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Full Text Campaign Buzz August 18, 2012: President Barack Obama’s Speech at a Campaign Event in Rochester, New Hampshire

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

Remarks by the President at a Campaign Event — Rochester, NH

Source: WH, 8-18-12

Rochester Commons
Rochester, New Hampshire

3:55 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, New Hampshire!  (Applause.)  Thank you!

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you!  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  What a beautiful day in New Hampshire.  (Applause.)

A couple people I want to acknowledge.  First of all, thanks to your outstanding young mayor, T.J. Jean — (applause) — and his folks, who are standing right next to him.  They’re pretty proud of him.  He’s doing a great job.

Please give Amy a great big round of applause for the wonderful introduction.  (Applause.)  One of the national co-chairs of our campaign and your outstanding senator, Jeanne Shaheen, is here.  (Applause.)  And congressional candidate Carol Shea-Porter is here.  (Applause.)  And all of you are here — (applause) — on a beautiful Saturday.

Now, first of all, I’ve got to just say thanks to all of you for looking after Malia and Sasha while they were up here.  They were here for a month at camp, and they did a great — they just had a great time, and enjoyed all the water sports, playing basketball and tennis, and arts and crafts.  And, most importantly, there was some ice cream involved in the thing.  (Laughter.)  They were quite pleased about that.  So we missed them, though.  Parents, it’s tough when your kids are away, isn’t it?  (Laughter.)  We’ve missed them so much.  And they promised they’d write — and they did — and they’d just say, “We’re doing fine.  Bye.”  (Laughter.)  It’s tough.

But, anyway, I can see why they enjoyed themselves because New Hampshire is one of the most beautiful states in the country and we are just so pleased to be here.  (Applause.)

Now, they didn’t — Malia and Sasha didn’t get any TV when they were at camp, but —

AUDIENCE:  Awww —

THE PRESIDENT:  — no, there’s nothing wrong with that.  That’s good.  (Laughter.)  But unless you’ve been able to hide your television set, you may be aware that there’s a pretty intense campaign going on right now.

Now, the reason it is so hotly contested is because the choice that we face this November couldn’t be bigger.  It’s not just a choice between two candidates or two political parties.  This is a choice between two fundamentally different visions for our country; two fundamentally different ideas about the direction that we should be going in.  And the direction that we choose, the direction you choose when you walk into that voting booth in November is going to have an impact not just on your lives, it’s going to have an impact on your children, your grandchildren, and generations to come.

Now, four years ago, we came together as Democrats, but also independents and some Republicans, because we knew we had to restore the basic bargain that built America — what made us an economic superpower, what created the greatest middle class we’ve ever seen.  And it’s a pretty simple bargain.  It’s the idea that if you work hard, you should be able to get ahead.  It’s a deal that says if you put in enough effort and you act responsibly, that you can find a job that pays the bills; you can afford a home that you call your own; you can count on health care when you get sick; you can retire with dignity and respect; and, most importantly, you can give your kids the kind of education and opportunity that allows them to dream even bigger and do even better than you ever did.  (Applause.)  That’s the American idea.  That’s what we came together to fight for in 2008.

It’s a simple American promise.  And we knew it wouldn’t be easy restoring that promise.  We knew it would take more than one year or one term, or even one President, because we had gone through a decade in which that promise wasn’t being kept.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  I love you, Mr. President!

THE PRESIDENT:  I love you, too, sweetie.  (Applause.)  We had seen a decade, before I came into office, in which jobs were being shipped overseas.  We had run two wars on a credit card, gone from surplus to deficits.  Wages and incomes actually went down during this period, even as the costs of everything from health care and college were going up.  A few folks at the top were doing really, really well, but for a lot of middle-class families, folks were working harder and harder, and seems like if you were lucky you were just treading water.  And that was before the economic crisis, which hammered so many families all across this state and all across this country — people losing their jobs, their homes, their savings — making the American Dream even further out of reach.

So when I ran four years ago, when we talked about how we were going to restore that basic bargain four years ago, I told you there were no quick fixes, there were no simple solutions.  But what I said was, if we were willing to work hard, and we were willing to come together, I had no doubt we could meet every single challenge, because we’ve got so many things going for us.  We’ve got the best workers in the world.  We’ve got the best entrepreneurs and small businesspeople in the world.  We’ve got the best scientists and researchers, the best colleges and universities in the world.  (Applause.)

Compared to other developed countries, we’re a young nation.  And part of it is because we’ve got the greatest diversity of talent and ingenuity.  People still want to come here from every corner of the globe because they understand what America means.  And so no matter what the naysayers say, no matter how dark the other side tries to paint things around election time, there is not another country on Earth that would not gladly trade places with the United States of America.  (Applause.)

They understand, we understand that here in America, if you’re willing to work hard, no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from, you can make it if you try.  That’s what the last four years has been about — whether it’s been saving the auto industry, or getting health care passed, or creating 4.5 million new jobs, or making sure that young people have an easier time affording college.  It’s all about that idea of making sure hard work is rewarded.  That’s what my presidency has been about.  That is what this campaign is about.  That is why I’m running for a second term as President of the United States.  (Applause.)

Now, my opponent and his new running mate, they just have a different view of things.  They’ve got wonderful families, they’re good people, but they believe in a different vision.  They think the best way forward is the kind of top-down economics that got us into this mess in the first place.  They truly believe that if you roll back regulations that we put in place to control Wall Street, or if you get rid of regulations we put in place to avoid our air getting dirtier and our water getting dirtier, and then if you combine that with more tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, then somehow prosperity will come raining down on all of you.  (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  That’s why we’re in a drought!  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m not exaggerating here.  You can go on their website, look at Congressman Ryan’s budget.  The centerpiece of Governor Romney’s entire economic plan is a new $5 trillion tax cut, a lot of it going to folks like me, a lot of it going to the wealthiest Americans.  His new running mate, Congressman Ryan, put forward a plan that would let Governor Romney pay less than 1 percent in taxes each year.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s a pretty good deal, just paying 1 percent in taxes.  You’re making millions of dollars.

Now, here’s the kicker — they expect you to pick up the tab.  Governor Romney’s tax plan would actually raise taxes on middle-class families with children by an average of $2,000.  Now, this is not my analysis.  This is the analysis of independent economists whose job it is to analyze these plans.  Every media outlet has checked on the numbers here, and their estimate is that it would cost you an extra $2,000 — not to grow the economy, not to reduce the deficit, not to make sure that our schools are working well or we’re building roads or we’re strengthening the middle class.  All this would be just to give another tax cut to folks like Governor Romney.  It would give the average person who is making more than $3 million a year another $250,000 in tax cuts.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  Now, Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan will be here in New Hampshire on Monday, so you can tell them if you think this is fair.  (Laughter.)  And you should ask them, how do you think that’s going to grow the economy again?  How is that going to strengthen the middle class?

Look, we have tried this kind of trickle-down snake oil before.  (Laughter.)  It didn’t work then.  It won’t work now.  It’s not a plan to create jobs.  It’s not a plan to reduce our deficit.  It’s not a plan to strengthen our economy.  It’s not a plan to strengthen the middle class.  (Applause.)

It won’t work.  We’re moving forward.  They want to take us backwards.  That’s the choice in this election.  And that’s why I’m running for a second term.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  Now, the truth is, if you ask them or you ask their consultants, I think they know their economic plan isn’t really popular.  (Laughter.)  And that’s why they’ve got to be dishonest about my plan.  They are just throwing everything they can at the wall to see if it sticks.

Their latest approach is to try to challenge me on Medicare.  Now, let’s just think about this for a second — Governor Romney wants to turn Medicare into a voucher system.  Congressman Ryan wants to turn Medicare into a voucher system.

AUDIENCE:  No!

THE PRESIDENT:  I, on the other hand, have strengthened Medicare.  (Applause.)  We made reforms that extended the life of the program, saved millions of seniors with Medicare hundreds of dollars on their prescription drugs; we’re closing the doughnut hole.  (Applause.)  The only changes to benefits that we made was to make the benefits better by making sure that Medicare now covers new preventive services like cancer screenings and wellness visits for free.  (Applause.)

Meanwhile, Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan want to give seniors a voucher to buy insurance on their own, which — again, somebody did the analysis; not us, somebody else — and they estimate that this could force seniors to pay as much as an extra $6,400 a year for their health care.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  How many people think that’s a good deal?

AUDIENCE:  No!

THE PRESIDENT:  That doesn’t strengthen Medicare.  It undoes the very guarantee of Medicare.  But that’s the core of the plan that was written by Congressman Ryan and endorsed by Governor Romney.

And if they want to talk about benefits, they should be straight with you.  Those new cancer screenings and prescription drug discounts, all those things we put into place with the Affordable Care Act, those things would be eliminated if Governor Romney had his way.  So it would take something away from seniors and it wouldn’t replace it with something better.

So here’s the bottom line, New Hampshire — my plan saves money in Medicare by cracking down on fraud and waste, and making sure insurance companies aren’t getting unfair subsidies.  (Applause.)  Their plan makes seniors pay more so they can give another tax cut to rich folks who don’t need a tax cut.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  My plan has extended the life of Medicare by nearly a decade.  Their plan would shorten the life of Medicare and end Medicare as we know it, because they’d turn it into a voucher system.

So those are the differences between our plans on Medicare.  But that’s just one example of the choice in this election.  That’s what’s at stake.  That’s why I’m running.  And you can see it on every issue.

When it comes to taxes, four years ago, I came before you and I said middle-class families need relief, especially during this crisis; I’m going to lower taxes on middle-class families.  Guess what?  I kept that promise.  (Applause.)  So if you start getting into an argument with your Republican cousin or friend or what have you — (laughter) — you just tell them, look, the typical family is paying $3,600 less in federal taxes since President Obama came into office.  (Applause.)  And right now, what I want to do is I want to keep taxes right where they are for your first $250,000 of income.  Now, that means — 98 percent of Americans make less than $250,000; 97 percent of small businesses make less than $250,000.  So under my plan, you wouldn’t see your taxes — your income taxes go up a single dime next year.  (Applause.)  That’s a contrast with Governor Romney’s plan.

But in the interest of full disclosure here, if you’re fortunate enough to be in the other 2 percent, you’re still going to get a tax cut on the first $250,000 of income.  You get to keep that.  All we’re asking is that you contribute a little bit more so that we can pay down our deficit in a responsible way and invest in things like education that help us grow.  (Applause.)  And you’ll hear some people say, well, just taxing the top 2 percent, that won’t eliminate the deficit.  It’s true.  Government is still going to have to do its part in cutting away spending we don’t need.  And we’ve already cut a trillion dollars’ worth of spending, and we’re slated to do another trillion and a half under my budget plan.

But we’re not going to do it all on the backs of middle-class families, and gutting education, and gutting science and research, and no longer investing in our infrastructure.  All we’re asking is that folks like me go back to the rates we paid under Bill Clinton — which, by the way, worked out pretty good.  (Applause.)  We created 23 million new jobs, we had a surplus instead of a deficit, and we created a whole bunch of new millionaires to boot.  (Applause.)

And part of the reason it worked out pretty well — when a teacher or a construction worker or a nurse or a receptionist, when they’ve got a little extra money in their pockets, what do they do?

AUDIENCE:  They spend it!

THE PRESIDENT:  They spend it on basic necessities.  And that means maybe that old beat up car you’ve been hanging on to for the last 12 years, you decide, all right, it’s time to get a new one.  Or maybe you decide, you know what, our kids are going to college, let’s make sure they’ve got a new computer.  And that means, then, business has more customers, which means business gets more profit, which means they then hire more workers, which means those workers then have a little more money in their pockets.  Everybody does better.

That’s how you grow an economy — not from the top down, but from the middle out and the bottom up.  When everybody is doing well, we all prosper.  (Applause.)  That’s the choice in this election.  And that’s why I’m running for a second term as President of the United States.  (Applause.)

On issue after issue, the choice could not be clearer.  When the auto industry was on the brink of collapse, Governor Romney said, let’s “let Detroit go bankrupt.”  I said, let’s bet on American workers.  And three and a half years later, the American auto industry is back.  (Applause.)

Governor Romney likes to tout his private sector experience, except a lot of that experience is investing in companies that have been called “pioneers” of outsourcing.  We don’t need more outsourcing, we need some insourcing.  (Applause.)  I want to stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas, like Governor Romney is promoting.  I want to give those tax breaks to companies that are investing right here in Rochester, right here in New Hampshire, right here in the United States of America, with American workers making American products, selling them around the world, stamped with three proud words: Made in America.  That’s what I’m fighting for.  (Applause.)

My opponent thinks new sources of clean, homegrown energy like wind energy are “imaginary.”  That’s what he called them.  (Laughter.)  Congressman Ryan said they were a “fad.”  Listen, since I took office, America has doubled the use of renewable energy.  (Applause.)  Thousands of good American jobs have been created.  It’s helping us to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  That’s not imaginary, that’s real.

