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Romney: Americans Want a Nation of Opportunity

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    Exclusive: 2012 hopeful on current economic policies, his plan for job growth

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United States trying to echo a former president Teddy Roosevelt in Kansas in making his case.

Four -- one year payroll tax cut and what he calls economic fairness.

But is a ten year tax -- to pay for relief there.

That's a big interviews candidate Romney -- wandering about he joins me now from paradise valley Arizona -- just picked up the endorsement of a former vice president -- states.

Dan Quayle governor very good to have you congratulations on that endorsement.

Thank you so much Leo good to be with you today what do you make -- the president actually Teddy Roosevelt.

That he would want to see something like this he would want to see your payroll tax cut.

Extension.

And it looks like that's -- on the mind right now.

Well -- with this present -- comparing himself with Teddy Roosevelt I'm reminded that Teddy Roosevelt.

Formed the Bull Moose Party.

One of those words applies here when the president's talking about what he did do this economy.

Look that the right course for America's not to raise taxes on people.

This this payroll tax extension.

It's probably a good idea not to raise taxes on folks that I would have a pay a tax increase if this extension were we're eliminated.

But at the same time recognize that this extension -- -- to get our economy going we have to have a fundamental.

Restructuring of America's competitiveness in this president has failed to do that he's spending to much money he has not taken the actions.

That will allow people court to invest in this country who start new businesses.

Who expand businesses to make the decision to grow and America -- would you be for extending -- payroll tax and I would extended because this is not the right time to raise taxes but I would not pay for it by raising taxes and of the people that's -- -- way to go.

What I would do to pay for it is to finally put in place a reform of our long term entitlement programs to make sure that we can make them sustainable.

They reason I ask you as a few weeks ago so you would say it that did this whole idea of -- tax cut extension was like little band aids and offered only.

A temporary fixes on Dallas you argue that it's a trust better than nothing has that and.

Well I just -- wanna raise taxes and anybody right now I'm I'm not in favor -- raising taxes but I recognize.

Extending the payroll tax that is gonna -- a little more money and that India pockets of some middle class folks that are having a hard time right now that's a good idea.

But it's not gonna reignite this economy.

It's not gonna put millions of Americans back to work 4526.

Million Americans that are out of work -- Has stopped looking for work back into the work force of that that's gonna take a more fundamental reform.

That this president remarkably has not been willing to put forward I mean we have a president three -- and -- his first term.

Who has not laid out -- economic plan to put Americans to work and to rekindle our economy and to make -- globally competitive I find it extraordinary.

That this president has no vision for our economy.

And sure extending the payroll tax cut that's fine it's a nice thing to do for people that the need -- little extra money but it's not fixing this economy.

Do you think it should be paid for because Republicans were not.

So eager to pay for extending the bush tax rates for the well to do for example but on this they are.

Well I think we have to look at that make sure that we put America on the track to cap how much government spends.

Right now government spending about 45%.

Of of the entire economy that's too much we gotta get that down to at least 20% I've put a plan to do that.

I cut about 500 billion dollars annually from federal spending.

The president's got to come up with something -- of his own vision that cuts the extraordinary expense of this government and stops the unnecessary borrowing that that's that's step one.

And if we do it as part of this payroll tax.

Extension great let's let's Begin to see the president talk about how it's gonna cut spending and by the way.

Talk also about what he's going to do to reform entitlements he himself has indicated that social security and Medicare need to -- be -- long term and yet.

Has offered no ideas.

As to what he do to make those economically sustainable long term.

-- -- -- on the whitehouse dot gov website there is a clock and a countdown clock to when the payroll.

Tax cut expires but no such Clark on the -- -- -- like that would be taken.

Yeah that's very -- -- I've I've fashion to my team has a big clock that shows what's happening the national debt.

That and the number is just extraordinary you know this president is on track to accumulate as much national debt.

As all the prior presidents combined.

It it's an extraordinary and had.

-- and disheartening record.

I think the American people recognized he is changing the nature of America he is building such massive debt.

That is creating a -- a nation of entitlements a nation of debt a nation with the government heavy -- hand.

And and the American people -- to go back to a a nation that's a nation of opportunity where hard work and education and risk taking can build a better future for them for their kids that.

That's the fundamental choice it's going to be faced by the American people do we want big government based entitlement society.

Or who -- an opportunity and freedom -- society that I represent the latter.

Governor -- I guess Donald Trump is still waiting for an answer from you whether you're gonna participate.

In his debate of course this is a week ahead of the -- fox today LB there were -- -- and meg and Kelly Chris Wallace world outside about it.

But -- -- Donald Trump.

Hosted debate yes -- -- No I'm not participating in that we have two debates in December that -- agreed to participate in the rest of the month is gonna be spent campaigning.

Doing the political work you've got to do to get the support of people of Iowa New Hampshire South Carolina Florida.

So be -- the trail I spoke with Donald Trump earlier today indicated that we just can't make this debate we're gonna focus on the of the two we've got.

And and -- some campaigning commodities sent.

He understood my my perspective and which may well.

That was that it was it was a more colorful -- Now I wish there without colorful way had a nice chat that is tell them that.

At this late date.

And and with the other debates we've -- scheduled and and with the number of requests by the way.

I think there are several other you know five or ten other debate requests we've had for December and January which we just -- new ball.

And so we we tried do a couple of months.

