A New Respect

Having just pulled myself away from the televised revelation of Mitt Romney's resignation from the GOP race, I must say that I have honestly found a new respect for the man. I do not see eye-to-eye with him on several issues and I still contend that he ran a dirty, negative campaign, but that aside, a few minutes ago I did get a glimpse of the real man within.

In my post yesterday, I commented that "If we can believe what he says and Mitt is truly in this race to leave a better America for his children, he should bow out and support Mike Huckabee." Although he came short of endorsing Mike Huckabee in his speech, it was quite evident that he does place the best interest of America above his own personal glory. For that, I commend him. He realizes that his continued presence in the race does nothing more than increase the odds that we will have a liberal President in the White House next year; the result of which would be disasterous for America on a variety of fronts.

While Mr. Romney spoke politely of him (and received boos for doing so) it must be noted that he did not endorse McCain, either. What Governor Romney did say, however, leads me to believe now, more than ever, that Mike Huckabee is the best answer for America.

Mitt's Quote #1 - Support to Huckabee on Marriage Amendment, Faith

"The attack on faith and religion is no less relentless. And tolerance for pornography—even celebration of it—and sexual promiscuity, combined with the twisted incentives of government welfare programs have led to today’s grim realities: 68% of African American children are born out-of-wedlock, 45% of Hispanic children, and 25% of White children. How much harder it is for these children to succeed in school—and in life. A nation built on the principles of the founding fathers cannot long stand when its children are raised without fathers in the home.
The development of a child is enhanced by having a mother and father. Such a family is the ideal for the future of the child and for the strength of a nation. I wonder how it is that unelected judges, like some in my state of Massachusetts, are so unaware of this reality, so oblivious to the millennia of recorded history. It is time for the people of America to fortify marriage through constitutional amendment, so that liberal judges cannot continue to attack it!"

Mitt's Quote #2 - Support to Huckabee on Faith, Family, Sanctity of Life

• "Europe is facing a demographic disaster. That is the inevitable product of weakened faith in the Creator, failed families, disrespect for the sanctity of human life and eroded morality. Some reason that culture is merely an accessory to America’s vitality; we know that it is the source of our strength. And we are not dissuaded by the snickers and knowing glances when we stand up for family values, and morality, and culture. We will always be honored to stand on principle and to stand for principle."

Mitt's Quote #3 - Support to Huckabee on Energy Independence

• "Our prosperity and security also depend on finally acting to become energy secure. Oil producing states like Russia and Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran are siphoning over $400 billion per year from our economy—that’s almost what we spend annually for defense. It is past time for us to invest in energy technology, nuclear power, clean coal, liquid coal, renewable sources and energy efficiency. America must never be held hostage by the likes of Putin, Chavez, and Ahmendinejad."

Mitt's Quote #4 - Support to Huckabee on Taxes & Economy; (Less Tax and/or FairTax)

• "And our economy is also burdened by the inexorable ramping of government spending. Don’t focus on the pork alone—even though it is indeed irritating and shameful. Look at the entitlements. `They make up 60% of federal spending today. By the end of the next President’s second term, they will total 70%. Any conservative plan for the future has to include entitlement reform that solves the problem, not just acknowledges it.
  Most politicians don’t seem to understand the connection between our ability to compete and our national wealth, and the wealth of our families. They act as if money just happens–that it’s just there. But every dollar represents a good or service produced in the private sector. Depress the private sector and you depress the well-being of Americans.
  That’s exactly what happens with high taxes, over-regulation, tort windfalls, mandates, and overfed, over-spending government. Did you see that today, government workers make more money than people who work in the private sector. Can you imagine what happens to an economy where the best opportunities are for bureaucrats?
  It’s high time to lower taxes, including corporate taxes, to take a weed-whacker to government regulations, to reform entitlements, and to stand up to the increasingly voracious appetite of the unions in our government!"

Mitt's Quote #5 - Support to Huckabee on Radical Islam

• "And finally, let’s consider the greatest challenge facing America—and facing the entire civilized world: the threat of violent, radical Jihad. In one wing of the world of Islam, there is a conviction that all governments should be destroyed and replaced by a religious caliphate. These Jihadists will battle any form of democracy—to them, democracy is blasphemous for it says that citizens, not God shape the law. They find the idea of human equality to be offensive. They hate everything we believe about freedom just as we hate everything they believe about radical Jihad."

Mitt Quote #6 - Support to Huckabee on Military Strength & Veterans Rights

• "To battle this threat, we have sent the most courageous and brave soldiers in the world. But their numbers have been depleted by the Clinton years when troops were reduced by 500,000, when 80 ships were retired from the Navy, and when our human intelligence was slashed by 25%. We were told that we were getting a peace dividend. We got the dividend, but we didn’t get the peace. In the face of evil in radical Jihad and given the inevitable military ambitions of China, we must act to rebuild our military might. Raise military spending to 4% of our GDP, purchase the most modern armament, re-shape our fighting forces for the asymmetric demands we now face, and give the veterans the care they deserve!"

I will leave it to the intelligent voters out there to connect the dots.

Go Huck!!

Romney CPAC Feb 7 2008 Transcript