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Mitt Romney said Tuesday that cutting spending slows growth in the economy -- a rhetorical slip more akin to an argument a Democrat might make than a Republican.
Speaking in Shelby Township, MI, the former Massachusetts governor took a question about the Simpson-Bowles fiscal commission empaneled by President Obama to address the nation's deficit and debt issues. In his response, he said that addressing taxes and spending issues are essential.
"If you just cut, if all you're thinking about doing is cutting spending, as you cut spending you'll slow down the economy," he said in part of his response. "So you have to, at the same time, create pro-growth tax policies."
That sort of comment was sure to raise the eyebrows of fiscal conservatives in the GOP, who have long preached a message of fiscal restraint as a path to economic growth.
"It's hogwash. It confirms yet again that Romney is not a limited government conservative," said Andy Roth, the vice president for government affairs at the fiscally conservative Club for Growth. "The idea that balancing the budget would not help the economy is crazy. If we balanced the budget tomorrow on spending cuts alone, it would be fantastic for the economy."
Romney is set to unveil a new, more detailed economic plan later this week, especially as he works to shore up primary victories in Arizona and his native Michigan.
But he's offered an insight into his thinking by endorsing a previous fiscal plan (the Cut, Cap and Balance plan, which calls for cuts to spending, a cap on the growth of government spending, and a balanced budget amendment) that doesn't necessarily rely on accompanying tax reforms.
The Obama administration has been particularly clear about its view that cutting spending would strangle off any hope of an economic recovery. Jack Lew, the new White House chief of staff made that point in a Feb. 12 appearance on "Meet the Press."
"I think that there's pretty broad agreement that the time for austerity is not today," Lew said. "We need to be on a path where over the next several years we bring our deficit under control. Right now we have a recovery that's taking root and if we were to put in austerity measures right now, it would take the economy in the wrong way."
Romney's comment, if nothing else, would represent a rhetorical departure from the rest of the Republican Party, which has done battle with the Obama administration over the past year about the best course for economic growth.
"We’re listening to the people who sent us here to cut spending so we can grow our economy," House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said just less than a year ago, at the height of a fight between Obama and congressional Republicans over funding the government.
***UPDATE*** Romney spokesman Ryan Williams commented on the comments:
The governor’s point was that simply slashing the budget, with no affirmative pro-growth policies, is insufficient to get the economy turned around. However, he believes that budget cuts – especially in the context of President Obama’s unprecedented spending explosion – are a step in the right direction. As he made clear in his economic plan, he believes that spending cuts that reduce the size of government and balance the budget are crucial to economic growth and job creation.
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I told you folks a long time ago this man is a money-maker and corporate raider before he is any party affiliated, he doesn't care if he's President for 4 years or less as long as he's able to cut taxes for the richest of the rich (including himself) and make as much money as possible more then he cares about the country. This was no slip because he knows if he wants to give all these tax breaks to the 1% he's going to have make sure the older Americans are taking care of too otherwise he'd have a revolt on his hands. All you got to do is read his economic plan.
It's simple, Romney forgot to lie...
When all you do is lie, over time it becomes difficult to know the truth from the lies you are telling. He just got caught, he'd flip on it tomorrow.
At last, Romney got something right. It would be nice now if he would give a little credit to Obama who knows you cannot solely cut your way out of a deep recession to help the economy grow. Also, it would be nice if Romney would now explain. to his Republican friends over and over again, that you can't solely cut your way out of a severe recession or deep depression to help make the economy grow. Perhaps then more Republicans might get it, support Obama's strategy, and help grow our economy at an even faster rate.
Willard just took the silver spoon out of his mouth and shoved it up his own ass. LOL.
God.... I hope, and pray that Mr. Obama wins........ I dont want to read the news story about 10,000 liberals leaping off Mt Rushmore in a paxil laden frenzy! Just give me Ms Pelosi and Mr.Reid as minority leaders. And I dont know about you, but the constant not in my vagina drone lately has been over the top.
better than that "bendover and grab your ankles" meme. I hated seeing that repeated here everyday.
Is that because you don't have one is why you say it's been overplayed?
SALLY: Actually, Mr. Jolly is quite the p***y, don't you know.
Come to my city and walk down the my Detroit street...... roo boi. We will see who's whining when the one of local gangs cap your azz.
Jolly - maybe you should go outside more, like tonight.
And yet the die hard goper's/baggers still think they will win the election? How anyone, after seeing, reading, hearing all the ideas they spout out, support stated rape in VA, claims the l0 yr girl scouts are gay that was made in IN, their stance on supporting the church that hides child molesters, no birth control, no abortions, etc, etc.
And we all remember those "FAMILY VALUES." Yep, another pile of manure.
The loss of votes just keeps racking up. Most independent voters have turned their backs on them. How anyone can support them is beyond me, except they hate that "uppity" man in the oval office. Talk about a bunch of unamerican clowns.
You're right. They have now gone to battle with minorities, women, people who enjoy non-pro-creative sex, gays, the 99% and...Clint Eastwood. What vote are they playing for? White male 1 percenters? Good Luck with that.
You can hear the flip-flops a start'n......What I meant to say was 'Economic growth needs to cut spending'.