We need to stop giving $4 billion of taxpayer subsidies to oil companies that are making money every time you go to the pump.  (Applause.)  Let’s give those tax breaks to producers of clean, renewable energy right here in the United States of America.  That’s a choice in this election.  (Applause.)

I’m running because I made a promise to you in 2008, we’d end the war in Iraq — and we did.  (Applause.)  I said we’d go after al Qaeda and bin Laden — and we did.  (Applause.)  We’re transitioning in Afghanistan so we can begin to bring our troops home.  (Applause.)  All of this was accomplished only because of the incredible service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform — (applause) — which is why we’ve already passed tax breaks for companies that hire veterans, and we’ve made historic investments in the VA — because my attitude is anybody who has fought for our country shouldn’t have to fight for a job when they come home.  (Applause.)

So now, New Hampshire, after a decade of war, I want to take some of those savings and let’s do some nation-building here at home.  (Applause.)  Let’s take about half the money we’re no longer spending on war and let’s put it to use putting people back to work rebuilding roads and runways and ports, and wireless networks and broadband lines into rural communities, and creating a Veterans Jobs Corps that can help returning heroes get back to work as cops and firefighters in communities that need them.  That’s the America we want to build.  That’s the choice in this election.  (Applause.)

I want to make sure we’ve got the best education system in the world.  (Applause.)  So I want to help local school districts hire and retain the very best teachers — especially in math and science –- (applause) — create 2 million more slots for Americans to go to community colleges to learn the skills that businesses are looking for right now.  And I want to keep working to reduce the cost of tuition for colleges and universities — (applause) — because a higher education is not a luxury, it’s an economic necessity in the 21st century.  That’s a choice we’ve got to make in this election.  (Applause.)

And yes, New Hampshire, I’m running because I believe in this nation.  I still believe you shouldn’t go bankrupt when you get sick.  (Applause.)  I’m actually kind of fond of the term “Obamacare.”  (Applause.)  I fought for that bill because I cared, because I cared about the 6.5 million young people who can now get insurance by staying on their parent’s plan.  (Applause.)

I care about the millions of seniors who are now getting discounts on their prescription drugs and free preventive care because of what we did.  (Applause.)  I care about all those folks here in New Hampshire and around the country with preexisting conditions who can now get health insurance because of what we did.  (Applause.)  The Supreme Court has spoken.  This law is here to stay.  We don’t need to refight this battle for another three and a half years.  We’re not going backwards, we’re moving forward.  (Applause.)

We’re not going to put — we’re not going to go back to the days when serving the country you love depended on who you love.  We ended “don’t ask, don’t tell.”  It was the right thing to do.  (Applause.)  We’re not going backwards, we’re going forward.

I believe women should be in charge of their own health care decisions.  (Applause.)  We’re not going backward, we’re going forward.  (Applause.)

On issue after issue, there is a clear choice.  Now, over the next three months, the other side is going to spend more money than we have ever seen.  I mean, they are writing $10 million checks — individuals — just to run the same ad over and over again.  It’s variations on the same theme, which is, the economy is not where it needs to be and it’s Obama’s fault.  They’ll just say that over and over again.  (Laughter.)  And the reason they’ve got to say that — that’s their only message — is because they know their economic plan won’t sell.

They may have a plan to win the election, but they don’t have a plan to create jobs.  They don’t have a plan to grow the economy.  They don’t have a plan to help the middle class.  I do.  (Applause.)

But here’s the thing — I’ve been outspent before.  I’ve been counted out before.  But what gives me hope, what gives me confidence is you.  (Applause.)  Because I know when the American people start paying attention after all the ads have been done and they cut through all the nonsense, and they start remembering the story of their families — their parents, their grandparents — all the struggles they went through, what it means to work hard and get ahead, and overcome obstacles — the same kind of story I’ve got in my life as a son of a single mom; the same kind of story that Michelle has in her life — her parents, dad a blue-collar worker, mom a secretary — we know what it’s been like to go through hard times.  But we also know what it’s like to have hope and determination and resilience, and to watch the next generation do better.  And when you guys are focused on that idea, which is the essence of who we are, then all that other money, all that other stuff doesn’t matter.  (Applause.)

So, New Hampshire, I’m going to need your help.  We’ve come too far to turn back now.  (Applause.)  We’ve still got more good jobs to create, more good teachers to hire, more students to help to go to college, more troops to bring home, more homegrown energy to generate, more doors of opportunity to open for everybody who is willing to walk through them and work hard and put in the effort.  (Applause.)

And if you’re willing to stand with me one more time — (applause) — if you’re willing to knock on some doors and make some phone calls, talk to your friends and talk to your neighbors — we will finish what we started, we will win New Hampshire, we will win this election.  And we’ll remind the world why the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth.  (Applause.)

God bless you.  God bless the United States of America.  Thank you.

END
4:22 P.M. EDT

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by bonniekgoodman on August 18, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign 2012, Campaign Speeches & Statements, Campaign Trail, Economy, General Election 2012, Medicare, Mitt Romney, Obamacare, Paul Ryan, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 18, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/full-text-campaign-buzz-august-18-2012-president-barack-obamas-speech-at-a-campaign-event-in-rochester-new-hampshire/

Full Text Campaign Buzz August 18, 2012: President Barack Obama’s Speech at a Campaign Event in Windham, New Hampshire

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

Remarks by the President at a Campaign Event — Windham, NH

Source: WH, 8-18-12 

Windham High School
Windham, New Hampshire

1:06 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you!  (Applause.)  It’s good to be back!  (Applause.)  It is good to be back in New Hampshire.  (Applause.)

Well, first all, thank you guys all for being here.  I know it’s a little bit warm.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you!

THE PRESIDENT:  I love you back.  (Laughter.)  So for those of you, everybody who is standing, I want you to kind of bend your knees a little bit.  (Laughter.)  We usually see a few folks kind of dropping out a little bit when it’s this warm.  If you’ve got a seat, feel free to sit down and relax.

I want everybody to give a big round of applause to Beth Talbot — (applause) — not only for the great introduction, but for being an outstanding teacher.  I love teachers.  (Applause.)  Love them.

Two other people I want to acknowledge — first of all, congressional candidate, Annie Kuster is here.  Give Annie a big round of applause.  (Applause.)  And my national co-chair back in 2008, one of my earliest supporters in New Hampshire, great guy — Paul Hodes is here.  Give Paul a big round of applause.  (Applause.)  And all of you are here, and I’m very happy about that.  (Applause.)

Let me also say, by the way, thank you for returning Malia and Sasha safe and sound.  They were up here for camp for a month.  They had a wonderful time, but their parents missed them a lot.  (Laughter.)  So we were glad to get them back.  But you guys took good care of them while they were up here, so I appreciate that.  (Applause.)

Now, while they were at camp — there are no TVs at camp — but unless you’ve been able to hide your TV set or your cable is broke, you may be aware that there is a campaign going on right now.  (Laughter and applause.)  And part of the reason the campaign is so intense is because the choice we face in November could not be bigger.  It’s not just a choice between two candidates or two political parties, it is a choice between two fundamentally different visions about where to take the country; two fundamentally paths for America.

And the decisions that you make, the direction you choose for us to walk in when you walk into that voting booth in November, it’s going to have an impact not just on your lives but it’s going to have an impact on your kids and your grandkids and generations to come.

Some of you were involved in 2008 when we came together.  (Applause.)  And it wasn’t just Democrats — we had independents, we had even some Republicans.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yes!

THE PRESIDENT:  There you go.  (Laughter.)  And the idea was that we needed to restore the basic bargain that made this country great; the basic bargain that created the most prosperous economy that the world has even known.

And it’s a simple bargain.  It says, if you work hard, that work should be rewarded.  It says that if you put in enough effort and you take seriously your responsibilities, you should be able to find a job that pays the bills, you should be able to afford a home you can call your own, you should count on health care if you get sick — (applause) — you should be able to retire with some dignity and some respect after a lifetime of labor — (applause) — and most important, you should be able to give your kids the kind of education and opportunity that allows them to dream bigger and do better than you ever did.  (Applause.)

That’s the American promise.  That’s the American Dream.  And we knew restoring it wouldn’t be easy; that it would take more than one year or one term or even one President, because we had gone through a decade in which that promise was not being kept.  We had seen a decade in which incomes and wages were going down even as the cost of everything from health care to college were going up.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Say it again, Mr. President, so we can hear it again!

THE PRESIDENT:  We had seen a decade — (laughter and applause) — in which jobs were being shipped overseas, in which we took a surplus and turned it into a deficit, ran two wars on a credit card — all culminating in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.  And middle-class families who were already getting hammered lost their jobs, lost their savings, some lost their homes.  And the American Dream seemed even further out of reach.

So when I ran for office, I told you there are no quick fixes, there are no easy solutions.  But what I also insisted was that if we pull together, we have everything we need to meet our challenges.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yes, we can!

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, we can.  We still have the best workers in the world, the best entrepreneurs and small businesspeople in the world, the best scientists, the best researchers, the best universities, the best colleges in the world.  (Applause.)

We’re still a young nation, and we’ve got the greatest diversity of talent and ingenuity.  There’s a reason why people still want to come here — because no matter what the naysayers say and no matter how stark the other side tries to paint the situation during election time, there is not another country on Earth that wouldn’t gladly change places with the United States of America.  (Applause.)

Most of all, the American character has not changed.  In fact, we saw during this crisis how people may have gotten knocked down, but they got right back up.  (Applause.)  Folks — people in their 50s, 60s losing their jobs, go back to school, they get retrained and find a new one.  Small business people keeping their doors open even if it meant them not taking a salary, because they understood their workers had families that were depending on them.

We may have gone through tough times, but it turns out we’re tougher than tough times.  (Applause.)  And that’s how we saved an auto industry on the brink of collapse.  That’s how we created 4.5 million new jobs, half a million in manufacturing.

We are not there yet.  We’ve still got a long way to go, because we’ve got to make sure that here in America, no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from, no matter what your last name is, here in America, you can make it if you try.  That’s what this campaign is about.  And that’s why I’m running for a second term as President of the United States.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  Now, I’ve got to say — remember, I said this is a choice in this election.  We’ve got a particular vision about how to move the country forward.  My opponent and his running mate have a very different view.  They believe the best way forward is to go right back to the old top-down economics that got us into this mess in the first place.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  Their ideas are pretty simple; they’re not hard to explain.  They think that if we get rid of more regulations on big corporations and big banks — some of which we put in place to prevent another taxpayer-funded bailout — and if we do more tax cuts for the very wealthiest Americans, then somehow prosperity is going to rain down on all of you.  (Laughter.)

That’s their theory.  In fact, the centerpiece of my opponent’s entire economic plan is a new $5 trillion tax cut, a lot of it going to the wealthiest Americans.  His new running mate, Congressman Ryan —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  — he put forward a plan that would let Governor Romney pay less than 1 percent in taxes each year.  And here’s the kicker — he expects you to pick up the tab.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  Governor Romney’s tax plan — this is not my analysis now; this is the analysis of independent folks who analyze tax plans for a living — (laughter) — that’s what they do — (laughter.)  Their analysis showed that Governor Romney’s tax plan would actually raise taxes on middle-class families with children by an average of $2,000 —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  — not to reduce the deficit, not to grow jobs, not to invest in education, but to give another tax cut to folks like him.

Now, ask Governor Romney and his running mate when they’re here in New Hampshire on Monday — they’re going to be coming here on Monday — ask them if that’s fair.  Ask them how it will grow the economy.  Ask them how it will strengthen the middle class.

They have been trying to sell this trickle-down snake oil before.  (Laughter.)  It did not work then.  It will not work now.  It’s not a plan to create jobs.  It will not reduce the deficit.  It will not move the economy forward.  It’s the wrong direction for America.  (Applause.)

Now, the truth is I think they know it’s not a very popular idea.  You can tell that because now they’re being dishonest about my plans, since they can’t sell their plans.  (Laughter.)  I mean, they are trying to throw everything at the wall just to see what will stick.

The latest thing they’ve been trying is to talk about Medicare.  Now, you would think they would avoid talking about Medicare, given the fact that both of them have proposed to voucherize the Medicare system.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  But I guess they figure the best defense is to try to go on offense.  So, New Hampshire, here is what you need to know:  Since I have been in office, I have strengthened Medicare.  (Applause.)  I have made reforms that have extended the life of the program, that have saved millions of seniors with Medicare hundreds of dollars on their prescription drugs.  (Applause.)  The only changes to your benefits that I’ve made on Medicare is that Medicare now covers new preventive services like cancer screenings and wellness visits for free.  (Applause.)

Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan have a very different plan.  What they want to do is they want seniors to get a voucher to buy their own insurance, which could force seniors to pay an extra $6,400 a year for their health care.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  Again, this is not my estimate.  Remember those guys who analyze these things for a living?  That’s their assessment.  That doesn’t strengthen Medicare.  That undoes the very guarantee of Medicare.  That’s the core of the plan written by Congressman Ryan and endorsed by Governor Romney.

