SALT LAKE CITY, January 28, 2012—Mitt Romney has a way to go to win over the base. For starters, he could say the following:
Politics, for me, has always been about doing the right thing for future Americans.
In a recent debate, when asked about what I've done for the conservative movement, my first response was that I've raised a family.
That's what this campaign has been about for me.
When I first ran for public office in 1994, it probably wasn't so much about that. I was a little younger, and a little prouder.
But the state of our nation is much different than it was in 1994. Barack Obama has seen fit to dramatically alter the relationship between government and citizen. His presidency has undermined much of what makes this country great.
I don't need to get into specifics here; the record is clear, and the damage is real.
The effects of President Obama's awful policies have been tough on good people all across the country. The people are angry.
I understand your anger, and I share it.
My candidacy for the presidency is based on the promise to undo that damage and restore the proper balance between the People and the People's government.
These are hard times, and Americans want a fighter. I want to fight. I want to take that fight to the president.
Our Republican colleagues have entered the race for many of the same reasons. I admire their passion and desire to correct America's course.
Governor Pawlenty, Herman Cain, Representative Bachmann, Governor Huntsman, and Governor Perry have strengthened our party and given voice to the concerns of millions of voters.
To my colleagues who remain in the contest, I hope we can continue to make a spirited case for why Barack Obama's presidency must end next year.
Dr. Paul has always livened up debates. There is much we don't agree on. But we have a lot in common. He loves the Constitution, and he loves liberty.
Senator Santorum has inspired me with his heartfelt call for a return to values. He has struck important chords about family, community, and hard work; chords to which much of the left-leaning media has been deaf.
Speaker Gingrich is a good American. I have said some harsh things about him during this campaign. I stand by those things, but I'm afraid I haven't explained many of the good things about him. Our party will forever be indebted to his vision and energy in 1994, when he returned the Republicans back to congressional power. When I lost my race that year, the speaker was just reaching the height of his accomplishments. He has been a powerful voice for conservatives since.
Some of the speaker's criticism's of me are certainly unfounded. He says I'm not conservative. He has mistaken temperament for philosophy. Though I might not breathe fire, I am a conservative at heart.
Nevertheless, I can admire anyone who is willing to fight for what he believes, and Newt has a lot of fight in him.
When you're on the losing end of some of that fight, as I have been in various moments during this campaign, it's tough to give credit where credit is due. But Newt certainly has been a zealous advocate for a lot of voters, and I appreciate that.
Too often this race has been characterized by party infighting. Some may say it's quite natural. Others believe it might hurt our chances in the long run. I believe that it has made us all better candidates, forcing us to sharpen our message and thicken our skin in preparation for the blistering attacks that the Democrats will surely throw our way.
Unity will come, and it would be premature of me to call for it now. There are a lot of votes to be cast.
Before you cast your votes though, whether you are here in Florida or in the various states that follow, I simply want to assure you that a vote for Mitt Romney will be cast for someone who will fight for you, and for what you believe. And it will not be cast in vain.
Quite simply, I am the Republican best equipped and best prepared to defeat Barack Obama.
His administration has been one marked by an utter inability to see the economic realities staring it in the face.
I will take that fight to Obama.
Barack Obama is hopelessly ignorant about how the free market works, and unaware of the proper limitations of the federal government with respect to the market.
I can explain to him, loudly, forcefully, and repeatedly if he requires, the virtues of free enterprise, and the vast good that it can bring to a people.
Obama, despite promising Hope, Change, and a new tone in Washington, has presided over the bitterest partisanship in generations.
Having never lived in Washington, I can contrast his record with mine, and show him that effective negotiation and respect for one's opponents can produce results for the People.
This president is weakening our nation on many fronts. He is cutting our military even as he drives our nation deeper in debt.
I will pound into him the principle of living with our means, of not spending more than one has to spend, and being a wise steward with other people's money.
His presidency has been defined by gross usurpations of executive power at almost every turn.
I will show the American people that an executive can be effective and powerful in restraint.
There is too much at stake in this campaign to let our anger—our understandable anger—to cloud our collective judgment.
At times perhaps, my passion may not have been evident. Rest assured that there is little about which I am more passionate.
Join me in the fight to restore America!
Thank you.
Read more:
CNN Florida Debate--Not great, but not bad
Mitt Romney, real conservative
Newt Gingrich, a one-man CREEP
The race of the RINOs - Republicans In Name Only
Florida GOP NBC Debate: Beth Reinhard of the National Journal is a national disgrace
Mitt Romney and the real state of our union
Newt Gingrich affair: Time to review the rules
Learn more about the author at Rich-Stowell.com
Rich is a teacher and a soldier. In addition to writing the "Rich Like Me" political column at the Washington Times Communities, he is the author of Nine Weeks: A Teacher’s Education in Army Basic Training; Tunnel Club; and Not Another Boring Textbook: A High School Students’ Guide to their Inner Conservative, which you can follow on Facebook.
This article is the copywritten property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media.
REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
