
Former governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney, standing at right, and Republican nominee for attorney general Sam Olens, standing left, stop to talk with Neely Young, right, and Ken Stewart while on the stump at OK Cafe Thursday. AP/John Amis
Once and future GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney held an impromptu presser this morning at the OK Café on West Paces Ferry Road, after breakfasting with attorney general candidate Sam Olens and a handful of Republican strategists.
Romney has an evening fund-raiser for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, but has made a 2 p.m. date with Nathan Deal to endorse his candidacy for governor.
Romney had backed former secretary of state Karen Handel in the gubernatorial primary. “We’re happy to announce today that we’ve endorsed Nathan Deal, and have sent him a check from my PAC,” Romney said.
On other matters:
– Romney, naturally enough, isn’t impressed with President Barack Obama’s handling of the economy:
“The president and his team do not have collectively the private sector experience to recognize that what they’ve done in the economy has slowed things down rather than speed things up – has lengthened the downturn and made it more painful for a lot of families. When you raise taxes on small businesses, you’re not going to see more small businesses. When you take over health care, you frighten people in that sector….”
– On the other hand, while he didn’t endorse it, Romney said there was room for compromise on extension of the Bush tax cuts:
“The right thing for the economy is not to raise taxes on small business. Is there room for some kind of compromise? The compromise I think you stand up for is the one that says, look, let’s make sure and keep these tax cuts in place at least until the economy’s better. I think the Republicans would like to see them made permanent…..”
– Politico.com recently pointed out that Romney is the only prominent GOP possibility for president not bound by a commentator’s contract with Fox News. Asked whether this gave him more freedom of movement, the former governor of Massachusetts said:
”I’ve been spending this year – one — talking about a book I wrote about the challenges I think the country faces, and – two — campaigning for people like Sam and other people around the country….So I’m not on TV that much, and that’s just fine with me and my family.”
– Romney stayed away from the details of the health care plan that Massachusetts adopted while he was governor, which mandates that all adults purchase an insurance policy. He stuck to this line:
“Massachusetts solved its problem at the state level. It is simply wrong for the federal government to assume the power of the states and take over health care.”
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53 comments Add your comment
Jonathan
October 1st, 2010
11:12 pm
@True Republican.
You are guessing wrong about me. I am all about making lots of money and getting rewarded for innovation, risk etc. I just don’t think tax cuts are the way to go to stimulate and attract business.
I have started up 3 companies in GA and understand very well the tax aspects of doing so. The facts are that anyone with a brain is paying negliable tax for the first few years anyway if they know the tax code.
I repeat again we already have the lowest tax rates and it isn;t working. Companies are looking for infrastructure, schools, culture and an educated workforce to relocate. I guarantee you most quality companies that are going eslewhere are NOT doing so because of tax, its other reasons.
AxelDC
October 6th, 2010
1:41 pm
The only thing Romney stands for is election.
Charles Springer
October 6th, 2010
5:09 pm
Sorry, guys…
Mitt is not someone I can support… My “humble opinion” is that’s he’s more of a misguided ideologue than a true Latter-Day Saint! We need someone with the ethics of that group of people to get things fixed!!! I can’t get on board with someone who’s been in bed with the former head of Counter-Terrorist OPS in the CIA. That bunch of folks has created a lot more problems than they’ve solved!
I’m also not enthusiastic about anyone who hasn’t broken the code regarding “Laissez-Faire Capitalism”.
What is needed is a firm hand on the rudder so the ship stays on course! We stood back and watched while Reagan, Bush, Sr., Clinton & Bush, Jr. let the ship of state drift off course…We laughed & clapped while the self-styled “Monied Gentry” acted like “foxes raiding the henhouse”. Now we’re paying the price!
What kind of person am I looking for? Someone who will do the right thing & serve the true constituency of this country…The American People! We don’t need mudslinging, cute little phrases like “We’ve got your back” or cheap promises…We need action!!!!!!!
What kind of action? I’m not all that certain what it should be, but I know what kind isn’t…Tax breaks for the wealthy & large corporations has not worked! They just took the money, ran away and mocked us for being pathetic, religious & overly-trusting weaklings! It isn’t looking the other way while they use front companies to shift income overseas so it won’t be taxed or register oil-rigs & ships so they will not be held accountable for compliance with this country’s safety laws.
By the way, the someone I’m looking for will not be Sarah Palin…She’s just another “wolf in sheep’s clothing”! She wasn’t a good candidate when she was with John McCain when he was running for
President…What makes you think she has really changed since changing over to the Tea Party?
By the way, I’m tired of the political hacks that cynically manipulate “people of faith” to get elected, then do what they please when they report to serve in political office!!!!
That’s all I have…Here’s to hoping we can make our way back to being the kind of country the World can respect! Take care & have a great week!