On the issues: Mitt Romney
November 4, 2012 at 3:44AM
"The president has a view very similar to the view he had when he ran four years ago, that a bigger government, spending more, taxing more, regulating more -- if you will, trickle-down government -- would work. That's not the right answer for America. ... My priority is jobs. And so what I do is I bring down the tax rates, lower deductions and exemptions, the same idea behind Bowles-Simpson, by the way, get the rates down, lower deductions and exemptions, to create more jobs, because there's nothing better for getting us to a balanced budget than having more people working, earning more money, paying more taxes." ON AMERICANS
"Our campaign is a growing movement across this country where people recognize we're going to bring -- build a brighter future for the American family, for every family in this great country. ... I learned that respect and good will goes a long way, and it's likely to be reciprocated. That's how I would conduct myself as president. I won't just represent one party. I will represent one nation." ON HIGHER EDUCATION
"As a result of the expanding entitlement mentality, the Pell Grant program -- the foundation of the federal investment in student financial aid -- is on unsure financial footing. ... A Romney Administration will refocus Pell Grant dollars on the students that need them most.""Shop around, get a good price... ... And don't expect the government to forgive the debt that you take on." ON CHANGE
"I promise change, and I have a record of achieving it.""On Tuesday, America will make a choice between stagnation and prosperity. For four years, President Obama's policies have crushed America's middle class. For four years, President Obama has told us that things are getting better and that we're making progress. For too many American families, those words ring hollow. We can do better. We can have real economic growth, create millions of good-paying jobs, and give middle-class families the security and opportunity they deserve. When I'm president, I'm going to make real changes that lead to a real recovery, so that the next four years are better than the last." ON U.S. POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
"I congratulate him on -- on taking out Osama bin Laden and going after the leadership in Al-Qaida. But we can't kill our way out of this mess." ON THE U.S. ROLE IN THE WORLD
"Well, I -- I absolutely believe that America has a -- a responsibility and the privilege of helping defend freedom and promote the principles that -- that make the world more peaceful. And those principles include human rights, human dignity, free enterprise, freedom of expression, elections, because when there are elections, people tend to vote for peace." ON DEFENSE SPENDING
"Our Navy is smaller now than at any time since 1917. The Navy said they needed 313 ships to carry out their mission. We're now at under 285. We're headed down to the low 200s if we go through a sequestration. That's unacceptable to me." news services
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While the focus was on Vice President Kamala Harris in their first media interview of the presidential campaign, Walz was asked if voters could take him at his word.
