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PALM BEACH, Fla. — Mitt Romney went well beyond his standard stump speech at a closed-door fundraiser on Sunday evening, and offered some of the most specific details to date about the policies he would pursue if elected.
Karen Bleier / AFP - Getty Images
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney floated the idea of eliminating the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the cabinet-level agency once led by the candidate's father.
In a speech to donors in the backyard of a private home here, the former Massachusetts governor and presumptive GOP presidential nominee outlined his plans to potentially eliminate or consolidate federal agencies, win back Latino voters and reform the nation's tax code.
And even Ann Romney, the subject of a national debate last week over the role of women in the workplace, was more direct than usual. She sounded like a political tactician when she described a Democratic consultant's criticism of her decision to be a stay-at-home mom as "an early birthday gift."
Romney went into a level of detail not usually seen by the public in the speech, which was overheard by reporters on a sidewalk below. One possibility floated by Romney included the elimination of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Cabinet-level agency once led by Romney's father, George.
"I'm going to take a lot of departments in Washington, and agencies, and combine them. Some eliminate, but I'm probably not going to lay out just exactly which ones are going to go," Romney said. "Things like Housing and Urban Development, which my dad was head of, that might not be around later. But I'm not going to actually go through these one by one. What I can tell you is, we've got far too many bureaucrats. I will send a lot of what happens in Washington back to the states."
Asked about the fate of the Department of Education in a potential Romney administration, the former governor suggested it would also face a dramatic restructuring.
"The Department of Education: I will either consolidate with another agency, or perhaps make it a heck of a lot smaller. I'm not going to get rid of it entirely," Romney said, explaining that part of his reasoning behind preserving the agency was to maintain a federal role in pushing back against teachers' unions. Romney added that he learned in his 1994 campaign for Senate that proposing to eliminate the agency was politically volatile.
At that time, Sen. Ted Kennedy ran ads against Romney — then a political neophyte — accusing him of being uncaring for saying he wished to eliminate the agency.
Romney told the audience here tonight (along with the Weekly Standard in an interview in early April) that that experience remains fresh in his mind. It's contributed to his caution in publicly naming federal agencies and programs he would eliminate or dramatically curtail.
Romney's wife Ann also spoke briefly, where she described her role in a controversy over women in the workplace and Republicans' efforts to make inroads with female voters.
Mrs. Romney acknowledged Republicans' deficit at present with female voters, and urged the women in attendance to talk to their friends, particularly about the economy. She also discussed the criticism she faced this week, and her pride in her role as a mother.
"It was my early birthday present for someone to be critical of me as a mother, and that was really a defining moment, and I loved it," Mrs. Romney said.
Gov. Romney went further in engaging the so-called "war on moms" that followed in the media — upon which his campaign has been aggressively fundraising — calling it a "gift" that allowed his campaign to show contrast with Democrats in the general election's first week.
Romney also went into greater detail than he has on the campaign trail in describing how he would maintain the progressive structure in the tax code after implementing his 20 percent across-the-board tax cut.
Democrats have argued that Romney's tax proposals would disproportionately help the wealthy, but on Sunday, Romney identified specific loopholes and deductions for the wealthy that he would eliminate in order to both finance his tax cut, and ensure that the nation's top earners face the same tax burden they do today.
"I'm going to probably eliminate for high income people the second home mortgage deduction," Romney said, adding that he would also likely eliminate deductions for state income and property taxes as well.
"By virtue of doing that, we'll get the same tax revenue, but we'll have lower rates," Romney explained. "The nice thing about lower rates is that small businesses not get to keep a larger share of what they're earning and plow it back in to hire more people and expand their business."
Romney covered much of the ground he does in his standard stump speech before a crowd of several dozen donors, who were gathered to contribute to his new general election "Victory Fund." But Romney also offered, over fried chicken and snapper, a simpler way of understanding his economic policies.
"I'm asked — how do you boil it down, how do you encapsulate this into a campaign message: Two things, jobs and kids," Romney said, explaining that restarting job growth and preserving a better future for the next generation were the campaign's guiding principles.
Though the general election campaign has only begun in earnest — and the policy proposals floated by Romney on Sunday evening were far from formal platform items — the former governor's remarks marked the campaign's acute sense of what awaits them in the coming months.
That sense was represented in Ann and Mitt Romney's discussion of how they might win back women. The former governor also addressed how he might make strides toward winning back Hispanic voters, another crucial voting bloc with whom he and other Republicans lag, according to recent polls.
Predicting that immigration would become a much larger issue in the fall campaign, Romney told his audience, "We have to get Hispanic voters to vote for our party," warning that recent polling showing Hispanics breaking in huge percentages for President Obama "spells doom for us."