So here is the bottom line:  My plan saves money in Medicare by cracking down on fraud and waste and insurance company subsidies.  (Applause.)  And their plan makes seniors pay more so they can give another tax cut to millionaires and billionaires.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  My plan has already extended the life of Medicare by nearly a decade.  (Applause.)  Their plan would put Medicare on track to be ended as we know it.  It would be an entirely different plan — a plan in which you could not count on health care because it would have to be coming out of your pocket.  That’s the real difference between our plans on Medicare.

That’s the choice in this election.  And that’s why I’m running for a second term as President of the United States.  And I need your help.  (Applause.)

Now, four years ago I promised to cut middle-class taxes.  That’s exactly what I’ve done — by a total of about $3,600 for the typical family.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Thank you, Mr. President!

THE PRESIDENT:  So just like we’ve got a difference on Medicare, we’ve got a difference on taxes.  Right now, what I want to do is keep taxes right where they are for the first $250,000 of everybody’s income.  So if your family makes under $250,000 — which — that includes 98 percent of Americans —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  That’s me!

THE PRESIDENT:  — that’s you — (laughter) — 97 percent of small businesses — you won’t see your income taxes increase by a single dime next year.  (Applause.)

Now, if you’re fortunate enough to be in the other 2 percent, you’ll still keep your tax cut on the first $250,000 you make.  That’s a pretty good deal.  But all we’re asking is for folks like me who make more than $250,000, we’re asking that you contribute a little bit more above $250,000 so we can pay down this deficit and invest in things like making college more affordable — (applause) — making sure our teachers aren’t laid off, making sure our firefighters are there to respond to emergencies, making sure our economy grows.

And, keep in mind, asking the wealthy to pay a little bit more, that doesn’t eliminate our deficit.  We’re still going to have to make sure that government does its part by cutting away all the spending we don’t need.  And I’ve already cut a trillion dollars in spending, and we’ve slated another trillion more.

But we can’t just reduce our deficit and our debt by gutting education, and gutting research and development, and gutting infrastructure.  And all we’re asking folks like me to do is go back to the rates we paid under Bill Clinton — which, by the way, was a time when we created nearly 23 million new jobs, the biggest budget surplus in history, and a bunch of millionaires to boot.  (Applause.)

See, I’m getting all fired up.  (Applause.)  And I want to explain that this is not just good for middle-class families and working families, it’s good for everybody.  Because what happens when a police officer or a firefighter or a teacher or a construction worker or a receptionist — what happens when they’ve got a little more money in their pocket?

AUDIENCE:  Spend it!

THE PRESIDENT:  They spend it on basic necessities.  So maybe they go out and finally, after 10 years, buy a new car.  Or maybe they buy a new computer for their kid who’s going off to college.  And that means business suddenly has more customers.  And that means businesses are making more profits.  And that means businesses are hiring more workers, who in turn have more money to spend, which makes businesses do even better.  That’s how you grow an economy — not from the top down, but from the middle out and from the bottom up.  (Applause.)  That’s the choice in this election.  And that’s why I’m running for a second term as President.  (Applause.)

On issue after issue, the choice could not be clearer.  When the auto industry was on the verge of collapse, Governor Romney said let’s “let Detroit go bankrupt.”  I said, a million jobs are at stake — let’s bet on American workers and American manufacturing.  (Applause.)  And three and a half years later, the American auto industry has come roaring back.  That’s the choice in this election.  (Applause.)

Governor Romney likes to tout his private sector experience, even though a lot of that experience was investing in companies that were called “pioneers” in the business of outsourcing manufacturing jobs.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  He wants to keep on giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas.  I want to give tax breaks to companies that are investing here in New Hampshire — (applause) — here in the United States, hiring American workers to make American products to sell around the world.  That’s the difference in this election.  (Applause.)

Governor Romney thinks new sources of clean energy are “imaginary.”  Since I took office, we have in fact doubled the use of renewable energy like wind and solar.  Thousands of Americans have good jobs because of it.  It’s not imaginary, it’s real.

New Hampshire, we’ve got to stop giving $4 billion a year in taxpayer subsidies to big oil companies that are making plenty of profits, and use that money to help American homegrown energy that has never been more promising.  (Applause.)  That’s a choice in this election.  (Applause.)

In 2008 I promised I would end the war in Iraq — we did.  (Applause.)  I said we’d go after al Qaeda and bin Laden — we did.  (Applause.)  We now are transitioning so that Afghans take more responsibility for their security and we can start bringing our troops home from there.  (Applause.)  All of these things we did only because of the incredible courage and dedication and patriotism of our men and women in uniform.  (Applause.)  And that’s why we’ve made historic investments in the VA — because I believe that anybody who has fought for America in uniform should not have to fight for a job when they come home — (applause) — shouldn’t have to fight for the benefits they’ve earned.

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

THE PRESIDENT:  So we could not be prouder of them.  But we want them to return to a strong economy, which means that after a decade of war, it’s time to do some nation-building here at home.  (Applause.)

Let’s create a Veterans Jobs Corps that can help returning heroes get jobs as firefighters and cops in communities that need them the most.  (Applause.)  Let’s take some of the savings from war to rebuild our roads and our bridges and our schools all across America — (applause) — to lay broadband lines and wireless networks that can make us more competitive.  Let’s put some construction workers back to work.  That helps everybody, and that will help America be strong for decades to come.  That’s the choice in this election.  That’s what’s at stake.  (Applause.)

I want to make sure that we’ve got the best education in the world.  I want to help school districts like this one hire and reward the best teachers, especially in math and science.  (Applause.)  I want to give 2 million more Americans the chance to go to community colleges and learn the skills that businesses are hiring for right now.  And I want college and universities to bring their tuitions down, because in the 21st century, our young people have to be able to get a college education, a higher education.  (Applause.)  It’s not a luxury, it is a necessity.  That’s the choice in this election.  (Applause.)

And, yes, New Hampshire, I’m running again because I still believe, in America, nobody should go broke because they get sick.  (Applause.)  I’m kind of fond of the term “Obamacare,” because I do care.  That’s why we passed the law.  That’s why 6.5 million young people can stay on their parent’s plan now.  That’s why seniors are seeing discounts on their prescription drugs.  (Applause.)  That’s why families who have got somebody with a preexisting condition can now get health care.  (Applause.)  It was the right thing to do.  The Supreme Court has spoken.  We are not going backwards, we are going forward.  (Applause.)

We’re not going back to the day when serving the country you love depended on who you love.  We ended “don’t ask, don’t tell.”  It was the right thing to do.  (Applause.)  We’re not going back.  We’re not going back to the day when women didn’t have control of their own health care choices.  We’re going forward, we’re not going back.  (Applause.)

On issue after issue, there is a choice.  And all these issues — manufacturing and health care and education — all these things tie together because it’s part of what not only makes up a middle-class life, but also creates rungs of opportunity for people to get into the middle class.  That’s what we believe in.  That’s what we’re fighting for.  That’s how the economy grows.  And that’s what we learned from our parents and our grandparents and our great-grandparents — some who came here as immigrants — folks working hard, overcoming obstacles, understanding that in America, not only could you do better but your future generations could do better.  That’s what’s at stake in this election, and that’s why I’m running for a second term as President.  (Applause.)

Now, let me say this — let me close up by saying this.   Over the next three months, you will see more negative ads than you have ever seen in your life.  These folks on the other side, they’re writing $10 million checks.  And basically, their argument is going to be the same one over and over again:  The economy is not where it should be, and it’s Obama’s fault.  They’ll just keep on repeating it because they know their own plans don’t sell.

So all they’ll try to do is just hope that if they can tap into people’s frustration and anxiety, that somehow they’re going to win, even though what they’re selling won’t work.  It’s not — what they’re selling is not a plan to create jobs, it’s not a plan to reduce the deficit, it certainly is not a plan to revive the middle class.  But they are counting on just outspending us to win.

But here is the good news.  Here is the good news, New Hampshire — I’ve been counted out before and I’ve been outspent before.  But what I’ve learned — and you guys helped teach this to me — is that when the American people, when they cut through the nonsense, when you focus on what’s important, when you’re reminded of what values built this country, when you remember that we are all in this together, and you affirm the basic American notion that everybody in this country gets a fair shot and everybody should do their fair share, and everybody should play by the same set of rules — when you are focused on the things that make us a great country, we don’t lose.  (Applause.) You will help get us there.

We’ve got too many more jobs we’ve got to create, too many more teachers we’ve got to hire, too many young people who need to go to college, too many troops we’ve got to come home — (applause) — more energy we’ve got to generate, more opportunity that we’ve got to open up to everybody.  (Applause.)

So if you’re willing to stand with me and fight with me, and make phone calls with me, and knock on doors with me — (applause) — if you’re willing to vote for me, we will win New Hampshire.  We will win this election.  And we will finish what we started and remind the world why the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth.  (Applause.)

God bless you.  God bless the United States of America.

END
1:36 P.M. EDT

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by bonniekgoodman on August 18, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign 2012, Campaign Speeches & Statements, Campaign Trail, Economy, General Election 2012, Medicare, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 18, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/full-text-campaign-buzz-august-18-2012-president-barack-obamas-speech-at-a-campaign-event-in-windham-new-hampshire/

Full Text Campaign Buzz August 16, 2012: Paul Ryan Goes on Offense on Medicare in Speech at his Alma Mater Miami University in Ohio

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

Returning to His Alma Mater, Paul Ryan Goes on Offense on Medicare

Source: ABC News Radio, 8-16-12

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Paul Ryan had a second homecoming Wednesday, returning to his alma mater, Miami University, where he took on the issue of Medicare. The subject is one which Democrats are using to frighten senior voters in hopes to derail Mitt Romney’s campaign now that Ryan, the House budget chairman, has joined the ticket.

But Ryan is playing offense. Mentioning Medicare for the first time on the stump, he repeated a line of attack introduced earlier in the week by the Romney campaign.

“We want this debate, we need this debate and we will win this debate,” Ryan told a crowd of thousands on campus. “What I don’t think he’ll be telling people is that the president took $716 billion from the Medicare program.”…READ MORE

PAUL RYAN: CUTTING MEDICARE TO PAY FOR OBAMACARE IS NOT AN “ACHIEVEMENT”

Source: Mitt Romney Press, 8-16-12

“The President was talking about Medicare yesterday … What he probably did not mention yesterday is that when passed his signature healthcare achievement, Obamacare, he raided $716 billion from Medicare paid for Obamacare. This will lead to fewer services for seniors. President Obama’s campaign calls this an achievement. You think raiding Medicare to pay for Obamacare is an achievement? Neither do I.” –Paul Ryan

Remarks
North Canton, OH
August 16, 2012

Click Here To Watch Paul Ryan

PAUL RYAN: “And so, President Obama has run out of ideas. That’s why his campaign is based on frustration and anger. That’s why he’s not coming with new ideas. He’s giving us more of the same and he’s going to resort to distortion. He’s going to resort to fear and smear. The President was talking about Medicare yesterday. I’m excited about this. This is a debate we want to have. This is a debate we need to have. And this is a debate we we’re going to win. What he probably did not mention yesterday is that when passed his signature healthcare achievement, Obamacare, he raided $716 billion from Medicare paid for Obamacare. This will lead to fewer services for seniors. President Obama’s campaign calls this an achievement. You think raiding Medicare to pay for Obamacare is an achievement? Neither do I. Next time you get your pay stub, take a look at the line that says payroll taxes, FICA. Those payroll taxes that come out of our paychecks are designed for two programs and two programs alone: Medicare and Social Security. But now, because of Obamacare, it’s funding Obamacare as well. It’s wrong. The president knows this. He can’t defend this. And that’s the problem. He can’t defend his record. He didn’t change his tune, he didn’t compromise, he didn’t reach across the aisle, and that’s why he’s running this kind of campaign of frustration and anger. This election presents so many clear contrasts. One of those contrasts is this: Mitt Romney and I will protect and strengthen Medicare, leave it intact for our current seniors, and save it for the next generation.”

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by bonniekgoodman on August 16, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign 2012, Campaign Speeches & Statements, Campaign Trail, General Election 2012, Medicare, Mitt Romney, Obamacare, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 16, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/full-text-campaign-buzz-august-16-2012-paul-ryan-goes-on-offense-on-medicare-in-speech-at-his-alma-mater-miami-university-in-ohio/

Campaign Headlines August 14, 2012: Paul Ryan Comes Out Swinging at Colorado Rally “We’ve Gone from…’Hope and Change’ to Attack and Blame”

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

“We’ve Gone from…’Hope and Change’ to Attack and Blame” — Paul Ryan Comes Out Swinging at Colorado Rally

Source: ABC News Radio, 8-14-12

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Paul Ryan, on the stump as Mitt Romney‘s running mate Tuesday, aimed his fire directly at President Obama.  He said the Democratic campaign has to “distort, demagogue, to divide,” all to distract from the “real issues” of the campaign.

