comMITTed to Romney!

Setting The Record Straight About Governor Romney’s Record

BY THE NUMBERS: 300,000 Newly Insured, More Health Care Options And Premiums Cut In Half Under The Massachusetts Health Care Plan:

Over Half Of the State’s Uninsured Have Gotten Health Insurance Under The Massachusetts Health Care Reforms Led by Governor Romney. “While the tragic problem of the uninsured continues to grow in the U.S., Massachusetts has reversed this trend. Halfway through implementing reform, we have already significantly reduced our uninsured population. Some 300,000 new enrollees represents almost 5% of our entire state population and over half the (pre-reform) uninsured, by most credible estimates of that number.” (Massachusetts Commonwealth Connector, http://www.mahealthconnector.org/, Accessed 1/25/08)

The Massachusetts Health Care Reforms Have Significantly Expanded Health Insurance Choices For Consumers. “After receiving bids from 10 carriers, for the first plan year, six different carriers are now offering 42 plan options through the Connector for the unsubsidized population, and enrollment in those plans began on May 1. That’s approxi¬mately 41 more options than most Americans have today. Nationally, 80 percent of companies offering health benefits provide workers a choice of one plan - take it or leave it. Outside of federal workers in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Massachusetts citizens getting health insurance through the Connector are among the only group of Americans who can shop in a competitive health insurance market with such a broad range of health care choices.” (Edmund F. Haislmaier, “The Massachusetts Health Reform: Assessing its Significance and Progress, Heritage Lecture #1077, 9/21/07)

The Massachusetts Health Care Reforms Have Slashed Health Insurance Premiums By Nearly Half. “Pre-reform, the lowest premium for a typical uninsured 37-year-old in Boston was $335 per month with a $5,000 annual deductible. Now, through the Connector, the same individual can get health coverage for $184 per month ($118 pre-tax) with a $2,000 deductible - well below the $250 a month target set back when the leg¬islation was being developed. Indeed, most can get a health plan worth twice the value at half the price.” (Edmund F. Haislmaier, “The Massachusetts Health Reform: Assessing its Significance and Progress, Heritage Lecture #1077, 9/21/07)

BY THE NUMBERS: Governor Romney Cut Taxes 19 Times:

CAPITAL GAINS TAXES: Governor Romney Turned The Legislature’s $250 Million Retroactive Capital Gains Tax Increase Into A $250 Million Tax Refund. (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Conservative Political Action Conference, Washington, D.C., 3/2/07)

INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Governor Romney Signed An Economic Stimulus Package Making The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) Permanent. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Economic Stimulus, Supplemental Budget Bills,” Press Release, 11/26/03)

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF: Governor Romney Proposed And Signed Legislation Providing Property Tax Relief To Senior Citizens, Enabling Them To Keep Their Homes. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Bill To Give Seniors Tax Relief,” Press Release, 11/20/05)

2004 SALES TAX HOLIDAY: Governor Romney Enacted The State’s First-Ever Sales Tax Holiday In 2004. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Promotes Tax-Free Shopping Day On Saturday,” Press Release, 8/14/04)

2005 SALES TAX HOLIDAY: Governor Romney Enacted A Second Sales Tax Holiday. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney, Dimasi, Hart Promote Tax-Free Shopping Weekend,” Press Release, 8/14/0)

BIOTECH MANUFACTURING JOBS TAX REBATE: Governor Romney Proposed And Enacted A Tax Rebate For Manufacturing Jobs Created In The Biotechnology, Life Sciences And Medical Device Fields. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Economic Stimulus, Supplemental Budget Bills,” Press Release, 11/26/03)

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: Governor Romney Proposed And Enacted An Expansion Of The Research And Development Tax Credit. (Jay Fitzgerald, “Gov Nearly Halves Package; Rebellious Legislators Vow To Override Stimulus Vetoes,” The Boston Herald, 11/27/03)

LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT: Governor Romney Extended The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. (Jessica Fargen, “Romney Pegs Courthouses For Repair Money,” The Patriot Ledger, 8/11/04)

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TAX RELIEF: Governor Romney Ended The Prescription Drug Tax Which Fell Disproportionately On Seniors. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs No New Tax Budget In Time For New Fiscal Year,” Press Release, 6/30/03)

