Romney Gives His Best Speech on His Way Out

by Anita S. Lane

I’ll admit that I didn’t watch every speech by Mitt Romney while he was on the campaign trail. I watched the debates and I listened to bits and pieces of speeches, and I paid particular attention when Romney was campaigning in Michigan, my home state. Whenever he spoke, he made sound points on the economy and he came across as someone with experience and an understanding of the issues.

Now fast forward to Mitt Romney’s speech before the Conservative Political Action Committee on Thursday, February 7, 2008. I just happened to catch his speech live and in its entirety—and what I saw was pretty remarkable.

Here, on his way out—giving what would be his last speech as a Republican Presidential Candidate—was the most compelling speech I’d ever heard from Romney. He came across as very comfortable and relaxed—perhaps he was just relieved that he would no longer have to dwindle away his entire life fortune on the campaign. He was also very forthright—authoritative—speaking with conviction and heart. He also came across as genuine, humble and likeable. Most notably, he was passionate. And it’s the combination of humility, likeability and passion that I think was missing from Mitt Romney’s campaign.

I recall hearing Mitt Romney in the fall of 2007. I remember liking some of the things he had to say. However, he didn’t move me. Today however, Romney did move me. I think he had it right on a lot of the issues. And he seemed convinced that he did.

Romney talked about the need to genuinely reform welfare in a way that doesn’t promote dependency. He talked about our culture’s attack on faith and religion, our tolerance and celebration of pornography and promiscuity, our society’s weakened faith in the Creator, failed families, disrespect for the sanctity of human life and eroded morality. Romney talked about our economic crisis and our need to become energy secure.

Romney urged us to consider the connection between our ability to compete and our national wealth, and the wealth of our families—as well as the harmful effects of “high taxes, over-regulation, tort windfalls, mandates, and overfed, over-spending government.”

Finally, Romney addressed what he termed, “the greatest challenge facing America-and facing the entire civilized world: the threat of violent, radical Jihad,” stating that “They hate everything we believe about freedom just as we hate everything they believe about radical Jihad.”

And in his quest to bring unity to the Republican party, Romney stated that he agrees with Senator John McCain on what he feels is the critical issue. He put it this way: “I agree with [McCain] on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror,” and Romney feels as though staying in the race would impede on the Republican’s ability to forge a national campaign to beat the Democrats.

Romney concluded his farewell speech by saying, “If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country.”

Well said. Very well said, Romney. But you should have said it sooner.

Copyright ©2008 by Anita S. Lane
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