Romney Speaks at CPAC
(Mitt Romney in Michigan)
Yesterday, Mitt Romney got the rock star treatment at CPAC. The crowds around the television weren’t as thick as for Giuliani. Some chanted, “FLIP FLOP! FLIP FLOP!” Still, there were plenty of supporters and other conservatives wanted to hear the ex-governor. He spoke on all facets of conservatism, economics and the budget, society, and national security.
His bronzed skin and touch of gray in his hair Romney looked Presidential as he bragged of cutting 600 state workers from the Massachusetts government, and turning a $200 million tax increase into a $200 million tax refund.
Romney’s tired of the growing federal government and pledged as President to cap non-defense, discretionary spending to inflation minus 1%. Any budget bill, Democratic or Republican, that didn’t meet that mark would be vetoed. “I like to veto,” Romney proudly told his audience, taking a dig at President Bush.
Business thinking entered into Romney’s speech with his idea of a “top-to-bottom” review of government programs. He did that in business and running the Olympics. “I can’t wait to get my hands on Washington.” His mission would be to “take apart government” and make it “smarter and smaller.”
Another idea touted by Romney was a savings plan that didn’t tax investment interest and capital gains.
Sen. John McCain was Romney’s big target. He bashed the McCain-Kennedy immigration bill. Then he went for the jugular saying he would “fight to repeal McCain-Feingold.” That gave him tons of applause.
After his speech Romney worked his way to Bloggers’ Row. He was surrounded by cameras and supporters yet his gave a few webloggers an opportunity to ask a few questions. It was too much like a campaign appearance even though the first primary is 11 months away. James Joyner put it, “His pitch, like that of most candidates, is very high level and platitudinous.” He challenged Romney on his proposed budget cuts that amounted to only $30 billion a year, a “rounding error.” Businessman Mitt simply said it would make a difference.
Marshall Manson got Romney on the record on the judiciary (”You have to have people who are willing to follow the law… Who don’t believe in substituting cocktail party values for constitutional law”) and guns (”I support the second amendment, but i also support an assault weapons ban.”)
With so many questions on foreign policy and campaign strategy I asked Romney about needed reform of Sarbanes-Oxley. Romney answered that the law has good intentions but it put onerous burdens and small and medium business.
I was struck by how much he looks like Bruce Campbell in “Army of Darkness.” I half expected Romney to raise one hand only to find it had been replaced by a chainsaw.