COMMUTER TAX RELIEF: Governor Romney Signed Legislation Allowing Commuters To Deduct Transportation Costs From Their Income Taxes. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Governor Romney Signs $25.2 Billion FY 2007 State Budget,” Press Release, 7/8/06)

VETERANS TAX RELIEF: Governor Romney Signed Legislation Providing Disabled Massachusetts Veterans With Extensive Tax Exemptions. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Expands Tax Benefits For Disabled Veterans,” Press Release, 8/14/06)

HOME HEATING OIL DEDUCTION/ENERGY EFFICIENT CREDIT: Governor Romney Signed Legislation Giving Homeowners A Deduction Of Up To $800 For Home Heating Costs And Providing A One-Time Credit For Homeowners Who Purchase Energy Efficient Heating Products. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Legislation To Provide Energy Price Relief And Increase Conservation,” Press Release, 11/22/05)

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Governor Romney Proposed And Enacted A Refundable Tax Credit To Promote Development At The Former Fort Devens U.S. Army Base. (Stephen Heuser, “$660M Drug Plant, 550 Jobs For Mass.,” The Boston Globe, 6/2/06)

FIRE SAFETY TAX DEDUCTION: Governor Romney Proposed And Enacted A Tax Deduction For Businesses Installing Automatic Sprinkler Systems To Enhance Fire Safety. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Into Law Landmark Fire Safety Legislation,” Press Release, 8/17/04)

CONFORMITY TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX CODE: Under Governor Romney, Massachusetts Was Brought Into Conformity With The Federal Code, Providing Massachusetts Taxpayers With A Range Of Credits, Exemptions and Deductions Previously Unavailable To Them. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Urges Taxpayers To File For New Tax Breaks,” Press Release, 1/24/06)

MEDICAL DEVICE TAX CREDIT: Governor Romney Enacted Legislation Providing A Tax Credit For User Fees Paid By Medical Device Manufacturers to The U.S. Food And Drug Administration. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Expands Tax Benefits For Disabled Veterans,” Press Release, 8/14/06)

MOTION PICTURE TAX CREDIT: Governor Romney Signed Legislation Providing Tax Incentives For Movie And Television Production In Massachusetts. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “‘Lights, Camera, Action!’ In Massachusetts,” Press Release, 11/23/05)

BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT EXTENTION: Governor Romney Signed Legislation Extending The Tax Credit For Brownfield Site Redevelopment. (”Campaign Notes,” The Berkshire Eagle, 7/8/06)

HISTORIC REHABILITATION TAX CREDIT: Under Governor Romney, The Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Was Created Which Provides A Tax Credit For The Renovation Of Historic Buildings. (The General Court Of The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts, Chapter 141 Of The Acts Of 2003, “An Act Relative To Investments In Emerging Technologies To Promote Job Creation, Economic Stability And Competitiveness In The Massachusetts Economy”)

BY THE NUMBERS: $20 Billion For America’s Energy Independence:

Governor Romney Proposed $20 Billion For Energy Research And To Make America Energy Independent. GOVERNOR ROMNEY: “Of course, taking off those burdens is only part of the solution. If we’re going to be the world’s greatest economic power, we also have to invest in the future. It’s time for us to be bold. I will make a five-fold increase – from $4 billion to $20 billion – in our national investment in energy research, fuel technology, materials science, and automotive technology. Let’s invest in our future.” (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks, Detroit, MI, 1/14/08)

Governor Romney Opposes A Bailout Of The Automobile Industry. GOVERNOR ROMNEY: “I am not open to a bail out, but I am open to a work out. Washington should not be a benefactor, but it can and must be a partner.” (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks, Detroit, MI, 1/14/08)

BY THE NUMBERS: Governor Romney Wins Among Conservatives And Republicans:

Governor Romney Won Among Self-Identified Republicans In New Hampshire Over Senator McCain. “In New Hampshire, a state McCain had won in 2000 and lavished time and attention on this time around, he lost self-identified Republicans narrowly – 35 percent to 34 percent – to former governor Mitt Romney. But, it was among independents where McCain’s winning margin came as he won that bloc by 13 points over Romney.” (Chris Cillizza, “McCain And The Closed Primary Challenge,” Washington Post’s The Fix, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/, 1/24/08)

Senator McCain Lost Among Republicans In South Carolina. “In South Carolina, McCain lost Republicans by a statistically insignificant margin, but carried independents by a massive 42 percent to 25 percent margin – ensuring his narrow three-point victory.” (Chris Cillizza, “McCain And The Closed Primary Challenge,” Washington Post’s The Fix, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/, 1/24/08)

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Every time I hear Michael Medved he says something that is not true.

