Romney Promises Economic Recovery

By Caitlin O’Beirne

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney’s promised “big change” for the United States economy if he is elected in 11 days.

At a speech to reporters in Iowa Friday, Romney said in order to restore the U.S. economy he would, “put aside the small and the petty, and demand the scale of change we deserve.”

Romney did not unveil specific plans or answer questions about his economic policies…such as how he would pay for his tax plan or replace national health care.

His speech fell on the same day the Commerce Department reported the U.S. economy expanded by 2 percent from July to September, which is faster than the annual rate.

In the first half of his 20 minute speech outside the Kinzler Construction Services in Ames, Romney criticized President Barack Obama’s campaign and ineffectiveness as President.

“The president’s campaign falls far short of the magnitude of these times. And the presidency of the last four years has fallen far short of the promises of his last campaign. Four years ago, American voted for a post-partisan president, but they have seen the most partisan of political of presidents, and a Washington in gridlock because of it,” Romney said.

Romney also said he’s hopeful for the future. He said as president he would focus on Medicare and Social Security rather than on health care as Obama has done.

Romney said, “This is not the time to double down on the trickle-down government policies that have failed us. It is time for new, bold changes that measure up to the moment that can bring America’s families the certainty that the future will be better than the past.”

Obama’s campaign responded to the speech by criticizing Romney’s policies in comparison to Obama’s policies.

Obama campaign spokesperson Lis Smith said in response, “Romney has started promising ‘big change’ but the only change Romney’s offering is to take us back to the same failed policies that crashed our economy in the first place. That’s not the change we need, and with every ‘major speech’ Mitt Romney just reminds voters that’s all he’s got to offer,”

National spokesman for the Obama campaign added, “Change is making the middle class more secure by investing in job creating programs, increasing access to higher education, lowering health care costs and ensuring that Wall Street doesn’t go unchecked. We have made great strides and the middle class can’t afford to turn back.”

Image Courtesy: AP Images