“He comes to change the tone and culture in Washington,” Ryan said to a boisterous crowd at a high school. “And so here’s where we’ve arrived. He can’t run on his record. He hasn’t changed his tune. So all that he has left is to distort, demagogue, to divide, to try and confuse, to distract you from the real issues of this election.”

Tuesday was Ryan’s second solo day of on the campaign trail.  The enthusiastic crowd at his speech here was in stark contrast to the small but vocal contingent of protesters Ryan saw Monday at the Iowa State Fair.

“We’ve gone from…hope and change to attack and blame,” said Ryan, stumbling a bit on a line sure to be heard in his regular stump speech. “But here’s what’s a little more concerting in my opinion about this. He’s speaking to people as if we’re divided from one another, not unified. He’s speaking to people as if we’re stuck in our station in life. Victims of circumstances beyond our control and that only the government is here to help us cope with it.”…READ MORE

Paul Ryan: We Must Become Energy Independent

Source: Mitt Romney Press, 8-14-12

“What Mitt Romney and I are offering, the Romney-Ryan plan for a stronger middle class, is designed to get people back to work. It is designed to create jobs. If we get this economy growing like we know we can, we can create 12 million jobs in four years. We’re offering solutions. And among those solutions we’re offering, our number one, make sure that we use our own energy because we have our own energy in this country. All of it.” – Paul Ryan

Remarks
Lakewood, CO
August 14, 2012

Click Here To Watch Paul Ryan

PAUL RYAN: “What Mitt Romney and I are offering, the Romney-Ryan plan for a stronger middle class, is designed to get people back to work. It is designed to create jobs. If we get this economy growing like we know we can, we can create 12 million jobs in four years. We’re offering solutions. And among those solutions we’re offering, our number one, make sure that we use our own energy because we have our own energy in this country. All of it. You have it all here in Colorado. You know, last week when I was filling my truck up, which something tells me I’m not going to be putting gas in my truck for any time soon, but last week when I was filling my truck up, it cost $100, and the only reason it cost $100 is because the pump cut me off at $100 because of the gas tank. Enough. We have our own oil and gas. We have nuclear. We have all of the above, winds, solar, coal, let’s use it. Let’s make our energy independence. Let’s create jobs. Let’s stop sending jobs overseas by buying oil overseas.”

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by bonniekgoodman on August 14, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Headlines, Campaign Speeches & Statements, Campaign Trail, General Election 2012, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 14, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/campaign-headlines-august-14-2012-paul-ryan-comes-out-swinging-at-colorado-rally-weve-gone-from-hope-and-change-to-attack-and-blame/

Full Text Campaign Buzz August 14, 2012: Paul Ryan on Fox News: President Barack Obama Is Damaging Medicare For Current Seniors

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

Paul Ryan: President Obama Is Damaging Medicare For Current Seniors

Source: Mitt Romney Press, 8-14-12

“President Obama is actually damaging Medicare for current seniors. It’s irrefutable. And that’s why I think this is a debate we want to have and that’s a debate we’re going to win.”  –Paul Ryan

Special Report

FOX News

August 14, 2012

PAUL RYAN: “[W]e’re the ones offering a plan to save Medicare; to protect Medicare; to strengthen Medicare. We are the ones who are not raiding Medicare to pay for Obamacare. We’re the ones who are repealing President Obama’s 15 person bureaucratic board that will put price controls on Medicare that will lead to denied care for current seniors. We’re the ones continuing the guarantee of Medicare for people in or near retirement. And you have to reform it for the younger generation, in order to make the commitment stick for the current generation. President Obama is actually damaging Medicare for current seniors. It’s irrefutable. And that’s why I think this is a debate we want to have and that’s a debate we’re going to win.”

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by bonniekgoodman on August 14, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign 2012, Campaign Trail, General Election 2012, Medicare, Mitt Romney, Obamacare, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 14, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/full-text-campaign-buzz-august-14-2012-paul-ryan-on-fox-news-president-barack-obama-is-damaging-medicare-for-current-seniors/

Full Text Campaign Buzz August 13, 2012: Mitt Romney’s Speech in St. Augustine, Florida — President Obama Has Failed To Deliver The Jobs Americans Need

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

Mitt Romney opens bus tour in Florida singing praises of Paul Ryan

Source: MiamiHerald.com, 8-13-12

Continuing his swing-state bus tour, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney visited this historic city Monday singing the praises of his newly announced running mate and continuing his attacks on the policies of President Obama….READ MORE

Mitt Romney: President Obama Has Failed To Deliver The Jobs Americans Need

Source: Mitt Romney Press, 8-13-12
“Number one was being able to create jobs, but I hope he understands that he hasn’t done that … It’s a moral failure for a country as successful as ours not to have created these jobs. Mr. President, by your own measure you’ve failed to deliver the jobs Americans need.” – Mitt Romney

Remarks
St. Augustine, FL
August 13, 2012

Click Here To Watch Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney: “The President’s idea, for instance, for Medicare was to cut it by $700 billion. That’s not the right answer. We want to make sure that we preserve and protect Medicare. The President’s plan for our budget deficit was to make it worse. And Paul Ryan and I are going to get America to cut our spending and to finally get us to a balanced budget. Now, as you know, about four years ago candidate Obama was speaking in Denver to the Democratic Convention, and he got up there and made a lot of promises. And he did it in front of those Greek columns. I don’t think he’ll be standing in front of Greek columns at this year’s convention. He won’t want to remind people of Greece because that’s where he’s taking our country if we don’t get off the road we’re on. He said that he would be able to measure progress and measure success by a whole series of his own standards. Number one was being able to create jobs, but I hope he understands that he hasn’t done that—23 million Americans out of work or stopped looking for work and can’t find the jobs they need to put food on the table for their families. It’s unacceptable. It’s a moral failure for a country as successful as ours not to have created these jobs. Mr. President, by your own measure you’ve failed to deliver the jobs Americans need.”

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by bonniekgoodman on August 13, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign 2012, Campaign Speeches & Statements, Campaign Trail, Economy, General Election 2012, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 13, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/full-text-campaign-buzz-august-13-2012-mitt-romneys-speech-in-st-augustine-florida-president-obama-has-failed-to-deliver-the-jobs-americans-need/

Full Text Campaign Buzz August 13, 2012: President Barack Obama’s Speech at a Campaign Event Council Bluffs, Iowa — Blasts Paul Ryan in Iowa for Blocking Farm Bill

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

Obama Blasts Ryan in Iowa for Blocking Farm Bill

Source: ABC News Radio, 8-13-12

JIM WATSON/AFP/GettyImages

Kicking off his campaign tour through Iowa, President Obama today wasted no time attacking Mitt Romney’s new running mate, accusing Rep. Paul Ryan of blocking aid to ranchers and farmers who have been hurt by the severe drought….READ MORE

 

Remarks by the President at Campaign Event — Council Bluffs, IA

Source: WH, 8-13-12

Bayliss Park
Council Bluffs, IA

11:32 A.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Iowa!  (Applause.)  It’s good to be back!  (Applause.)  Well, it is good to be back in Iowa!  (Applause.)  I miss you guys.

AUDIENCE:  Obama!  Obama!  Obama!

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you!

First of all, can everybody please give Patricia a big round of applause for the great introduction?  (Applause.)  A couple other people I want to acknowledge — your outstanding former governor, now I think the best Secretary of Agriculture we’ve ever had — Tom Vilsack.  (Applause.)  Congressman Leonard Boswell.  (Applause.)  And Mayor Tom Hanafan.  (Applause.)

See, the sun is coming out — (applause.)  I love being back in Iowa.  Now, we’re starting here in Council Bluffs, but we’re going to be heading east and I think I’m going to end at the State Fair.  (Applause.)  Michelle has told me I cannot have a fried Twinkie.  (Laughter.)  But I will be checking out the butter cow and I understand this year there’s a chocolate moose.  (Laughter.)  So I’m going to have to take a look at that if I can.

The last time I went to the State Fair, Secret Service let me do the bumper cars, but they said this year — I wasn’t President yet, so I could do that.  (Laughter.)  But not this time.

Now, before I get started, I just want to say a few words about the drought, because it’s had such an impact on this state and all across the country.  Right now folks here in Iowa and across the heartland, we’re suffering from one of the worst droughts in 50 years.  Farmers, ranchers depend on a good crop season to pay the bills and put a roof over their heads.  And I know things are tough right now.

The best way to help these states is for the folks in Congress to pass a farm bill that not only helps farmers and ranchers respond to natural disasters, but also makes some necessary reforms and gives farmers and ranchers some long-term certainty.

Unfortunately, right now, too many members of Congress are blocking the farm bill from becoming law.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  I am told that Governor Romney’s new running mate, Paul Ryan, might be around Iowa the next few days — he is one of the leaders of Congress standing in the way.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  So if you happen to see Congressman Ryan, tell him how important this farm bill is to Iowa and our rural communities.  We’ve got to put politics aside when it comes to doing the right thing for rural America and for Iowa.  (Applause.)

Now, it’s always a problem waiting for Congress.  So in the meantime, I’ve made sure my administration, led by Tom Vilsack, is doing everything we can to provide relief to those who need it.  So last week, we announced $30 million to help ranchers and farmers get more water to livestock and rehabilitate land affected by drought.
And today, we’re announcing that the federal government will help livestock producers by purchasing over $150 million worth of meat and fish right now, while prices are low — we’ll freeze it for later, but — we’ve got a lot of freezers.  (Laughter.)  And that way, that will help ranchers who are going through tough times right now, and also, over the long term, obviously that food is going to be spent by folks at the Pentagon and other places.
America depends on farmers and ranchers to put food on the table; depends on farmers and ranchers to feed our families.  So we’ve got to be there for them — not just today, but tomorrow, and every day until this drought passes — because we are Americans, that’s what we do.  We take care of each other.  And when tough times strike our neighbors, we give them a hand.  (Applause.)
Now, that speaks to the larger idea of why I’m here, the notion that I’m my brother’s keeper, I’m my sister’s keeper, the idea that we’re in this together, that was at the heart of the journey that began here in Iowa five years ago.  (Applause.)  We spent a lot of time on bus tours like this one — at school gyms and family farms and small businesses across this state – although, I have to say the bus we had wasn’t as nice as this one.  (Laughter.)  We used to get some buses.  (Laughter.)
And that campaign back in 2007-2008, it had plenty of ups and downs, but no matter what, you, the people of Iowa, had my back.  (Applause.)  You had my back.  When the pundits had written us off, when we were down in the polls, you believed in me, and I believed in you.  And it was on your front porches and in your backyards where the movement for change in this country began.

But our journey is not finished.  Not yet.  I’m going to spend the next three days driving all across this state just like I did in 2007 — from Council Bluffs to the Quad Cities — because once more, you face a choice in November.  And that choice could not be bigger.  It is not just a choice between two candidates or two political parties.  More than any other election in recent memory, this is a choice between two fundamentally different visions of this country and the path that we have to take.

And the direction that you choose when you walk into that voting booth in November is going to have an impact not just on your lives but on your children’s lives, your grandchildren’s lives for decades to come.  This one counts.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  Think about this, Council Bluffs.  Four years ago, we came together — and it wasn’t just Democrats, it was independents and some Republicans — because we understood that we needed to restore the basic bargain that made this country great, the basic deal that created the greatest middle class and the most prosperous economy the world has ever known.

And it’s a simple bargain.  It says if you work hard, your work should be rewarded.  If you act responsibly, and you put in enough effort, you should be able to find a job that pays the bills, have a home you can call your own, count on health care when you get sick — (applause) — put away enough to retire with dignity and respect — (applause) — and most of all, give your kids an education that allows them to dream even bigger than you did, and do even better than you did.  That’s the American promise.  (Applause.)  That’s the American Dream.

And the reason we came together was because we had seen a decade in which that dream was being betrayed.  We had gone through a decade where jobs were being shipped overseas, where you were working harder but making less while the cost of everything from health care to a college education kept on going up.  And it all culminated in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

And so we knew that restoring the basic bargain that made this country was not going to be easy.  We knew it would take more than one year, or one term, or even one President.  And that was before the crisis hit and we saw friends and neighbors lose their job, or lose their home, lose their savings, pushing the American Dream even further out of reach for too many working people.

But over the last three and a half years, we’ve seen America’s grit.  You folks are tougher than any tough time.  (Applause.)  When we get knocked down we stand back up.  (Applause.)  Some workers lost their jobs — they went back to community college, got retrained and now have got a new job.  Small businesses kept their doors open by hook or by crook.  And so, slowly, we’ve seen 4.5 million new jobs created, half a million new manufacturing jobs — the most since the great — most since the 1990s.

And what we realized was that no matter how bad the crisis was, one thing did not change, and that is the character of the American people and the resilience of the American people.  (Applause.)  And what hasn’t changed is our determination to do what we came together in 2008 to do — and that is to make sure that in America hard work pays off — so that no matter who you are, or where you come from, or what you look like, you can make it here in America if you try.  (Applause.)

