the negative ads. I try not to watch them, b/c it makes me not to want to vote for any of them. The ads are full of 1/2 truths that are twisted. It's unfortunate that negative ads get any air time!
Nancy Smith
7:45 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I was shocked last night when I saw the ad you described! Even pretending that you are shooting a gun at someone in school isn't permitted. Why would any candidate in these times "approve" an ad like that?!
Daryl Patrishkoff
6:22 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Marina,
If I had to pick today I would choose Mitt, I still have not made my decision. I believe our country needs a quick turnaround in all aspects, the first being financial responsibility that is sustainable. I like the idea that he came from business with the venture capital background of turning around companies on the brink.
I feel that is what is happening in Lansing with Snyder and we already have a real budget and a surplus! To me the other candidates do not have this turn around business background and are too used to political talk that will not provide quick results.
The other issues for me are to return to America’s core principals of creating an environment that provides opportunity for the people who are willing to work and take a chance. We have been “fundamentally changed” as promised in the past 3 years and people believe they deserve something for free because they are an American and that is their right. I like Greece, but do not want to live there.
eherdell
12:59 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I am not sure who I will vote for. I like Mitt's philosophy re: downsizing the size of govt & balancing the budget. I am concerned about how Mitt made actually his money in the venture capital business. Did he promote off shoring jobs, cutting jobs, or do it at the expense of middle class employees of those companies. I believe Rick Santorum is credible with a firm foundation of values, beliefs, and vision for a better America. Rick Santorum seems to have high standards & seems to expect much from himself and those around him.
eherdell
1:01 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
It seems Mitt holds the promise of economic stability and an economic turn around, but will it be at the expense of or without benefit to America's middle class?
eherdell
1:02 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Rick Santorum seems to be the candidate to best lead America morally forward, but can he best lead America forward economically?
eherdell
1:07 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
There are sixty-seven million Catholics in America - that's at least fifteen million mroe people than it takes to elect an American president. (Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly, 2010, pg. 17). That is only the Catholics in America. How many more Christians of other faiths are there in America. Many of these are women, who are practitioners of some or all of the tenants of their faith. One-half of all voters in America are women & while that fact alone is hardly a boon solely to one political party or candidate or another it is a dangerous assumption to think that American women do not hold sway in this election. American women are smart, intelligent, and many are women of faith, who also happen to vote.
kidcat24
8:00 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Okay you like Snyder and you like Romney. Snyder took 1 billion dollars from the schools. That is where your surplus came from. My district alone let 35 teachers go and counting. That is 35 less people with disposable income to spend in your neighborhoods. That doesn't count the people in the other departments in the schools that have been let go. I don't know about you but I do not want a profit seeking CEO running my school. Now Romney can say all he wants about being a Olympic businessman but, he paid 3.5 million dollars to lobbyist to go to the federal government and beg for federal money to bailout the Olympics. The savior of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games ~ The U.S. Taxpayer. We gave 1.3 billion dollars of our money to bailout the Olympics. Now if I had that kind of money I could really get Michigan Moving.
Dennis
9:57 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
If you seek to REALLY change the status quo, take a hard look at Ron Paul. LISTEN to what he has to say. Anyone that remembers the late 70s under Dem rule - fuel rations, crazy high gas cost, 18% home interest, etc - we were headed for depression. Ron Reagan was elected and turned things around. Sometimes we need to avoid the career politicians, and breathe new life into Washington. IMO, from what Ive heard, Ron Paul is that breath.
Scot Beaton
12:55 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Marnia,
I'm in the the ad business, all four of the remaining Rebublican candidates have serious marketing issues and their ad campaigns aren't helping. We are smarter than 5 graders. And what happened to the 11th commandment thay threw that down the toilet.
Mitt Romney don't care where he's from... he could have been from Ohio we have had 8 presidents from Ohio most historians feel the majority of them were pretty lousy. Mitt suffers from being part of that top 1%, money in the Bahamas etc. Just not the kind of guy the middle class wants to vote for. Mitt would have made something besides money he might be an easier sell.
Suggestion for Mitt, reiterate over and over again I'm a Christian but I was taught "thou shalt not judge" and leave it a that. Don't cater to the far religious right their not going to vote for Barack Obama anyway, and creat an ad campaign that tells America what manufacturing jobs you have created no one gives a blank about "Staples" no one wants to elect a president who's solution is working at Walmart... or other retail jobs.
Rick Santorum... to be continued...
Scot Beaton
12:58 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Rick Santorum to far to the Christian right, read his book, many in America think it's downright scary... don't think woman want to be thrown back into the 13th century. And come on give us a brake sex is only for making babes... please it's takes independents to win the presidency and Rick is never going to get that vote. If I were Barack Obama I'd be thrilled if the "party" pick this guy.
Suggestion for Rick please get out of this "party" and start a new one, he's far right agenda is destroying the fabric of this nation and the Republican party.
Newt Gingrich... to be continued...
Scot Beaton
1:02 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Newt Gingrich "the smart one" Newt the one with all the ideas. Wow someone with a brain and ideas unheard of in American politics. That's his downfall ideas scare people we would rather listen to a consensus builder of ideas... "let's form a committee" my favorite line in politics LOL. And wow the attitude of this guy why would America want to elect a strong leader? Some of his ideas a little scary... but take America off welfare through education is a great idea. And the moon base is a good idea, it gives our young a reason to be a scientists in school.
Suggestion Newt needs to stay to "the center" walk away from "my idea" and use words like "our idea". Another "smart one" was Bill Clinton he was a genius at making his ideas other folks ideas. Newt needs to learn a lesson from Bill.
Ron Paul... to be continued...
Scot Beaton
1:23 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ron Paul "the hippie candidate" been visited by space aliens need I say more... yes Ron wants to leave women rights issues up to the states. Bad idea more red states than blue states if Ron could have his way women rights will be in the ---- in his first four years.
Ron's worse enemy is himself many like Ron Paul as a person but not for president and I can't think of an ad campaign that can solve that issue.
So where does the Republican party go from here, they are running out of time for a new list... my guess four more years of Barack Obama? Don't know. I do know there are a lot of Americans out there that like none of the above including the current president so I'm also expecting this year there might be a low voter turn out too.
Marnia great reporting and thanks for the post.
Yvonne
8:38 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The biggest problem, IMHO, with the primary season is that the candidates who are not on the fringe of their party are forced to pander to the extremists (ala Romney or Newt w/the fidelity pledge) in order to garner the votes to make it to the general election. The reason that this is a problem is that most people in this country are moderate, even if they tend to identify with a particular party or take on the moniker of Independent. I don't know what the answer to this problem is, but some real campaign overhaul is long overdue though completely unlikely.