Romney said the GOP must offer its own policies to woo Hispanics, including a "Republican DREAM Act," referring to the legislative proposal favored by Democrats that would offer illegal immigrants a limited path to citizenship, to give Hispanic voters a real choice between parties.
Romney nonetheless predicted that, by November, the economy would trump immigration as a driving issue for Hispanic voters, and he vowed also to remind the Hispanic community that, despite promises of comprehensive immigration reform by Obama, Democrats ultimately fell short in passing legislation in their two years in control of Congress and the White House at the start of the president's term.
Romney also described his media strategy going forward, including his views on so-called "earned media," and how the campaign might pair surrogates with complimentary news outlets.
He said his campaign had been well-covered by Fox News, but that Fox was watched by "the true believers," and that he knew he would have to reach out to a broader audience in order to win over independents and women voters that will decide the election in November. He painted a picture of a media landscape in which liberal voices won out on television, but conservatives were strongest online.
"We are behind when it comes to commentators on TV. They tend to be liberal," Romney said. "Where we are ahead or even is on twitter and on the Internet."
Leave a Comment:
@NorCalModerate
With willard, you will not have both jobs, and will never get any as long as he remains in the White House, you fool!!!!!!
By the way Mittens, you have your "Stand You Ground" law and the women of America have their Stand Their Ground VOTE !!!!!! Let's see which has more power.
His wife Ann made a good choice for a husband - just like the Chinese women are now doing. Marry the guy with the most potential, love has nothing to do with it. Its a business. She is a businesswoman who made good choices, like Mitt did at Bain. Living in the ultimate lap of luxury and, as another woman stated, never had to worry about how much was coming in and how much was going out. Rich breeds rich, opulence breeds fat cats who fear losing their wealth and their opulent lifestyle.
Tax code, well what a farce. Flat Tax all the way around for wage earners. All corporate loopholes filled with duct tape and generous portions of plaster. The moneied interests of course pay more, its their duty. The rest of us pay our fair share. You cannot cut the deficit of the USA without adding to revenues, and it will not be enough to simply cut, cut and drill baby drill. As far as Fox owning only the True Believers, what a bunch of horse@!$%# Mitt, pure nutso statement. I am a true believer and I do not watch FOX news. I am a true believer and I do not listen to the fat assed Rush Limbaugh as he dolls out his harsh punishment for the non-believers, and I am a true believer who knows full well that the Iraq war and the recession that followed were the sole instruments of a lying Republican Party headed by the little boy trying to do a man's job. Pathetic.
If you spend more money then you take in you get yourself in debt or deficit!
I tried to date asian women and they told me White Men have the power in America!
I guess I look to much like a negro!
I'm Cuban like Rubio Ladies!
a solution: find billy jack and send him to washington to clean up this cesspool of congress bought out by special interests, pacs and now "corporate personages." a national initiative is the only voice the people can depend on when our congress is bought.
romney is proving to be true to his colors: a disciple of joseph (156) smith (510) = 666.
how ironic that the religious right is baiting the obama hatred being used to seat satan in the oval office!
just somebody introduce a plank to the gop platform "resolved, the gop shall not press israel to usurp the birthright of joseph as part of a palestinian state," or this mormon president will cement the curse on america being experienced in economic, social and spiritual spheres. mormons don't respect or honor the birthright of joseph in israel which is why glenn beck never mentioned the fact that the pre-1967 lines usurp the birthright.
tampering with a birthright -- not to mention the birthright -- is a biblical curse and cursing israel curses the nation or people that curse israel.
but satan has been after the birthright for a long time.
I guess the conservs are gonna give romney "Hell" in the up coming primaries! and the american people in the general election!
Romney "The RINO" will be the new leader of the republican party!
Sounds like the Koch Bros finally sent Mitt a list of their demands. Union Busting and eliminating teachers is one.
The gift that keeps on giving.
Doomed!
Mitt Romney: ..."blah, blah, blah, blah, gut the Federal Government, blah, blah, blah..." . These people just haven't got any arrows in the quiver....they have nothing to offer except TAX CUTS AND MORE DEREGULATION...which didn't work before and STILL WON'T WORK.
Mitt loves Tacos...LoL Doomed!
Sounds like a typical European plan. Wonder if he read the French version when he was dodging the war in France.
kimb54.1
I wonder what Obama was doing when he dodged the first Gulf War.
Well, we know that Obama wasn't using his "Mormon missionary" status to avoid the draft while simultaneously attending counter protests in support of the war.
Can't wait to add Gulf War dodger to MY resume...
slodon-
Dodging the draft... didn't think I needed to spell that out. We have a all volunteer forces today, one percent of our population bravely defends our interest and needs.
