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Who Called Romney the ‘Most Fiscally Conservative Republican Standard-Bearer Since Ronald Reagan’?

Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:49pm by Guest Post
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[The following is an article written by Larry Kudlow that originally appeared on CNBC.com]:

(Photo: AP)

While some of my conservative colleagues are criticizing the Romney campaign for one thing or another, I want to make a distinct point that is largely being overlooked: Mitt Romney is the most fiscally conservative Republican standard-bearer since Ronald Reagan.

Looking back through his speeches, interviews, and programmatic proposals, I see an emphasis on economic freedom, free enterprise, low tax rates, deep federal spending cuts, and free trade, and a free-market approach to tough social problems, such as health care, education, and poverty. Meaning no disrespect to George W. Bush, John McCain, Robert Dole, and George H. W. Bush, not one of these former Republican leaders was the consistent and comprehensive free-market advocate that Romney has been.

A few recent examples help illustrate my point.

Following his trip to Israel, Romney released an essay called “Culture Does Matter,” which was printed on National Review Online. In it, he strongly defended his statement that culture plays a key role in creating prosperity.

Romney wrote that “one feature of our culture that propels the American economy stands out above all others: freedom. The American economy is fueled by freedom. Free people and their free enterprises are what drive our economic vitality.” He added that “economic freedom is the only force that has consistently succeeded in lifting people out of poverty . . . the only principle that has ever created sustained prosperity.”

The last Republican leader to talk specifically in those terms? Ronald Reagan.

And when Romney walked into the NAACP lion’s den in July, he told the crowd: “Free enterprise is still the greatest force for upward mobility, economic security, and the expansion of the middle class.” He was booed at the beginning of that speech when he opposed Obamacare. But he received a standing ovation at the end, once people heard his overall philosophy.

I recently asked the former governor about Obama’s now-infamous “you didn’t build that” statement. Romney blasted it by saying, “This is an ideology which says, ‘Hey, we’re all the same here, we oughta take from all and give to one another,’ and that achievement, individual initiative, risk-taking, and success are not to be rewarded as they have in the past.” He called it an upside-down philosophy that does not comport with the American experience. The language is clearly Reagan-like.

Programmatically, Columbia Business School dean and top Romney economic adviser Glenn Hubbard recently laid out the specific Romney economic plan. (Undoubtedly, the Romney campaign crossed every “t” and dotted every “i.”) The plan would lower the spending share of GDP to 20 percent from 24 percent by 2016, which is probably the largest proposed spending cut ever. The cumulative net savings of that cut could be a whopping $1.8 trillion, which not only would finance huge deficit reduction, but also would help pay for Romney’s pro-growth tax reform: a supply-side, across-the-board 20 percent personal-tax-rate reduction, a limit or end to various tax deductions for upper-income payers, and a dramatically reduced corporate tax rate, from 35 percent to 25 percent — perhaps the most powerful growth stimulant of all. Rounding out the economic program is a regulatory rollback, entitlement, trade, education, and energy reform, and a sound monetary policy (replacing Ben Bernanke at the Fed).

(Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The liberal Brookings Institute seized on the tax portion of this plan, arguing that revenue neutrality would force Romney to end deductions and raise taxes on the middle class. Nonsense. That analysis completely misses the massive spending-reduction in the overall package, along with growth incentives for everyone and base-broadeners only for the upper brackets.

And according to Hubbard, Team Romney believes this pro-growth economic plan would generate 4 percent annual growth and create 12 million new jobs in a first term.

So Romney has set specific policies and connected them to specific, positive economic results. He is arguing that a free-enterprise, supply-side program will rejuvenate jobs and economic growth. And he backs this up with an unmistakable philosophy of economic freedom. It’s the backbone of his thinking, and it connects to policies that will restore American prosperity.

Now, I’m willing to concede that Romney’s message has not been refined enough for the public at large. In particular, I would prefer that he harp on the word “growth” far more than he does. And he will probably have to winnow his key points even more (though he has brought them down from 59 to five).