That’s what this campaign is about, Iowa.  And that’s why I’m running for a second term as President of the United States of America.  (Applause.)

I told you — four years ago I said there aren’t going to be quick fixes, there won’t be easy solutions.  The challenges we face had been building up for decades.  And that’s still true today.  But I want everybody to know that we have the capacity to meet every challenge.  We’ve got the best workers in the world.  We’ve got the best entrepreneurs in the world.  We’ve got the best colleges, the best universities, the best researchers in the world, the best scientists in the world.  We’re still a young nation.  We’ve got the greatest diversity of talent and ingenuity — people come here from every corner of the globe.  They want to be here.  So whatever the naysayers may say, or folks who try to make things look dark, listen, there is not another country on Earth that wouldn’t trade places with the United States of America.  (Applause.)

What’s holding us back right now is Washington politics.

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

THE PRESIDENT:  You’ve got folks on the other side who think “compromise” is a dirty word, and whose main idea is to go back to the same old top-down economics that got us into this mess in the first place.

This weekend, my opponent, Mr. Romney, chose as his running mate the ideological leader of the Republicans in Congress.  And I’ve got to tell you, I know Congressman Ryan.  He’s a good man, he’s a family man.  He is an articulate spokesman for Governor Romney’s vision.  But the problem is that vision is one that I fundamentally disagree with. (Applause.)

Governor Romney and his allies in Congress, they think that if we just get rid of more regulations on big corporations and give more tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans, if we end Medicare as we know it, make it a voucher system, then somehow this is all going to lead to jobs and prosperity for everybody.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  The centerpiece of Mr. Romney’s entire economic plan is a new $5 trillion tax cut, a lot of it going to the very wealthiest Americans.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  Last week, an independent study — not by me, but by independent economists — said that Governor Romney’s plan would actually raise taxes on middle-class families with children by an average of $2,000 apiece.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  Now, this wouldn’t be done — not to reduce the deficit.  It’s not going to be done to create jobs or put folks back to work rebuilding our roads or bridges or schools.  This is you guys paying an extra $2,000 to give another $250,000 tax cut to folks who are making more than $3 million a year.

AUDIENCE:  No!

THE PRESIDENT:  Does this sound familiar to you?  They have tried to sell us this trickle-down theory before.  And guess what — every time it’s been tried it has not worked.  It did not work then; it won’t work now.  It won’t create jobs.  It won’t lower our deficit.  It is not a plan to move our economy forward.  We do not need more tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans — we need tax relief for working families.  (Applause.)

You need tax relief — folks who are trying to raise kids and keep them healthy and put a roof over their heads and send them to college.  And that’s the choice in this election.  That’s the reason I’m running again.

Four years ago, I promised to cut middle-class taxes — and by the way, that’s exactly what I’ve done.  (Applause.)  The average working family here in Iowa and across the country has seen their tax rates go down about $3,600.  So when you see — when you hear the other side talking about Democrats raising your taxes — your taxes are lower since I’ve been President.  (Applause.)  That’s the truth.

Now, I want to keep your taxes right where they are for the first $250,000 of everybody’s income.  So if your family makes under $250,000 — which, by the way, is 98 percent of Americans — you won’t see your income taxes go up by a single dime next year.  (Applause.)  Ninety-seven percent of small businesses will not see their taxes go up.  (Applause.)

But here’s the thing, Council Bluffs.  This is important. If —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  And Omaha!

THE PRESIDENT:  And Omaha.  We love you.  (Applause.)  Didn’t want to leave our Nebraska folks left out here. (Applause.)

But here’s the thing.  If you’re lucky enough and fortunate enough and been blessed enough to be in the other 2 percent, the top 2 percent, you still get a tax cut for your first $250,000 of income.  All we’re saying is, after that, maybe you can do a little bit more to help pay down this deficit and invest in things like education that help our economy grow.  (Applause.)

And listen, government is going to do its part.  We’ve already cut a trillion dollars of savings — of spending.  We’re going to cut more.  We’ve got to streamline government and make it work efficiently and effectively.  But what we also can do is just ask folks like me to do a little bit more.  And all we’re asking is for folks like me to go back to the rates that we paid under Bill Clinton — and by the way, that was a time when we created nearly 23 million new jobs, and we created the biggest budget surplus in history.  (Applause.)  And here’s the kicker  — folks at the top actually did well because, guess what, when a factory worker or a construction worker or a receptionist or a teacher or a firefighter or a cop — when they’ve got a little more money in their pockets, what do they do?

AUDIENCE:  Spend it!

THE PRESIDENT:  Maybe they go out and buy a new car, after having been driving that old beater around for the last 15 years.  Maybe they finally get the new dishwasher because the old one has been broke for a long time.  Maybe they go buy a computer for their kid for the new school year, or they go to a restaurant, or heaven forbid, they take a vacation.  And that means businesses suddenly have more customers.  And then businesses start hiring more workers because they’re making more profit.  And everybody does better.  That’s how we grow the economy — not from the top down, but from the middle out, and from the bottom out.  (Applause.)

That’s the choice in this election.  And that’s why I’m running for a second term as President of the United States.  (Applause.)

You know, across the board, there is a sharp contrast between me and Mr. Romney.  When the auto industry was on the brink of collapse, more than a million jobs at stake, Governor Romney said, “let Detroit go bankrupt.”  I bet on American workers.  I bet on American manufacturing.  And three years later, the American auto industry has come roaring back.  (Applause.)  So now I want to make sure that high-tech manufacturing jobs are taking root here, not in China.  I want them to take root here in Council Bluffs.

Governor Romney, he likes to brag about his private sector experience.  A bunch of that private sector experience was investing in companies that have been called “pioneers” of outsourcing.  Let me tell you something — I want insourcing, not outsourcing.  (Applause.)  I want to stop giving tax breaks to companies that are shipping jobs overseas.  Let’s give tax breaks to companies that are investing here in the United States of America — (applause) — hiring American workers to make American products to sell around the world, stamped with those words:  Made in America.  That’s what I believe in.  (Applause.)

Here’s another difference.  Right now, homegrown energy, things like wind energy — creating new jobs all across the states like Iowa — and Governor Romney wants to end tax credits for wind energy producers.  America now produces twice as much electricity from wind as we did before I took office.  (Applause.)  We’ve doubled the amount of electricity we’re producing with wind.  The wind industry supports about 7,000 jobs in Iowa.  Without these wind energy tax credits, a whole lot of these jobs would be at risk — 37,000 jobs across this country would be at risk.

So I think we should stop spending billions on taxpayer subsidies for an oil industry that is making all kinds of profit, and let’s keep investing in the clean energy that’s never been more promising.  (Applause.)  That’s a disagreement I’ve got with Governor Romney.  That’s a choice in this election.

Back in 2008, I said it was time to end the war in Iraq — we ended it.  (Applause.)  I said it was time for us to go after bin Laden and al Qaeda — and we did.  (Applause.)  We’ve set a timeline to start bringing our troops out of Afghanistan, and so after a decade of war, I think it’s time to do some nation-building here at home.  (Applause.)

Now, we could not have accomplished any of this without the extraordinary service of our men and women in uniform.  (Applause.)  And I promise you this — as long as I am Commander-in-Chief, this country will care for our veterans and serve our veterans as well as they’ve served us.  (Applause.)  Nobody who has fought for this country should have to fight for a job or a roof over their heads when they come home.  That’s why we’ve invested so heavily in making sure that the VA is working the way it’s supposed to.  That’s why we’ve put more money into treatment of PTSD and traumatic brain injury; ending homelessness* among veterans.  But those are investments that we’ve got to make.

And my plan says let’s take half the money that we’re no longer spending on war and let’s also use it to put people back to work building our roads and our runways and our ports and our wireless networks — (applause) — and creating a Veterans Job Corps so local communities can hire our veterans to be firefighters and police officers in communities that need it. That’s the America that we want to build.  That’s the choice in this election.  That’s why I’m running for a second term.  (Applause.)

I want to make sure that America once again leads the world in educating our kids and training our workers.  I want to help our schools hire and reward the best teachers, especially in math and science.  I want to give two million more Americans the chance to go to community college and learn the skills that businesses are hiring for right now.  (Applause.)  And I want to get colleges and universities to bring down the cost of tuition once and for all — (applause) — because higher education is not a luxury; it’s an economic necessity in the 21st century.  Everybody should be able to afford it.  (Applause.)

I’ve got a plan to help homeowners refinance their homes at historically low rates — save an average of $3,000.  My opponent’s solution is to let the market bottom out.  That’s what he said.  That’s not a solution — that’s part of the problem.  That’s the difference in this election.

My opponent says one of the first things he’d do is repeal Obamacare.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  I think that part of being middle class in America is making sure you don’t go bankrupt when you get sick.  (Applause.)  That’s why, because of this law, if you’ve got a preexisting condition, you’ll be able to get health insurance.  (Applause.)  That’s why 6.5 million young people can now stay on their parent’s plan.  That’s why seniors are now getting discounts on their prescription drugs.  That’s why insurance companies can’t drop your coverage or impose lifetime limits when you need it most.  (Applause.)

It’s true — Obama does care.  That’s why we passed this bill.  (Applause.)  The Supreme Court has spoken.  We’re not going backward, we are going forward.  (Applause.)

All these things, whether it’s bringing back manufacturing, creating more construction jobs, protecting people’s health care, making sure your kids get the best education, making sure our veterans have the same kind of opportunity my grandfather had when he came back from World War II and was able to go to college on the GI Bill.  All these things are part of what makes up a middle-class life.  And they’re all bound together in that idea that made this country great — that basic promise that if you work hard, you can get ahead.

It’s not always going to be smooth.  There are going to be times where times are tough.  But the basic idea that if you work hard and look after your family, that work is going to be rewarded.  That’s the promise that our parents and grandparents passed down to us.  And now it’s the promise we’ve got to pass on to our kids and our grandkids.  That’s what’s at stake in this election.

And so, over the next three months, you are going to see the other side spend more money on negative ads than we’ve ever seen in history; and these folks, they’ve got some really rich people writing $10 million checks.  And basically, they’re going to say the same thing over and over again.  They know their economic theories aren’t going to sell, because folks remember when we tried them.  So all they’re going to say is the economy is not as good as it should and it’s Obama’s fault.  And they expect you to have amnesia and not remember who it is that got us into this mess.  (Applause.)  But they figure, if we run these ads often enough, maybe folks will start kind of thinking about it.  That is true.  (Laughter.)

So they may have a plan to win the election, but they can’t hide the fact that they don’t have a plan to create jobs or revive the middle class or grow the economy.  And I do have that plan.  (Applause.)  I’ve got a plan that puts you first.  (Applause.)  I’ve got a plan that puts middle-class families and folks striving to get into the middle class first.  (Applause.)

But I’m going to need your help.  I’m going to need your help.  I’ve got to make sure you’re registered.  I’ve got to make sure your friends are registered to vote.  In Iowa, you can get registered online.  All you have to do is go GottaRegister.com.  That’s g-o-t-t-a — gotta.  (Laughter.)  GottaRegister.com.

The thing is, we’ve been outspent before and we’ve been counted out before.  But what you taught me in 2007, 2008 was that when the American people cut through all the nonsense, when you focus your attention and you remember the story of your own families and all the struggles your parents and grandparents went through, and how maybe because you got a student loan somewhere, or maybe because your dad was able to get that job at the factory, you guys were able to build a good life together — just like Michelle and I were able to get opportunities that our parents could have never imagined.  When you focus on that thing that is best in America, the way we pull together and give everybody a fair shot, and everybody is doing their fair share, and everybody is playing by the same set of rules, and everybody is taking responsibility — when you come together and reaffirm those core values that make this the greatest country on Earth, you can’t be stopped.  All the money those folks are spending doesn’t matter.  You are our democracy.  You make decisions about the direction of this country.

And, Iowa, I’ve got to tell you, we’ve come too far to go back now.  (Applause.)  We’ve got too many good jobs we still have to create.  We’ve got too many teachers we’ve still got to hire.  We’ve got too many schools we still have to rebuild.  We’ve got too many students who still need help getting an affordable education.  We’ve got more homegrown energy we’ve got to generate.  We’ve got more troops we’ve got to bring home.  Most of all, we’ve got more doors of opportunity that we’ve got to open for everybody who’s willing to work hard enough to walk through those doors.

That is what is at stake in this election.  That is why I am running for President of the United States.  (Applause.)  That is why I’m asking for your vote — not just for me, but for this country that we believe in.  (Applause.)  And if you’re willing to work with me and stand with me, and knock on doors with me, and make phone calls with me — if you vote for me in November, we will win Iowa, we will win this election.  We’ll finish what we started in 2008.  And we’ll remind the world why the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth.  (Applause.)

