Romney: America is ‘on the road to decline’

DES MOINES, Iowa — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney may not be officially running for president, but while speaking to around 150 people packed into a meeting room in Des Moines’ downtown public library Monday afternoon, his tone certainly sounded like a 2012 stump speech.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney signs books in downtown Des Moines (photo by Emily Schettler/The Iowa Independent).

Romney was in Des Moines to speak and sign copies of his new book, “No Apology: The Case for American Greatness.” He will speak again at Iowa State University in Ames Monday night.

Romney focused on the nation’s future, saying that America’s politicians are “putting our country on the road to decline.” In his 30-minute speech, the 2008 runner-up in the Iowa Caucuses expressed concern and outrage over what he called massive borrowing that could lead to $18 trillion worth of debt in the coming years.

He cited “promises we’ve made to ourselves” in the form of entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Romney said the under funded liabilities must be made sustainable, or “we will pass a burden to our children that cannot be carried.”

Romney also addressed the need for energy independence and an improvement in America’s education system. He pointed to Iowa’s once top-rated schools as an example.

“I spoke with [former] Gov. [Terry] Branstad this morning, and he said, ‘Iowa used to be at the top, now it’s in the middle of the pack,’” Romney said.

Romney has not formally endorsed a candidate in the three-way Iowa gubernatorial primary. His 2008 Iowa Caucus rival, Mike Huckabee, has endorsed Branstad’s chief competitor, Bob Vander Plaats.

Finally, Romney turned his attention to health care, an issue he’s taken heat for in recent days following his criticism of health care reform legislation signed into law last week by President Barack Obama. As governor, Romney supported a health care initiative with some requirements similar to those in the president’s plan, most significantly a mandate for Massachusetts residents to purchase health insurance. That idea has become a lightening rod for conservatives who believe a mandate violates the U.S. Constitution.

Yet Monday, Romney railed against the bill, saying the government should not be the ones in control of health care.

“[Government-managed health care] is great if you like the way the government managed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and if you like the way the government manages the post office,” Romney said.

He argued that a better way to reform the system would be a “consumer-driven approach to health care.”

Danielle Rossow of West Des Moines, who came have her book signed, said she is concerned about Romney’s sudden about face, but Rossow said she would still support him if he chose to run for President in 2012.

“There are unanswered questions on health care,” Rossow said. “I think at the very least he tried to do something to fix the situation and hopefully he learned from his mistakes.”

Carol Anne Tracy of Des Moines also said they would not only support Romney if he sought the presidential nomination, but they would “even drive a bus to ensure Republican voters got to the polls.”

“He’s our man,” Tracy said. “I caucused for him in 2008, and the more I see of the current situation, the more I know I made the right decision.”

Tracy pointed to concerns people had with Romney’s religious affiliation as an issue that may have hindered his 2008 campaign. To make her point she cited a popular and completely untrue conspiracy theory that President Obama is secretly a Muslim.

“I would love to see him run again. People were so worried about his affiliation church-wise, with him being a Mormon, but we have Muslim in the White House right now, that has to change,” Tracy said.

Still, Tracy said she thinks that Democrats face an uphill battle in both the 2010 and 2012 elections. She pointed out that she did not have a copy of Romney’s book for him to sign because she could not afford one given the current state of the economy.

“There are a lot of people who are upset with the way things are going,” Tracy said. “I think the Democrats are in trouble.”

In addition to Romney’s meeting with Branstad — which was also attended by Doug Gross, a former adviser to both men — he also headlined a private fundraiser for the Iowa Republican Party and met with Iowa Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn. The trip is Romney’s first to the Hawkeye State since finishing second to Huckabee in the 2008 Iowa Caucuses. The loss, after devoting a huge amount of resources and time to the state, dealt a fatal blow to Romney’s campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. He quit the race a month later.