When you're running on change you're implicitly running for the opportunity to say "so long" to what came before. Tell me this isn't a shot over the bow of USS George W. Bush:
When Mitt Romney says "I take my inspiration from Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush" what pops out is who he doesn't take his inspiration from -- Georg W. Bush. And when he asks (expecting a "yes" answer) "Is Washington, D.C broken?", he's talking about a Washington that was governed by George Bush and a Congress that was Republican for most of the last decade -- and Washington that they could have fixed, but didn't.
What's important about all this is that Romney is finally sending the message of change he failed to send in Iowa or New Hampshire -- if you are repeatedly the one candidate who seems to spend most of his time defending and promising to continue Bush policies (e.g. Bush's tax cuts), the one thing you certainly aren't is the candidate of change. And Romney's failure in Iowa and New Hampshire reflected that failure to inspire folks disenchanted with the Bush Presidency and Bush's Washington -- Romney lost in New Hampshire to McCain in large part because he lost to McCain among the majority of voters who were unsatisfied or angry with the Bush Presidency.
America now understands that Washington is broken, and we're going to do something about it. America understands that Washington has promised that they'd secure our borders, but they haven't. Washington told us that they would live by high ethical standards, but they haven't. Washington told us that they'd fix Social Security, but they haven't. Washington told us they'd get us better health care and better education, but they haven't. Washington told us they'd get us a tax break for middle income Americans, but they haven't. Washington told us that they'd cut back on the earmarks and the pork-barrel spending, but they haven't. And Washington told us they'd reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but they haven't. And who's going to get the job done? We are!And this:
I take my inspiration from Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush, who took their inspiration from the American people - hard-working American people, people who believed in opportunity, who loved education, God-fearing people, people who also love their families, people deeply patriotic. It is that characteristic of the American people that makes us the most powerful nation on Earth. Ronald Reagan, George Herbert Walker Bush said we are a great and good people, it's exactly what we are. It's why we will always be the most powerful nation on Earth.And finally this:
"I have a couple of questions for you. Is Washington, D.C., broken?" Crowd: "Yes!" Governor Romney: "Can it be fixed?" Crowd: "Yes!" Governor Romney: "Are we the team that's going to get the job done?" Crowd: "Yes!"(Watch the video here.)
When Mitt Romney says "I take my inspiration from Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush" what pops out is who he doesn't take his inspiration from -- Georg W. Bush. And when he asks (expecting a "yes" answer) "Is Washington, D.C broken?", he's talking about a Washington that was governed by George Bush and a Congress that was Republican for most of the last decade -- and Washington that they could have fixed, but didn't.
What's important about all this is that Romney is finally sending the message of change he failed to send in Iowa or New Hampshire -- if you are repeatedly the one candidate who seems to spend most of his time defending and promising to continue Bush policies (e.g. Bush's tax cuts), the one thing you certainly aren't is the candidate of change. And Romney's failure in Iowa and New Hampshire reflected that failure to inspire folks disenchanted with the Bush Presidency and Bush's Washington -- Romney lost in New Hampshire to McCain in large part because he lost to McCain among the majority of voters who were unsatisfied or angry with the Bush Presidency.
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