God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

END
12:04 P.M. CDT

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by bonniekgoodman on August 13, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Agriculture, Barack Obama, Campaign 2012, Campaign Speeches & Statements, Campaign Trail, Congress, Economy, General Election 2012, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 13, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/full-text-campaign-buzz-august-13-2012-president-barack-obamas-speech-at-a-campaign-event-council-bluffs-iowa-blasts-paul-ryan-in-iowa-for-blocking-farm-bill/

Campaign Headlines August 12, 2012: How Romney Kept Paul Ryan’s Pick for VP a Secret

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

How Romney Kept Paul Ryan’s Pick for VP a Secret

Source: ABC News Radio, 8-12-12

ABC News

Clandestine flights. A slight disguise. Long drives to out-of-the-way airports by an aide’s 19-year-old son. An afternoon dash through the wooded ravine behind Paul Ryan’s house in Janesville, Wis.

These were just some of the things the Mitt Romney campaign did to keep the world from knowing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee had decided to pick Ryan as his running mate….READ MORE

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by bonniekgoodman on August 12, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Campaign 2012, Campaign Headlines, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 12, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/campaign-headlines-august-12-2012-how-romney-kept-paul-ryans-pick-for-vp-a-secret/

Campaign Buzz August 11, 2012: Republican & Democratic Reactions & Responses on the Selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s Vice Presidential Running Mate

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

RESPONSES: MITT ROMNEY CHOOSES REP. PAUL RYAN AS HIS VICE PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING-MATE IN NORFOLK, VIGINIA ANNOUNCEMENT

REPUBLICANS

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: The Romney-Ryan Team Will Lead From Day One

“Gov. Romney showed today that he is determined to confront a host of growing crises that President Obama has ignored. Where the current President has simply refused to act, Gov. Romney has now pledged to lead. Paul Ryan is an excellent choice, and a confirmation that Gov. Romney is serious about strengthening America’s economic future, tackling the deficits and debt that have skyrocketed under President Obama, and returning to a path to solvency and security.

“Americans are looking for leadership that has been lacking on the most critical issues facing our country’s economic future. The Romney-Ryan team can return much-needed leadership from day one and help bring real recovery to our economy, reverse the damage of the Obama economy, and take a serious approach to the Obama debt and focus on growing jobs—not the size of the government.

“President Obama’s term has been marked by overwhelming national debt, a first-ever downgrade of America’s credit rating, high unemployment and a disappointing lack of leadership when it comes to addressing spending. It’s time to change that, and Gov. Romney and Chairman Ryan will be ready on day one to give America the leadership it deserves.”

 

Governor Chris Christie: Mitt Romney And Paul Ryan Will Get Results

“With Paul Ryan on the ticket this is a team that understands the economic stagnation our country has been facing the last four years and the urgency with which we need to change course. The Romney-Ryan team is uniquely positioned to make the tough choices necessary to confront our fiscal challenges and get results.”

 

Sen. John McCain: Mitt Romney And Paul Ryan Will Return America To Prosperity

“Governor Romney and Representative Ryan are the strongest team to return America to prosperity and to defend our interests abroad. Paul Ryan has proven that he is fully prepared to address our nation’s economic challenges, which have only worsened over the last four years under the Obama-Biden Administration. I look forward to working for the election of the Romney-Ryan team this fall.”

 

Speaker John Boehner: Paul Ryan Will Help Mitt Romney Get America’s Economy Moving Again

“Paul Ryan is a reformer and a proven leader who will be a great partner to Governor Romney in his efforts to get our country, and our economy, back on track.  At a time when millions of Americans are still looking at President Obama’s policies and asking ‘where are the jobs?’ Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney will focus on common sense solutions to stop Washington from spending money it doesn’t have and get the federal government out of the way of small business job creators.

“I’m proud to call Paul Ryan a friend, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that he and Mitt Romney – along with our entire Republican ticket – are well positioned to win in November.”

 

President George W. Bush: Romney And Ryan Will Confront The Difficult Issues

“This is a strong pick.  Governor Romney is serious about confronting the long-term challenges facing America, and Paul Ryan will help him solve the difficult issues that must be addressed for future generations.”
Gov. Jeb Bush: Paul Ryan’s Command Of Economic Policy Will Prove Invaluable

“I applaud Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential running mate. Congressman Ryan’s command of economic policy and the federal budget will prove invaluable as Governor Romney fights to reform government, accelerate job growth and rein in the out-of-control spending that has been a hallmark of President Obama’s years in office. This courageous choice is the type of leadership American voters deserve. And, I believe it will ensure a victory for the Romney-Ryan ticket this November.”

Gov. Bob McDonnell: With The Romney-Ryan Team, America Is On Its Way Back

“Paul Ryan is a tremendous choice to serve as the Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States. In selecting a bold, innovative thinker, Mitt Romney has ensured that his campaign—and ultimately his administration—will be led by individuals with courage, determination, judgment, and wisdom. With this great announcement, America is on its way back. The Romney-Ryan team will get our fiscal house in order, our economy back on track and Americans back to work.”

 

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy: Mitt Romney And Paul Ryan Will Restore The American Dream

“I believe that by choosing my good friend Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney has once again shown why he possesses the leadership and vision to get this country back on the right path. Paul has dedicated his career to promoting ideas of economic growth and fiscal responsibility. I am confident that a Romney-Ryan ticket will not only energize our party, but will energize our nation as well, further drawing a distinction between President Obama’s failed record on jobs and the Romney-Ryan record of solutions. The Obama Administration has relentlessly advanced policies that have deepened our economic malaise, causing many Americans to question whether their children will have the same opportunities for success that past generations had. Under the leadership of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, I believe we can restore the American dream and create a brighter tomorrow.”

 

Amb. John Bolton: Mitt Romney And Paul Ryan Will Restore American Leadership 

“Every American and every American ally abroad should be heartened by Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate.  Congressman Ryan deeply understands that American leadership in foreign policy makes for a more peaceful world and a safer, more prosperous America. And he and Governor Romney will restore our economic strength at home that is the basis of our influence abroad.  For nearly four years, we have seen the dangerous conditions that are created when a president refuses to lead. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will restore American leadership.”

 

Senator Ron Johnson: Paul Ryan Has The Leadership And Integrity We Need

“Paul Ryan is going to be a great Vice President. He brings a record of leadership and personal integrity that we need in Washington. Nobody understands the federal budget better than Paul, or has worked harder to develop and offer real solutions to the fiscal challenges facing America.  Paul will be a tremendous asset to Governor Romney in crafting policy and helping get legislation passed through Congress.  I will look forward to working with Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to repeal Obamacare and instill fiscal discipline in Washington so that we can restore real, self-sustaining private sector growth to America.”

Sen. Kelly Ayotte: Romney And Ryan Will Put America Back To Work 

“Governor Romney has made a fantastic choice in selecting Paul Ryan to be our nominee for Vice President. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will put America back on a path to prosperity by reforming government, enacting real deficit reduction, and overhauling the tax code to spur economic growth. America needs a Romney-Ryan administration to get our fiscal house in order and put Americans back to work.”

 

Ted Cruz: Romney And Ryan Will Get Our Country Back On The Right Path

“In Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a champion of fiscal sanity and a formidable advocate for policies that will get our country back on the right path. When it comes to the federal budget, we can’t afford four more years of reckless, runaway spending. As the next President and Vice President of the United States, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will lead an administration that finally brings fiscal responsibility back to Washington.”

 

Sec. Condoleezza Rice: Paul Ryan Is A Bold And Inspiring Choice

“Paul Ryan is a bold and inspiring choice as Governor Romney’s running mate. Congressman Ryan shares the belief that American leadership is vital to a more peaceful and prosperous world.   He will help to restore America at home so that we can lead again because he understands that America is an exceptional and indispensable nation on the world stage.”
Sen. Marco Rubio: Paul Ryan Is A Courageous Reformer Who Understands Our Nation’s Challenges

“Throughout his life, Mitt Romney has made great decisions, and choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate is a truly inspired choice. I got to know Paul during my Senate campaign when he endorsed me early on when I was still considered a long shot. Paul Ryan is a courageous reformer who understands our nation’s challenges, has proposed bold policy solutions to solve them, and has shown the courage to stand up to President Obama and other Washington politicians trying to tear him down.

“The Romney-Ryan ticket is going to win in November because it offers the American people visionary leadership to recapture the free enterprise spirit that has empowered countless Americans to build businesses from scratch and live the American dream. I’m excited about the visionary change a Romney-Ryan team will bring to Washington, and I look forward to campaigning with them this fall.”
SARAH PALIN, FORMER GOVERNOR OF ALASKA, 2008 REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE

Congratulations to Mitt Romney on his choice of Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate. President Obama has declared that this election is about “two fundamentally different visions” for America. Goodness, he’s got that right. Our country cannot afford four more years of Barack Obama’s fundamentally flawed vision. We must now look to this new team, the Romney/Ryan ticket, to provide an alternat…e vision of an America that is fiscally responsible, strong, and prosperous – an America that understands and is proud of her exceptional place in the world and will respect those who fight to secure that exceptionalism, which includes keeping our promises to our veterans….
Gov. Bobby Jindal: Paul Ryan Has The Courage Of His Convictions

“Paul is a good friend and one of the smartest guys I served with in Congress.  He has the courage of his convictions, which is what our nation needs.”

 

WISCONSIN GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER, REPUBLICAN

“Governor Mitt Romney made a bold and reform-minded selection in Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. This election has to be about who is going to look out for the next generation. America needs a comeback team to turn around the economy and to turn around the fiscal status of our country. Romney and Ryan have the ideas and the experience needed to take on these core issues. This is a great day for Wisconsin and an even greater day for America.”

 

FLORIDA GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT, REPUBLICAN

“Like Governor Romney, Congressman Ryan understands that government doesn’t create jobs, people do, and that the best way to create jobs is to get government out of the way. I’m confident that Congressman Ryan will be a great partner for Governor Romney in getting America back to work.”

 

U.S. SENATOR ROB PORTMAN, REPUBLICAN

“Mitt Romney has made a great choice in Paul Ryan. He is an accomplished public servant and a leading voice on the most pressing issues facing our country. Paul is one of my best friends in Congress and someone I have worked closely with as a former colleague on the House Ways and Means Committee.”

 

FORMER MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY, REPUBLICAN

“Congressman Ryan is a respected leader and a bold thinker regarding the changes needed to restore America. His selection will also help Governor Romney win the key swing state of Wisconsin. I am excited about a Romney-Ryan ticket and look forward to doing all I can to help them win this election.”
FORMER U.S. SENATOR RICK SANTORUM, REPUBLICAN

“Congressman Paul Ryan is an outstanding choice as our country’s next vice president, and today’s announcement demonstrates Governor Romney’s commitment to returning fiscal sanity back to Washington, D.C. I have long supported Paul Ryan’s fiscal and entitlement reforms to return our country back on a path of fiscal health. At a time when our country is at an economic crossroads, Congressman Ryan’s depth of knowledge on how to tackle these challenges is unparalleled. … He is solidly pro-life, pro-family, and will be an advocate for our military and our national security priorities. I look forward to supporting the Romney-Ryan ticket in the weeks to come.”

 

DEMOCRATS

OBAMA CAMPAIGN MANAGER JIM MESSINA

“In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy. … As a member of Congress, Ryan rubber-stamped the reckless Bush economic policies that exploded our deficit and crashed our economy. Now the Romney-Ryan ticket would take us back by repeating the same, catastrophic mistakes.”
TEA PARTY PATRIOTS, A CONSERVATIVE ADVOCACY GROUP

“Tea Party Patriots welcomes the selection of Paul Ryan as the vice-presidential running mate for Governor Mitt Romney. With this selection, Governor Romney and the Republican Party make it clear that they have accepted the Tea Party Patriots’ values of fiscal responsibility, limited government and free markets as the best course of action for economic recovery and restoring personal freedom and individual responsibility to our national values.”

 

MARY KAY HENRY, PRESIDENT OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION

“Representative Ryan has made a name for himself by fighting in the halls of Congress for tax giveaways for the wealthy and big corporations while proposing to gut vital services like Medicare and education, and eliminating any sense of retirement security for working families. His no-holds-barred record of attacking seniors, children, and working men and women is frightening for the 99 percent of Americans who are not rich — but for Mitt Romney it was a calling card to choose him as a running mate.”

 

RICHARD TRUMKA, PRESIDENT OF THE AFL-CIO

“Whether its outsourcing American jobs or picking his running mate, Mitt Romney’s proven just how bad his decision making is for working people. Aligning himself with the poster-child for ending Medicare and Social Security puts to rest any suggestion that Romney has a clue what the middle-class needs. We’re witnessing the radical Tea Party extremes drive its final nail in what was once the Republican Party.”
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID, DEMOCRAT

“By picking Representative Paul Ryan, Governor Romney has doubled down on his commitment to gut Social Security and end Medicare as we know it. Romney’s choice demonstrates that catering to the Tea Party and the far-right is more important to him than standing up for the middle class. The months ahead will provide Americans with a clear choice between the Romney-Ryan plan to gut Social Security and Medicare and Democrats’ balanced approach to deficit reduction that combines smart spending cuts with asking millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share. Democrats in the Senate look forward to engaging in that debate.”

