Romney on stride in Florida
St. Augustine, Florida (CNN) – Fresh off a non-stop weekend of campaigning with his new running mate, Mitt Romney still seemed to be riding high at a free-wheeling rally Monday morning in Florida.
The presumptive GOP nominee diverted from his standard stump speech into a host of new material tailored to voters in this prized swing state: on the American space program, the housing crisis that hit Florida particularly hard, and the Medicare program popular with seniors.
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"We want to make sure that we preserve and protect Medicare," Romney said, as he praised Paul Ryan, the House budget chairman and new addition to the Republican ticket.
Romney's assertion came as Democrats moved quickly to define Ryan on the national stage as an ultra-conservative who would dismantle the government health care program beloved by seniors. Ryan was the architect of House Republicans' budget plan to address the national deficit, including a proposal to reshape Medicare for citizens under age 55.
"Mitt Romney's not telling the truth about the Medicare savings in the health reform law," said Obama campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith on Monday. "It's unfortunate that Mitt Romney would rather distort the truth than have an honest debate about the devastating impact the Romney-Ryan plan would have on Florida's seniors."
Romney's Monday rally – his first solo appearance since his vice presidential announcement – was closely watched by politicos and the media, after he drew larger-than-usual and very enthusiastic audiences at events with Ryan over the weekend.
Monday morning, the Orlando Sentinel reported Romney canceled a third Florida event due to exhaustion from his busy weekend. Campaign spokesman Kevin Madden pushed back on that report, saying Romney had a "packed schedule and a full day" including meetings with staff.
For his part, Romney offered his audience a full-throated celebration of America, both at the Olympics and in the NASA space program.
"I know there are people around the world who are always critical of America, have something negative to say, say our greatest days are in the past. Baloney. We just won more Olympic medals than any other nation on earth," Romney said.
He continued: "We just landed on Mars and took a good look at what's going on there. And, I know the Chinese are planning on going to the moon, and I hope they have a good experience doing that, and I hope they stop in and take a look at our flag that was put there 43 years ago!"
In an apparent rebuke to the event's organizers, Romney made mention of the lines of supporters who listened from outside the security barricades at Flagler College.
"I understand there are even more people outside those barricades than inside here, so the people way out there, thank you for coming today," he said. "Looks like we just didn't have enough of those mags [magnetometers] to get everybody in in time."
Romney closed his event with a story about a Boy Scout troop leader who arranged to have their troop's American flag aboard the Challenger space shuttle, which exploded on takeoff in a deadly tragedy.
NASA later found the flag in perfect condition, Romney said.
"I looked over at that flag and I put my hand on it and pulled it out - it was like electricity was running through my arm as I was holding onto that flag," Romney said. "You see, to me it represented the people who strive in this nation. The people who reach out, who make discoveries that enhance America. It's the nature of who we are."
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"And, I know the Chinese are planning on going to the moon, and I hope they have a good experience doing that, and I hope they stop in and take a look at our flag that was put there 43 years ago!"
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My gosh!! This guy is so LAME. Does he plan on building a colony on the moon as well? I guess he's going to give Newt a cabinet position if elected. On another note, he should have taken Ryan with him to Florida so he can explain how he's going to leave seniors them to fend for themselves. How about Willard man up and address the voter surpression going on in Florida.
RELEASE YOUR TAXES NOW!!!
Has a shell company overseas (P.O. box only), money in overseas tax havens (he is not paying his fair share on his taxable income), afraid to show more tax returns. Man if this was Obama back in 2008, lets be honest!
For this reason alone, I could never ever vote such a person into office!
Independent for Obama 2012
Yes – smae as those lines outside the barricades at the unemployment office waiting for jobs that he caused to be losy or that his cohort republicans under Reagan and two Bushes lost thru their greed and stupidity
"We want to make sure that we preserve and protect Medicare," Romney said, as he praised Paul Ryan, the House budget chairman and new addition to the Republican ticket.
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By putting Paul Ryan on his team, Mitt Romney shows his dedication to saving Medicare and doing the things that seriously need to be done right now in Washington. It's time for the federal government to start doing the work of the nation instead of just the work of politics. The Obama Administration has brought out the worst of what Washington can be and the result of political partisanship for the American people and the nation have been dreadful. Let's get back to work on the real issues and fix them. We are fully capable of creating 12 million American jobs in 4 years but not if we allow our federal government to become bogged down in partisan politics. Romney/ Ryan 2012!
Bet he didn't mention his boy wants to take their medicare and social security from them. I guess the wrong Willard went to Florida, well maybe on his next visit the other Willard will be there.
I expect lots of BOOS! The kill medicare campaign is in full swing. Seniors will let you know Robmey how they feel about that.
Taxes, Mitt the twit! We can still see you. Paul the boy wonder Ryan, will not distract from your duty as a presidential candidate to show us your taxes. Until then you are just a face in the crowd saying nothing and talking loud.