I thank God everyday that the American People kicked Nancy Pelosi out of power in the House in 2010. If this had not happened Obama would have drained all of our money and we would make Greece look like a small child who had their allowance cut.
Our only hope for salvation is to throw Reid out this election along with President Obama. These people are like having a cancer that feeds off the American Taxpayer
You have never actually read anything about our country's history in the last 30 years have you?
I have read and seen enough of the Liberal Socialist agenda to know what has infected this great country.
Rush Limbaugh is proud of you too!!!
Ronald Reagan also spent money we didn't have to end his much smaller recession. And he was able to raise taxes a number of times. At least he had the bipartisan support of Congress, who put aside their political aspirations for the good of the country's economy. President Obama has had to fight the Party of No Republicans for three years, since they clearly want to drag the Great Recession out as long as possible.
So, all I got at the end there was the people who report the news that have their information fact checked by editors lean liberal, and the people who can spout any crap they want on twitter and the internet lean conservative. That's something to be proud of?
Sounds like you are afraid to hear the truth.
Is this something to be proud of?
Is this something to be proud of too?
and these?
White Nationalist Recruiter at CPAC
Peter Brimelow , Editor of vdare invited to speak at CPAC
Example of articles on Brimelow’s website
Are these anything to be proud of? Mitch McConnell stating that the main goal of the GOP is to make President Obama a one term president? Was the conservatives cheering when the USA lost their bid to bring the 2016 Olympics here something to be proud of? What about inviting known white nationalists to speak at their CPAC? I have several links to validate my comment, but for some reason I am not allowed to post them.
Romney states: "The nice thing about lower rates is that small businesses not get to keep a larger share of what they're earning and plow it back in to hire more people and expand their business."
But he's not talking about lowering the tax rate on money used for hiring or expansion. He's talking about lowering the tax rate on money going into the business owners pocket. The reason I know that is because money used for hiring or expansion is already exempt form taxes. How can you lower the tax rate on money that is already tax exempt?
If conservatives want to lower taxes on the money going into the owners pocket...then fine. Why not just say that? At least that would be honest. But conservatives know full well that being honest won't get them the tax cuts. And if conservatives have to choose between money and honesty...well...obviously money wins.
Explaining to a Liberal Left Wing Socialist is like taking a puppy over to a pile of poop and pushing his or her nose in it and smacking his or him until they understand. Ugly but it has to be done
You are right sammy!
but you forgot about the consevs too!
So Mitt, now you need to win over
Women
Independents
Hispanics while throwing away teachers... stay tuned.
Or just say you have seen the Obama doctrine and win by a landslide
You see sammy, how you and ptny are like:
The problem is Liberals were allegedly educated by Union teachers in a public school and conservatives went to private and religious schools where teachers taught or were fired
Religious schools where little boy's were molested by priest's.
The teachers were Nuns with rulers if you ever went their you would know. Not all religious schools were Catholic. You sound like a Liberal racist. Obama will play the Race Card when he gets a little more Desperate
Obama Doctrine first of all doesn't exist. Go find it?
Anything beats Bush's Bunker Busters looking for Waldo (WMD's) in Iraq. They never existed either.
You have been Obama washed. There is help but you must admit it first just like an alcoholic or drug addict
Easy Sammy. I wouldn't be throwing around the term brain "washed" when YOU'RE the one who is robotically spouting the talking points and rhetoric of your leaders while denigrating and dehumanizing those with opposing viewpoints...
sammy72746: The real cancer was letting Bush jr stay in office for 8 years and now right wing people are trying to make it seem like he never exsisted. It is so easy to blame President Obama and let Bush jr have a pass because the gop and majority of congress did not want a black man to be president anyway, that is why he is the only President that they have not wanted to help in the history of this country. All of the excuse's that you have made have no facts or logic to back up anything you say. NEWS FLASH- You know that President Obama did not have a surplus to work with like Bush jr had or are you going to try to come up with another in denial excuse to try an cover up Bush jr and Dick Cheney again? The surplus was gone in less than a year.
8 Years of Obama would mean a new Revolution in this country. The founders are already doing snap rolls in their graves. Our Oval office has a cancer and the voters will operate in November
Oh hawk they will say bush never really had a surplus, didnt you know that
sammy72746: You know it should be against the law to be dumb on purpose?
Good idea that would rid this country of Liberal Left Wing Socialists
sammy72746: With a mother like jan brewer of arizonia it is easy to see why your intellect needs to improve.
You bore me, Sammy.