 

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER NANCY PELOSI, DEMOCRAT

“There is no question that former Governor Romney now owns the Republican Ryan budget that puts millionaires ahead of Medicare and the middle class. Congressman Paul Ryan led House Republicans in voting to end the Medicare guarantee, which increases costs on seniors and weakens America’s great middle class in order to give tax breaks to millionaires, Big Oil and corporations that ship jobs overseas.”

 

JUSTIN RUBEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MOVEON.ORG, A LIBERAL ADVOCACY GROUP

“Romney and Ryan are the 1 percent Dream Team. Representative Paul Ryan is an extremist ideologue who wants to end Medicare, radically redistribute wealth to the top 1 percent, and throw America’s middle class under the bus. Ryan’s proposed budget would cost America more than a million jobs in less than one year. Like Romney, Ryan believes the poor and middle class should pay more so the rich can get richer. Romney’s choice of Ryan is sure to energize MoveOn’s more than 7 million members as we work to ensure voters know the truth about Romney and Ryan’s extreme plans to demolish Medicare, raise middle class taxes to fund tax cuts for billionaires, and destroy jobs.”

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by bonniekgoodman on August 11, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Campaign 2012, Campaign Buzz 2012, General Election 2012, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, Presidential Candidates, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 11, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/campaign-buzz-august-11-2012-republican-democratic-reactions-responses-on-the-selection-of-congressman-paul-ryan-as-mitt-romneys-vice-presidential-running-mate/

Full Text Campaign Buzz August 11, 2012: Paul Ryan’s Speech at Announcement that he will be Mitt Romney’s Vice Presidential Running-Mate in Norfolk, Virginia

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

Paul Ryan: Remarks From Norfolk, Virginia

Source: Mitt Romney, 8-11-12
romney-2012-blog-image-mitt-paul-2.jpg
Thank you Governor Romney, Ann.  I am deeply honored and excited to join you as your running mate.

Mitt Romney is a leader with the skills, the background and the character that our country needs at a crucial time in its history. Following four years of failed leadership, the hopes of our country, which have inspired the world, are growing dim; and they need someone to revive them. Governor Romney is the man for this moment; and he and I share one commitment: we will restore the dreams and greatness of this country.

I want you to meet my family.  My wife Janna, our daughter Liza, and our sons, Charlie and Sam.

I am surrounded by the people I love, and I have been asked by Governor Romney to serve the country I love.

Janesville, Wisconsin is where I was born and raised, and I never really left it. It’s our home now.

For the last 14 years, I have proudly represented Wisconsin in Congress.  There, I have focused on solving the problems that confront our country, and turning ideas into action; and action into solutions.

I am committed, in heart and mind, to putting that experience to work in a Romney Administration. This is a crucial moment in the life of our nation; and it is absolutely vital that we select the right man to lead America back to prosperity and greatness.

That man is standing next to me. His name is Mitt Romney. And he will be the next president of the United States

My dad died when I was young. He was a good and decent man. I still remember a couple of things he would say that have really stuck with me.  “Son you are either part of the problem or part of the solution.”

Regrettably, President Obama has become part of the problem,…and Mitt Romney is the solution.

The other thing my dad would say is that every generation of Americans leaves their children better off. That’s the American legacy.

Sadly, for the first time in our history, we are on a path which will undo that legacy. That is why we need new leadership to become part of the solution – new leadership to restore prosperity, economic growth, and jobs.

It is our duty to save the American Dream for our children, and theirs.

And I believe there is no person in America who is better prepared – because of his experience; because of the principles he holds; and because of his achievements and excellence in so many different arenas – to lead America at this point in its history.

Let me say a word about the man Mitt Romney will replace. No one disputes President Obama inherited a difficult situation.  And, in his first 2 years, with his party in complete control of Washington, he passed nearly every item on his agenda.  But that didn’t make things better.

In fact, we find ourselves in a nation facing debt, doubt and despair.

  • This is the worst economic recovery in 70 years. Unemployment has been above 8 percent for more than three years, the longest run since the Great Depression. Families are hurting.
  • We have the largest deficits and the biggest federal government since WWII.
  • Nearly 1 out of 6 Americans are in poverty–the worst rate in a generation.  Moms and dads are struggling to make ends meet.
  • Household incomes have dropped by more than $4,000 over the past four years.

Whatever the explanations, whatever the excuses, this is a record of failure.

President Obama, and too many like him in Washington, have refused to make difficult decisions because they are more worried about their next election than they are about the next generation. We might have been able to get away with that before, but not now. We’re in a different, and dangerous, moment. We’re running out of time — and we can’t afford 4 more years of this.

Politicians from both parties have made empty promises which will soon become broken promises–with painful consequences–if we fail to act now.

I represent a part of America that includes inner cities, rural areas, suburbs and factory towns.  Over the years I have seen and heard from a lot from families, from those running small businesses, and from people who are in need.  But what I have heard lately troubles me the most.  There is something different in their voice and in their words. What I hear from them are diminished dreams, lowered expectations, uncertain futures.

I hear some people say that this is just “the new normal.” High unemployment, declining incomes and crushing debt is not a new normal.  It’s the result of misguided policies.  And next January, our economy will begin a comeback with the Romney Plan for a Stronger Middle Class that will lead to more jobs and more take home pay for working Americans.

America is on the wrong track; but Mitt Romney and I will take the right steps, in the right time, to get us back on the right track!

I believe my record of getting things done in Congress will be a very helpful complement to Governor Romney’s executive and private sector success outside Washington. I have worked closely with Republicans as well as Democrats to advance an agenda of economic growth, fiscal discipline, and job creation.

I’m proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in our economy, someone who knows from experience, that if you have a small business—you did build that.

At Bain Capital, he launched new businesses and he turned around failing ones – companies like Staples, Bright Horizons and Sports Authority, just to name a few. Mitt Romney created jobs and showed he knows how a free economy works.

At the Olympics, he took a failing enterprise and made it the pride of our entire nation.

As governor of Massachusetts, he worked with Democrats and Republicans to balance budgets with no tax increases, lower unemployment, increase income and improve people’s lives.

In all of these things, Mitt Romney has shown himself to be a man of achievement, excellence and integrity.

Janna and I tell Liza, Charlie and Sam that America is a place where, if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get ahead.

We Americans look at one another’s success with pride, not resentment, because we know, as more Americans work hard, take risks, and succeed, more people will prosper, our communities will benefit, and individual lives will be improved and uplifted.

But America is more than just a place…it’s an idea.  It’s the only country founded on an idea.  Our rights come from nature and God, not government.  We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcomes.

This idea is founded on the principles of liberty, freedom, free enterprise, self-determination and government by consent of the governed.

This idea is under assault.  So, we have a critical decision to make as a nation.

We are on an unsustainable path that is robbing America of our freedom and security. It doesn’t have to be this way.

The commitment Mitt Romney and I make to you is this:

We won’t duck the tough issues…we will lead!

We won’t blame others…we will take responsibility!

We won’t replace our founding principles…we will reapply them!

We will honor you, our fellow citizens, by giving you the right and opportunity to make the choice:

  • What kind of country do we want to have?
  • What kind of people do we want to be?

We can turn this thing around.  Real solutions can be delivered.  But, it will take leadership.  And the courage to tell you the truth.

Mitt Romney is this kind of leader.  I’m excited for what lies ahead and I’m thrilled to be a part of America’s Comeback Team. And together, we will unite America and get this done.

Thank you.

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by bonniekgoodman on August 11, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Campaign 2012, Campaign Speeches & Statements, General Election 2012, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, Presidential Candidates, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 11, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/full-text-campaign-buzz-august-11-2012-paul-ryans-speech-at-announcement-that-he-will-be-mitt-romneys-vice-presidential-running-mate-in-norfolk-virginia/

Full Text Campaign Buzz August 11, 2012: Mitt Romney’s Speech Announces His Choice of Rep. Paul Ryan as His Vice Presidential Running-Mate in Norfolk, Virginia

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

Remarks From Norfolk, Virginia

Source: Mitt Romney, 8-11-12

romney-2012-blog-image-va-uss-wi.jpg

Ladies and gentlemen:

It’s great to be back in Virginia and here in Norfolk. Your city’s beauty is only matched by its proud heritage as a defender of freedom. Today we take another step forward in helping restore the promise of America. As we move forward in this campaign and on to help lead the nation to better days, it is an honor to announce my running mate and the next Vice President of the United States: Paul Ryan.

Paul Ryan is a leader.

His leadership begins with character and values. And Paul is a man of tremendous character, shaped in large part by his early life.

Paul’s father died when he was in high school. That forced him to grow up earlier than any young man should. But Paul did, with the help of his devoted mother, his brothers and sister, and a supportive community. And as he did, he internalized the virtues and hard-working ethic of the Midwest.

Paul Ryan works in Washington – but his beliefs remain firmly rooted in Janesville, Wisconsin. He is a person of great steadiness, whose integrity is unquestioned and whose word is good.

Paul’s upbringing is obvious in how he has conducted himself throughout his life, including his leadership in Washington.

In a city that is far too often characterized by pettiness and personal attacks, Paul Ryan is a shining exception. He does not demonize his opponents. He understands that honorable people can have honest differences. And he appeals to the better angels of our nature. There are a lot of people in the other party who might disagree with Paul Ryan; I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t respect his character and judgment.

Paul is in public life for all the right reasons – not to advance his personal ambitions but to advance the ideals of freedom and justice; and to increase opportunity and prosperity to people of every class and faith, every age and ethnic background. A faithful Catholic, Paul believes in the worth and dignity of every human life.

With energy and vision, Paul Ryan has become an intellectual leader of the Republican Party. He understands the fiscal challenges facing America: our exploding deficits and crushing debt – and the fiscal catastrophe that awaits us if we don’t change course.

Paul Ryan combines a profound sense of responsibility for what we owe the next generation with an unbounded optimism in America’s future and an understanding of all the wonderful things the American people can do.

Paul also combines firm principles with a practical concern for getting things done. He has never been content to simply curse the darkness; he would rather light candles. And throughout his legislative career he’s shown the ability to work with members of both parties to find common ground on some of the hardest issues confronting the American people.

Paul and I are beginning on a journey that will take us to every corner of America. We are offering a positive, governing agenda that will lead to economic growth, to widespread and shared prosperity, and that will improve the lives of our fellow citizens. Our Plan to Strengthen The Middle Class will get America back to work and get our country back on track.

We offer solutions that are bold, specific, and achievable. We offer our commitment to help create 12 million new jobs and to bring better take home pay to middle class families.

To strengthen the middle class, we will provide our workers and our children with the skills to succeed. We’ll cut the deficit, have trade that works for America, and champion small business.  And finally, we will unleash our energy resources to achieve North American energy independence.

We will help care for those who cannot care for themselves, and we will return work to welfare. As poverty has risen to historic and tragic levels, with nearly one out of six Americans now having fallen into poverty, we will act to bring these families into the middle class. Unlike the current president who has cut Medicare funding by $700 billion, we will preserve and protect Medicare and Social Security. Under the current president, healthcare has only become more expensive.  We will reform healthcare so that more Americans have access to affordable healthcare, and we will get that started by repealing and replacing Obamacare.

And at a time when the President’s campaign is taking American politics to new lows, we are going to do things differently. We are going to talk about aspirations and American ideals; about bringing people together to solve the urgent problems facing our nation. And when that message wins in America, it will be a victory for every American.

Today is a good day for America. And there are better days ahead. Join me in welcoming the next Vice President of the United States – Paul Ryan.

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by bonniekgoodman on August 11, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Campaign 2012, Campaign Speeches & Statements, General Election 2012, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, Presidential Candidates, US Campaign & Elections News
Tagged , , , ,

Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 11, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/full-text-campaign-buzz-august-11-2012-mitt-romneys-speech-announces-his-choice-of-rep-paul-ryan-as-his-vice-presidential-running-mate-in-norfolk-virginia/

Campaign Buzz August 11, 2012: GOP Ticket Complete: Mitt Romney Chooses Rep. Paul Ryan as His Vice Presidential Running-Mate in Norfolk, Virginia Official Announcement

CAMPAIGN 2012

CAMPAIGN BUZZ 2012

THE HEADLINES….