"Exhaustion"...LoL What a joke. Dude hasn't done anything yet to be exhausted. Maybe he's exhausted from flipping back & forth on his ideas. Or he's super exhausted from trying to remember all his lies he's told thus far....LoL
Ryan's plan has bipartisan support from the very left Senator Wyden, D-Oregon. Why no outrage for Wyden?
For the last few months the Presidential campaign was Romney vs Biden – Obama. Romney went from 7% down to 3% up ... Watch out Obama, it is now 2 against 2. The R&R is going to whip the B&O ... B&O, kind of smells stinky.
More lies and decite from Obama, the man spews out constant lies, distortions and hate out of his filthy mouth. He does not care about the Middle Class, if you notice he does not talk about the ecomony, all he does is run people down. I do not know about you but that is not the kind of person I want running this country. Romney and Ryan offer fresh hope, sound economic plan, for a better America vote Romney/Ryan
"By putting Paul Ryan on his team, Mitt Romney shows his dedication to saving Medicare"
By putting Paul Ryan on his team, Mitt Romney shows his dedication to repealing and replacing Medicare with the Couponcare Crapshoot.
FIFY
"Romney went from 7% down to 3% up ... "
No he didn't. Mittens is down by approximately 6 points across the board and electoral college map projections across the spectrum have Obama already winnin unless something drastically changes. I'd say it's rose colored glasses but you're not just seeing a different tint...you're basking in your own reality.
Why no outrage for Wyden, why should there be? Partisan support that's how you get bills past, get things done.
The GOP just dont get it's all about that "C" word Mr "Fair"
Indepedent for Obama 2012
Snifitt right on again.
For the education on the Ryan Budget plan that Robmey has adopted, it is kill Medicare. So long Seniors, but you are on your own to figure out how to get medical care. Let's toss in the poor, education cuts, head start funding going away along with free lunch programs. Women, there goes the federal funding to Planned Parenthood. Veterans can forget the benefits that will be cut. Immigrants, the DREAM act will be dissolved.
Sheriff of Nothingham Robmey will make sure the poor and middle class are the tax payers to he can keep the money for people like himself.
I am all for a person of any sex or race moderating but they should not be so clearly biased! This is a ridiculous choice.
blah blah blah,
Would never ever vote for a "TAX DODGER"
Obama 2012
"Why no outrage for Wyden, why should there be? Partisan support that's how you get bills past, get things done.
The GOP just dont get it's all about that "C" word Mr "Fair"
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So I'll assume that the next commercial coming out will have Sen. Wyden rolling grandma over the cliff. Can't wait. And it's MRS. Fair, dude.
The anti-Romney comments on this post are so full of misinformation! Please, Americans, listen and do research! Obama's healthcare plan guts $716 million from Medicare (or more). That's true! Ryan's plan will leave Medicare as it currently is for all who are over 55. For younger Americans, they have the choice of keeping the current plan or choosing a private medicare plan! Don't let your pride and liberal bias cloud your intelligent reason! Obama has great rhetoric, but he has not improved the condition of the nation. Not one member of Congress, Dem or Repub, has voted for the budgets he has presented the last 3 years. He hasn't even passed one budget since inaugurated. He is a handsome, charismatic man, but he is not a good president!
Mitt is trying to lie his way out of this one, We want to make sure that we preserve and protect Medicare," Romney said, as he praised Paul Ryan, the House budget chairman and new addition to the Republican ticket. No way Mitt, Ryan has said from day one Medicare is gone.
If you get a coupon for $7,000 from GOP govt and doctor says your bill is $15,000, who is going to cover the difference?
Also, there is an agreement between me and the USA govt when I started paying into FICA; I honor my part and the govt need to honor its part.
Any changes to Medicare wouldn't affect ANYBODY over 55 years of age yet not one single Democrat is ever heard saying this. WHY do they constantly lie to and frighten the elderly?? WHY do they do this to these poor old people?? Isn't this some form of elder abuse??
"Also, there is an agreement between me and the USA govt when I started paying into FICA; I honor my part and the govt need to honor its part."
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The USA govt is going bankrupt. Under bankruptcy laws, the terms of agreements change. Get ready for it... there's going to be a lot of them coming.
How can you talk taxes with a TAX DODGER?
You can't!
What will it be Romney...days, months, years.
Would never vote for a "Tax Dodger" for President, and if America does shame on U.S.
"Any changes to Medicare wouldn't affect ANYBODY over 55 years of age yet not one single Democrat is ever heard saying this. WHY do they constantly lie to and frighten the elderly?? "
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Because they have their lapdogs in the MSM and other outlets doing the dirty work for them.
He continued: "We just landed on Mars and took a good look at what's going on there. And, I know the Chinese are planning on going to the moon, and I hope they have a good experience doing that, and I hope they stop in and take a look at our flag that was put there 43 years ago!"
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Romney continues to open his mouth and insert his foot. The Chinese would be on the moon, while the US is stalled because the NASA budget for a new launch vehicle capable of reaching the moon has been cut.