Oh Lordy, Willard actually uttered a truth. I believe in GOP land that is referred to as gaff. LOL
Everytime you think these bastards can't sink lower, they manage to prove you wrong. Looking forward to hearing him weasel out of this one.
Lol, only in rightie land do you have to "weasel out" of telling the truth! Stop telling the truth Mittens, it'll make Obama look like he's doing the right things.
The truth is liberal.
wow a republican told the truth in an election year. maybe the mayans were right about 2012
Then how bout' a sleepover induced by Oxycontin, which is the drug of choice of your noble leader; the one with the pyloric cyst?
AS I SAID BEFORE! I LOVE OUR OVERSEAS BROTHERS AND SISTER! But, our country would not be around if we don't provide jobs for our Citizens! It's was time to bring those jobs back home! The USA have reached out to help our overseas extended families of all Gods, by importing. We helped in aiding in their ways and needs of life, with improving cost of living for many of these wonderful folks. But, in doing so it have drained our country. Now, is time for us to replenished our needs, to help our families and friends restored our way of life and needs. Thanks To President Obama, he has returned badly needed Jobs to our Citizens, by restoring manufacturing jobs in our country! The job market have increased! Jobs are getting restored at an alarming rate! In the wake of these jobs getting restored, "glory be-hold" some manufactures have discovered, it is much cheaper to make some products in the USA after all! Also exporting is less costly. Way to go President Obama!, All others who support the President's agenda, our Gods and smiling and have gifted us with Leader, who is about the Citizens of this country.
OUR JOBS ARE COMING HOME!!!THANKS, PRESIDENT OBAMA! AS I SAID BEFORE! I LOVE
Oops! Mitt accidentally admits that the Republican argument that cutting spending would grow the economy is asinine.
Just another example of a case where Mitt seems to understand the situation, but then proposes policies that fly in the face of his own analysis. He's not dumb, but he also doesn't have an ounce of integrity. Still, probably better than a Santorum or a Paul who seem to really believe the absurd ideas they preach.
I mean, Clinton was thoroughly dishonest, but he was still a pretty decent president. Bush, I believe, was mostly sincere (aside from those Iraq WMD's anyway), but he was also clueless, and his administration was a total disaster for the country.
So Mitt finally speaks the truth...
Why did the GOP suddenly care about the deficit in February 2009????
To make the economy tank and acheive their #1 goal.......
To get Obama voted out of office because of a bad economy.
Flip Flop etc etc etc etc etc......
Romney accidentally spoke the truth. Reagan believed the same thing and increased spending, which in turn, got us out of recession. Republicans are the worst ideologues when it comes to the economy. They largely brought on their Great Recession and would return to economic degradation if they had the chance to legislate the repeal of regulation and precipitously cut spending. Their big problem would be finding spending to cut that would not cause disasters and dysfunction.
Cutting spending DOES slow economic growth. This is undeniable.
Severe conservative? Maybe not-maybe a realistic conservative instead. We've seen the autserity program in several countries-and not oneof them stimulated growth. Most thatisbecause out side force (oil prices,commodity prices) intervene to wreck the work of the socalled free market crrowd. In Argentia it was the beef prices and wheat prices thatdid intheausterity. Other courtieshave mostly the same experience.
The 320% cut inminimum wages in greece may cheer conservive hearts-but it cuts draticallybuy power that can'tbbemade up-and ripples through the econmybecause there now is nsaving for pensaions becauseeverything has to be used to meetevery day expenses. Yes,wages have beencut-butprices have not. And unless price control sare imposed as well, all thatis accomplished is an endless donward sprial that will not stop.
What you have is class warfare made very real.
Romney sort of understands that.
Richard Nixon famously said we are all Keynesian now
Poor Mitt, every time he opens his mouth, he actually inserts his foot! However, in this case, he's actually partially correct. Spending cuts alone will do nothing to stimulate the economy. The GoP carnival continues...
Spending cuts slow the economy - duh!
They actually do, Anita. This is the first thing Romney has said that makes any economic sense.
I agree. My sarcasm apparently was lost in translation. Sorry.
If Obama wins, maybe we can have a Obama/Romney from 2012 onwards? With enough autonomy, Romney might make an interesting VP. He might do more good than autonomous VP Richard Cheney.
In so many words, howdy-doody romney is simply repeating himself, saying, "flip-flop"..., again.
Just read that Santorum stated that he was an outsider in DC while in congress - What a liar! He was in tight with the K-street scandal. Met weekly with lobbyist including Jack Abramoff. Watch The Gang of Four starring Rick Santorum. This will provide a glimpse into his corruption. The media needs to vet this.
Not yet. Lets just sit back and see Mitt lose a couple more states first. Their is plenty of time to smush this insect on the windshield of truth.
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that Santorum took the most cash from corporate lobbyists of any other politician in Washington, adding that Santorum "has a black belt in hypocrisy" Watch Rick Santorum Who is He Walmart
I always liked Romney (when he was Romney). He was good Governor, he took on Health Care because he saw the need of it. You dont believe me? .Try to take that from Massachusetts people, they will kill you.
Its too bad that he was pulled so far to the right, he lost his way, he should stay in the middle (where he would feel comfortable).