IN FOCUS: MITT ROMNEY CHOOSES REP. PAUL RYAN AS HIS VICE PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING-MATE IN NORFOLK, VIGINIA ANNOUNCEMENT

Romney names Ryan his vice presidential running mate: Mitt Romney has selected Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his running mate in the presidential race and will make the long-awaited announcement in Norfolk, Va., on Saturday morning.
Romney’s campaign told supporters at about 7 a.m. via an iPhone app that the seven-term congressman would be the Republican vice presidential nominee…. – WaPo, 8-11-12

  • Romney Picks Paul Ryan of Wisconsin: Mitt Romney introduced Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin as his running mate at a boisterous rally here Saturday morning, a choice that puts the issue of the nation’s fiscal soundness at the center of the presidential race….. – NYT, 8-11-12 

     

  • Mitt Romney Picks Paul Ryan for VP: Mitt Romney has named Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate. “Mitt’s choice for VP is Paul Ryan. Spread the word about America’s Comeback Team. #RomneyRyan2012,” was the message the Romney campaign sent out via their VP app early this morning…. – ABC News, 8-11-12 

     

  • Romney taps Ryan to be running mate: Mitt Romney named Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate Saturday, ending weeks of speculation about the No. 2 slot on the GOP ticket. The Romney campaign announced the pick through its “Mitt’s VP” smart phone app….. – USA Today, 8-11-12 

     

  • Romney chooses Ryan as vice presidential running mate: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said on Saturday he has chosen Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate, a move that will bring the debate over how to reduce government spending and debt… – Reuters, 8-11-12 

     

  • Romney Picks Ryan as Vice-Presidential Running Mate: Mitt Romney picked Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate, a decision that could spark enthusiasm for the Republican ticket among conservatives and all but ensures the election will…. – Wall Street Journal, 8-11-12 

     

  • Romney names Paul Ryan his No. 2: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney introduced Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his vice presidential running mate on Saturday, turning to the architect of a deeply conservative and intensely controversial long-term budget plan to remake Medicare and cut trillions in federal spending…. – AP, 8-11-12 

     

  • Ryan’s selection as Romney’s running mate energizes both sides: Mitt Romney on Saturday announced US Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his running mate for the White House — a bold and risky move that energized both conservatives and their opponents…. – CNN, 8-11-12 

     

  • Obama camp blasts Ryan; GOP hails “comeback team”: On the heels of Mitt Romney’s Saturday announcement that he is tapping Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan to be his vice presidential running mate, both parties found reason to be excited: Democrats wasted no time…. – CBS News, 8-11-12 

     

  • Mitt Romney picks Paul Ryan as running mate: Romney and Ryan are embarking on the first day of a four-day bus trip that will take the White House hopefuls to four key swing states: Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Ohio…. – WaPo, 8-11-12 

     

  • Romney Chooses Ryan, Pushing Fiscal Issues to the Forefront: Mitt Romney introduced Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin as his running mate Saturday in Norfolk, Va., making a selection that will intensify the campaign debate on the size and role of government…. – NYT, 8-11-12 

     

  • Elevating Ryan, and His Budget Details: To date, Mitt Romney has been criticized for a lack of detail in his plan to reduce the nation’s debt. Tapping the architect of the House Republican budget plan changes that…. – NYT, 8-11-12 

     

  • A Risky Rationale Behind Romney’s Choice: When a prudent candidate like Mitt Romney picks someone like Paul Ryan as his running mate, it suggests that he felt he held a losing position against President Obama…. – NYT, 8-11-12 

     

  • In Romney and Ryan, a Pair Who Don’t Mind Their Differences: Paul Ryan acknowledged that he would fill a void on the ticket, serving as the energetic Beltway yin to Mitt Romney’s experienced corporate yang…. – NYT, 8-11-12 

     

  • Democrats seize upon Romney’s choice of Ryan: Democrats pounced on Mitt Romney’s selection of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate Saturday, saying the pick showed a commitment to “budget-busting tax cuts” for the wealthy and greater burdens on the middle class and seniors…. – AP, 8-11-12 

     

  • Romney’s choice of Ryan reshapes race for White House: * Choice of congressman aimed at energizing conservatives * Democrats relish battle over Ryan budget * Romney kicking off four-state bus tour…. – Reuters, 8-11-12

What They’re Saying: “A Campaign Of Substance”

“A Bold Decision” … “Reagan-Like Quality” … “A Campaign Of Substance”

Time: “The 2012 Presidential Campaign Just Became A Debate About That Most Substantive Of All Issues.” “To anyone who ever complained that politics wasn’t substantive, buckle up: the 2012 Presidential campaign just became a debate about that most substantive of all issues, the federal budget.” (Time, 8/11/12)

The Wall Street Journal’s Paul Gigot: “He Is Earnest, He’s Serious, He’s A Real Policy Wonk.” (Fox News, 8/11/12)

  •  Gigot: “Going To Make This A Fundamental Choice About The Direction Of America.” GIGOT: “Right now, with this choice, Romney is committed, alright. He is basically saying, by picking Ryan, I’m not going to make this a safe election. I am going to make this a fundamental choice about the direction of America. And we are going to debate the future of Medicare and entitlements. We are going to debate the future of tax reform. Those are the issues now front and center.” (Fox News, 8/11/12)

National Review’s Jonah Goldberg: “I Am Delighted By The News … A Bold Decision.” “I am a huge, huge, Paul Ryan fan. So I am delighted by the news he will be Romney’s running mate. … It shows that for all of the talk of Romney’s timidity and cautiousness he can make a bold decision when he needs to.” (National Review, 8/11/12)

The Washington Post’s Charles Krauthammer: “Ryan Has That Reagan-Like Quality.” KRAUTHAMMER: “The best analogy is, I think, the late 1970s when Reagan became the candidate … I think Ryan has that Reagan-like quality.” (Fox News’ “Fox and Friends,” 8/11/12)

Weekly Standard’s William Kristol: “This Is A Strong Pick, It’s A Bold Pick, It’s A Gutsy Pick.” KRISTOL: “This is a strong pick, it’s a bold pick, it’s a gutsy pick. It doesn’t run away from the controversial house budget. It’s really picking the intellectual leader of the Republican Party.” (Fox News’ “Bulls & Bears,” 8/11/12)

CNN’s Jim Acosta: “The Campaign Equivalent Of A Call To Arms.” “The battleship was a tip-off in more ways than one. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan descended from the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia Saturday with the campaign equivalent of a call to arms.” (CNN, 8/11/12)

The New York Times’ Ross Douthat: “This Will Make The Race More Exciting And More Serious, And I’m Looking Forward To Watching It Play Out.” (The New York Times, 8/11/12)

Fox News’ Liz Peek: “The Selection Of Mr. Ryan Sends A Very Different Message – That Romney Is Focused On Solving The Nation’s Financial Crisis.” (Fox News, 8/11/12)

Philadelphia Inquirer’s Kevis Ferris: “A Welcome Move, One That Shows This Will Be A Campaign Of Substance – At Least On The GOP Side.” “This weekend, Romney made it official. It was a welcome move, one that shows this will be a campaign of substance – at least on the GOP side.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/11/12)

National Review’s John Fund: “If Republicans Were Looking For A Superior Candidate, They’ve Found It in Ryan.” “Five, if Republicans were looking for a superior candidate, they’ve found it in Ryan. His maiden speech as the GOP vice-presidential candidate was perfectly pitched…” (National Review, 8/11/12)

What They’re Saying: “An Inspired Choice”

“Shook Up The Presidential Race” … “A Bold Set Of Ideas” … “A New Promise For Presidential Politics”

CBS News’ John Dickerson: “The Choice Offers The First Real Hints About What Kind Of President Romney Will Be. … He’s Willing To Campaign On A Bold Set Of Ideas…” “Mitt Romney has made his first presidential-level decision, picking Paul Ryan, the 42-year-old, seven-term Congressman from southern Wisconsin, as his running mate. The choice offers the first real hints about what kind of president Romney will be. Here’s what we learned: He takes risks, he can adapt, and he’s willing to campaign on a bold set of ideas rather than generalities.” (Slate, 8/11/12)

National Journal’s Ron Fournier: “A New Promise For Presidential Politics And Leadership: Authentic, Bold, Positive And Focused On Results Over Partisan Gridlock.” “Mitt Romney used the choice of running mate Rep. Paul Ryan to script a new promise for presidential politics and leadership: Authentic, bold, positive and focused on results over partisan gridlock.” (National Journal, 8/11/12)

Time: “Romney Shook Up The Presidential Race Saturday Morning With A Single Stroke…” (Time, 8/11/12)

The Atlantic’s Molly Ball: “Overnight, It Was Clear, Romney Has Reoriented The Campaign Around A New, Daring Premise.” (The Atlantic, 8/11/12)

  • The Atlantic Headline: “Paul Ryan’s Message: ‘Courage’” (The Atlantic, 8/11/12)

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “In Ryan, Romney Is Getting His Party’s Most Influential Politician On The Budget And Economy…” “In Ryan, Romney is getting his party’s most influential politician on the budget and economy, a huge favorite of pro-business and free-market conservatives, a skilled politician and self-styled ‘policy wonk,’ a prolific fundraiser and ubiquitous cable news presence…” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/11/12)

BuzzFeed’s Ben Smith: “The Ryan Pick Is Going To Take What Has Felt Inside The Beltway Like A National Debate And Turn It Into An Actual National Debate.” “The Ryan pick is going to take what has felt inside the beltway like a national debate and turn it into an actual national debate, I think.” (Ben Smith, Twitter Feed, 8/11/12)

Yahoo News’ Walter Shapiro: “What Stays With Me Was The Earnestness And Policy-Oriented Seriousness Of Ryan…” “I recall the fledging candidate walking me around downtown Janesville to show the houses and the historical markers that trace his family’s influence on this small industrial city since the late nineteenth century. But what stays with me was the earnestness and policy-oriented seriousness of Ryan, even then.” (Yahoo! News, 8/11/12)

National Review Editorial: “Governor Romney Has Made An Inspired Choice.” (National Review, 8/11/12)

  • “Paul Ryan Is The Republican Who Has Made The Most Pointed Critique Of The Philosophy That Underlies Obama’s Economic Policies…” “Paul Ryan is the Republican who has made the most pointed critique of the philosophy that underlies Obama’s economic policies: the notion that government can direct resources toward rising industries. Solyndra is not just a scandal, Ryan notes: It is the kind of crony-capitalist fiasco to which Obama’s view inevitably leads.” (National Review, 8/11/12)

What They’re Saying: “Philosophical Debate Worthy Of A Presidential Campaign”

“A Big Debate” … “A Breath Of Fresh Air” … “Most Well-Respected Fiscal Mind”

Reuters: “His Choice Of Running Mate Is A Bold One…” “Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said on Saturday he has chosen Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate, a move that will bring the debate over how to reduce government spending and debt to the forefront of the race for the White House. … His choice of running mate is a bold one…” (Reuters, 8/11/12)

CNN’s John King: “A Choice By Mitt Romney To Say Sure, Let’s Have A Big Debate About The Big Choices Facing The American Economy.” KING: “Again, this is a bold choice … It’s essentially a choice by Mitt Romney to say sure, let’s have a big debate about the big choices facing the American economy and American spending…” (CNN, 8/11/12)

Boston Herald: “A Breath Of Fresh Air…” “Romney’s choice of Ryan … brings a breath of fresh air to the ticket generationally.” (Boston Herald, 8/11/12)

The Wall Street Journal: “Mr. Ryan Best Guarantees The Country Will Get The Kind Of Philosophical Debate Worthy Of A Presidential Campaign.” “But as the author of the budget plan that most clearly delineates the view of limited government that most Republicans hold, and with more specificity and crystalline explanation than most can muster, Mr. Ryan best guarantees the country will get the kind of philosophical debate worthy of a presidential campaign.” (The Wall Street Journal, 8/11/12)

CNN’s John Avlon: “It’s A Bold Decision. … Moves This Into A More Substantive Stage Of The Campaign.” AVLON: “It’s a bold decision. It is a strong, confident decision. And what it ultimately does is moves this into a more substantive stage of the campaign.” (CNN, 8/11/12)

Roll Call: “The Former Massachusetts Governor Promoted The Most Well-Respected Fiscal Mind Among Capitol Hill Republicans…” “The former Massachusetts governor promoted the most well-respected fiscal mind among Capitol Hill Republicans…” (Roll Call, 8/11/12)

New York Daily News: “A Bold Choice…” “Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney selected Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate Saturday – a bold choice meant to excite the GOP’s conservative base and further make the economy the defining issue of the election.” (New York Daily News, 8/11/12)

CNN’s Gloria Borger: “I Think The Debate Is Going To Shift Onto A Very Substantive Ground.” BORGER: “But I think what they are trying to do is say, you know what, he hasn’t made the tough choices that we need to make in a serious way to save the economic future of this country, so I think the debate is going to shift onto a very substantive ground.” (CNN’s “Your Bottom Line,” 8/11/12)

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by bonniekgoodman on August 11, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Campaign 2012, Campaign Buzz 2012, General Election 2012, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Presidential Campaigns & Elections, US Campaign & Elections News
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 11, 2012

https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/campaign-buzz-august-11-2012-gop-ticket-complete-mitt-romney-chooses-rep-paul-ryan-as-his-vice-presidential-running-mate-in-norfolk-virginia-official-announcement/

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