-
Adieu, Adieu, Remember Me
March 25, 2011 | 38 comments
-
DeMint’s Defense of RomneyCare is Ignorant…And Dangerous
March 17, 2011 | 85 comments
-
McConnell Pushing Vote to Block the EPA from Regulating Carbon Emissions
March 17, 2011 | 9 comments
-
More Barbour on Afghanistan
March 16, 2011 | 8 comments
-
House Passes Three Week Spending Bill
March 15, 2011 | 8 comments
The Spectacle Blog
Mitt Romney focused on economic issues in his address to the Value Voters Summit this morning, part of clear shift in strategy from his last presidential run.
In 2008, Romney heavily courted social conservatives, but the strategy often backfired by drawing attention to his reversals on a number of issues such as abortion. This made him come off inauthentic to many primary voters. In the run up to what is widely believed to be a second presidential run, Romney has placed more emphasis on economic issues, which are not only topical but play into his background as a successful businessman. This shift was apparent earlier this year when I saw him speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, and it continued today.
Romney opened up his speech to values voters with a harsh critique of President Obama, arguing that the lack of private sector experience among the administration’s advisors had led to economic policies that were an “abject failure.”
The first rule of a turnaround, Romney said, was “Focus, focus, focus.” But instead the Obama administration had pursed liberal policies such as national health care and cap and trade.
“He called it ambitious,” Romney said of Obama’s agenda, “I called it reckless.”
Other than a brief aside about the sanctity of life and marriage, Romney didn’t talk about issues that are traditionally considered social issues. Instead, he framed other issues as being a matter of values.
He outlined Obama’s assault on values, which included: spending and borrowing, redistributing wealth, passing government health care, and trying to end the secret ballot in union elections.
Romney recalled that when he was shopping in Wal-Mart, it hit him that businesses and institutions largely reflect the values of their founders. In the same way, he said, America reflects the love for liberty and pioneer spirit epitomized by our founders. He called these “founding values” that were being threatened by liberals’ lust for government power and attacks on free enterprise.
One gets the sense that Romney understands that he’s unlikely to become the top choice of social conservatives, and is content with the polite but not overwhelmingly supportive reception he gets with values voters. Instead, he’d rather position himself to the broader electorate with a message that fits him better.
View all comments (23) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Philip Klein
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/09/17/romney-emphasizes-economic-iss
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- A President Loses His Power
- Hannah and Her Friends
- Eugenic Abortion 2.0
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Tracey| 9.17.10 @ 1:13PM
Romney would be an excellent Pres. Mitt Romney 2012
Booger| 9.17.10 @ 5:26PM
RomneyCare=Obamacare=No chance. It is, however, nice to see that Mitt had his staffers lined up waiting to post on this. Of course, since he changes his positions more often than his underwear, he could always have Charlie Crist for a running mate. They REALLY go together.
Jeremiah| 9.18.10 @ 4:05AM
Mitt Romney has all of the charisma of a mayonnaise sandwich.
David| 9.18.10 @ 8:43AM
Romneycare makes him unacceptable to any of of us who want to repeal Obamacare.
Noelle| 9.17.10 @ 1:17PM
Great speech. Mitt Romney 2012. I can't wait!
Lisa| 9.17.10 @ 1:19PM
Romney has a good track record: 2 degrees with in Honors in Harvard, success in business, government, olympics, family, right temper, will be a great President
Booger| 9.17.10 @ 5:48PM
On today of all days you would think Mitt would be embarassed to have someone named "Lisa" endorse him. Still, they do have oh so much in common.
Doug| 9.19.10 @ 2:22PM
As opposed to some named "Booger"? What candidate does this nose picker like?
Mona Lisa| 9.18.10 @ 7:52AM
The right temper must mean getting handcuffed and taken to the police station for going off on an officer. The right temper must mean during the Olympics Romney did the same thing - to a police officer --- One thing Lisa your posts points out is Romney spins lies -
Luke| 9.17.10 @ 1:19PM
Mitt Romney is the man!
Ivan| 9.17.10 @ 1:31PM
"Romney has a good track record: 2 degrees with in Honors in Harvard, success in business, government, olympics, family, right temper, will be a great President"
O yes, and the brilliant Romney-Care on the top of that.
RyanT| 9.18.10 @ 7:50AM
I agree with you on that one! Romney has a paid shrill. Last election he had a whole computer room full of people doing nothing but surfing the internet under his name and answering back in his defense.
I was for Mitt but I am against him now ----
Ryan| 9.17.10 @ 1:31PM
Mitt Romney has a paid shill to post under different names in the span of seconds!
Siegfried X| 9.17.10 @ 2:02PM
This is expected. Romney is an establishment candidate, like his backup, Haley Barbour.
R. Dittmar| 9.17.10 @ 2:13PM
In the Beltway - the rotten Beltway - the RINOs creep tonight.
Brooke| 9.18.10 @ 4:06AM
Awesome!
Sean| 9.17.10 @ 4:00PM
Mitt was clueless on the economy during the last election. His Romney care is a liberal disaster. Consevatives need him to just go away.
Roger| 9.17.10 @ 7:03PM
I'd be happy to listening to Myth talk about management and running companies because he seems to have a lot to offer in that regard, but until it would be clear he IS NOT running for POTUS I only want him to go away. He isn't exactly a rino but he's darn close, IMHO.
Brooke| 9.18.10 @ 4:08AM
Sorry, Roger, it's a myth to say Mitt's not a RINO.
Yosemeti Sam| 9.18.10 @ 1:46AM
What's that expression - you can run but you can't hide.
It'd be hard running indeed with the yoke of Massachusetts governance - fanciful even for that late senator - around his neck.
Tim*| 9.18.10 @ 6:41AM
Nice man but not a Conservatives' Candidate.
South Carolina's Tea Party Kingmaker Jim DeMint would serve Conservative Interests much better .
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .
Rise Up !
Mitt unfit for the White House| 9.18.10 @ 7:46AM
Unfit for the White House – economics to Romney is getting as much money, with as few morals as possible in the way. Morals to Mitt Romney, is whatever he wants, and Romney has some questions to answer including ones about David French. Romney is a shameful man, with few values.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_5n7TXHWQ