I apologize for talking over your head. I forgot you went to a Public school
sammy72746: It would be wise first to take your head out of your butt so you will at least be able to see, plus you did not have to apologize because if i had gone to school in texas with Rick Perry i would do my best to hide it to. Just think bush, paul and perry are all in the same state.
another puppy who needs training. I lived in Texas for a while and got my CHL while I was their
sammy72746: You must have gotten your for free because the effect of dumb is still there.
I guess we better get ready for revolution america, because obama is weak, but romney is weaker!
That's why the smart repubs are waiting for 2016!
Jeb and Rubio for 2016!
It's funny for a guy who is so weak and puny(hussein from kenya) all the repubs can come up with is
Romney the RINO!
"Jeb and Rubio for 2016!"
Are you kidding me?? Another Bush?? The Bush name is poison in America. Bush 41 was tossed out after one term. Bush 43 was so bad Republicans don't want to mention his name. I guarantee you -- neither 41 or 43 will be at the Republican convention this summer. Republicans hope voters will forget both of them. Now I will agree that some Republicans see Jeb as their salvation but they live in a dream world.
As for Rubio -- it Republicans think 8 years of badmouthing Hispanics at every opportunity can be turned around by putting a someone with a questionable Cuban background on the ticket --- they're crazy. Rubio isn't going to be anymore successful at turning Hispanics into Republicans than Sarah Palin was able to turn Hillary voters into Republicans.
nice on charlie
How will that 2nd morgage deduction help the middle class? Another joke on you neocons/teabaggers!
repubs love RINO's and they should change from elephant to rhino!
They never have conserv who supports social issues!
Romney is the best thing to happen to the neo-cons!
Taking away deductions for property taxes! and supporting dream act!
have there been a conserv running on the repub side!
reagan, bush, mccain and now romney support dream act along with the pelosi, reid and Hussein O
Now I feel good for not voting???
There is no reason to EVER feel good about not voting.
Even if you just go in and write-in YOURSELF in every election, at least you stay registered, in practice and are a good example to others.
There is after reading post on here, either people are trolls or just plain brainwashed into thinking one party is better then the other.
LOL a conservative "Dream Act" would that include self-deportation?
DierdraT: When you deal with dizzy republicans any thing that comes out of their mouths should really be looked at because they have turned flip flopping into a work of art and if facts were a germ they would all be sick because they never have anything to combat facts and logic.
If ObamaCare is eliminated will MittCare have to be pulled from existence. They are pretty much the same as far as forcing everyone in a given area to have health care insurance...Normally you get what you pay for but in the case of the contributing republicans to this years front running candidate, boy did they get the shaft. Mitt would be great at running Bloomfield Hills Country Club in Michigan or the one in Augusta so he can BS the rich and super rich and there really is a place for his wife and boys.
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is national/federal law affecting all states. RomeyCare is just Massachusetts.
They are not 'tied' together and repeal of one would not directly affect the standing of the other. If Obamacare is found unconstitutional that doesn't mean that each state couldn't pass a version of ObamaCare.
It depends on the reasoning behind any part of the law being struck down. State law cannot violate the U.S. Constitution. However, if the mandate is struck down solely for violating the Commerce Clause, the state law could possibly stay in place.
Having said that, the entire Affordable Care Act will probably be upheld.
Explaining to a Conserv is like taking a puppy over to a pile of poop and pushing his or her nose in it and smacking his or him until they understand. Ugly but it has to be done!
Yes....I think liberals were against animal abuse. I guess not. Sounds like you are pretty stupid.
vinny,
Explaining to you is like taking a puppy over to a pile of poop and pushing his or her nose in it and smacking his or him until they understand. Ugly but it has to be done!
That's why romney and ann tied the dog on the roof of the car1
Only because he had a couple hundred people there, Ron Paul can't do that with his 8500 plus.
Ron Paul 2012!
Oh nice...Romney lays out his ideas instead of just stump speeches...that's what Newt's been doing all along. Except Newt has way better ideas than Romney. This stupid blind country will be screwed for many years to come with Romney or Obama.
And what the hell is Romney talking about? Fox News has bent over backwards to promote Romney.
Gee,vinny.
I thought Fox News was bending over backwards for Gingrich a couple of weeks ago.
Goes to show you the repubs leadership are all about the money,
and the voters of the party are the conservs, but all you get are RINO's for president!
Romney is in favor of the "Dream Act" just like Mccain, Bush and Reagan!
Will real conserv stand up?
Jeb & Rubio 2016!
LOL!!! That was either sarcasm or the biggest laugh I have had from a comment it a while!!!!
If that was not sarcasm please please please explain to me why you actually believe Jeb Bush and Rubio would be ANY DIFFERENT!?!?!?!