So there’s more work to do before the big convention speech. But to suggest that Mitt Romney is not an economic conservative makes no sense to me. Look at what he’s saying. And look at what he’s proposing. And then think of Reagan.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (75)

cykonas
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:37pm
President Reagan ran a total 8 year deficit of $1.859T, or $232.4B per term year. President Bush I ran a total 4 year deficit of $1.554T, or $388.5B per term year. President Bush II ran a total 8 year deficit of $4.217T, or $527.1B per term year. These are all raw totals and not adjusted for inflation.

So, I am supposed to be ecstatic if Romney, assuming he’s elected, only runs a deficit of something less than $232.4B? That is the “new” definition of a fiscal conservative? Just don’t run a deficit greater that 1/4 Trillion dollars. Hopefully your kidding or you’re running short of cash/ideas and had to write something that would sell. Put Reagans’ name in there and BINGO; the R’s will suck it up with a straw.

How about we compare it to something absolute, like a balanced budget rather than something relative, like any former R Presidents deficit? This sort of relative analysis, and pretzel logic, is why the R‘s are no more trusted or respected than are the D’s. Both parties are completely disingenuous.

When you’re ready to put up an Andrew Jackson type candidate, meaning no deficit spending, and a commitment to retiring major portions of the debt each fiscal year don’t bother me. After nearly 40 years of watching both sides rot and destroy our Republic from the inside out I haven’t the time for your games. I’ll stick with the Libertarians, the Constitution Party, or write in Ron Paul. “Most fiscally conservative” my eye. Peace.
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- I am 'We the People
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 4:21pm
  Good luck with that.
  Report Post »
- txdave22
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 4:59pm
  GOP IN WHITE HOUSE IS LOSING, NOT ONE SUCCESSFUL PUB PREZ SINCE TEDDY R.— gw bush, no, nix/ford, no, ike no, reagan you say: ABSOLUTELY NOT, 3 RECESSIONS, STK MKT CRASH, savings loan scandal, iran contra scandal, and worst: ALL THE MARINES DEAD IN LEBANON AND REAGAN TUCKS TAIL AND RUNS.
  ———————————–
  
  In fact, affluent Americans have represented a growing portion of the Democratic Party for a generation.
  
  (AS I’VE SAID BEFORE, DJIA IS MUCH BETTER WITH DEMS IN WHITE HOUSE,
  
  AND SMART INVESTORS KNOW THIS!!!)
  
  In winning the presidency four years ago, Mr. Obama defeated Senator John McCain
  
  by 52 percent to 46 percent among voters in the top income group, those earning more than $200,000.
  
  The conservative author Charles Murray, in his new book “Coming Apart,” which is about the nation’s widening class divide, identifies “Super ZIP codes” that the “hyper-wealthy and hyper-elite” call home.
  
  Even as he proposed higher taxes on the wealthy in 2008, Mr. Obama beat Mr. McCain
  
  in 8 of the top 10 such ZIP codes — by a ratio of 2 to 1 in communities like Atherton, Calif., Gladwyne, Pa., and Chappaqua, N.Y.
  Report Post »
- FatFreedom
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 11:41pm
  Well said. I pray that God will intervene, and that Ron Paul wins and is able to roll back the tyranny and fire 80% of the Tax Eaters. God could do it by awaken Mitt to see himself for the weak person he is. Mitt “The Weathervane Romney” should step down and apologize for running as a Republican in the first place.
  
  Ron Paul 2012
  Report Post »
- LongRange
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:01pm
  @cykonas,
  You and the other tin hat Paulbots crack me up. Now you are talking down the greatest POTUS in our generation (who saved this nation after the first Carter).
  
  Here’s a newsflash: Dr. Paul lost the election, if you vote for him you are really just voting for Obama.
  Report Post »
- cykonas
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 8:51pm
  @LONGRANGE
  
  I‘m glad you’re cracking up. It’s fun to laugh, isn’t it?
  
  As to talking down the greatest President in our generation; where did I do that? I simply pointed out his record of overspending. Do you dispute my numbers? His numbers talk him down I didn’t. If the truth is too much for you, I’m sorry.
  
  Oh, and by the way the numbers are from page 137 of Glenn Beck’s book “Cowards”. I believe the source he cites is the CBO. But frankly for a rebutal as lame as yours I’m not going to walk over to the bookshelf and check.
  
