Monday, March 05, 2012YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney moments ago concluded his 45-minute talk and question-and-answer period at the Brilex Taylor Winfield Technologies plant here. The former Massachusetts governor’s appearance, webcast by WKBN.com, began with his stump speech that focused on the nation’s economy and his determination to create jobs.
“This is a failed presidency,” he said, blasting President Obama on several fronts. “We need to have a president who understands the economy if we’re going to fix the economy.”
Romney told how his experience as a highly successful businessman gives him the know-how to turn the nation's economy around. To begin with, he said, he would cut spending to eliminate the federal deficit and “reduce marginal tax rates 20% across the board and get America working again.”
After he spoke for about 10 minutes, the first question tcame from Mary Ann Hudzik, the Delphi retiree who has helped lead the salaried retirees group in their three-year fight to regain pensions lost in the Delphi and General Motors Corp. bankruptcies. “We have been largely blocked by the Obama Administration in finding out the truth … as to why a well-funded pension plan would be terminated," Hudzik said.
“Isn’t that extraordinary, unthinkable,” Romney replied.
The candidate repeated his contention that instead of the federal government bailing out GM and Chrysler, the automakers should have been forced to restructure under a managed bankruptcy. That would have given the Delphi retirees an opportunity to get their share of the proceeds, he said.
“Everybody has to be treated fairly under the law, and what I object to,” Romney said, “is when a president exercises crony capitalism,” taking care of his friends – in this case, union supporters. “You were a part of management,” he told Hudzik, “and you were left with nothing.”
Romney acknowledged he is not totally familiar with the Delphi salaried retirees’ situation, and promised to look into the issue. “I think it’s important to take apart this bankruptcy policy and see if the fingers of politics were put on the scales of justice," he said.
Two questions followed on the differences between “RomneyCare,” the health-care plan he passed while governing Massachusetts, and ObamaCare. Romney itemized the distinctions and vowed to issue an executive order his first day in the White House that would block implementation of the new health care law.
Another question dealt with the high price of gasoline, which Romney answered by emphasizing the value of coal as an energy resource and drilling for oil on federal lands. "I understand this administration has 9 or 10 agencies looking at inefficient ways to regulate [shale-gas] fracking, he said. The intent is to hold off drilling the nation's natural gas reserves so energy policy can instead focus on developing solar and wind power. "You can't drive a care with a windmill," he jobed.
More questions dealt with benefits for military veterans, and how to make the Social Security system solvent for generations to come.
The only question that drew an answer not heard many times before on 24/7 cable news coverage of Romney’s appearances across the country came from a senior in high school. Asked how his administration would help young people afford college tuition, Romney repeatedly advised the young man to “shop around.”
“The best thing I can do for you is to tell you to shop around and compare tuition, make sure you get your degree in four years or less, and work hard,” Romney said.
“College is expensive. … Just don’t go to the one with the highest price. Don’t take on too much debt,” he continued, and be sure to investigate possible scholarships. Don’t count on the federal government to pay your tuition unless you enlist in the military. “That’s a place where we’ll give you help," he said.
Copyright 2012 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.