On the fact of the matter is you are doing a little bit more than you -- prior governor and I I noticed that you're going to be with my friend and colleague Chris Wallace on FOX News Sunday.

He's are excited about that a week from.

Sunday.

And I'm wondering whether you're doing -- because you're worried in these polls.

Aren't looking as good for you Newt Gingrich is soaring you're not January.

That's what happens towards the end of a campaign as you as you know -- You're gonna see is going up on the air with ads we just -- those.

Work we're doing that because elections getting close but -- so it's time for our closing argument that I make in the closing argument to the American people.

And if they accept my view and they want to see America remain an opportunity society of merit based society where freedom -- the -- for me.

If they want to take a different course why that's of course they're right.

But this is time for for me making my case you're gonna see me all over the country.

Particularly in early primary states I'll be on TV I'll be on fox a lot.

Because you guys matter when it comes to Republican primary voters.

I want -- to hear my message and have an opportunity to make their choice.

I'm governor did.

Many of your closest factors and those would -- the most are worried.

That you're not being I guess in your face enough that you're not being.

Proactive that you're being buried just deferential.

CEO -- as one put it I'm not appreciating the magnitude of the threat you face from Newt Gingrich.

That he isn't like one of these -- a whack a -- up again down again opponents that he's for real what do you say to your supporters.

Who want to see you more passion.

I just what you say half left but that's -- -- Overdo -- make sure that the the differences and our experience and our perspective.

On our views on issues are are well layered and people could make a choice if you can be sure I will not be quiet.

I'm gonna make sure that my messages heard loud and clear.

Speaker Gingrich is a friend I respect him.

But we have very different life experiences.

And if the American people believe that what we need is someone who spent the last forty years or so -- Washington DC working as an insider why he's -- right guy.

If they instead want someone from outside Washington.

To come into that place and fix it.

And get America out of track once again to move away from a government dominated society.

To -- people dominated society where people and freedom get to choose their course but -- the right person because I spent my life in the real economy working in real businesses.

I've worked in business over to government I've also worked in -- if you will the volunteer sector and and -- in the Olympics.

That kind of express I think is what it takes America needs a leader right now.

Not so much so someone is an insider but a leader who knows how to get America struck again.

So that ended the competition you might be facing -- this is a two man race -- -- Newt Gingrich.

A number Newt Gingrich is former colleagues.

Have gone on record as saying -- -- Pete king of New York comes to mind.

He's dismissive he's got a superiority complex senator Richard birth.

He's got a thousand ideas in the attention span of -- one Euro.

He's -- volatile.

Highly -- battles are these -- issues to -- and will you raise them in the future yourself.

-- -- back to predict precisely what our campaign will do but I but I can't tell you this which is I think Americans recognize that we need a leader.

And and I know that my role as a leader in and the -- prices I've run.

Will be examined very carefully and that will be -- -- -- the case also a speaker Gingrich his role as a leader as the speaker of the of the house will be examined very carefully people.

Measure our capacity to lead.

And I don't know what that that is gonna show with regards to him on a little -- progress to me he had no hope for the American people will be satisfied will be convinced.

That said -- -- -- the fact I'm far from perfect.

That I have had the experiences of leadership.

That are very much in line with what the nation needs.

-- governor was so heavy of the Obama administration announced today and efforts of -- US foreign aid.

To promote the rights of gays and lesbians abroad.

And then that it would there would be a quid pro quo to USA.

Pegged to hear how those countries to get -- treat gains what do you think about.

Well we had a ready rethink our entire foreign aid program.

Clearly there's a portion of foreign made this related to national defense and and and and providing funds to nations to do what our military would otherwise have to do it greater expense.

There's also -- portion of foreign aid which is to try and -- if you will and courage countries to move towards democracy.

And and it it it is some cases however you see -- giving money to people who who don't support us.

Who vote against us at the UN who oppose our interests.

-- weaving give 27 million dollars a year to China for Pete's sake.

You wouldn't -- like this morning -- -- -- but you would know.

That definition of a litmus test to how they treat let's -- days in a particular.

I I I'm not aware of that litmus test that's not one I'm familiar with how's it looking at foreign -- based upon.

Whether it's that it meets our national security interests and number two whether these nations are friends of ours.

That are willing to be friendly with us in ways when it counts most.

Governor finally you blasted the president for his planned seventeen day.

-- holiday trip you said his idea of hands on is getting a better grip on a golf club if you were to become president.

What is the longest vacation you.

Half well a lot short of the that I can -- of that.

My view is if -- become president of the United States I will work by the day and night off to make sure that I do my very best to get America strong again.

That we face real challenges -- but I hope people understand we are on the course to become Italy.

To become -- we're on that path right now.

We're on the path to have a nation that's dominated by government and debt and despair that that's where we're headed.

And I will do everything in my power to get America strong again and to make America the best place in the world to be middle class.

That that's why I'm running -- politics it is not my career.

My career was in the private sector.

My my passion is my family and my and my kids of my grandkids.

That -- I wanna get America strong for them.

And for the people of America that's why then this and if I'm lucky enough to be president not to be playing what eighty or ninety rounds of golf.

And I could be going off to Hawaii or any other spot for what almost three weeks I'm gonna focus on helping the American people get good jobs and rising incomes.

Governor Romney thank you very much for -- it's -- union.

Thanks -- good to be with you that -- me.

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