  I’m not going to deal with the name calling or the talk radio show regurgitations about wasted votes, etc. Don’t worry. You’ll grow up one day and it will be all better. Until then just keep doing what the two establishment parties, and the weedle voices in your head, tell you to do. Peace.
  Report Post »
Simonne
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:28pm
Romney reminded me of Reagan for a long time. As someone posted, look at his personal, he is a fiscal conservative.
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- justangry
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:51pm
  Yeah Reagan argued to “Tear down that wall” and was an advocate of Freedom and Individual liberty to an extent. I’m seeing the opposite from Romney. They both have black hair though.
  Report Post »
- txdave22
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 7:05pm
  RAY GUN RAISED TAXES 11 TIMES, GOOGLE IF YOU DOUBT, but many pubs have done far worse:
  
  republicans are hypocrites, 2 faced, theocrats, some just caught and most don’t, but we’re looking:
  
  Beverly Russell, County Chairman of the Christian Coalition as well as a member of the South Carolina Republican Party’s executive committee, sexually molested his step-daughter, Susan Smith, who later drowned her two children.Herald-Journal Article |Commentary on Newsweek Article
  
  Jack Ryan, 2004 Republican nominee for US Senate from Illinois, pressured his wife, actress Jeri Ryan, to have sex with other men. Tricked her into visiting sex clubs, where he asked her to have sex with him while others watched.[14]
  
  Rick Santorum, used $100,000 of PA state funds earmarked for that state’s school children to educate his own children, who were not residents of Pennsylvania. source (http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04323/413787.stm)
  
  Joe Scarborough, former Republican Congressman from Pensacola, Florida, currently a conservative talk show host. Resigned his congressional seat abruptly to spend more time with his family, amidst allegations of an affair.
  
  His intern, Lori Klausutis, was soon after found dead in his office. The medical examiner, who had his license revoked in Missouri for falsifying information in an autopsy report, and suspended in Florida for six years, ruled the case an accident, after giving conflicting information about her injuries.
  Report Post »
justangry
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:24pm
Give me a break. I mean really, stick with he’s better than Obama. That’s all you got, and even that is debatable for people that don’t like warmongering.
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- Mutiny
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:37pm
  Some people think going off a cliff at 55mph is better than going off at 90mph. The speed is the issue, its the rocks at the bottom and the exploding gas tank we are stuck in that are the problem.
  Report Post »
G.E.R
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:23pm
The starting point for many of the catastrophes confronting the US now can be traced to Reagan’s presidency.
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- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:38pm
  Complete and total BS!!!
  
  We’re screwed because our education system sucks. You can thank LBJ for that one…GWB too.
  We’re screwed because we are spend too much. When yo look at total federal spending Medicare, Medicaid, SS and entitlements make up the lion’s share (too lazy to look up the percentage). Those are not Reagan’s programs they were FDR and LBJ. Our money is worth squat because the Federal Reserve robs us blind. You can thank Woodrow Wilson for that.
  Report Post »
- zjak
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:55pm
  By all means, start naming some of these policies….
  Report Post »
- JACKTHETOAD
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 4:55pm
  I don’t know about that jer_. I think it started with your posts, as you do. BTW, slow day at Newsbusters?.
  Report Post »
Detroit paperboy
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:21pm
Obama was a conservative blessing in disguise ………..I truly believe it will be a long drought for democrats at all levels of government……and they know what’s coming…..
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- bigdaddyt46
  Posted on August 14, 2012 at 6:07am
  the only reason democrats are evr elected is to remind us the reason we kicked them out in the first place.
  Report Post »
pap pap
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:10pm
Thanks Larry
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jackact
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:02pm
With the amount of blow Kudlow did in the 80‘s it’s a miracle he remembers anything.
In true RINO perspective he mentions Romney (and not Ryan) as the fiscal conservative.
Next up……Jeb Bush maintains that Ryan is a ‘liability’.
The country club still exists folks.
We must remove them.
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- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:19pm
  @jackact…….yeah let’s listen to another Bush…………kina like the other two that gave us Souter and Roberts on the supreme court……….I‘m almost a sick of Bush’s as I am with Clinton’s …..almost.
  Report Post »
- Richard_Cranium
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:32pm
  @ jackact…If Kudlow is a RINO then, everyone is a RINO. You people use the word so loosely its amazing, it has no meaning anymore…its like the republicans (or phonies) version of the left’s “racist”.
  Report Post »
- JACKTHETOAD
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:00pm
  Off witz zere heads! …ooo la la…
  Report Post »
- cykonas
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 7:33pm
  Sweet, Richie! You’ve found a new usage of the race card defense. I’ll bet your parents are so proud of you. Peace.
  Report Post »
woemcat
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:57pm
ronald reagan was great, but calvin coolidge was better. i want a person in the white house that’s more like coolidge.
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- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:02pm
  Give me Grover Cleveland any day…twice even…in non-consecutive terms.
  Report Post »
- ksmike
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:20pm
  In the words of Lina Lamont, “I make more money than Calvin Coolidge, put together!”
  
