2008 Woodie Awards
Romney's Mitt Mobile stops at FMU
John Sweeney
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Elections 2008
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Having won the Michigan primary just hours before, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney stopped by the University Center to address a crowd about his campaign promises to bring change and optimism to Washington.
The former Massachusetts governor explained his slogan, "bringing change to Washington," and his ideas for making higher education more affordable.
Romney discussed what he means when he talks about change for the United States and what place the traditional conservative values of former President Ronald Reagan, often a key issue in this Republican race, would play in his presidency.
"Ronald Reagan showed us that optimism can carry us a long, long way," Romney said. "He strengthened our national psyche by having such optimism and passion for America that he lifted the whole country."
The former governor said that although the world is not the same as it was under the Reagan presidency, the same basic principles still apply.
"Clearly, today the threats have changed, and the nature of the threats we face are different," Romney said. "And so the specific policies would have to be tailored to what we are doing today. But none the less, the policy of strengthening our military, strengthening again our economy at a time when it's fragile and strengthening our values is something which America needs."
Romney also cited a program he implemented during his time as governor that he said makes education more affordable and accessible to young people.
"What we did in our state was to have a scholarship program so that every kid who graduated from high school in the top quarter of their class, they got an ABS scholarship, four years, tuition free, at the public institution of higher learning of their choice," Romney said. "That kind of recognition of excellence, I think, makes a lot of sense."
During his speech in the University Center commons, which was broadcast live on CNN, Romney continued to emphasize his "Washington is broken" message and solutions to the problem.
"It's time finally to recognize that an insider will never be able to turn Washington inside out," Romney said. "I'm going to Washington to finally get done the job that needs to get done."
After his speech was over, Romney was shown into the old café area of the University Center to participate in a live interview with CNN's Wolfe Blitzer via satellite.
Soon after the interview concluded, Romney spoke with other members of the media.
Later, he mingled with the small crowd present after his speech, signing autographs and posing for pictures, before hoping aboard the Mitt Mobile and heading to Columbia, from where he flew west to campaign for the Nevada primary.
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