He just said that “John McCain has never voted to raise taxes, in his 25 years in the Senate”. What Michael meant is McCain never introduced an ear mark for “pork” spending.

Does anyone know what percentage “pork” spending makes of the federal government? I know we all hate pork. It is very stupid, and we need to fix it. That is why we need the line-item veto. But, if I hear McCain mention the bridge to no-where 1 more time I am going to puke. We could build millions of bridges to no-were and it would not equal the budget problems we are going to have with entitlement spending.

Medved lies every time I listen to him. He never retracts the inaccurate stupid things that he says. I can not stand him any more.

They typically don’t say that senators “raise” taxes or “lower” taxes. All senators do is vote for or against different spending bills. But yes McCain has voted for a lot more spending, not to mention the new carbon tax that he wants, and social security taxes that he has supported. But what really ticks me off about Medved is the way that he lies and misrepresents the truth. Medved keeps talking about McCain’s “American’s for Tax Reform” score. Well as they say, the devil is in the detail.

# From 1994 through 1997, McCain scored a perfect 100 in each year representing a Reagan-type approach to taxpayer issues.
# From 1998-2002 McCain’s average rating was just 66 percent.

So in 1994 he was good on taxes. But in 2002 he ended a period of time that the “American’s for Tax Reform” gave him a 66%. So he is getting worse over time!

# In 2001 McCain scored just 55 percent and in 2002 he scored 60 percent!
# n 2003 he scored an 85 percent but the votes he was scored against were related the 2003 tax cut – arguably the most important taxpayer vote since the 1993 Clinton tax increase.
# Out of favor with the Republican base, McCain has slowly tried to reinvent himself as a taxpayer friendly Senator and has scored a 90 percent in the past two years.

McCain voted no on 6 tax cuts including the two big votes - final passage of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

McCain voted yes on 3 tax cuts including 2 which received near unanimous support in the Senate and were relatively non controversial.

So, lets see, he voted for 3 small tax cuts and against 6 big tax cuts, but according to Medved McCain is the most conservative guy in the race.

# McCain does not support permanent repeal of the estate tax, a major goal of the taxpayer movement.
# McCain has told reporters “off the record” that he would raise taxes if elected President

Go here.

For more go here and here.

But the real question is who is going to cut spending and cut taxes: someone who has been in Washington for 25 years teaming up with Ted Kennedy and more often than the republican party, or someone who has been fixing budgets, and bottom lines by cutting fat, reducing duplication, and finding efficiencies his entire life?

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Gov. Romney: Stimulus To Grow Jobs

Gov. Romney: Turning Around Massachusetts

Gov. Romney: Changing Washington

Gov. Romney: General Petraeus Not General Clinton

Gov. Romney: Supporting The Mission In Iraq

Gov. Romney: Working Together On Social Security

For more go here.

http://www.mittromney.com/News/Debates/Florida_Boca_Raton/index

McCain Falsely Claimed That He Won Among Republicans In NH And SC

In Tonight’s Debate, Sen. McCain Falsely Claimed That He Won The Republican Vote In Both New Hampshire And South Carolina:

MCCAIN: “But Look, I Won The Majority Of Republican Vote In Both New Hampshire And South Carolina.” (MSNBC, [Unverified Transcript], Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Boca Raton, FL, 1/24/08)

However, Sen. McCain Lost In Both New Hampshire And South Carolina Among Self-Identified Conservatives And Republicans :

McCain Lost Among Self-Identified Republicans In New Hampshire. “In New Hampshire, a state McCain had won in 2000 and lavished time and attention on this time around, he lost self-identified Republicans narrowly — 35 percent to 34 percent — to former governor Mitt Romney. But, it was among independents where McCain’s winning margin came as he won that bloc by 13 points over Romney.” (Chris Cillizza, “McCain And The Closed Primary Challenge,” Washington Post’s The Fix, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/, 1/24/08)

McCain Lost Among Republicans In South Carolina. “In South Carolina, McCain lost Republicans by a statistically insignificant margin, but carried independents by a massive 42 percent to 25 percent margin — ensuring his narrow three-point victory.” (Chris Cillizza, “McCain And The Closed Primary Challenge,” Washington Post’s The Fix, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/,1/24/08)