  Irrelevant, but still a funny line. (For you kids, watch “Singin’ in the Rain”. It will make more sense.)
  Report Post »
- cykonas
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:42pm
  Roth, Old Grover sure knew what the veto and the Constitutional limits were all about didn’t he? I concur. Peace.
  Report Post »
Spqr1
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:54pm
You poor, delusional people still think Reagan was fiscally conservative? Even more evidence that the TeaBeckians have a serious reality deficit.
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- Arch Stanton
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:30pm
  So says the Roman Legion? Senātus Populusque Rōmānus (Senate and People of Rome)…the mark of the Legion. You might want to pick a different name if you claim to value freedom…since the Roman Legion was one of the most brutal and sadistic occupational forces that ever existed.
  
  Reagan WAS a fiscal conservative, who also managed to win the Cold War by bankrupting the Soviet Union. He successfully made them outspend their budget and go broke trying to keep up with us. Our military spending was never really intended to continue in such a fashion after the war was won…but it did. So if you’d rather still be doing “duck and cover” drills and having school kids hide under their desks to pretend that that would save them from a nuclear attack…then yeah, I guess you could ignore what was going on in the rest of the world and pretend it’s a wonderful place…kinda like Ron Paul does.
  
  Also remember that in order to get tax cuts through the democrat held House and Senate, he had to make some concessions. All you have to do is look at Reagan’s actions and speeches and you will understand that he was a very fiscally conservative Republican…especially when compared with any other Republican in the last half of the 20th Century. GW Bush might as well have had a (D) after his name with the way he spent money. GHW Bush wasn’t much better, and Ford and Nixon? Nixon and his price controls?
  
  Reagan was as close to a Founding Father as we’ll ever see in our lif
  Report Post »
- Richard_Cranium
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:36pm
  In hindsight Reagan was not a perfect conservative…he’s will always be known as one of the best advocates and orators of conservatism. If you are waiting for the perfect conservative, better place a television in your coffin because you’ll be waiting a long time.
  Report Post »
- KidCharlemagne
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:15pm
  Arch Stanton
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:30pm
  Reagan WAS a fiscal conservative, who also managed to win the Cold War by bankrupting the Soviet Union.
  ===================================
  
  Actually, the U.S. went bankrupt 20 years before the Soviet Union did (and 9 years before Reagan was even elected president):
  
  The Nixon Shock (August 15, 1971)
  Report Post »
- Spqr1
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:21pm
  Were you people even alive during the 80s? Or old enough to pay attention? You probably still think that SDI was a real thing. And Ronny’s single handed “Winning the Cold War” crap is based on post cold war mythology. He ran up a huge deficit buying all sorts of weapons systems that turned out to be useless. Remember the SGT York AA tank that coldn’t even shoot straight? Or FSX? Or the original MX system? BILLIONS WASTED! And the reason “duck and cover” drills stopped is because the people figured out that the government was LYING TO THEM about the nature of a nuclear war. Your points are moot…
  Report Post »
Grizzlyof5
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:50pm
Well what’s that saying it took a Jimmy Carter to get us a Ronald Reagan…. It is God who appoints leaders and moves the hearts of men. I will be praying for Romney and Ryan and that our country is restored.
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- riseandshine
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:11pm
  “it took a Jimmy Carter to get us a Ronald Reagan”….and it took a G.W.B. to give us a raging case of B.O.
- txdave22
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:05pm
  PUBS ARE RIDICULOUS, VENAL HYPOCRITES!!!
  
