Mitt Romney in 2012 State of the Union address
On Government Reform:
Make government simpler, smaller, and smarter
If tonight were the first message to Congress in a Romney administration, I'd have the courage to tell the American people how it is and tell Congress what we really need to do. I wouldn't spend my time blaming others for how we got in this mess;
I'd explain how we're going to get out of it. I'd use the State of the Union to lay out an agenda that will get our country back on track and get our fiscal house in order.My agenda would make government simpler, smaller, and smarter. As President,
I will repeal unnecessary regulations and restore our good credit rating. I will reduce tax rates and simplify the tax code, especially for middle-income Americans. I will streamline regulation, ensure the prompt review of projects, and order agencies
to focus on economic growth.
I would pledge to do all that a President can to get America working again. When it comes to the economy, my highest priority would be worrying about your job, not saving my own.
Source: Prebuttal to 2012 State of the Union speech
Jan 24, 2012
On Homeland Security:
Military so powerful that no one thinks of challenging it
As President, I will reverse the Obama-era defense cuts. I believe a strong America must--and will--lead the future. I will insist on a military so powerful that no one would ever think of challenging it.My plans protect our freedom and preserve
opportunity. They reflect common-sense solutions and conservative values. Our campaign is about more than replacing a President; it is about saving the soul of America. This election is a choice between two very different destinies.
- President
Obama wants to "fundamentally transform" America. We want to restore America to the founding principles that made this country great.
- This President puts his faith in government. We put our faith in the American people.
- Ours is the party of free
enterprise, free markets, and consumer choice. The Republican Party stands for personal responsibility and equal opportunity. We don't demonize prosperity. We celebrate success.
- He's wrong. We're right. And this is a battle we cannot lose.
Source: Prebuttal to 2012 State of the Union speech
Jan 24, 2012
On Principles & Values:
Obama's record: debt, decline, and disappointment
Tonight, the President will give a nice speech with a lot of memorable phrases. But he won't give you the hard numbers. Like $15 trillion--that's the size of our national debt.Instead, tonight, President Obama will make the opening argument in his
campaign against a "Do Nothing Congress." But for two years, this President had a Congress that could do everything he wanted.Did he fix the economy? Did he tackle the housing crisis? Did he get Americans back to work? No.
- He spent $787 billion
on a stimulus bill and put us on track to borrow and spend $5 trillion in just his first term.
- He forced through Obamacare--a trillion-dollar entitlement we can't afford.
- He took over auto companies and student loans.
- He's spearheaded one of the
largest expansions of government in American history. And he's paying for it with money borrowed from China.
President Obama has amassed an actual record of debt, decline, and disappointment.
Source: Prebuttal to 2012 State of the Union speech
Jan 24, 2012
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019