Conservatives Are Wary Of McCain’s Past Tendencies And Willingness To Team Up With Liberal Senators. “McCain has long had difficulty currying favor from his party’s conservative wing. Despite his solid voting record in the senate, many ardent Republicans have been unhappy with his past willingness to team up with liberal Sens. Russ Feingold on campaign finance reform and Ted Kennedy on immigration.” (Alexander Mooney, “McCain Brushes Aside Suggestion Of Weak Republican Support,” http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/20/mccain-brushes-aside-suggestion-of-weak-republican-support/, 1/20/08)

“Support from the base will be crucial in upcoming contests: McCain now faces a bevy of state primaries where independents are not allowed to participate, beginning with Florida’s vote on January 29. But the Arizona senator is predicting that his support among veterans, his economic proposals, and his record on environmental issues important to many Floridians will carry him to victory there.” (Alexander Mooney, “McCain Brushes Aside Suggestion Of Weak Republican Support,” http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/20/mccain-brushes-aside-suggestion-of-weak-republican-support/, 1/20/08)

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Here are some latest news bits about Mitt.

Top Thompson Fla. fundraiser joins Romney

By The Hill Staff

Mitchell said she decided to go with Romney after she was contacted by the other GOP campaigns. She said she will likely start raising money for the former governor after she meets with him Sunday.
Mitchell said she thinks “a lot of the people I brought to the table for Fred will go with Romney.”

Scoring Mitchell and her considerable Sunshine State connections could prove to be invaluable for Romney in Florida’s Jan. 29 primary, as poll after poll continues to show a tight race.

Duncan Hunter endorses …. Mike Huckabee?!  Hmmm…

Hunter backs Huckabee

Hunter’s endorsement could help Huckabee with his credentials on illegal immigration and border security. The congressman’s presidential campaign never caught fire and ended Saturday, following the Nevada Caucus.
 

Louisiana results - Mitt gets another bronze - well, probably…

Louisiana Caucus: McCain wins, Paul second, Romney third

State party officials cautioned that the results were preliminary. In order for a voter to be eligible to participate in the Caucus they must have been registered with the state Republican Party by November 30 2007. Party official are still verifying provisional ballots for newly registered voters which may boost Paul’s numbers a little since most of the newly registered voters supported his candidacy.
The delegates elected at the Caucus will attend a state convention on February 16th where they will elect national delegates. As a result it is unclear at this time how many delegates each candidate will receive.

Finally, on a McCant, McCranky, McCain note - Ann Coulter says it like only Ann can.  Hat tip to reader Louise for this one!

‘Straight Talk’ Express Takes Scenic Route to Truth

 

John McCain is Bob Dole minus the charm, conservatism and youth. Like McCain, pollsters assured us that Dole was the most “electable” Republican. Unlike McCain, Dole didn’t lie all the time while claiming to engage in Straight Talk.

Of course, I might lie constantly too, if I were seeking the Republican presidential nomination after enthusiastically promoting amnesty for illegal aliens, Social Security credit for illegal aliens, criminal trials for terrorists, stem-cell research on human embryos, crackpot global warming legislation and free speech-crushing campaign-finance laws.

I might lie too, if I had opposed the Bush tax cuts, a marriage amendment to the Constitution, waterboarding terrorists and drilling in Alaska.

It’s good, keep reading …

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Congratulations to Governor Romney and his campaign team on a great win in Michigan tonight! As they say down South, he gave the competition a “thumpin’.”

It will be fascinating to analyze the exit polls to see just what the dynamics of the voting indicates. One thing that jumped out of the stats I saw was that among Catholics who go to church weekly, 41% voted for Gov. Romney. So much for Pastor Mike’s attempt to divide and conquer.

Here is the updated delegate count. MSM pundits, pay very close attention to these numbers. Try to keep them in mind as you sit down at your desk and place your fingers on your computer’s keyboard.

These numbers should be the reason why you should exercise a healthy discipline with yourself if you are tempted to write another column or blog calling on Gov. Romney to withdraw from the race.

The reason that Gov. Romney has not taken your advise is because HE IS WINNING!!

Romney…………42

Hunter……………1

~~John Cronin~~

“For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each of us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, we will be measured by the answer to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage…..Second, were we truly men of judgment…..Third, were we truly men of integrity…..Finally, were we truly men of dedication?

We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change.”

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961

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