  Why is a private citizen’s private life any cause for comment, BUT A SITTING GOP SENATOR, ADMITTED ADULTERER, WHOREMONGER, BREAKER OF COMMANDMENTS gets NO COMMENT from the entire GOP CAUCUS IN THE CONGRESS.
  
  ANOTHER ADMITTED ADULTERER former senator ensign of nv, resigned last year, little said, tho he and his mother were nearly indicted for paying off his girlfriend.
  If you say nothing , all this GOP EVIL WILL JUST GO AWAY???
  
  NO, if you say nothing it makes you a HYPOCRITE and a supporter of whoremongering and breaking commandments and that includes romney, ryan (a catholic llike vitter, both will burn in HELLFIRE AND DAMNATION), mcconnell, boehner and the princes of the church.
  
  We’ve heard no CARDINALS, ARCHBISHOPS, PASTORS AND LEADERS OF THE MORMON CHURCH CONDEMN————-WHOREMONGERING AND BREAKING OF THE LAW AND THE COMMANDMENTS???————————–Bill O’Reilly: ‘I Don’t Think Vitter Should Be There. Absolutely Not’
  ————-By Judd Legum on Jun 17, 2011 at 11:10 am
  Yesterday, Anthony Weiner resigned a few days ago.Weiner’s announcement came after pressure from Leader Nancy Pelosi, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, and President Obama. Nevertheless, top Republicans criticized Democrats for “protecting” Weiner.
  ————————–1,432 days ago, Sen. David Vitter admitted to being a regular customer of a prostitution service. ——————–(An activity that is, inciden
  Report Post »
KidCharlemagne
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:40pm
I think Larry Kudlow must be entering the initial stages of dementia:

———————————
EXCLUSIVE: In ‘02 Romney Touted D.C. Connections, Federal Funds
Fri, Mar 2, 2012

In a long-forgotten tape from the 2002 Massachusetts governor’s race obtained by ABC News, Mitt Romney is seen touting his Washington connections and his ability to get millions of taxpayer dollars from the federal government.

“I am big believer in getting money where the money is,” Romney says on the video, “The money is in Washington.”

The video, which was surreptitiously shot by Democratic opponents of Romney on Oct. 16, 2002, shows him addressing a group called the New Bedford Industrial Foundation. The Power Point presentation he uses lists ways to improve economic development in Massachusetts, including “boost federal involvement.”

“I want to go after every grant, every project, every department in Washington to assure that we are taking advantage of economic development opportunities,” Romney tells the group.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/exclusive-02-romney-touted-d-c-connections-federal-110029680–abc-news.html
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- jsciai
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:08pm
  kidcharlene,
  Your post is completely disingenuous. Romney, as govenor, is obligated by his position to do all the things listed to better his state. What would you do different were you govenor? Nothing! Now the money is not in Washington. Now each state must look inward to see what can be done to better its own situation and not to go to washington for the bailout. Face it, you’re just an obama shill who only posts negatives about Romney to get your man re-elected. Keep doing your ‘thang’ and the rest of us will get obama thrown out and the nation turned around with Romney and Ryan!
  Report Post »
- Mutiny
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:34pm
  @jsc
  
  Actually you are wrong. When governors accept this money they willing give power to the federal government. I am all for states getting their share but I also believe every pet project shouldnt be milked out of the fed. Who pays the fed? The citizens. Maybe if we had politicians willing to cut spending and people not call them crazy we wouldnt have 16 trillion in federal debt with another 120 trillion in unfunded liabilities.
  
  Romney doesnt cut the federal spending. Paul Ryan doesnt cut federal spending enough. You people are living in fairy tale land thinking this thing can continue. Here is excerpt from a article written recently.
  http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/11/obama-and-ryan-have-tangled-repeatedly/?page=1
  
  “Over the long run Mr. Ryan’s budget would cap taxes at 19 percent of gross domestic product — slightly higher than the post-World War II average — but would bring spending down to 16 percent of GDP by 2050, which would mean cutting about 40 cents out of every dollar spent if it were to happen today”
  
  Today we borrow 43 cents out of every dollar. So according to this plan, we dont even fix the over spending problem in 2050. This article also fails to figure in interest rates going up. That is the kicker no one is talking about. We keep printing, well eventually to keep selling bonds we are going to have to raise interest rates. That is when the SHTF.
  Report Post »
- justangry
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:35pm
  There’s another one. Ron Paul people are not Obama shills. They are further from Obama than the Romney folks. MUCH further considering Romney is basically the same thing with a few differences. It is not disingenuous to point out Romney’s flaws and they’re many. I mean as governor didn‘t he raise fees and licenses on practically everything just to twist it to say that he didn’t raise taxes? The people that supported Ron Paul during the primaries just want REAL change and we don‘t feel we’re getting that with Romney at all.
  Report Post »
lukerw
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:38pm
Reagan… the ExDemocrat & ExUnion Leader was the most Conservative?
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- winin2012
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:48pm
  Do something novel, open a book and read the letters on the pages. Read something by Michael Reagan to get more of what his father believed and did. I was there when Reagan was elected and throughout his 8 years in office. I was privileged to hear Him and Nancy speak in 1988. Also, take a look at how far left the Unions and Democrat party have moved. Shoot, JFK was a Democrat back then but based upon his beliefs and deeds, he would be a Republican today.
  Report Post »
- lukerw
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 4:29pm
  @WIN…
  Calvin Coolidge was a Conservative!
  
  I met Ronald Reagan, as a member of the NRC… and he was Lite Progressive! I do not need anyone to rewrite My Memory nor History!
  Report Post »
Todd P
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:33pm
Most Americans are more interested in who’s on Dancing With The Stars, American Idol, Project Runway, or being voted off some island to pay attention to such lofty ideals as the Constitution vs Socialism. As long as their government check is in their mailbox – they’re happy. That’s one of the reasons why I think the Republican ticket is irrelevant. The Dems give away more free stuff.
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- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:51pm
  @Todd,
  
  I agree, but let’s not fool ourselves that Romney or Ryan are constitutionalists. They speak a good game, but their track records do not suggest they are constitutionalists. That being said, the Romney budget is a start. If that is all we do as a nation, it doesn’t change a blasted thing. As one poster pointed out, we go over the cliff at 60 mph vs. 80 mph. All the RINO’s on the board are convinced that this incremental step is necessary. I disagree as I think the cliff is closer than most do. At least there is lip service to shrinking the size of government even though it is symbolic. Hard for me to trust a guy that prototyped Obamacare.
  Report Post »
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:09pm
  Todd,you actually think there’s something free in this world? Government has no money and not just since the mulatto in chief infected the white house,from the beginning of our republic.They never have and never will have money because it’s our money,government just redistributes our money to favored interests.
  Report Post »
oldasdirt
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:18pm
Picking Paul Ryan gives me hope.I like the R&R ticket a lot.
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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:32pm
  Indeed R & R: Restore and Regenerate the Republic.
  
  Romney made the best choice in Ryan, and the fact they maintained the secret for as long as they did speaks volumes. Suprisingly the Democrats so far have not made light of the moves done to get the meeting of Ryan/Romney as some form of ‘unholy union from the abyss’ or such.
  
  We have seen the Democrats outmaneuvered and outsmarted; and the press as well, which is not too hard to do when one puts their mind to it.
  Report Post »
- audiemurphy
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:15pm
  Reading many of the posts shows that no matter who was picked some one would have moaned and complained and thrown Reagan under the bus.
  The plain fact is this: decades of shady government has divided and made the average American no longer trust in the government no matter who and what party affiliation.
  Faith hope and trust in God and a vote will put America on the right track. Synicism will not.
  Report Post »
NOBALONEY
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:16pm
Kudlow goes with the tide, and whichever way the wind blows
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Apple Bite
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:15pm
“Fiscal not Whimsical”
Romney*Ryan ‘12
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NDPINDNT
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:13pm
Ronald Reagan stands alone. Both sides try to compare their canidate including the pres to him. Nobody comes close.
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- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:46pm
  Reagan was great, but for some reason we all have a tendency to romanticize people that we think fondly of. Reagan was conservative but his actions weren’t always. While his large tax reduction plans were heralded (and rightly so) such as TEFRA86&82, he did in fact raise taxes on multiple instances albeit that taxes generally went down on his watch. Furthermore, spending increased at a slower rate under Reagan, but it did still increase. When Reagan took office spending/GNI was at 28%. When he left it was at 29%. Reagan said the right things. Reagan believed the right things. Reagan made compromises with Tip O’Niel that never came to fruition. The cuts never materialized and Reagan still signed the budgets. I think Reagan was a great man, but he wasn‘t the fiscal stalwart that we think and he shouldn’t be the standard bearer for Romney.
  
  Which leads us to the Romney plan. I think it is obviously better than Obama’s plan. However, it is hampered by the same issue that Reagan had. These programs are monsters. Any savings he’s projecting can easily be offset in “crisis” funding arrangements. Case in point…the Post Office. We‘ll see what happens when people start squealing and if he’ll have resolve to follow through. Additionally, he will be greeted with a recession so revenue is going to dry up. He also, will not have the line item veto he had in MA. His plan nibbles at the edges…I wish him the best.
  Report Post »
mcsledge
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:13pm
I‘m amazed at how many people doubt Romney’s take on being fiscally responsible. Did he make his wealth by spending more than he made? Hell no.

Can you expect less from your government with Romney as President? Yes, and you should. Government needs to get out of the way and stop controlling our lives.
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- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:57pm
  I don’t believe it right now. Here’s why.
  
  1. He doesn’t have a line item veto and politically will be forced to sign off of fiscally bad policy.
  2. He prototyped Obamacare with Romneycare. Someone who is a fiscal conservative free market, liberty loving, conservative just doesn’t do such a thing.
  3. I don’t entirely trust John McCain (or Reid…depending on elections) and John Boehner to give him legislation that reflects conservative fiscal policy.
  4. He has stated in as many words that he will not take on the Fed head to head.
  5. We are getting ready for another recession. The reaction will be to “fix it” and to fix it they will spend. Remember, Ryan pleaded FOR tarp.
  
  Maybe I’m wrong. Hopefully I’m wrong. If Romney wins and the GOP gets congress anyone want to make a bet with me now on whether total federal spending as a % of GDP or GNI is less than it is today?
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- cykonas
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 7:21pm
  McSledge, I have no doubt the Governor Romney handles his own money and his own financial affairs in a responsible manner. You are right there.
  
  However, his record in MA and his publicly stated positions over the last 5 years while running for President suggest to me that he is NOT responsible when he is spending other peoples money. That would be your money, my money and the money that all of the rest of the American taxpayers have had stolen from them.
  
  FDR was a very wealthy man, but was he a great President and a fiscal conservative? LBJ, who came from almost nothing was very well off in later years but was he a great President and a fiscal conservative? Using personal finances as a yardstick to measure a candidate is not the way to go. It proves absolutely nothing. Peace.
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- bullcrapbuster
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 8:11pm
  @roth…..that is a bet you would be sure to lose.
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JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:09pm
Romney/Ryan 2012!!!!!!!!!!
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Gonzo
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:58pm
Break it down to a 30 second sound bite Mitt. I hate to admit it, but it has to fit on a bumper sticker for your average American to grasp it.
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LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:57pm
…
Romney received a standing ovation at the end of the NAACP speech, but hardly no one in the media reported this.
The media was afraid that Obama would lose some votes over to Romney.
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- Teufel Hunden
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 2:43pm
  I usually don’t give credence to standing ovations as a test of ones success. I received a standing ovation after playing an accordion solo when I was a kid. It wasn’t until later that I learned the standing ovation was more likely due to the fact that I had stopped playing the damned thing. People were so happy that I was finished that they clapped me off the stage. I don’t know if it was true but I never doubted any of the other stuff my older brother told me.
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RoguePO
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:57pm
Not a bad article but I wouldn’t compare RR to anyone.
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watersRpeople
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:57pm
Rah rah economy hoorah. But some of the more intellectual credit Reagan with massively increasing spending, putting America in the bassinet, and rocking us to sleep regarding Communism while America turned Red with an outer green shell, and pink coastlines.
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- DEFCON4
  Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:21pm
  Wow that’s like some awesome poetry…….thanks Mr. Spacolie
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RANGER1965
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:57pm
I’m way to cynical these days to trust this kind of reasoning. But choosing Ryan as his VP is a step in the right direction.
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termyt
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 1:55pm
Since Reagan? Sure. It’s not like the Republicans have been all that fiscally conservative since Reagan left office.
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